An ol’ Irishman takes the reins at Notre Dame

By John Kelly
Football Reporters Online
Senior Writer
Midwest/Northeast Correspondent

AD Jack Swarbrick accomplished something his past predecessors didn’t. He identified a top coaching target and finally closed him. Former Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly was introduced as the 29th Football coach at Notre Dame Friday.

The job was a lifelong dream and he was up to the challenge of restoring Notre Dame’s glory.
“When I refer to the challenge, it's strictly getting to that high bar that's been set at Notre Dame," he said. "We've got challenges, but we'll go to work on those right away."


He also didn’t flinch at the idea of National Championships either.
"Those aren't 8-4 years. Those are national championship years," he said. "So any time you're talking about restoring a program and the challenges, it's not about winning the conference championship, it's about winning championships and being in the BCS and being nationally prominent. That's a challenge. We've got to get to work on that."
After beginning the season unranked in 2009, Kelly led the Bearcats to a 12-0 record, a Sugar Bowl berth, and number 3 ranking in the BCS. Kelly will not coach the Bearcats in the Sugar Bowl vs. Florida.

Kelly takes over for Charlie Weis and inherits a team that didn’t fulfill the exact aspirations of his former team. Kelly also implied about the aura of Notre Dame as an institution.



"Nobody does it better than Notre Dame,'' he said. "The excellence in academics and in the athletic arena is second to none.''


Kelly has produced 18 winning seasons in his coaching careers at Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, and Cincinnati compiling a 171-57-2 record. His only losing season was his first for the Chippewas.

Notre Dame’s 16-21 record the last three years hasn’t garnered the same muster as Kelly’s. Still he believes their mindsets aren’t any different from his past teams.

After weeks of rumors ranging from Bob Stoops to Brian Billick there was no doubting whom the Irish were targeting from day one. According to a local athletic department source Kelly was the only candidate Notre Dame was seriously pursuing.

“It was always Kelly,” said the source.

AD Jack Swarbrick reinterred that statement.

“Kelly was the first guy we spoke to and the only one we offered.”

"These young men want to win, and that's why I'm here at Notre Dame," he said. "I want to be around men that are committed, and we can't trade anybody. There's no waiver wire. We're going to develop our players, and they're going to play their very best for us. That to me has always been the most important principle. Let's go. Don't tell me what you don't have. I don't want to know about it. Tell me what you can do to help us win."

Kelly has got it done at his recent stops but he will have to recruit nationally to experience success in South Bend. Still, that doesn’t mean he is scared to public express his sales pitch.

“I would tell recruits that you’re coming to Notre Dame to restore the glory and develop as a football player and a person,” he said. “You ready to Go?”

Kelly seemed happier than a kid a Christmas standing at the podium. He gave the media respect and didn’t make a herculean promises. Kelly used his wits to tell the media and NDNation what they need to hear.

In order to be successful they will have to get work immediately. On Monday that journey truly begins.

Write the Check Jack
By John Kelly
Football Reporters Online
Senior Writer-Midwest/Northeast Correspondent

Mr. Swarbrick, remove the checkbook from your dapper business suit and get it over with. Put that shiny ballpoint pen and University letterhead to use. Cut Charlie his check, list some replacements, and move forward.
Since 1996 Notre Dame football is no longer relevant. The Irish have garnered more tabloids than National Titles the last 15 years.

When Weis took over he claimed that his previous predecessors made excuses. However, he was only half right.
Bob Davie and Ty Willingham said the University no longer could recruit elite athletes because of academic rigors.
In 5 years Weis has disproven some excuses but not all of them. He brought in three top ten recruiting classes. His third was number one in the country. Skill players are loaded throughout the roster.

Weis recruited with the big boys and beat them out for blue chip talent. Manti Teo and Michael Floyd turned down powerhouses USC and Ohio State for an education and eventual football glory.

However, other demons have never seemed to cease from South Bend. An arduous schedule during the Davie and Willingham tenure saw better results than the watered down ones of last two years.

Davie opened his final season with a Nebraska team that played for the national title. Willingham closed his tenure beating two top ten teams Tennessee and Michigan. The Wolverines went to the Rose Bowl that year as well.

Weis is 1-10 versus ranked teams, 0-5 versus USC, 3-10 in November, and now 0-3 the last two years versus the lowly Big East. He opened his last two seasons with WAC teams and pounded another to eradicate a 7 game bowl-losing streak.
Weis has not had to play the SEC and Big 12 powers like his past predecessors and couldn’t get improved results with players twice as good.

