The Notre Dame Fighting Irish came into the 2008 NCAA football season after finishing the 2007 season 3-9, which was one of their worst seasons ever and in which the Fighting Irish have seen some of their worst losses.

Coming off their 33-7 victory over the University of Washington (coached by former Notre Dame Head coach Tyrone Willingham), the Fighting Irish are 5-2 heading into their game against Pittsburgh. The Irish also had victories against Michigan, Purdue, Stanford, and San Diego State.

Leading the way for the 2008 Fighting Irish is sophomore quarterback Jimmy Clausen. After coming off a freshman season where he threw for 1,254 yards and 7 touchdowns, along with 6 interceptions, Clausen has thrown for more yards and touchdowns already this season (1,832 yards and 15 touchdowns). Sophomore running backs Armando Allen and Robert Hughes are leading the Irish’s run game, while sophomore Golden Tate and freshman Michael Floyd are becoming the favorite targets on the receiving corps.

Along with the improvement this season, there has been at least one negative to this season. Tight end Will Yeatman was recently suspended from football activities for the rest of this season stemming from his arrest at a house party on Sept. 21.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have already shown vast improvement over the disappointing season last year. This season will be a building block, and with the vast improvements this season in comparison to last, things are definitely looking better for Notre Dame football - providing everybody stays healthy.