The Virginia football team faces its second big test of the year in week two against Notre Dame.

The Irish come into 2015 as a popular sleeper pick to make the College Football Playoff. Brian Kelly has many key players back from a team that underperformed overall in 2014 but ended the season with a bowl win against LSU.

This will be the first time UVa and Notre Dame have played since 1989, which is also the only previous meeting between the programs. The then No. 2 Irish won that one 36-13 in the Kickoff Classic, but the Cavaliers rebounded to finish 10-3 that season as ACC co-Champions. That remains the only 10-win season in Virginia history.

Notre Dame Peek

• Head Coach (record at school): Brian Kelly (45-20)
• 2014 Record: 8-5
• Offense: Expect some read option – some in the spread set
• Offense Returning Starters: 7
• Offense 2014 Total Yards/Game: 444.9 (32nd nationally)
• Offense 2014 Points/Game: 32.8 (38th)
• Defense: 4-3
• Defense Returning Starters: 10
• Defense 2014 Total Yards/Game: 404.2 (71st)
• Defense 2014 Points/Game: 29.2 (82nd)

What To Expect On Game Day

Offense: Notre Dame enters 2015 with two new leaders on offense. Under center, the Irish will have lefty Malik Zaire filling in for Everett Golson, who transferred to Florida State. Zaire is an every-down running threat with great arm strength and playmaking ability, but unproven accuracy. In his only career start, last year’s Music City Bowl against LSU, the team rushed for 263 yards, well above the season average of 159.5. The Irish threw the ball for 186 yards (split about evenly between Zaire and Golson) – down from their season average of 285.5.

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