Irish, BC in Must-Win Game
posted by John Vannie
Notre Dame travels to Boston College on Saturday evening for a game pitting two 5-3 teams badly in need of a victory. The Irish are coming off a devastating overtime loss to Pittsburgh, while the Eagles have dropped consecutive ACC contests to North Carolina and Clemson. The history between these schools and the importance of the outcome for both teams ensures that the intensity and emotional level will be high.
Injuries are usually a factor at this stage of the season, and both coaches have reason for concern. Jimmy Clausen limped through practice this week and right guard Chris Stewart has been placed on the shelf for a few weeks. Left guard Eric Olson is still gimpy following the Washington game and David Grimes’s back is not yet 100%. Also, the production of tight end Kyle Rudolph has fallen off lately, which may be due at least in part to an undisclosed injury.
Boston College has its own health problems, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Star linebacker Brian Toal was lost for the season recently, and a number of others are nursing various ailments. This unit has been the strength of the team this season, but has showed signs of cracking in its last two outings.
The lone common opponent is North Carolina, who hosted each team last month. The Tar Heels beat Notre Dame 29-24 in a game that went down to the wire, and swamped Boston College 45-24 after spotting the Eagles an early 10-0 advantage.
Notre Dame’s Offense vs. Boston College’s Defense
Since Clausen’s mobility may be an issue this week, the Irish must prevent BC’s mammoth defensive tackles, B.J. Raji and Ron Brace, from collapsing the pocket and wreaking general havoc. Raji actually leads the defense in sacks from his interior position and will require double teams on most plays. Notre Dame’s receivers should be able to get open against a very average secondary, but the Eagles have been able to rely on good pressure up front and linebackers that know how to drop and cover their zones.
Toal’s absence hurts BC’s chances, but strong side linebacker Matt Herzlich may be a more dominant player. He leads the team in tackles by a wide margin and is tied for the lead in interceptions with three. The entire front seven is well above average, as evidenced by the fact that fellow the other two linebackers, Mike McLaughlin and Robert Francois (who replaced Toal), led the team with seven tackles and an interception apiece against Clemson.
Senior cornerback Kevin Akins is the team’s best cover man, while strong safety Paul Anderson has three interceptions of his own. Notre Dame would do well to run the ball outside but away from Herzlich’s side, and move the pocket on passing downs to keep Raji from landing his 325 pounds in Clausen’s lap. Boston College has allowed just over 100 rushing yards and only 275 total yards per game thus far, which places them in the top 10 nationally.
The Irish will need to convert their scoring opportunities and come away with touchdowns rather than field goals. This will be a difficult task because the Eagles allow opponents to score a touchdown only 42% of the time once they enter the red zone.
Boston College’s Offense vs. Notre Dame’s Defense
Senior Chris Crane shed his role as Matt Ryan’s backup this season and has taken over the reins of Coach John Jagodzinski’s offense. Crane’s performances have been somewhat inconsistent to date. He has a 56% completion percentage but has thrown 12 interceptions against only eight touchdown passes. The Eagles are most successful when the running game is working and Crane does not have to bear a significant share of the load.
The main weapons at wide receiver are senior Brandon Robinson and junior Rich Gunnell. Both are less than six feet tall. Justin Jarvis, a 6’5” reserve, is often used near the goal line. Another part time player, Clarence Megwa, suffered a broken leg last week and is gone for the season. Robinson is the leading receiver with just 27 receptions and the team’s only real deep threat. Crane does not target his tight end very often, as senior Ryan Purvis averages only two catches per game for short yardage.
Boston College has essentially run a tailback by committee this season. Josh Haden, a 5’8” freshman, has emerged of late and will start. He backup is fellow frosh Montel Harris, who stands 5’10” in his high tops. The pair has combined to average 100 yards per game and has scored 16 touchdowns, 12 by Haden. Both have good but not exceptional speed.
The Eagles offensive line is somewhat rebuilt this season, but they have yielded only ten sacks while leading a productive ground attack for 150 yards per game. Center Matt Tennant and left guard Cliff Ramsey are the veteran anchors while sophomore left tackle Anthony Castonzo may be a future star. Notre Dame may not be successful against this group with a blitz-happy strategy, but they need to force Crane into third and long situations. The Eagles prefer safe, short passes since their personnel is less suited to throwing the ball downfield.
Special Teams
While strong-legged kicker Brandon Walker is starting to come around for the Irish in terms of accuracy, Boston College has had problems lately. Regular kicker Steve Aponavicius has limited range on field goals and does not get his kickoffs very deep. The latter job was once held by Bill Bennett, who has recently been dismissed from the team.
The Irish continue to underachieve on kickoff and punt returns, but there is an opportunity for a big play this week when Aponavicius kicks off. Boston College counters with Gunnell on punt returns and Jeff Smith or Harris on kickoffs. Gunnell has been the very productive, averaging 13 yards per try with one touchdown.