The last two Senior Days have been disgraceful. Tears normally reserved for a final goodbye were wasted on inexcusable losses. After 4 years Senior Days were designed for a proper send off. Instead those seniors were pelted with snowballs and booed during their own Alma mater and 1812.

Weis never had a quality defense during his tenure in South Bend. The defense has been exposed repeatedly game after game. This year it has finally gotten out of control. Weis tried two new coordinators and brought in defensive genius Jon Tenuta.
Yet, all recruiting cycles never registered elite defensive ends or linebackers capable of running a dominant defense.
Every Quarterback has looked like Johnny Unitas versus this defense and they clearly lack the defensive skill or coaching to stop anybody. When Navy runs 40 yards up the middle consistently with a fullback then you are that bad.
Weis’s staff countered that by calling the Midshipmen classy and dirty.

Notre Dame has been the same story since Weis arrived. Yet, these deficiencies have reared their ugly head the last two years. The Irish put up gaudy offensive stats and 30 points in a lot of their contests and cannot come out on top.
Like in 2001 and 2004 the spotlight is on the Notre Dame AD.

When adversity stared former AD Kevin White in the face he panicked. George O’Leary resigned and Ty Willingham was unjustly cast as the next head coach. Charlie Weis debuted better than expected and name came NFL rumored fudges a ridiculous contract extension.

Its all on you Jackie boy and this move will make or break your alma mater. Again you intend to wait until the end of the year instead of acting now.

Didn’t your past predecessor make the same mistake? Don’t you remember him whiffing twice on his top candidates?
Mr. Swarbrick past history has always produced a sour outcome and this situation won’t be any different. Apply the ink on the page and inscribe the necessary zeros.

If you dare reach for anything make sure it’s your checkbook Jack. Not for another potential disastrous hire.
This time lets get it right.

FAT, ARROGANT, AND RUDE IS NO WAY TO GO THROUGH COACHING SIR

John Kelly
Football Reporters Online
Senior Writer
Midwest/Northeast Correspondent

Charlie Weis, John Tenuta, and Corwin Brown have you seen your midterm grades? In 2009 I’ve seen them.
Mr. Brown, great cornerback recruits, making every Quarterback look like a Heisman winner, and tight ends, torching an experienced secondary. Including one that plays intramurals at Annapolis? One C, two D’s, and an F congratulations you’re at the top of the pledge class.
Mr. Tenuta, 115 yard versus Nevada, game saving interceptions, 600 yards versus USC, and 348 yards on the ground against Navy. One C and three F’s what a great example you’ve set amongst outstanding credentials.
Mr. Weis a 34-31 loss to Michigan, a 34-27 loss to USC, and being defeated by service academies two of the last three years. Your grade point average is 0.2.
Fat, Arrogant, and Rude is no way to handle your self amongst the best fans in the country.
As a coaching unit combined, the last three years your GPA is 0.0. I want to repeat this to all your other assistants what I am about to tell you right now.

You’re expelled!!! ‘
Dismissed!!!
I want you to vacate the campus at the end of December.
I have also informed other desperate teams that you’re all now eligible for alternate employment.
After clearing the stadium last Saturday Notre Dame Nation resembled Dean Wormer. No doubt if these men could be tied up in a room surely fans would recite the classic movie line over and over.

Notre Dame’s fan base has become Dean Wormer and Director Jack Swarbrick has become Robert Hoover. ND Nation wants their charter revoked while Jack Swarbrick can grant them one more semester.

These next 3 games are the final stand of the Weis’s tenure. The firing parade can be crashed with a convincing win over Pittsburgh. Weis’s staff is more than capable of pulling off a Delta Tal Ki and winning out with two ranked teams remaining.
Like the spirit of Delta, Weis knows he is capable of pulling this off. With Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, Michael Floyd, and excellent offensive play calling there is a fighting chance.
How could you count them out?

Will Golden Tate or Brian Smith deliver the famous John Blutoski speech? Or are Weis’s days finally numbered along with his sick coaching buddies?
We will know Saturday night.
It wasn’t over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor. It will be over if the Panthers bomb the Irish.

