(Un)Happy Valley

Wow. I'm not quite sure how to take this video from a Penn State Frat Party (Pi Kappa Alpha) before their contest with #1 Ohio State. The sad thing about this besides wasting beer, was that the Ohio State students that were on the receiving end where fellow fraternity brothers. Talk about soladarity!

The gent who posted this on You Tube got scared that he removed it within hours of posting. Unfortunately for him and his fraternity bros is that they are now on the receiving end of criminial assualt, underage drinking, and disorderly conduct. I wonder how they reacted after getting bitched slapped on national television?

I guess the lack of institutional control doesn't only belong with collegiate athletics.

Shipwrecked

"We don't tackle well, we don't rush the passer well, we don't cover well"; sounds familiar, huh? Well those were the comments of Navy Head Coach Paul Johnson after their defeat to I-AA Delaware last Saturday. The Mids, who have lost two in a row, have allowed 40 points or more the last three games, and five times on the season. They have yielded at least 30 in six of the eight games, and they have allowed 305 points, 44 more than they gave up all of last season.

The Navy offense isn't hurting as bad, but might be without the services of starting Quarterback Kaipo-Mecca Lecca High, Mecca Hieny Ho-Enhada. For the second week in a row, Enhada left the game with a neck injury. But backup Jarod Bryant has played well. So what do you say?

Let me rattle off these numbers: 258, 285, 239, 216, and 196. No those are not the rushing totals for the Midshipmen, rather that's the weight of their defensive front (ND's O-Line averages 6-6, 305 lbs.). This is one of the smallest defenses in Navy HISTORY! Yes they play with a lot of heart and determination, but this is the most talented team (based on recruiting) they will face.

Navy's defense ranks 105 in total defense, 112 in scoring defense, and is tied for last in the nation with only 5 sacks. Another tidbit of information that is staggering is that opposing quarterbacks have completed over 70% of their passes against the Midshipmen. Surely, Evan Sharpley can pick apart a soft zone. That's a quarterback's dream. Lastly, Navy has had 22, count em', 22 different starters on defense!

In case you were wondering, Navy's Offensive Line averages around 6-1, 278 lbs. Definitely the smallest the Irish defense has played so far. The Midshipmen are giving up more than two inches to the likes of Trevor Laws, Pat Kuntz, Dwight Stephenson, John Ryan and Kerry Neal.

Navy is the remedy for the Irish struggles. The Midshipmen have not played anyone close to the caliber of teams the Irish have faced. They have faced an up and down Rutgers squad (41-21 loss), a typical Pornstache Pitt team (48-45 win), Testicle Tech (Ball State), Duke, Wake Forest, Air Force, Temple, and I-AA Delaware. There is no way, under Coach Johnson, that Navy should be 4-4. But they are and are going to dip under .500 for only the third time in the Johnson era.

It's all about heart and pride. The Irish are playing for the future and will see some new faces in the mix starting Saturday. Navy, on the other hand, are trying to stop the bleeding of giving up lots of points and yards, and 43 straight losses to the Irish.

Well make it 44 and counting come Saturday evening!

Gotta Find a Way

After a hard fought contest against BYE, the Irish are gearing up to extend the longest winning streak against a single opponent when NAVY sails into town Saturday. The Middies lost a hard fought battle at home against I-AA foe Delaware 59-52. Possibly Navy and Paul Johnson were overlooking the Blue Hens before their matchup with the Irish.

Just hearing the stats from this game doesn't get me overly excited: Delaware racked up 581 yards (434 through the air), while Navy rushed for 342 yards and passed for 164 behind backup QB Jarod Bryant. Delaware has nine, count 'em, nine former Division I football players on their roster, including Notre Dame defector Ronald Talley.

The Irish are currently 3.5 point favorites, which doesn't surprise me one bit. We have more talent and speed to run the Midshipmen out of the stadium, but what this game will come down to is heart! Will the Irish give up if Navy rattles off a two touchdown lead, or will this be the spark to give Notre Dame the added confidence leading into the spring? My guess will be the second, as the Irish finally put forth a complete game for the first time this season.