Summary
A review of the comparative statistics and consideration of the intangibles yields no clear favorite. Both offenses are capable of scoring points but have experienced frustrating dry spells. Each defense can get stops and interceptions, but Notre Dame has suffered more costly second half breakdowns and does not pressure the quarterback as well. One advantage for Notre Dame is in the size of its skill position players relative to BC on both sides of the ball.
The successful team will be the one that plays more consistently and at a high level for 60 minutes. Injuries and fatigue enter into the equation, but there are no excuses in a game between two rivals that do not particularly like each other. The offensive line is once again the key to victory for the Irish. Clausen must have time in the pocket and he needs to be able to turn down the heat with a respectable running game.
Here are a few questions that will help determine the outcome:
Can Notre Dame stop the run and put the game into Crane’s hands?
Will the Irish be able to contain Raji and Brace?
Will Clausen be able to throw the ball effectively and with the usual zip?
Which kicker will give his team a lift?
Will the Irish offense bog down in the third quarter?
Will the Irish defense run out of gas in the fourth quarter?
Can Notre Dame force third and long situations and put pressure on the passer?
Prediction
Boston College is quite similar to Stanford or Pittsburgh in terms of overall talent. The game will be close and hard fought, with the winner undetermined until the final minutes. Opponents have managed to make the necessary plays to defeat the Irish this season in similar circumstances, and six consecutive wins by the Eagles in this series leads me to believe that they may want it just a bit more when the outcome hangs in the balance this week.
Boston College 24 Notre Dame 20
Injuries are usually a factor at this stage of the season, and both coaches have reason for concern. Jimmy Clausen limped through practice this week and right guard Chris Stewart has been placed on the shelf for a few weeks. Left guard Eric Olson is still gimpy following the Washington game and David Grimes’s back is not yet 100%. Also, the production of tight end Kyle Rudolph has fallen off lately, which may be due at least in part to an undisclosed injury.
Boston College has its own health problems, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Star linebacker Brian Toal was lost for the season recently, and a number of others are nursing various ailments. This unit has been the strength of the team this season, but has showed signs of cracking in its last two outings.
The lone common opponent is North Carolina, who hosted each team last month. The Tar Heels beat Notre Dame 29-24 in a game that went down to the wire, and swamped Boston College 45-24 after spotting the Eagles an early 10-0 advantage.
Notre Dame’s Offense vs. Boston College’s Defense
Since Clausen’s mobility may be an issue this week, the Irish must prevent BC’s mammoth defensive tackles, B.J. Raji and Ron Brace, from collapsing the pocket and wreaking general havoc. Raji actually leads the defense in sacks from his interior position and will require double teams on most plays. Notre Dame’s receivers should be able to get open against a very average secondary, but the Eagles have been able to rely on good pressure up front and linebackers that know how to drop and cover their zones.
Toal’s absence hurts BC’s chances, but strong side linebacker Matt Herzlich may be a more dominant player. He leads the team in tackles by a wide margin and is tied for the lead in interceptions with three. The entire front seven is well above average, as evidenced by the fact that fellow the other two linebackers, Mike McLaughlin and Robert Francois (who replaced Toal), led the team with seven tackles and an interception apiece against Clemson.
Senior cornerback Kevin Akins is the team’s best cover man, while strong safety Paul Anderson has three interceptions of his own. Notre Dame would do well to run the ball outside but away from Herzlich’s side, and move the pocket on passing downs to keep Raji from landing his 325 pounds in Clausen’s lap. Boston College has allowed just over 100 rushing yards and only 275 total yards per game thus far, which places them in the top 10 nationally.
The Irish will need to convert their scoring opportunities and come away with touchdowns rather than field goals. This will be a difficult task because the Eagles allow opponents to score a touchdown only 42% of the time once they enter the red zone.
Boston College’s Offense vs. Notre Dame’s Defense
Senior Chris Crane shed his role as Matt Ryan’s backup this season and has taken over the reins of Coach John Jagodzinski’s offense. Crane’s performances have been somewhat inconsistent to date. He has a 56% completion percentage but has thrown 12 interceptions against only eight touchdown passes. The Eagles are most successful when the running game is working and Crane does not have to bear a significant share of the load.
The main weapons at wide receiver are senior Brandon Robinson and junior Rich Gunnell. Both are less than six feet tall. Justin Jarvis, a 6’5” reserve, is often used near the goal line. Another part time player, Clarence Megwa, suffered a broken leg last week and is gone for the season. Robinson is the leading receiver with just 27 receptions and the team’s only real deep threat. Crane does not target his tight end very often, as senior Ryan Purvis averages only two catches per game for short yardage.