WE WIN LIKE A TEAM WE LOSE LIKE A TEAM
The Story of the Notre Dame Student Section
John Kelly
Football Reporters Online
Senior Writer
Midwest/Northeast Correspondent

While browsing you tube for Flyers and Penguins clips over the years I came across an instructional video for Eagle fans. Any person who has experienced the nightmare of a Philly fan probably had a better chance guessing these guidelines then winning the lottery.
Let me guess…
Drunkenness? Check. Booing? Check. Fighting someone? Check. Yet, it was a certain saying in the video that left a distinct impression.
“Being an Eagle Fan is a 24/7 job and it’s a lifestyle.” “As a Philadelphia Eagle fan you are in that huddle with the team.” “When they celebrate that’s you in there.”
672 miles away Notre Dame’s student section is living proof. These future leaders of America come to the game jacked since 6 am the previous Sunday. The passion is there from every snap, on every touchdown, and at the conclusion of every game. They do not need to soil your garments in alcohol or spot you a pair of boxing mitts to prove it.
The student section conducts their own personal party during the game. They are the heart and foundation of Notre Dame stadium. Their vocal chords swell faster during a game then Ashlee Simpson after three songs. They boogie to Rakes of mallow and swirl their index fingers during each and every kickoff.
Whether it is knocking around beach balls, throwing fellow domers up for pushups, or chanting their displeasure for Pete Carroll running up the score, the emotion is unparallel.
If a holiday could exemplify their section it might one celebrated every May on the Bayou.
Now, most student sections would provide quicker rebuttals for these statements than a seasoned salesman. Hold the phone everyone.
I have seen numerous student sections on TV in my 23 years as a college football fan. From Happy Valley to Ann Arbor to the SEC the volume and passion are without a doubt present. However, during the down time they are just average hardcore fans taking a necessary breather.
At Notre Dame students like the rest of the country hate TV timeouts but find entertaining ways to pass the time.
This week I had the pleasure of seeing my sister in the house that Rockne built for the last time. She snuck me in the student section and immediately I felt at home.
While I always wanted to be a Notre Dame student and I will forever bleed Fordham colors. My sister fulfilled a childhood dream for me in 30 minutes.
On a heavily congested and decrepit wooden bench, filled with Notre Dame seniors, they made room for me. They introduced themselves without batting an eyelash.
Of course it was the day of all days to live out a childhood dream. The Irish football team might have stuffed memos in each student’s mailbox saying their minds were already in Pittsburgh and today was a horrible out of body experience. They probably were better suited stuffing envelopes than Navy’s fullback.
During an unheard of 23-21 loss there was anger and sadness amongst the students that followed. No matter how many chances the Irish offense squandered in the second half, the faith in a potential win stuck like glue. However, this time they selected a horrible time to come up short.
The clock struck zero and the Midshipmen alma mater could be heard amongst a silent 80,000. After fans filed out of the stadium quicker than grade school kids out of a classroom, there was the packed section of Irish students enraged, shocked, and devastated remaining in their seats.
No matter how much they wanted Charlie Weis to asphyxiate on a donut or Jack Swarbruck to get Urban Meyer on speed dial, they came together with the Irish players and swayed to the alma mater.
This game obviously does not mark the last time I will attend an Irish game with my sister. It was however the last one I could share with her as an ND student.
In an explainable loss I was honored to join shoulders of the best student fans in the country and sing the alma mater. Also, join them in cussing out fellow students that repeatedly chanted “Fire Charlie Weis!” Now, not to sound like Meryl Streep but I nearly cried.
Not for a 23-21 loss that hadn’t been witnessed since my parents were in grade school. But, that for once in my life I was living a boyhood dream as a Notre Dame student. While it was only for a second half football ill remember it forever.
And if that is my last game every in South Bend I couldn’t think of a better way to remember it.

Is Charlie Weis Coaching his bets Football Yet?

By The Gambler [J.Gamble]-contributing writer Football Reporters Online
 
Notre Dame’s come-from-behind 24-21 win over Purdue on Saturday was monumental for the Irish. Not that the opponent was of the ilk of a USC or Michigan. But Charlie Weiss finally showed up. He put his professional resume and arrogance aside and made a shrewd, game-changing move. The big guy earned that fat check this week.
 
The usually pass-happy coach used a combination of arms and legs, to complement the rare use of his heart and head, single-handedly saving ND’s season and possibly his job.  
 
Down 7-3 in the second quarter, Weis pulled the gunslinger Jimmy Clausen, who was suffering from turf toe and mixed in backup quarterback Dayne Crist in different formations, including the Wildcat.
 