Bob Davie's infamous saying of finding a way to beat Navy will be so true this week. Speaking of Boob Davie, did anyone catch the Kansas-Texas A&M game last Saturday? Recruiting was brought up and Boob put his words of wisdom to this topic. He said to the notion that recruiting the top talent is overrated and it is all about coaching. While I almost agree with him about the coaching part, because what you do with the talent is key to winning, but someone forgot to mention to Davie that getting the top talent is vital in maintaining an elite program. He mentioned the likes of Kansas, Rutgers, USF, and so on, that didn't have the top recruiting classes, but are successful on the field. Well these one-hit wonders will get their dose of reality soon! Look at Rutgers. Yes the Scarlet Knights had a great year last season, but where are they going now with a 5-3 record? USF was #2 just a few short weeks ago, but have dropped two since, and are basically out of the Big East Title, while Kansas, still has to play the heavy hitters (Missouri and possible Big 12 Title game). If you look at the teams that have awesome recruiting classes: LSU, Florida, and USC. They have been competing at a high level now with multiple Top 5 recruiting classes. So Boobie's little jab at the Irish still makes him look like 1) an idiot and 2) sour grapes for his inept coaching.

Bob just needs to find a way to make sense!

You Can't Have it Your Way

During a 1-7 season, you'll hear plenty of excuses like Notre Dame has too hard of a schedule, Ty left the cupboard bare and worried about his golf game than recruiting (so true), and so on. There are plenty of fingers to point the blame on: Kevin White (schedule, poor department management skills, no balls), Charlie Weis (player development, lack of enthusiasm, team chemistry), John Latina (where do I start?), and the players.

So far, the Irish's strength of schedule is currently second in the nation behind, you guessed it, Ty Losingham's lethargic Huskies. The first eight Irish opponents have a combined overall record of 47-15 (76 winning %). Add the remaining four teams, and you have a 61-31 opponents record to date. Three teams, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, and UCLA are one win away from being bowl eligible. When it is all said and done during the regular season, the Irish will have faced 10 out of 12 bowl participants, including two BCS Bowl opponents (Boston College and USC).

In this ever changing world of parity in college football, scheduling has to play into the success or demise of one's team. Kevin White's barnstorming grass roots is resulting in playing the bottom feeders of BCS conferences. His 7-4-1 scheduling will be in place the year after next, just in time for Charlie's boys to make a run at National Prominence. The rotation of three Big East teams will be arriving soon, as well as, the on again, off again contests with Michigan State and Purdue.

I'm not sure about you, but I'm not wanting to pad our schedule just to get to the National Championship game; I want them to earn it. This institution needs to stick to their guns and play the best teams possible. If we are going to be billed the best team in the country like everyone is saying or predicting in 2009, then the schedule makers (i.e.; White and John Heisler) need to make this right.

Having Navy on the schedule is fine, because we owe it to them for helping keep this university alive and kicking. However, scheduling Washington State in San Antonio, or Testical Tech in Orlando is not going to cut it. Sure it's nice that Kevin White wants to play in front of major recruiting hot beds and alumni, and adding to the home NBC schedule; but at what cost? Adding Oklahoma into the mix is great, and was a necessity during the whole dumping Michigan tirade this past summer. Why not add Miami or Auburn to the rotation? These are the marquee matchups fans and alumni want to see, not the Halloween Treat of Cougars in the Alamo Dome.

This is not your father's Notre Dame, and it is not Burger King either. You can't have it your way!

The Three Amigos

WR Michael Floyd

Add to My Profile | More Videos

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3698291591006986360&q=jonas+gray&pr=goog-sl

With the Irish in a bye week, I thought everyone would like to enjoy these nice little clips of QB Dayne Crist, WR Michael Floyd, and RB Jonas Gray. Crist definitely has a rocket arm and is very mobile out of the pocket. My favorite part of his clip is what Pat Summerall says at the end. I wonder what number Dayne will be wearing next year for the Irish?

What can I say about Michael Floyd? He's a stud and will definitely have an immediate impact in South Bend next fall. Just think of this receiving corps: Duval Kamara, Golden Tate, Robby Parris, Floyd, David Grimes, and George West. If we add Deion Walker or Jonathan Baldwin to the mix, opposing teams better watch out! Charlie was right; you better get your laughs in now because here come the Irish!

