THREE KEYS IN 2018

1. Quarterback efficiency

Brandon Wimbush completed a hair less than half of his passes as a junior, which isn’t nearly good enough. There’s no reason that number shouldn’t be closer to 60 percent, given the tremendous size and skill of Notre Dame’s tight ends and receivers.

Last time we saw Wimbush in a game situation, though, he was being pulled for Ian Book in the Citrus Bowl. Book — not nearly the runner Wimbush is but clearly a more talented thrower — was outstanding in that victory against LSU and remains a viable alternative as a full-time guy.

2. Pass rush

The Irish had 24 sacks, tied for 70th nationally, last season and — hard to believe — haven’t outsacked their opponents during the course of a season since 2013. Ends Daelin Hayes and Khalid Kareem, among others, have to crank up the pressure. The good news: Kelly thinks the Irish have the starters and backups at end to be highly productive.

‘‘It has been awhile since we’ve had four guys that we feel [can] go out there and compete with anybody,’’ he said.

3. Kick-starter

Senior Justin Yoon has been a high-percentage field-goal converter throughout his time in South Bend, but a stepped-up weight-training program during the offseason helped him add as many as 10 yards to his range.

‘‘Justin Yoon is pounding the football,’’ Kelly said. ‘‘I mean pounding. When I use that word, I mean he’s gone from a guy that, you know, his cliff was probably 45 [yards]. Now his cliff is 52, 55.’’