Boston College has essentially run a tailback by committee this season. Josh Haden, a 5’8” freshman, has emerged of late and will start. He backup is fellow frosh Montel Harris, who stands 5’10” in his high tops. The pair has combined to average 100 yards per game and has scored 16 touchdowns, 12 by Haden. Both have good but not exceptional speed.
The Eagles offensive line is somewhat rebuilt this season, but they have yielded only ten sacks while leading a productive ground attack for 150 yards per game. Center Matt Tennant and left guard Cliff Ramsey are the veteran anchors while sophomore left tackle Anthony Castonzo may be a future star. Notre Dame may not be successful against this group with a blitz-happy strategy, but they need to force Crane into third and long situations. The Eagles prefer safe, short passes since their personnel is less suited to throwing the ball downfield.
Special Teams
While strong-legged kicker Brandon Walker is starting to come around for the Irish in terms of accuracy, Boston College has had problems lately. Regular kicker Steve Aponavicius has limited range on field goals and does not get his kickoffs very deep. The latter job was once held by Bill Bennett, who has recently been dismissed from the team.
The Irish continue to underachieve on kickoff and punt returns, but there is an opportunity for a big play this week when Aponavicius kicks off. Boston College counters with Gunnell on punt returns and Jeff Smith or Harris on kickoffs. Gunnell has been the very productive, averaging 13 yards per try with one touchdown.
Summary
A review of the comparative statistics and consideration of the intangibles yields no clear favorite. Both offenses are capable of scoring points but have experienced frustrating dry spells. Each defense can get stops and interceptions, but Notre Dame has suffered more costly second half breakdowns and does not pressure the quarterback as well. One advantage for Notre Dame is in the size of its skill position players relative to BC on both sides of the ball.
The successful team will be the one that plays more consistently and at a high level for 60 minutes. Injuries and fatigue enter into the equation, but there are no excuses in a game between two rivals that do not particularly like each other. The offensive line is once again the key to victory for the Irish. Clausen must have time in the pocket and he needs to be able to turn down the heat with a respectable running game.
Here are a few questions that will help determine the outcome:
Can Notre Dame stop the run and put the game into Crane’s hands?
Will the Irish be able to contain Raji and Brace?
Will Clausen be able to throw the ball effectively and with the usual zip?
Which kicker will give his team a lift?
Will the Irish offense bog down in the third quarter?
Will the Irish defense run out of gas in the fourth quarter?
Can Notre Dame force third and long situations and put pressure on the passer?
Prediction
Boston College is quite similar to Stanford or Pittsburgh in terms of overall talent. The game will be close and hard fought, with the winner undetermined until the final minutes. Opponents have managed to make the necessary plays to defeat the Irish this season in similar circumstances, and six consecutive wins by the Eagles in this series leads me to believe that they may want it just a bit more when the outcome hangs in the balance this week.
Boston College 24 Notre Dame 20
56 Comments:
Let's be clear - the Irish have better talent than BC and always have. Our problem right now is BC has better coaching. If we lose this game, it will be on the coaches. I am so freaking tired of being out-coached by other teams. It does not get any more embarrassing than being out-coached by Wannstedt at Pitt.
We should put up at least 30+ points on BC with the talent we have on offense. Our coaches need to figure out how to use this talent!
No faith. The six straight losses will motivate ND to win, I don't see how that works vice versa. Notre Dame wins by 9.
Minor nit...
It's been five straight BC wins. Unless you mean they're going for their sixth.
It sucks either way.
The question is not if our defense runs out of gas! It's if they will even show up at all!! Anybody else notice our D shows absolutley no emotion even when we do get that rare stop/big play/turnover?!
To win, we need a running game and you can't have that without a decent offensive line(Funny, that's what this O line is,OFFENSIVE!!). We have the talent so what does that say?? Good bye Latina!!
I agree. ND has been out-coached most of the year. With respect to Pitt, ND should have attacked their secondary much more than it did. #17 (CB) for Pitt was getting beat all day by Floyd and Co. However, ND cannot be successful until it establishes the run, something it hasn't done in two years. Cierre Wood can't get here fast enough in order to push for playing time. I feel as though our players need to feel like their jobs/positions are in jeopardy week in and week out until we find an identity that wins games week in and week out no matter who the competetion is.
Every game is a must win for ND to return to the top. This years schedule allowed at least on paper for the shift to the next level. Weis has simply failed to get it done. We should not be talking about the attitude of this team in the 4th year of Weis' tenure or wondering where the killer instinct is. A comeback against Michigan State in the monsoon and an almost win against USC in 06' is about all he can hang his hat on. That doesn't cut it if one is a true ND fan.
I will be there and they better win. I am very skeptical though.
Rumor has it that when Weis got the knee damage he was also concussed, which might explain some of the play calling and lack of strategy.
I agree with the "no-emotion D". Just once I want to see someone make a BIG hit and his team surround him to celebrate. A BIG hit would even be nice. I cannot remember the last time I saw a Notre Dame play make a BIG hit. The D needs to get cocky, and mean. Lets go Irish!