Jonas Gray (whose video link is provided above) will be another bruiser like James Aldridge and Robert Hughes. Gray may not see action right away, but his flash and play making ability will soon be felt on opposing defenses.

The pieces are coming together for one of the best recruiting classes ever at Notre Dame.

Gimme Some Mo!

According to the Observer (ND's Student Newspaper), Maurice Crum Sr. said Wednesday that his son, Notre Dame's senior middle linebacker, will return to Notre Dame for a fifth year. I can't tell you what a week this has been for the Notre Dame football program. First, getting Michael Floyd and Jonas Gray to verbally commit to the Irish, and now Mo Crum coming back to spearhead Notre Dame's defense!

As long as he gets approval from the board, Crum and possibly fellow defensive mates Terrail Lambert and Justin Brown will be ND's sole 5-year players.

Piss Off Poodle

USC might have won the game last Saturday, but they lost the battle for prize, 5-star recruit Michael Floyd of Cretin-Derham Hall. Knowing that Floyd was on campus, Pete Carroll frantically text messaged Michael several times, including one message that said, "Pay attention on how I'm going to rip the Fat Man a new ass". Other messages talked about don't get used to this weather, how awful the coeds are on campus, and look at the terrible offense and team chemistry of the Irish. I'm not sure about you, but after hearing that, I agree with our student section during the fourth quarter: FUCK PETE CARROLL!

Well despite our a 1-7 start, including that 38-0 loss at home to Southern California, Floyd made it official and cancelled all other trips. Some folks thought he would go to USC for his last visit and see the bright lights of lala-land. Heck there were threads on several boards after the USC game that he was Trojan Bound, and I actually believed them. By the way, Floyd declined a tryout at USC.

Floyd gave the FO (and I don't mean Fight On!) to USC and Pete Carroll.

Use the Force Charles

After a depressing game against the Condoms and no game this coming weekend, there didn't seem to be any cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame. Well after Sunday's verbal commit from 5-star receiver Michael Floyd and today's announcement from 4-star running back Jonas Gray, there seems to be a pot of gold at the end of this season's rainbow of disaster. Getting Gray away from Nebraska is like organizing a reunion where you put a lot of time and effort into it and then when it finally comes for the event, you don't get to enjoy it, while others take credit when they really didn't do a thing! Thanks Nebraska for pissing away a top notch recruit. Better be careful or we'll do it again with Trevor Robinson.

So far 21 recruits have made solid verbal commitments to the Irish despite their 1-7 record, as the Irish look to be #1 in recruiting. I for one have been overly critical about Coach Weis this season, but DAMN, he's putting together a great class that rivals any in the nation. The Irish have stockpiled the needed areas on defense and have gotten their main targets on offense with Floyd and Gray. Look for the Irish to get another Offensive Lineman (Trevor Robinson or Kenneth Page) and one more receiver (Deion Walker or Jonathan Baldwin).

This week after practices commence on Wednesday, the Irish Coaches will be hitting the recruiting trails for not only this year's class but the junior class as well. Here's to another great class under Charlie Weis.

What though the odds be great or small, Old Notre Dame will win over all, especially this year in recruiting!

Big Boy Picks

Usually I would save this for later in the week, but since the Irish have a bye week, I'll do my predictions of this weeks games. I don't have too much newsworthy gossip of the Irish yet, so I'll give you folks some filler in the meantime.

#2 Boston College 27 @ #8 Virginia Tech 28 (Beamer Ball, Baby!)
#7 W. Virginia 34 @ Rutgers 35 (Rich "the lil' Bitch" Rodriquez says adios to BCS)
Mississippi St. 10 @ #14 Kentucky 41 (Rich Brooks keeps the Cats rolling)
Iowa State 13 @ # 13 Missouri 31 (Mizzou solidifying the Big 12 North)
#12 USC 28 @ #5 Oregon 34 (The Ducks will give SC the Big FO, and I'm not talking about Fight On!)
#10 South Florida 30 @ # 23 Connecticut 14 (UConn will not have the luxury of having the same refs as last week against Louisville)
#11 Florida 45 @ #18 Georgia 24 (I hate you Urban Meyer!)
Nebraska 24 @ #19 Texas 31 (Colt McCoy guns down the Huskers)
Minnesota 10 @ #20 Michigan 31 (Boy what a win over the Irish can do for team chemistry)
#15 Virgina 21 @ North Carolina State 13 (UVa claims their ticket to the ACC title game)
Mississippi 17 @ #22 Auburn 35 (War Eagle or Tigers? Yeah, whatever!)
#9 Kansas 28 @ Texas A&M 27 (Charlie Weis is not the fattest D-I coach in America, trust me. Just look at the Jayhawks Mark Mangino. Holy Shit, who did he eat?)
#16 South Carolina 20 @ Tennessee 34 (The ole ball coach is going to hate hearing Good Old Rocky Top after this game)
#21 California 28 @ #4 Arizona State 20 (The Bears get back on track)
New Mexico State 17 @ #17 Hawaii 49 (Who cares? I don't)
#1 Ohio State 24 @ Penn State 27 (Joe Pa gets his Montezuma's Revenge against the Bucknuts)

