Temple @ Notre Dame preview

Expectations are higher than they have been in decades for No. 11 Notre Dame coming off an appearance in the BCS Championship Game. The Fighting Irish have faced significant roster changes since that loss to Alabama, but they will show off their new look when they host Temple in their season opener on Saturday. Notre Dame will take the field without 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist Manti Te'o, along with starting quarterback Everett Golson.

Golson was suspended by the university for the first semester due to academic problems, but the Irish have an experienced backup ready to take his place in Tommy Rees. The Owls are under the guidance of new coach Matt Rhule, who spent last season in the NFL as an assistant with the New York Giants. Temple is one of 10 members of the new American Athletic Conference, which formed in the wake of the Big East's breakup.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Notre Dame -30.

ABOUT TEMPLE (4-7, 2-5 Big East): The Owls based their offense around the running game in 2012 but waved goodbye to top rushers Montel Harris and Matt Brown. Junior Connor Reilly won the quarterback competition in camp and will guide an offense that is expected to pass more under Rhule. First-year defensive coordinator Phil Snow is turning his unit loose to rush the quarterback with its big, experienced front line led by seniors Levi Brown and Sean Daniels.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (12-1): Rees stepped up in some key situations when given an opportunity last season but does not provide the same mobility that makes Golson a dynamic threat. The Irish could use backup Andrew Hendrix as a change of pace to get a quarterback with better legs on the field. Notre Dame lost its top two rushers, along with All-American tight end Tyler Eifert and All-American center Braxston Cave, and returns just five offensive starters.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Irish DL Tony Springmann (knee) will undergo surgery and is out for the season.

2. The Owls are 2-75 against ranked teams since 1974.

3. Notre Dame has three defensive players - DL Stephon Tuitt, OLB Prince Shembo and DL Louis Nix III - on preseason watch lists for defensive player of the year awards.

PREDICTION: Notre Dame 28, Temple 10