Cristi served to be a poor man’s Tim Tebow for the Fighting Irish. He immediately injected a struggling ground game with some needed power, athleticism and energy, resulting in 136 second-quarter rushing yards. Weis deaded his overused passing attack and got back to Notre Dame Football, pounding the Irish to a 17-7 lead deep into the third quarter.
 
Weis brilliantly utilized the abilities of both quarterbacks, bringing Clausen in for some late heroics – a fourth-and-goal 2-yard bullet to Kyle Randolph with 25 seconds left -- to seal it.  
 
Weis finally humbled himself. He finally put bravado aside and did what he needed to do to win.
 
When he first came to South Bend as a highly touted ex-NFL coordinator, everyone kissed his tush because he was a disciple of the great Bill Belichick. Weis was the savior. He was going to return Notre Dame to prominence, after Tyron Willingham didn’t win enough.  And George O’Leary lied.
 
Weis went 19-6 his first two years. He architected the most prolific aerial attack in Irish history and rode a last second loss to USC and Matt Leinart to a new 10-year contract. It's well known that Weis is no social butterfly. He didn’t do the politically correct thing when he hit campus. He wasn’t handing out lollipops and name cards. He didn’t cozy up to ND alumni. He didn’t shake hands and attend the black suit fundraisers. It was tolerated, however, because Weis was winning.
 
But after an abysmal 3-9 season in 07’ followed by a subpar 7-6 in o8’, his act was wearing thin. Blaming the season on losing Brady Quinn to the NFL, didn’t sit well with some either. Bottom line was Weis was the leader of the first nine-loss season in Irish history. Like a bad nightmare. The Gerry Faust days reincarnated.
 
Naturally, as Weiss began to lose game after embarrassing game, his abrasive demeanor became a problem for some ND supporters, who quietly and publicly called for his dismissal. 
 
When Weiss was tabbed head honcho in 05’, the universal agreement was that at the very least he could coach players at the highest levels, was an offensive guru and had a championship pedigree. How he handled being the top dog was the unknown factor. The over-zealousness of his play calling and his inability or unwillingness [even worse] to make in-game adjustments has already tarnished what could be a perfect record for the 3-1 Irish. If Weiss even considered burning clock and running the ball down the stretch against Michigan -- instead of arrogantly thinking Clausen was Drew Brees in the dome – his team would be undefeated.
 
Weiss had visions of creating Air Notre Dame. But he doesn’t recruit speed like LSU and his defenses are not as athletic as Alabama. I was wondering when he was going to realize this and play to the strengths of his team. Mix it up a bit. On Saturday, Weiss finally made the adjustments great coaches make to put their teams in the best position to win.  
 
The significance of it probably flew under the radar of most. But it was the most important game of Weis’ head coaching career. It also convinced me that he does have what it takes to make Notre Dame a juggernaut again. Having talented players can be fixed through recruiting. Strategies and schemes can be tweaked from week to week. The one thing Notre Dame couldn’t fix was Weis’ ego. Seems he’s got that in check too. 


Win or Lose Notre Dame’s Tradition and Energy every Saturday give any fan the
true feeling of College Football
By John Kelly for Football Reporters Online

Attending a Notre Dame football game is more than just seeing two teams
square off; it carries the feelings of a religious pilgrimage. While it sounds crazy
let me explain and with Touchdown Jesus as my alibi, why you will be moved
enough to take a trip there.

The pregame festivities build up your energy before Kickoff. After you get off
that small prop plane at South Bend Airport or off the Indiana Tolls you see the
Golden Dome. The shine given off the dome right there is silently yelling, “brace
yourself”. Check into the hotel pick up an Irish Sports Report and a jersey from
the memorabilia store and get to campus. Your pilgrimage is about to begin.

Friday is where the all the pregame festivities begin. The pep rally in the Joyce
Center is almost always sold out so make sure you have a ticket. Then sit back
as you hear the band rock all the great Notre Dame songs Rakes of Mallow,
Victory Clog, and of course the best fight song in the land the Notre Dame
Victory march. The band is not the only one bringing the house down; the
students are wild and rock the Joyce Center.

The pep rally is just an appetizer to game like atmosphere you will feel on Saturday. Hopefully you have picked up the chants and songs and hopefully your Irish Jig is upkeep when Rakes of Mallow plays.

Each pep rally is filled with special guests that pump you and the team up for
Saturday. Famous distinguished guests have been Tom Lasorda, Lou Holtz,
Digger Phelps, and yes the great one Wayne Gretsky.