Get Your Laughs in Now?

I guess there is nothing to do right now but laugh at where this program is at under Head Coach CW (can't win). As an alum and follower of the Irish for over 25 + years, I've never seen a team so inept, and that includes the Faust years! At least Gerry's boys could muster an offense (Pinkett left, Pinkett right, Pinkett up the middle, and Punt; with the frequent touchdown mixed in).

Changes need to be made and they need to be precise. It all starts at the top with the Athletic Director. Dr. Kevin White needs to go. He's NOT a Notre Dame man and I firmly believe that's what we need. The whole Kevin White ND football saga has been interesting to say the least. He extends Bob Davie’s contract twice only to wind up firing him. Hires Tyrone Willingham who was a bust but won’t fire him and so the board goes over his head and somehow White keeps his job. Then he fails to attract a high profile, proven head coach and settles for Charlie Weis. He’s now extended until 2015 and the team is sitting at 1-7. Personally, I thought he should have been gone when the board fired Willingham against his will. Most AD’s with any sense of pride would have resigned in that situation. If Weis can’t turn this thing around in the next couple of years, he should be gone, as well as the guy who hired him.

I'm not sure if we can lure Gene Smith from The Ohio State University just yet, but I think we can get a suitable replacement in the meantime to right the ship. Who would this person be you ask? I don't think I'm delusional when I say this, but bring back LOU HOLTZ.

I know Lou doesn't have any athletic administration experience, but I do believe he knows what would be in the best interest of this university, and especially it's moneymaker. He's been noted that he still loves the university and would love to come back in some capacity. Even if he's not the full-time AD, make him the overseer of the football operations. I don't care if Weis feels slighted one bit. Weis' has been way to smug and arrogant and needs a muzzle to shut his trap. Lou should have been put on a search committee along with Ara and maybe a couple of other distinguished domers when they went looking for Willingham's successor. Maybe he could have talked Urban Meyer into coming here.

I'm not saying that Charlie needs to go after this season, but he does need to make some wholesale changes with his staff after the season. First and foremost, Offensive Line Coach John Latina has to go. His line is the worst in Notre Dame history giving up 39 sacks so far this season. Missed blocks and assignments and disarray should not be the staple of this offense. Secondly, Rob Ianello needs to be the recruiting coordinator only. His term as the Receivers coach needs to be over. He's an excellent recruiter and has pulled a remarkable list of incoming recruits for National Signing Day. The signing of Michael Floyd was the only bright side to this weekend.

Brian Polian also needs to go. Although Charlie said every coach will have a hand in the Special Teams this season, it's still Polian's bread and butter. His other role as inside linebackers coach isn't better either. Maurice Crum and Joe Brockington are playing well because of Corwin Brown's coaching, not Polians.

Where should I start with Bill Lewis? Nice man with a butt load of credentials, but DAMN, can't you teach a defensive back to turn around and look for the ball. Darrin Walls has been tremendous and will be another great defensive player when he graduates. As for Highway 22 (the quickest route to the endzone) Ambrose Wooden and Terril Lambert, I'm not sure if you'll be playing your way past a NFL practice squad in the near future. You're great kids with plenty of potential, but were hampered severely from poor coaching and technique.

