(AP) Quarterback has been the prime topic of discussion at Notre Dame for a second straight week.

The question last week centered on who would start at quarterback. The question this week has centered on how freshman Jimmy Clausen will fare starting in the second game of his college career.

That's the earliest start in at least 50 years for a Notre Dame quarterback. Brady Quinn (2003), Paul Failla (1991), Steve Beuerlein (1983) and Blair Kiel (1980) had held the record by starting the fourth games of their freshmen seasons.

Clausen will start even though he couldn't fully participate in practice after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in the spring to have a bone spur removed from his elbow on his throwing arm.

Coach Charlie Weis said he believes Clausen is ready.

"If I didn't think he was ready, I wouldn't do this," he said.

When asked whether he thought Clausen playing the final two series Saturday in a 33-3 loss to Georgia Tech might help against Penn State, center John Sullivan said: "That's probably a question that only Jimmy can answer."

None of Notre Dame's quarterbacks were allowed to talk with the media this week, however. But Sullivan went on to say he did think the experience would help.

"Any time you have game experience it helps a lot," he said. "It just helps to you get more comfortable."

Weis' announcement that Clausen would start has sparked some criticism by fans. Some believe last week's starter, Demetrius Jones, should have been given another chance because the offensive line played so poorly. Others believe Evan Sharpley, who completed 10-of-13 passes for 92 yards but was sacked seven times, deserved a shot. Some think putting a freshman who has had limited practice time in to face a tough Penn State defense is a mistake.

Irish players are keeping their opinions to themselves. They also said any discussion of who should be quarterback won't be a distraction.

"We have had a lot of practice with distraction from the media I guess," tight end John Carlson said. "It's not a distraction, and we support all three quarterbacks. And it really doesn't matter who is in there."

After going through three quarterbacks in the first game, Weis indicated he intends to stay with Clausen.

"I'm not looking to play musical quarterbacks," Weis said.

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DEPTH CHART: While the depth chart handed out to the media this week was identical to last week's — right down to not saying who the starter at quarterback is — Weis hinted there could be some changes.

"I'd say it's close. It's very, very close," he said. "I don't think there are any major things. If a guy is banged up a little bit, he might be sharing time. But the first and seconds are very close."

Weis was then asked about tailback James Aldridge, who is listed as the backup to Travis Thomas.

"Well, I don't even know if he's two. He's almost slash one; he just doesn't go in first. I think that James and Travis are very close," Weis said. "They are both very strong physical running. Hopefully we'll give him a little more opportunity for success this week than we did last week."

Aldridge rushed for 19 yards on six carries against Georgia Tech. Thomas had seven carries and lost 7 yards. Freshman Armando Allen rushed for 25 yards on three carries.

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QUICK HITS: Notre Dame used nine freshmen in its season-opener, tying for the fourth most for the Irish since freshmen became eligible in 1972. The Irish used 14 in the 1989 opener vs. Virginia, 12 vs. Purdue in 1983, 11 vs. Georgia Tech last season and nine against Michigan in 1987. ... Notre Dame will become just the second college team to play consecutive road games before crowds of more than 100,000 with games at Penn State (107,282 capacity) and Michigan (107,501 capacity). Minnesota played the same schools in 2005.

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BY THE NUMBERS: Notre Dame is a 17½-point underdog to Penn State. The only time they were bigger underdogs in the past 10 years was when they were 23-point underdogs to USC in 2004. They lost that game 41-10. ... Notre Dame has lost three straight games by 20 points or more, losing 44-24 at No. 3 Southern Cal last season, 41-14 to No. 4 LSU in the Sugar Bowl and 33-3 in the opener to Georgia Tech. The only other time that occurred for the Irish was in 1956, when coach Terry Brennan's squad lost 47-14 to No. 2 Michigan State, 40-0 to top-ranked Oklahoma and 33-7 to Navy. ... The last time the Irish lost four straight was when they lost 41-9 to Oregon State in the Fiesta Bowl to end the 2000 season and lost the first three to start the 2001 season.

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WEIS SAYINGS: "I think it's almost entirely about us. You obviously have a good team you're going against who is coming off a 59-0 win that is playing at home. And all of those things are true. We know how good they are on offense and defense, and we know about the specialists, both their returners and the kickers. But realistically, the bigger issue internally is us."