You better grab some coffee from Perkins down the road because your Friday is
not over yet. At midnight the drumline rocks out the Notre Dame tunes late into
the night and the entire town can hear the crowd around them as the Notre
Dame Fight Song is played and the chant of this year’s 2008 squad, “Crank me
up”.

Now go back to your room because I know it is late for you Mr. Casual sports
fan. You’ll need to be up bright and early before Kirk, Chris, and Lee even start
Gameday because the campus is a site to see. You arrive on campus and in the
middle is the house Rockne built with 80,000 seats.

Then there take your picture behind Touchdown Jesus and if you’re with your family a group picture will be memorable forever and cut costs on this year’s Christmas picture.

Now it is close to noon right next to the Golden Dome is the Basilica, which is a
gorgeous on a crisp fall day. Go in there and say a prayer hoping for an Irish
victory. If you’re not an Irish fan, check out the whole basilica and be sure to
take some photos.

Now get up quickly because the players are doing their traditional walk to the
stadium after their mass. You can literally stand inches away from them and
chant their names. I gave Armando Allen a high five and he gave me a nod back.

Then the last thing to do before you inhale those three delicious bratwursts
provided by the student barbeques is see the band play at Bond Hall. They belt
out again the Notre Dame Victory March, Rakes of Mallow, and Victory Clog. The
sound can be heard throughout campus. Also you better get a decent spot
because there are 5,000 people on the grass around Bond Hall watching,
clapping, and singing the melody to each and Notre Dame song the band plays.
Oh yeah they also give you a hint of what they are playing at halftime.

Ok you have done the pregame experiences, had some bratwursts, a couple of
beers, and now it is 15 minutes before game time and it is time to enter Notre
Dame Stadium (Or what I like to call Mecca). Now the PA announcer comes on
and the crowd goes bonkers and then the Golden Shine off the sun catches your
eye and you see the Irish run out of the tunnel to a Roman Coliseum type roar.
Do not forget to boo the opposing team and make them feel uncomfortable.

Now sit on these tight benches and in the words of Charlie Weis “Shut up when
the Irish are on Offense and when they are on defense make a lot of noise.”

Win or Lose the end of the game is one of the prettiest and tight nit moments
most college football fans throughout the nation miss after the final whistle
blows. Grab a shoulder and be prepared to sway back and forth to Notre Dame’s
Alma Mater and see a crowd of 80,000 follow you in unison.

Well, as you leave the stadium get a couple more pictures of the stadium and
field the ushers are great and will take the photo for you. That is my only advice as I hope you have experienced a great weekend. If you’re an NFL fan well then football continues into Sunday. If your just a casual sports fan hopefully this great the will definitely be embedded in your mind when your plugging away on Monday.

On a side note the Purdue game I went to this year made my cousin’s brother-
in-law’s day and he normally is not into college football. If he can have a smile
then any person who goes there can be moved just as much.

If you know A Notre Dame alum I suggest you ask for the tickets and come on a
Pilgrimage to the Mecca of College football.

Offseason changes, Improved O-Line, a formidable schedule, and Impact
Freshmen hope to erase the Horrific Images of 2007 for the Irish

By John Kelly, Football Reporters Online 9-1-08

Head Coach: Charlie Weis
Record: 22-15 4 Years
Offensive Lettermen: 20 Defensive Lettermen: 17

Charlie Weis kept repeating the same phrase “Were looking past 2007” to
the South Bend press like he was pledging to a fraternity this offseason. You can
repeat that phrase till the cows come home but the Irish’s issues on the offense,
the defensive line, and the lack of big playmakers at the skill positions still
leaves Irish fans nervous for 2008. Weis’s ability to develop young talent to the
level of 20 wins he accumulated in the first two seasons in South Bend will tell
his tale the next two years.
2007 saw bigger lows in Notre Dame history then when Ty Willingham was there and like Obama’s major talking point of change, the Notre Dame version has played out this offseason with physical hitting practices, Weis handing over his play calling duties, and the hiring of linebackers coach Jon Tenuta.

Why were physical practices implemented?

Weis last year limited contact in practice barring his players from the real game experience especially the O-line. I am not saying physical practices could have helped that team anyway starting with Georgia Tech, Penn State, and Michigan.
By giving the freshmen, O-line, and defense a chance to hit people it will help
them in real game situations instead of touch football NFL practices. The Irish
O-line looks better on rivals’ videos thanks to these physical practices and it
seems to be benefiting all players. Holtz always allowed hitting in his practices
and implementing this style will help all Irish players develop.