As for the others, Offensive Coordinator Mike Haywood, Defensive Line Coach Jappy Oliver, Tight Ends Coach Bernie Parmalee, and Quarterbacks Coach Ron Powlus, they get the stamp of approval and should remain intact. Haywood's hands are tied because of the poor line play. Jappy Oliver has done a tremendous job and has steadily improved the progress of Pat Kuntz as Nose Guard. Also Trevor Laws has played his way into the first day of the NFL draft! Parmalee is excellent and Powlus can definitely help mold and relate experiences to the quarterbacks.

Loyalty was one of the main downfalls of the Willingham regime by sticking with his staff. Kevin White made it clear to Coach Ty that he needs to get rid of his coaches or you're out the door. We all know where that ended up. Weis is a smart guy and needs to do the right thing for this program to succeed and get to where they want to be: The Best Football Program in the Country.

The future will be bright with the players coming in, but that's what it will only be unless changes are made.

Grass Gate II

It's that time of year again when all the media pundits come out in full force to bag on Notre Dame Stadium's field conditions. Two years ago, every non-Irish fan and media got all in a tizzy of how the grass was so high and slowed down the powerful and speedy men of troy. They said Notre Dame had a great advantage and could neutralize the speed of the Trojans. It definitely stopped Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush and the SC receivers, right?

Today, grounds crew (pictured above) take care of the field conditions for tomorrow's 3:30 contest. The one burning question that is on many Irish faithful: How does the supposed high grass only affect and slow down USC players and not the Irish?

I'm not a scientist or a person who specializes in groundskeeping, but doesn't this seem a little rediculous? If a player that runs a 4.3 40-yard dash compared to a guy who runs a 4.5 in any condition still is the faster person in a dead out sprint. Yes there is football speed and whatnot, but high grass will not just slow down faster players only.

Why don't other teams complain about this? It makes you wonder. I guess USC fans are preparing for the worse and are already making excuses for their second defeat of the season. Can you say so long BCS!

On a side note, USC fanatic Snoop Dog was on campus to witness the cutting of the grass. Snoop was only there for a short time to collect grass clippings for his big party at the Linebacker later tonight!

I'll see you back on Monday for my news and notes of Notre Dame's second victory of the season. GO IRISH!

ND-USC Preview

Outlined against a clear blue sky, 70 degree temperature day, the Green Machine will rise again. No, the 1977 team will not be playing, but the Evan "Almighty" Sharpley led Fighting Irish will take the field in what will be another classic in this storied series.

Yes, USC's Pete Carroll has had the best of the Fighting Irish the last two years, but the thrid time will be a charm for Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis. A defensive battle will be the main storyline throughtout tomorrow's game, as to which team can pressure the other into key mistakes and disrupt the offensive flow.

Offense
5th year captain Travis Thomas will get the first go around at tailback in hopes of recapturing his 2005 form against the Trojans. If not, it could be a long day for Notre Dame. Time of possession and ball control will be the Irish's main incredient for success. No more dink and dunk passes, as Sharpley will try and heave the ball downfield to his receivers. Look for Tight End John Carlson to step up and make a key contribution with key catches down the middle.

Robby Parris will have another strong performance as the go to receiver. However, Freshmen Duval Kamara via the slant, and Golden Tate (who has absored more of the playbook and passing routes) will stretch the USC defense.

Don't be surprised to see the Irish go no huddle the first series and beyond to keep the Trojans on thier toes. The biggest key to the Irish success will be the line play and whether or not they can hold their blocks to give Sharpley time to throw and create holes for Thomas and the stable of backs to run through.

Defense
Defensively, Freshmen Kerry Neal and Brian Smith need to put added pressure on USC's quarterback John David Booty. If the Irish can somehow get to Booty, like they did against UCLA's Ben Olsen and knock him out of the game, momentum will be in favor of ND. What can I say, Trevor Laws is a beast. He's definitely played his way into a first day draft selection. Laws, who leads the nation in tackles for defensive linemen, will once again get double-digit tackles. A fumble recovery will also be in store for the Senior from Minnesota.

The Irish secondary has been a surprise this season and will rise to the occasion and not allow the "big play" which has plaqued the ND defense the previous years. Darrin Walls has been stellar so far this year with tight coverage and will have a big day with a key interception. Look for more Nickel and Dime packages with Kyle McCarthy and possibly Sergio Brown (breakout game) to step it up a notch.

