No. 8: Notre Dame
COACH: Brian Kelly
2014 RECORD: 8-5
PROJECTED 2015 RECORD: 10-3
CIRCLE THE DATE: Oct. 17 vs. Southern Cal
WHY NO. 8: No Power Five school has more returning starters than the 19 Kelly brings back to South Bend. Of course, the team is coming off a less-than-Rockne-like eight-win season, but the guess here is Notre Dame zooms past that number in early November. The Irish face a challenging schedule, opening with improved Texas and playing Georgia Tech in the third week.