Haygood now Calling the Shots:

Andy Reid and Mark Richt are great offensive minds known throughout the football world. What you don’t know is that they had the sad task of handing
over their play calling duties to some else. Andy Reid and Mark Richt had
success letting other people take the reins of the offense. The Eagles won the
NFC East in 2006 and the Georgia Bulldogs were the hottest team at the end of
the season. Charlie Weis recently handed over his play calling duties to
Offensive Coordinator Mike Haygood who now has another job besides being
the running backs coach. It was tough for Weis to do this stating to the media
that he will miss devising game plans in the fall. By doing this Weis is letting a
coach with no experience calling a game to take the reins of an offense that was
just better than Temple last year. The good news is he is letting his coaches
coach instead of controlling everything as well as opening up to his players, a
side of him he never showed the first two years imitating the Tuna. With
Haygood the offense will not be as predictable and will emphasize running the
football. Weis though is making a tough choice but the right one now can help
develop the younger talent to the level their rivals ratings put them don’t forget
his 2005 offseason at Notre Dame saw him molding Brady Quinn into a First
Round Pick so the fat man can coach.

A Key defensive Acquisition:

The idea that no one wanted to hire Jon Tenuta for a defensive coordinator or coaching job makes me want to pull my hair out. At Georgia Tech Tenuta’s
defenses were an aggressive blitzing style that came play after play. This man’s
defense was the scariest I had ever seen Notre Dame face charging like a pack of
wolves coming after prey. Tenuta’s defenses at Georgia Tech led the nation in
sacks in 2007, ranked 20th in the county totally, and 20th against the run. This
is a good sign and should help because Notre Dame’s run defense was
atrocious last year yielding several one hundred yard games, including one from
each service academy. Weis hired Bill Lewis as Defensive Backs coach when he
could not solve his coverage’s and now he has done the same with Tenuta. This
is the guy that should provide that nasty attitude Irish fans have hoped to have
since Weis arrived in South Bend in 2005. With Defensive end Kerry Neal,
Linebacker Brian Smith, and a bevy of talented corners, expect ND to bring the
kitchen sink all year, and get to the quarterback and terrorize him every Saturday
including several new ones making their first starts.

What improvements to look for on offense? Can Clausen stay upright? Can he improve?

While most of the fans are excited for the new aggressive Notre Dame defense and we love the potential of offensive playmakers Duval Kamara, Golden Tate, and Robert Hughes the question still is will Quarterback Jimmy Clausen have the time to throw to them or will their be running lanes for Hughes? Lets not forget, outside of right tackle Sam Young most of the Notre Dame offensive line was making their first starts last year and coming into 2008 they are heavier and stronger. If that does not sell you that Notre Dame has a stronger right side of the line this year with a heavy 337 pound Chris Stewart and 330 bulked up right tackle Sam Young. Offensively, Notre Dame has the best stable of running backs it has had since Holtz was there. Speedster Armando Allen, bruiser Robert
Hughes, and James Aldridge definitely can get the job done and with a bigger
right side those stretch plays and dives right will go for 5 and 6 yards opposed
to negative yards. Expect Hughes to be the star this year out of the bunch and
rush for 900 yards and 12 TDS with Allen providing that speed threat and
Aldridge providing quality depth. All those sites that said Jimmy Clausen was
overrated last year must only pay attention to his high school statistics and
failures and forget the kid’s arm was not one hundred percent. Ten pounds of
more muscle and a better grasp of the play-book will easily help Clausen and
due to offensive line issues expect ND to roll him out more this year. Clausen
will improve in all facets this year and next year be a sleeper to win the Heisman.
Sorry to all of you Clausen haters, you will be hearing his name a lot.
The Irish wideouts have the most potential of any of the skill players with David
Grimes providing great leadership to the receiving corps. The real talent lies in
the underclassmen where Duval Kamara set a freshman record with 32
receptions and should be the go to guy this year with help from incoming
freshman Michael Floyd. Golden Tate is a lot more improved according to
receivers coach Rob Inaello and will be deployed all over the field, not just on go
routes. By the end of the year this offense like Georgia’s of last year will be
extremely hot and a threat in 2009. While there is a load of talent and many
questions still they should be answered by the end of the season when Notre
Dame should and will be playing their best football.

Wow a real winnable schedule (something the Buckeyes get every year):

Notre Dame sees a schedule in which 7 of the teams beat them last year the
good news most of those teams are in transition and that suits a team looking
to improve in 2008. