Will Weis' QB mystery affect Georgia Tech?

Charlie Weis has gone to great lengths to conceal his opening-game starting quarterback, insisting the covert approach gives Notre Dame an edge over Georgia Tech.

But after weeks of fielding questions about repetitions, injuries and quarterbacking styles, the Notre Dame coach on Tuesday seemed sick of his self-created mystery, saying, "I don't like this either. I'd rather have this over with."

At least Notre Dame can take solace in knowing Weis' top-secret strategy will pay off Saturday in South Bend, Ind.

Or will it?

"I don't think it's an advantage," Georgia Tech linebacker Philip Wheeler said. "I really don't know what to call it."

Wheeler said the quarterback camouflage hasn't flummoxed his team. Given the uniquely aggressive defense that coordinator Jon Tenuta runs, Georgia Tech could have the upper hand no matter which young quarterback Weis trots out.

"It's going to be a little bit overwhelming to see everything Coach Tenuta can bring," Georgia Tech quarterback Taylor Bennett said. "It will be hard to adjust to it."

Weis said only two quarterbacks are getting most of the snaps with the first team in practice. Sophomore Demetrius Jones is the unofficial favorite to start, especially after Jimmy Clausen revealed he had off-season elbow surgery and listed himself as "day to day."

Though the starter and backups have yet to be formally informed, there is no confusion among them.

"If they don't (know), they're brain-dead," Weis said.

Hand reinstated, suspended: Notre Dame defensive tackle Derrell Hand will serve a three-game suspension after being reinstated with the team Monday. Hand was arrested Aug. 2 on a misdemeanor charge of soliciting a prostitute.

He has entered into a pretrial diversion program that allows him to have the charge dropped in a year if he meets certain requirements. Hand appeared before the school's disciplinary committee Monday and began practicing later that day.

Keeping quiet: Longtime Michigan coach Lloyd Carr has perfected the art of saying nothing, especially when talk of his retirement surfaced once again in recent weeks. Carr hasn't totally shot down the rumors, leading some to speculate the 62-year-old could be through after the season.

"It's something I have to deal with," Carr said Tuesday. "It's certainly an issue that is there. I don't have the control to deal with it other than to respond to questions as best I can."

Bond market: Charlie Weis and his defensive assistants have seen plenty of Garrett Wolfe in recent weeks. As part of their preparation for the opener, Notre Dame coaches watched several Northern Illinois games from last season. Georgia Tech's new offensive coordinator, John Bond, held the same post at NIU the last three years.

Weis sees some parallels between Yellow Jackets running back Rashaun Grant, a 5-foot-10 speedster, and Wolfe, the nation's rushing leader last year with NIU.

"They obviously were known for moving the ball pretty well," Weis said of NIU.

Inches to go: Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said junior Ryan Pretorius will kick field goals in the opener, while sophomore Aaron Pettrey will handle kickoffs. … Notre Dame sophomore cornerback Darrin Walls leapfrogged senior Ambrose Wooden for a starting spot in the opener. "It's not really Ambrose playing poorly," Charlie Weis said. "It's Darrin playing so well." … There's some debate over how much weight Wisconsin star running back P.J. Hill lost during the off-season. Whether Hill trimmed 5, 10 or 20 pounds, coach Bret Bielema expects to see a stronger back. "He has kind of redefined his body," Bielema said.