JVAN lost all cred with me...is it possible we lose, yes. Is it more likely, no way. Sorry...completely disagree with this one.
BC always wants this game more and always punks ND.
Very good prediction Jvan.
Until ND starts beating MSU and BC on a regular basis I think fans should keep their mouths shut about being more talented ND is because it never comes across on the field that way.
Weis goes for the quick fix stuff and gimmicks. He isn't the right person for the head coaching job. He is way over paid and really has little motivation. I know people are going to jump ALL OVER ME about what I am going to say but it is worth considering and if you have managed people you'll understand even if it is not PC. If being morbidly obese isn't enough motivation to lose weight, esp. when you know you are, are on TV, admit you are really fat, etc. then what is? Go for the quick ix surgery and then probably don't tell anyone how you were able to lose weight and contribute it to your will power and motivation instead....but that gimmick back fired when a complication arose. Same type of thing with Weis, take credit for the gimmicky stuff as if you are a genius but in the long run this stuff reveals the truth.....we loss games and Weis is fatter then ever. How do you motivate people to be great athletes when you're not? I know people will be upset with me about bringing up the weight thing, but again if you have been in a position to manage people I think you will understand what I am getting at. Moreover, does Weis ever get "hands on" and run play or show how to throw or catch a ball like Holtz did (but please refrain from jumping on people's backs ala Yoda-Holtx since we need our players uninjured). Does Weis just stand on the sideline and shout comments? To teach you must be able to do and clearly when you get to the NFL you're working on your graduate degree, not your bachelors. I'm afraid that Prof. Weis is unable to teach undergrads. If you can't motivate yourself (such as weight management) then how can you motivate others?
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SGaston11 give me a break. College football coaches need to hands on. How the heck is some fatso gonna run a play to catch a ball. I doubt he can even bend over to show the proper stance and execution on the offensive line. I only take advice from people that have experience and success.........Weis is no athlete and not matter how close he was to talent, it doesn't rub off. Tom Brady is obviously a great athlete and that greatness may have made Weis look good. A great player can make a mediocre coach look good. With Weis and the lack of head coaching experience, ND was blind to know why he was in a position of success. Now we know, a bit too late now. The guy is officially a joke in my book now.
I can't believe how quick people are ready to throw Charlie under the bus! We are only now beginning to see daylight again from the recruiting debacle that was ty willingham. We are making progress, and I for one, am willing to give Charlie the time to fully right the ship. With Clausen and his receiver corp. just beginning to jell now, lets have this discussion in 2 years. Then we'll decide if Charlie continues.
Good write up but I get a big kick out of the comments on this forum. One clown claims ND is not likely to lose this game. Really?
Reality time:
Notre Dame is likely to lose this game. They are a 3 1/2 point underdog and +150 on the money line. These numbers are set by the people that know more about possible outcomes then anyone: the line makers.
Notre Dame has a good shot at winning this game but the percentage of them winning is under 50%.
Most of you don't get percentages of most likely outcomes and you probably never will.
Step it up clowns.
I see this as the biggest game to date in the CW era. A loss and all the negativity from last year will return. A loss and I see a 5 or 6 loss season. Certainly not an improvement especially starting 4-1. A win over a decent BC team and I see maybe a 9-4 record. Since ND has played lousy football on the road so far (yes even Washington was not a great game) I do not see the Irish winning this game. Do they lack a killer instict? I think so. Do they lack emotion? I think so. Is it the players? The coaches? The entire football program? I do not know that answer but something is missing.
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SGaston11 - You really need to reread what you just wrote. "But, I think to argue that we are losing because Weis cannot teach plays and technique because he is overweight, un-athletic, and has no idea how to play the game because he didn't play is too much for me." Of course that is important. How the heck can he understand the effort, the pain, the emotion of the game if he has never really played it? The guy is the opposite of athletic and never has been a football coach. He's more like a football groupie that got a chance to "coach". Drawing up schemes is one thing, understanding what it is like to play the game is another. His weight is simply an indicator of it. How can he teach physical discipline? I am not trying to pile on the guy or make a cheap shot here, I am being serious. It is the difference between people who follow a script and those that write the script from experience. Weis is a script reader sitting back scratching his head trying to figure out what is not working.....saying to himself and others "I'm follow the directions" so why is the result not what I want. There is a huge disconnect with Weis and it really shows. He keeps saying he is reinventing, talking to other coaches for advice, etc. Weis just doesn't have "it" and he never will.
...I saw a 7-5 season...but something is still pulling this team down...considering all of the talent available...we know the tailback/offensive line isn't producing...and the cornerback/Lambert situation is frightening, thank god for our safeties...but there is no confidence even with wins...as in San Diego State University...as poor as team as we'll ever see again...
