The Notre Dame Fighting Irish kick off their 2013 campaign at Notre Dame Stadium Saturday afternoon, hosting the Temple Owls. Television coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
How to watch Temple vs. Notre Dame: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
The new look Irish take on a Temple team with a new coach in a newly named conference.
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Both teams have made recent conference moves of sorts, as the Irish have half-joined the ACC (with football and hockey the only two sports not making the jump), and the Owls are a part of the newly-named American Athletic Conference.
Temple is also ringing in a new head coach - Matt Rhule, a former offensive coordinator at the school who will be making his head coaching debut on Saturday. Rhule replaces Steve Addazio, who left for Boston College after two years and a 13-11 record at Temple.
Notre Dame went a perfect 12-0 in last year's regular season before losing in the BCS National Championship Game to Alabama 42-14. The Irish will be without last year's quarterback, top two running backs, two of their top four pass catchers, and defensive star Manti Te'o.
Temple finished a disappointing 4-7 in Adazzio's second season after a 9-4 opening year. Last year's leading rusher, Montel Harris, has graduated, and last year's quarterback, Chris Coyer, has been moved to fullback.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Notre Dame is ranked fourteenth in the country by the AP Top 25 Poll and eleventh by the Coaches Poll. Temple is unranked in both polls.
Vegas: Notre Dame is a 29.5-point favorite Saturday. The over/under is 53 points. OddsShark has details and wagering information.
Weather: It should be fairly hot and partly cloudy in South Bend, with a high of 87 degrees.
Three names to know
With last year's starting quarterback Everett Golson suspended, Notre Dame will have to look to Tommy Rees as a signal caller this season. In his career, the senior has passed for 34 touchdowns against 24 interceptions, and while he started 11 games in 2011, this is his first time entering the season as the starter. Rees will have TJ Jones (50 receptions, 649 yards in 2012) and Davaris Daniels (31 receptions, 490 yards in 2012) as his likely top two targets.
On the defensive side of things, Stephon Tuitt was one of the top sackmasters in the nation last year, getting to the quarterback 11 times. Joining Tuitt on the defensive line are massive nose guard Louis Nix and former four-star prospect Sheldon Day.
For Temple, be sure to look out for Chris Coyer. The southpaw started nine games at quarterback for the Owls last season, throwing for eight touchdowns against four interceptions. He excelled on the ground, running for 444 yards and two touchdowns, and has moved to H-back. Coyer has already gained 20 pounds at the new position, and there could certainly be some trick plays up new coach Rhule’s sleeve.
Two things at stake
After a disappointing showing in the title game, Notre Dame is looking to bounce back with an almost entirely new squad.
Matt Rhule is hoping to start his reign with a big splash, and it’s hard to think of a bigger one than beating Notre Dame in South Bend.
How to witness
TV: NBC
Radio: 97.5 FM (Philadelphia). Here’s a list of Notre Dame affiliates.
Online streaming: NBC Sports Live Extra.
Further reading
For all your Irish needs, visit One Foot Down.
More from SB Nation:
See More:
