For Notre Dame to duplicate that success in '99, it will have to weather a difficult schedule which features games at Michigan, Purdue and Tennessee and home games against Michigan State, Arizona State and USC. There's depth on defense but after Jackson, the offense is relatively untested for third-year coach Bob Davie. But if you believe in numerology, this is Notre Dame's year. Not only did former coaches Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, Dan Devine and Lou Holtz all win national titles in their third seasons at South Bend, but Notre Dame also won titles in 1966, 1977 and 1988. Will that trend continue in 1999?

He'll need to have a solid grasp of the offense from the get-go because there are only three other returning starters on this side of the ball. The first order of business is replacing all-time Irish rusher Autry Denson. Look for junior Tony Driver, who started seven games at safety last season in an attempt to get him on the field, to take over. Driver was a backup tailback his freshman season and then moved over to defense to see playing time. He was a Parade All-America running back and gained 125 yards on 35 carries as a backup. Junior Darcy Levy and sophomore Tony Fisher will compete for the starting spot. Clearing holes for the running backs will be fullback Joey Goodspeed, a 250-pound senior.

The line lost four starters off last year's experienced group. The only returnee is center John Merandi, and the senior will be counted on to anchor the line because the only other returning lettermen are junior tackle John Teasdale and senior guard Mike Gandy. Leading the depth chart heading into fall practice at the other positions are senior guard Jim Jones (6 minutes of action in '98) and sophomore tackle Jordan Black (zero playing time).

The receiving corps is a bit depleted with Malcolm Johnson gone. Seniors Bobby Brown (13 catches, 286 yards) and Raki Nelson (11, 217) are the projected starters. Tight end Jabari Johnson returns and is a capable blocker and receiver.

It's a good sign if: Driver takes to running back with the zeal he showed at safety.
It's a bad sign if: The line can't get on the same page, leaving Jackson open to too many hits.

The secondary returns three starters, and the man slated to fill Driver's spot also saw action last year. Corners Deveron Harper (who started as a safety in '97) and Brock Williams are veterans, while safeties A'Jani Sanders (last year's starter) and Deke Cooper (who will take over Driver's free safety role) were defensive stalwarts. Cooper is the team's leading returning tackler with 78 stops despite only starting five games last season.

With all that experience around it, the linebackers have time to grow into their roles. Junior Anthony Denman (28 tackles) looks to be the starter inside after playing outside last season, with senior Joey Ferrer and sophomore Rocky Boiman filling the other two starting spots.