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There are too many teams today with less talent than ND and newer coaches than ND that have made more positve strides with their programs than the Irish. You guys kill me with mentality that the glory days are right around the corner with this current coaching staff and Latina in particular. There is nothing to Weis' credit thus far in the win loss column that suggest or support this unfortunately. Talent is seemingly better no doubt but it has not paid off thus far in 4 yrs. Also contrary to prior opinion - the coaching at the college level has everything to do with attitude and killer instinct just like not playing 60 minutes each game is directly attributed to coaching. Give me a break! Buying into the sky is falling approach if ND seeks another coach only breeds mediocrity. We deserve better - this was the year to take advantage of the schedule. We have still not beaten a ranked team in I dont know how long - still have been getting blown out by USC - still have no bowl win and Weis' record is identical to All Ball Bob Davies! This is moving in the right direction? Seems like we're on the same road to me.
SGaston11 - You seem to be a sensible thoughtful person. I once had hope for Weis too. But having looked at the situation and why the team has no genuine emotion or "fight" in them and the utter coaching cluelessness last season and through this season (we only beat terrible teams and we're still unranked in his 4th season) I have come to the conclusion that Weis is not he one because he doesn't have "it" ... that intangible something in a coach that can bring out the best in players and the team. It goes beyond the pre-game pep talk. Yes, his recruiting is improved over Willingham, but so what...where is that getting us. Most the guys being recruit are looking at the bottom line of what will ND do for me, not what they will do for ND. The players that leave tell the story...it is WHY they leave not the fact that they leave. They don't believe in Weis, it is sad but true. Last year's departure of D. Jones should have been a wake up call, the ND image protectors were more interested in covering it up or handling it to craft their way out a a disaster. I have never been more sad about ND then how they treated D. Jones.....it was pathetic and disgusting. I still shake my head at how far down the wrong path ND has gone. Apparently money has changed ND....and not for the better.
Not to mention how ND treated George O'Leary and how Wadsworth and the Administration treated Lou. Shameful! I think the program is cursed.
Mike Leach is a tubby guy that never played football, and he is doing fine. Other big guys are good to great coaches as well, Bill Parcells, Andy Reid, Mark Mangino, just to name a few.
Weis, may or may not be the right coach,and if he fails it will not be because of his weight or work ethic. He has proved how hard he works on the recruiting trail(we just got Shaq Evans by the way), and I don't doubt that he works that hard in all aspects of the program.
Hard work......not nearly hard enough for his pay and perks. I don't feel sorry for Weis in the least. I know he is sad to look at, but I'm not sorry given his arrogance. Hard work and still on results just shows he isn't bright, that's all. Time for a change, yes we can!
I believe in Charlie Weis and I believe in his coaching staff.
Here's a link to a press conference that Corwin Brown from Wednesday: http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081105/BLOGS02/811050232
My favorite line from the conference is when he states, "If you put a guy in a position that's not a good position for him to be in, at the end of the day that's the coaches' fault. So, as coaches, you learn about your players and of course, sometimes it falls on the players."
I honestly think that this is the crux of the true debate that should be taking place. Rather than point fingers consistently at Weis and his coaching staff, perhaps it's the players who should be receiving the brunt of ND fans' frustration.
Case in point, Golden Tate in a post game interview stated that he and his teammates thought the Pitt game was over at half. It showed from the team's overall performance in the second half.
Now, should the blame fall on Weis for failing to keep his players motivated? Most people would agree with that. However, I contend that the players should be motivated just by the fact that they are playing for the University of Notre Dame, America's team. What could be more inspiring than putting on that uniform and running through the tunnel with the traditions of Rocke, The Four Horseman, Ara, and Lou echoing around you? I get enough chills just standing in the student section during home games.
To further cite Brown's comments in the above link, the coaches' job is to put players in the right positions. I note the second overtime of last week's game when Michael Floyd was in the correct position and Clausen overthrew him in the end zone. If that pass is made accurately, game over. Aside from Weis miraculously going onto the field and completing that pass(to reference the ridiculous, irrelevant argument made about his weight), there's not much more than he or the coaching staff can do in that situation.
Notre Dame fans want a national championship and they want it now. They want someone who can come in and immediately win one for the Irish. This is nearly impossible in college football today, particularly with the academic and personal standards Notre Dame has for its players. For those who note Saban's efforts at Alabama, keep in mind he is doing so with players that are older than those of ND. Also, keep in mind the immaculate reputation Weis has with the media and the Notre Dame community. He's an alum and here to stay, unless asked to leave. You can't say that about the likes of Saban. A winning team is nice, but a winning team with a classy coach is even better.
Weis has brought this team a long way from the despicable 3-9 season of last year. Despite a couple close losses, this team is on the brink of greatness. They need to play all 4 quarters of every game with the passion any Notre Dame player should play with.
Recruiting has never been better. Shaquelle Evans just committed today to play for the Irish, breaking a soft verbal with USC. http://notredame.scout.com/2/809177.html
The receiving corps is going to be very talented and experienced next season. Experience being the key. This season's team is still young. Come next year they should be able to put something special together.
So where does Weis go from here? Kick BC's teeth in this weekend. Win out this season, minus what needs to be a respectable loss at USC. Make a reputable bowl game. Win the bowl game. Get the team in the weight room and get excited for next season.
If you just disagreed with everything I said, then let me make one request of you. Keep this talk about firing Weis to yourself until you can evaluate what a team is like that was recruited and coached by Weis alone. There are no excuses next season.
I believe in Charlie Weis and you should too. Go Irish!
Mr. Dumas said: "My favorite line from the conference is when he states, "If you put a guy in a position that's not a good position for him to be in, at the end of the day that's the coaches' fault. So, as coaches, you learn about your players and of course, sometimes it falls on the players.""
And my reply is: "If you put a guy in as a coach that's not a good job for him to be in, at the end of the day that's the administration's fault. So, as administrators, you learn about your coaches and of course, sometimes it falls on the coaches."
I tired of the entitlement felt by this school's fan base. I am an alum and proud of the rich tradition of my school and the athletes that have taken the field for her. I however am bothered by the fact that as a fan base we feel like we deserve a national championship every year or at least a BCS bid every year (not happening anymore in this era unless you belong in a conference that is struggling: see PAC-10 or Big Ten). I do not want to see Notre Dame change its expectations, because not pursuing perfection is not worth trying. I just would like to see ND fans lose the sense of entitlement that saturates their logic and realize that we are program that is rebuilding...we are not the only "national program" anymore...we are not the program that every coach aspires to coach at...we are however a program that is rebounding...we are a program that is good, not great, but no so far from elite that we need to start over...and last but not least, we may have found the coach that can get us there and we may have not, I for one do not know, but I do know that I am tired of every loss being treated like its a program killer...maybe we should show some of the resolve that our kids have shown each week in going out and playing and trying to bring this program back to the top.
MissouriDomer - Oh please..."we feel like we deserve a national championship every year I'd just like one national championship every 25 years! I have concluded that ND is a "has been" program who's greatness harkens back to grampa's time. It is a sad reality, went through the 12 steps and all and am still having difficulties accepting it. But reality is reality.
I too was very dissapointed with the Pitt loss, but this is still an extremely young team just about everywhere. Something nobody is talking about is that we might be 7-1 and pulled out those 2 close games ( he wouldve have made a big difference in both and especially against UNC) if Darrin Walls was playing. We should get him back next year and I agree that next year no excuses, but with all the top recruits the last few years, Charlie gets the benefit of the doubt til next year. Also, please stop with Charlies weight. It has nothing to do with any of this.
All of those that are up in arms that we are not in the top 5 this year need to remember that Charlie inherited a team 4 years ago that had talent that equaled, at best, a middle of the pack Big 10/Pac 10/ACC School. Despite the rich history and tradition of ND, teams like iowa, Arizona and Maryland were hauling in better classes than ND and still have better talent in the Senior and 5th Year Senior Classes. We all think that because we are ND, a good coach will come in and magically turn these 2 Star recruits into All Americans. Even the best coaches today would struggle with that task given the level of talent spread across D-1 these days relative to 30 years ago. Bottom line is the program is still recovering from the self inflicted probation that the previous staff put us in. We are two plays away from being 7-1 this year with a core of true sophomores and true freshmen. Tressel, Stoops, Meyer, and Holtz were all stacked with 4 and 5 star upperclassmen when they won their titles early in their tenure. Weis didn't have this luxury. Give Weis one more year before you start calling for his head.
I'm not calling for Weis's head, I'm asking him to win a coaching match. At some point he needs to win a game he wasn't expected to win! Good coaching staffs do this in the course of a football season!
I don't need ND to be national champions, but I do want them to be respected and competitive with top 10 teams. Used to be ND had a legitimate shot to win every time they took the field.
Having said that, Charlie's weight has no bearing on this debate, and none of us really knows the root cause of his weight problem and to what degree he could deal with it without clinical intervention.
Dear fellow readers,
I'm not a football coach, so I cannot write with any more authority than any of those of you who have already commented on the article above. That being said, it seems to me that the job of any coach of any sport at the high school level and beyond is to create a gameplan that takes advantage of the talent you have available and then motivate that talent to buy into a gameplan. That gameplan should include every aspect of your sport from conditioning and weight training to the proverbial "X's and O's" and everything in between. What you cannot do as a coach is play the game. The game will be played by your athletes. As such, and those of you who have played organized sports should know, the responsibility to play the game falls on the shoulders of the athletes on the field of play.
