SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A visit from former Notre Dame quarterback Joe Theismann was the only piece of tangible evidence that something special was about to take place this weekend. Fit, impeccably tan, and dressed all in black, Theismann told the team they were part of a great tradition. Theismann capped his speech saying he was proud to be part of the Irish legacy.

That's it. That's as wild and crazy as it's been leading up to Saturday's Kickoff Classic between No. 20 Maryland and Notre Dame. Neither Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham nor Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen has told anyone a thing. Between the two of them, it's been a week-long exchange of vagaries. But the hints, nods and innuendoes create the traditional theme for any season opener -- It's not what you know, it's what you can prove.

	Tyrone Willingham finally kicks off the season Saturday night against No. 20 Maryland.

Friedgen may know who'll start at quarterback, but he obviously doesn't plan on sharing his secret anytime soon. Word has it sophomore Chris Kelley has healed amazingly well since tearing his ACL last spring. But junior southpaw Scott McBrien, a transfer from West Virginia, may have some insight on the Irish defense since he played against in 2000. But neither quarterback knows what to expect.

No one would be surprised if the Maryland coaching staff is poring over last year's Stanford tapes to get some idea of the Irish' new schemes. Irish safety Gerome Sapp says it doesn't matter what they're looking at. "They won't see the same undisciplined defense they saw last year," he says.

Willingham already knows that Bruce Perry, Maryland's leading rusher and receiver last year, is out with a groin injury and won't play on Saturday. Perhaps that's why he's not concerned about whose taking snaps for Maryland. Through his mustachioed smirk, he says, "We'll be prepared for either the lefty or the righty."

Willingham also knows that his debut as the first black coach in Notre Dame history means that all eyes will be on him. He's excited by his first game on the sideline, in fact he'll tell you he's excited by a lot of things. He's just not going to show it.

"It's like playing golf," he says. "The hacker will get all excited when he pars a hole. But in his excitement, he'll forget to play the next several holes. I'm not a hacker."

Notre Dame RB Ryan Grant knows he can fill the hole left by Julius Jones, last year's leading rusher. But Saturday is Grant's first chance to prove he can also catch the rock. Willingham has already made it known that he craves balance in his offense. He's talked about former 49ers running back Roger Craig, who established the standard for balance in the West Coast offense when he posted 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving.

When the topic arises, Grant offers an easy smile and sheepish confession. "I caught two passes last year," he laughs. "But yeah, I feel good about my role in this offense."

But while Grant feels good, he's still, like seemingly everything else heading into this game, a bit of a mystery. One that won't be solved until kickoff.

Alan Grant is a senior reporter for ESPN The Magazine.