Special Teams
Definitely not the strong suit for the Irish this season, but that will change come Saturday. I expect a big return day on both kickoff and punt returns. If the Irish can somehow break one for a score, the revived Notre Dame Stadium will provide that added spark.

Freshman placekicker Brandon Walker who hasn't had too much activity (4/5 FGs) will be a key contributor to the Irish victory.

Prediction
This will be another back and forth contest that will come down to whoever has the ball last. Turnovers will be the Trojan's downfall with both Booty and Marc Sanchez throwing interceptions, as the Irish prevail in a nailbiter.

ND 24 USC 23

More Changes for this Weekend?

We already know that this weekend's game is honoring the 30th anniversary of the 1977 National Championship team. The team will be playing in the retro green jersey and yellow mustard color pants, but will there be more?

It has been well documented that Coach Weis' favorite memory was the 1977 season and the USC game. How much does he want to replicate that game and season is something that has been rumored around campus. RUMOR, yes, RUMOR, I said has been tossed around that the endzone's will be exactly the same as the 77 USC game (see picture above).

Since I live an earshot away from campus, I'll try and get some updates and pictures, if the rumors hold true about the field. I for one like the old school feel of our endzones that we have now, but honoring a special team and players would be truly magical.

The only question now, is when the Irish defeat the Trojans on Saturday, will the team decide to wear the green the rest of the season?

A House Divided

This season has truly been a nightmare for everyone. From the whole quarterback secrecy to the sophomore transfer shuffle, Coach Charlie Weis' squad has been slip sliding away through his fingers. What makes this even more sickening is the fact that there is two sides to this team. ND's version of the Hatfield's and McCoy's is brewing between Ty's former players and the underclassmen.

I started hearing rumors about this the week after the Georgia Tech game when a reliable source on campus said that several fifth year seniors were laughing about the game. While walking behind them on the way to Reckers, my source heard John Sullivan talking about how funny it was of how they lost ,and that "Fat Bastard" deserves what he gets from the media.

Another instance that was overheard was from a couple of weeks ago when Sullivan admittedly told others that he missed a block on purpose so that Jimmy Clausen would have to run for his life. Do you hear that crashing sound in the background? That's the preseason All-American center's NFL stock dropping at a rapid pace!

Even at practice, players are bickering back and forth at one another. It's one thing to bitch at a player for a blown assignment or whatnot, but it's something when they complain they are "Charlie's Boys" and that they need to pay their dues to start. Just like Charlie said, "The best players will play".

It's not the freshmen and sophomore's fault that they are better than Ty's recruits. Hopefully once the bad seeds are gone from the Losingham regime, Charlie and his Football Factory can start playing together as a TEAM!

Green Machine Part Deux

If somehow you have been hiding under a rock the past couple of months, fans of the Fighting Irish have known that they will be honoring the 30th anniversary of the 1977 National Championship squad during the USC game. In their honor, the team will be wearing the retro '77 uniform pictured above. No, there will be no Trojan Horse this time as the team takes the field, but there will be members of the '77 squad in attendance.

Here's another shout out for the GREEN MACHINE!

Sharp(ley) Decision at Quarterback

This just in.......Evan Sharpley will be the starting quarterback for Notre Dame on Saturday against USC. Not only is this the best move, but it will also help in the development of Freshman Jimmy Clausen by observing from the sidelines. Hopefully Old Man Clausen won't have a fit and make Jimmy transfer.

Don't be surprised to see Clausen get some reps if either team is up big just to stroke Jimmy's ego. If it's a nailbiter or we're in striking distance (2 scores or less), Evan Almighty should and will take reigns of the Irish offense.

Also from Coach Weis' press conference, Sophomore running back James Aldridge looks like he will not be in action on Saturday. According to Weis, Aldridge has a high ankle sprain. Look for ND's version of "Thunder and Lightning" Robert Hughes and Armando Allen to get the bulk of the carries, while Junior Jabbie and Travis Thomas are inserted as blockers for passing situations.

On the Clock???

After the announcement of Steve Pederson's resignation as the Athletic Director of the University of Nebraska, reverberations could be felt on the second floor of the JACC. Dr. Kevin White has been at Notre Dame since 2000 and has made poor decision after poor decision. The long laundry list of White's mismanagement could be summed up with the DavieHam debacle.