Coach Weis' gameplan may or may not be good, great, or otherwise; I'll leave that for those of you who think you know better to decide. However, at some point, the quarterback has to throw the football with consistency and accuracy so the receivers know what to expect and how to react to the pass (see Brady Quinn with the Browns against the Broncos). The receivers also have to be able to adapt to the flow of the game. The quarterback will not always have the time to deliver the ball with 100% accuracy and consistency; in those cases the receiver takes it upon himself to adjust and make a play (see Tyler Prothro for Alabama vs USM in 2005). The linemen, on both sides of the ball, should be quick and crafty; able to move their feet and fill their assignment whether it be pass block, run block, blitz up the middle or off the edge. The running backs are responsible for securing the handoff and finding the holes in the line; then using their quickness and leg strength to power through tacklers (ala Jim Brown, Tony Dorsett, Barry Sanders). Linebackers and defensive backs have to be smart, able to read the quarterback and make quick and correct decisions; "and then go and get it!"
In a college football world that has, over the past decade, seen a remarkable evening of the playing field with respect to talent (I submit the history making number of losses by #1 and #2 ranked teams last season to unranked opponents) it is in some respects unreasonable to think that any program could contend for a national championship every year for more than a couple of years at a time. Even this year, teams like Missouri with one of the best receivers and quarterbacks in college football, Texas with a quarterback who was the frontrunner for the Heisman, Florida with the current Heisman trophy winner, Georgia with arguably the best running back certainly in the SEC if not the entire NCAA and dare I say USC who likely has the best overall defense in the country are out of the national title picture. To think that a Notre Dame team lead by sophomores and a handful of upper classmen could compete with those programs this season, even given an easier schedule, is just short of wishful thinking.
There is hope for the future but only with some consistency at the helm. Former ND coaches left Coach Weis with very little talent to buy into his gameplan. Since he has taken over the reigns Notre Dame's recruiting classes have gone from the basement of college football to the top ten three years running. If I was a young player looking for a chance to play for a big time college program (and with all its recent shortcomings, ND still has significant national appeal) I would be less inclined to select a school that has a recent and somewhat not so recent history of cycling through coaching staffs at a rate of about every 4 years (with the exception of Dr. Lou) since 1981. Admittedly I regret to make this next statement because we've been saying this for quite some time now, but "next season" Weis and company should be under more pressure to succeed with upperclassmen leadership and very, very good underclassmen at every skill position on both sides of the ball.
As an alum watching from my duty station halfway around the world from South Bend I am still hopeful for a much improved 2008 team over last season and I look forward with great anticipation to the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Those of you wanting a national championship now, may not have that much longer to wait.
Incidentally, there is no medical or scientific evidence to support one's weight having any connection, other than contrived, to one's mental capacity.
Remaining yours and an ardent and hopeful supporter of all things Notre Dame.
Charlie is an awful coach. Note Dame will get beat like a drum by another mediocre program this week and the fans will suffer another week of embarrassment and mockery at the hands of fans of real college football programs.
Why can't this school hire a decent coach?
Pat Forde was wrong about Ty, but right about Charlie.
He is not even as good a head coach as Bob Davie, who never lost to USC. I can't wait for the annual ass beating at their hands. Seriously, this is a very talented team. The players are just not put in a position to win.
Keep up the good work Charlie, your fourth at least three loss season in four years. So much for the "schematic advantage."
What coach at any other major program could survive this type of mediocrity?
As a double Domer, I call for Charlie Weis to either resign or be fired at the end of this season. Enough already. He is not the "one" to guide ND back to prominence, period. Why is everyone torturing themselves over this? You know that if he was the "one" we wouldn't have had last season's disaster nor this season mediocracy. I know Lou Holtz and Charlie Weis is no Lou Holtz. We all know that to be true. Let's move on and get a new coach for 2009!!! Go Irish!
ND will face the same defense that Pitt played. Rush three or four guys take away the long ball to Tate and Floyd. BC will not worry much about the run. If BC can get pressure on Clausen rushing three or four guys and dropping every one else back in coverage ND will struggle again on offense. I remember Weiss's first two years, I had such confidence he would be able to come with some response to whatever the defense was playing. When you have so much trouble with the offensive line and you have no real threat at running back I think it is hard to have consistent offensive success despite some great wideouts. I am surprised that there is not more comment about the lack of production from the running backs. It is amazing how they do not seeem to brake tackels or show any speed - epecally Aldredge and Hughes. Allen is just OK - he is not a brake away back. I never thought they would miss Walker so much.
Y'a got 'em goin Rock! Great reads of realism rahter than rah rah finally.
Notre Dame has talent but the play calling limits our ability to see that!! Lambert has got to go and ND has got to learn to adjust and adapt!! I don't expect to win a national championship every year; but I do expect to compete! Especially for the price we are paying for season tickets!!
NDalum04 said: "Incidentally, there is no medical or scientific evidence to support one's weight having any connection, other than contrived, to one's mental capacity."
No one said he was stupid, although it is apparent now that he is not an offensive genius, the that has nothing to do with his weight. The point was he is not athletic (at all really) and never has been which could explain his inability to connection with the players and motivate them since he doesn't know what it is like to actually DO X, Y, and Z. Look at the old films, Rockne was hands on showing how to do things, same with Holtx. With Weis I don't even think he could bend over to pick up the ball let alone run with it. The point is, it makes a difference especially in college football. There is no emotion in the teams so far and that is squarely on the coach.
Last year's games to teams like this were lost in the first quarter. This year we have competed in every game until the end. Next year ND will trounce 25th ranked opponents with top tier talent AND experience.
Beat SC!!!
All you people who want to run Weis out of town, please do me a favor. Write yourself a letter explaining exactly how you feel right now about the whole situation surrounding ND football, seal the letter, and put it in a drawer until about 2010. Then, after ND has won the National Championship and Clausen has possibly earned a Heisman trophy and we're enjoying yet another top 5 recruiting class and feeling great about the future, go back and open your letter to yourself and have a good laugh about what a fool you were. Some people cry too much and want results "NOW or things are gonna get ugly!!!!!" That's understandable, but do yourself a favor, lower your stress level and become a bit more far-sighted. Don't get suckered onto the anti-Weis bandwagon by the impatient whiners.
"Then, after ND has won the National Championship and Clausen has possibly earned a Heisman trophy and we're enjoying yet another top 5 recruiting class..."
- Got Kool-Aid?
- Got Shaquelle Evans?
How can you not see the talent coming in year after year? We are a young team that will learn how to win. There is plenty of character on this team to make it happen.
Beat SC!!!
Her Charlie, read your own book..."No Excuses"!
I've been an Irish fan for over 50 years.I can't see how anyone can make the statement that ND has more talent than BC. Based on what? High school press clippings?
Every time ND plays a tough, physical team they get overpowered.
It's also painfully obvious that opposing coaching staffs routinely outcoach the ND staff.
I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that Charlie is not the answer.
This is a total embarrasment. Fire Weis NOW! Fire that FAT F--K now!
Do ND fans still think Clausen is comparable to Quinn? When will Clausen learn to stop telegraphing his throws? Answer: he's not going to learn. Start Sharpley the rest of this year and Crist in 2009. Michael Floyd should do himself a favor and transfer. He's a 1st round talent who's being wasted on this team.
Ray
I guess the Kool-Aid pitcher has finally run dry...Charlie drank it all!
4 picks tonight? Clausen is no Brady Quinn, and will NEVER win a Heisman. Speaking of winning, ND will never win a BCS championship as long as Fat Boy is coach. We just got dominated by a BC team with no QB and it is obvious that Weis is a hack. Eat that contract, and sign the next guy (hopefully someone with winning credentials as a HEAD COACH) to a short term contract and not resign him until we KNOW he is a winner.
Tell Weis to quit eating donuts and pay attention to game tape!
Just read some of these postings and I'm not sure which games people are watching when they make comments.
Our defense has been VERY effective. Without Clausen's pick 6, we beat UNC. Tonight, we gave up a total of 17 points on the road, and 7 of those were from...another pick 6. The goal-line stand against SDSU is what kept our team in the game until our O decided to show up in the 4th quarter.
Until we establish a running game and put someone under center who is a QB and not just a thrower, we'll continue to lose to teams that have equivalent or slightly less talent. Mental mistakes just don't cut it against good competition. That explains our 0-4 record against teams with records better than .500.
BC is much more talented. Look at the draft last year Ryan / Cherilus / Dunbar etc. They will have more players drafted again this year with Raji, Brace, Purvis and maybe Toal (inj). They are the better program and should have beat G Tech and Clemson (led both in Q4) and would therefore be 8-1 after shutting out ND.
And they were singing Sweet Caroline and rocking in the stands laughing at "South Bend Over" Again.
Like the airplane banner said last year:
"AVOID THE RUSH, TRANSFER EARLY!"
But should say this year:
"WHY WAIT, FIRE WEIS NOW!"
The answer is to quit playing Division 1 football. According to a lot of you on this post we can't compete, so why even try? ND has fallen so far that no new head coach could ever hope to resurrect this sh#thole of a program. It has died.
The only answer is to enter the Ivy League and focus much more on academics.
Looking forward to the new ND/Harvard rivalry!!!!!
I told you that he didn't have "it". The guy is not athletic and probably can't even bend over to pick up a football. When was the last time he even ran a play...or even ran? For goodness sakes, it is hard for anyone to listen to a pile of lard. Go run another lap while I finish off this second bag of cookies...which I deserve for working so hard...and don't make me get out of my golf cart and wak over there!
See:
http://southbend.craigslist.org/npo/911843142.html
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