...the scoreboard in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Connecticut, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in...

...Brian Kelly during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, in...

...s 47-15 win over Rutgers in an NCAA college football game Monday, Sept. 7, 2009, in Piscataway, N...

...Cincinnati defeated South Florida 34-17 in an NCAA college football game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, in Tampa, Fla...

...Cincinnati defeated South Florida 34-17 in an NCAA college football game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, in Tampa, Fla...

...s 47-15 win over Rutgers in an NCAA college football game Monday, Sept. 7, 2009, in Piscataway, N...

...Pike (15), during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Hawaii at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu...

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick introduces coach Brian Kelly to the media at a news conference Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, in South Bend, Ind. ...

New Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly addresses the media during a press conference Friday Dec. 11, 2009 in South Bend...

New Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly addresses the media during a news conference on Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, in South...

New Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly addresses the media during a news conference on Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, in South...

Notre Dame football players leave the Guglielmino Athletics Complex after new coach Brian Kelly addressed them on Friday Dec. 11...

CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 27: Brian Kelly the Head Coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats is pictured during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Ni...

The only elite-level opponent Brian Kelly should face in Year 1 in South Bend is USC.

27 November 2009: Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly on the sidelines during Bearcats 49-36 win over the Illinois Fighting Illini today at Nippert Stad...