Granted, White has made respectable hires in the Olympic sports (i.e.; Bobby Clark - men's soccer and Jeff Jackson - Hockey), but that foundation was already laid by former AD Dick Rosenthal. On the flip side, he's made premature contract extensions with Davie and Weis, lobbied for a Jumbotran at Notre Dame Stadium (Rockne is rolling over in his grave, if he hasn't already), and is now making cosmetic adjustments to that 70's show athletic building known as the JACC for an up and coming Hockey program and respectable basketball teams.

Fr. Jenkins has to look at the big picture: Is Dr. Kevin White the man for this institution? The clock is ticking and our next savior is only a stone's throw away in Columbus. If we have an alum as our football coach, we definitely can have another leading our athletic department.

Gene, we've warmed the seat to your throne; it's time to come home!

All in the Family

Must be nice having your baby brother be the starting quarterback at the University of Notre Dame. Not only do you get to have your entire family on television every weekend, but now you get your own golf cart to drive your slow, lazy, pompous ass around campus. I guess the Clausen entourage got the key to campus and everything else.

After leaving the stadium on Saturday, I was walking past the crowded tunnel of Boston College fans wanting to congratulate their Eagles for a hard fought win, I noticed Casey Clausen. Not only was Casey sitting on his luxurious golf cart, but he was macking on some coed for all the public to see. Only if Casey's hands were that good on the football field as they were with this gal, he still might be playing on Sundays.

Maybe Coach Weis promised the Clausen Family more than the starting quarterback position. Note for any older brothers of ballyhooed quarterbacks: Come to Notre Dame for personal golf carts and bitches!

The Pied Pooper of South Bend

The deal was cemented in place long before the first snap of the season....Jimmy Clausen will be Notre Dame's starting Quarterback. The freakishly-haired "Golden Boy" was going to attract all the top tier talent to South Bend and put a stamp on Coach Charlie Weis recruiting coup. Clausen's reputation as the LaBron James of high school football has turned out more like the Gomer Pyle of college football.

Weis made a promise to old man Clausen way before Jimmy's red carpet announcement at the College Football Hall of Fame (All that was missing from that day was Melissa and Joan Rivers commenting on Jimmy's hair style and bling bling). Weis told Jimmy's dad that he would be starting from day one and he would only be in South Bend for three years before turning pro! I hate to break it to you Jimbo, but you're not being fitted yet for your gold jacket to Canton, Ohio anytime soon.

Why would Charlie put this on himself? Easy answer: To beat out Ron Zook and Urban Meyer for the top high school talent. Weis thought that Clausen's big reputation, to go along with his big mouth (err, Ego) will get the Floyd's, Baldwin's, and etc. to come to South Bend. All this is doing is costing wins and damenping the spirit of the so-called FIGHTING IRISH!

As much as I was all for Jimmy Clausen starting and playing this season, he's not ready and he's definitely not Brady Quinn by any means. Chuckles needs to suck it up and give his team a chance for success and do what should have been done from the start of the season: Start Evan Sharpley. Sharpley might not be the sexy pick for anyone's college football fantasy team, but he's what the Irish need. The team plays more like a team with Evan under center and has given the Irish a more vertical game.

The Pied Piper effect might diminish a little, but the pieces are set in place and will come whether or not Jimmy starts or sits the bench learning the game. This season is not over as the Irish play the Condoms of Southern California on Saturday, and the November dessert plate of Midshipmen, Falcons, Blue Devils and Cardinal.

If Sharpley does indeed start the rest of the way, shades of 1986 and the momentum building season of 1987 and beyond just might happen all over again. I have no doubt that top talent will come no matter who is under center, but Charlie has to make a sharp decision. Evan Almighty needs to be the quarterback the rest of this season!

I found Nate Griffin

Here's a litle something for the fans of the FOX television series Family Guy. In the episode "Peter Griffin, Husband, Father... Brother?", Peter discovered he had a pre-Civil War era black ancestor named Nate Griffin. The picture above shows Nate Griffin hard at work jabbering away about something he doesn't know, College Football.

Nate's hobbies are hating on the Irish, watching his beloved alma mater tank another game under Coach Pornstache, and fondling Trojan nuts!

Joe Pa on a Rampage

Looks like Joe "Oops I crapped my pants" Paterno is at it again. This time Joe Pa had a little road rage and lashed out at a female driver. Looks like the players aren't the only ones getting in trouble with the law:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3058734


Seriously, would you want someone like that on the road? How thick are those coke bottles he calls glasses? No wonder why he shit his pants at Ohio State last year, he couldn't find the toilet.

The Legend of Big Mike

Friends that are close to me know my father (aka "BIG MIKE) and his crazy obsession of making bold predictions against the Irish. I'm not sure if he truly believes them or not, but his stab at the outcome of each game makes for great laughter.....until this season! From year's past he would give out scores like Pittsburgh 49 ND 5! He would say that the Irish get a lucky field goal and that the Panthers would feel sorry for them and give up a safety.

Well this season, not only does he think that he's the next Jimmy the Greek, but he has also lost all interest in watching the games. As tech savvy as he is, BIG sneaky MIKE, goes into his study room and watches the live stat updates on UND.com. Last week he was back to his old form of being correct...err, I mean wrong. He predicted UCLA 62 ND 10. I don't think his psychic friends network contacts could have envisioned the Irish bitch slapping Ben Olsen and the Bruins to a two touchdown victory.

This week, I asked for his infant wisdom to give me the final score:
Boston College 58 Notre Dame 7

Here's to the start of Big Mike's losing streak!!!!!

Just the facts

Unzip the Gipp

George Gipp has been exhumed for DNA testing according to this published report from Notre Dame lover ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3058026

My favorite quote from the article was, "An ESPN crew filmed the exhumation for an upcoming story, but a spokesman said the network played no role in arranging it." I say bullshit! We all know the anti-Christ Mark May got so pissed off last Saturday after the Irish beat UCLA that he decided to dig up the Gipp and do some voodoo black magic. May wants to halt any momentum of a potential winning streak, so that his prediction of a 2-10 season will prevail.

Good luck with that Mark. Also don't get the urge to gnaw on the Gipp's bones, while dreaming of Popeye's chicken!

Bush Whacked!

USC may not be out of the clear just yet. Here's a shove back to the BUSH PUSH!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21213903/

Who is this Boston College that you speak of?

After savoring last Saturday's win at UCLA and USC's loss to Stanford, my delusional thoughts focused towards BC (Back-up College). Currently as the 4th ranked team in the country, the Eagles are flying high into South Bend. Their offense is solid behind seasoned QB Matt Ryan and run stuffing defense, yet they are only favored by 14 points. Surely you say that Boston College is definitely better than a two touchdown favorite over the Irish, right? Let's look deeper and see why that is:

I know that they are 6-0 but look at who they have played:* Wake Forest 3-2 (beat Duke, Maryland, Army)* NC State 1-5 (beat Wofford)* Georgia Tech 3-3 (beat ND, Samford, Clemson)* Army 3-3 (beat Rhode Island, Temple, Tulane)* UMass 4-1 (beat Holy Cross, Colgate, Towson, Maine)* Bowling Green 3-2 (Beat Minnesota, Temple, Maine, W Kentucky). For you non-math majors, that's a 17-16 record for the Eagles opponents so far.

After hearing Coach Weis talk about how pumped he is about his team at the middle of the season, you have to wonder are we going to turn the corner and salvage this season? Full heartedly, I believe we will win one of our next two games or both if John David Booty-Scratcher is still injured. Obviously the big "IF" is whether or not the offense establishes any semblance of a running game behind a steadily improved offensive line, and better special teams play.

Check back later for the key matchups against the Eagles.

GO IRISH!

Welcome to Irish Band of Brothers!

This is my little slice of heaven I like to call Notre Dame Football. I became associated with Notre Dame when my family and I moved from Cincinnati to South Bend in the early 80's. Yes Gerry Faust followed us to the Bend, but no we had nothing to do with his hiring as the Fighting Irish football coach.

I've seen the ups (Holtz years) and the downs (Davie & Willingham) of this program. As a loyal son of Notre Dame (1997 graduate), I'll give the skinny about the program and daily updates of other rumblings from the Dome!

So enjoy and feel free to put your two cents into this blog.

--WeisGipper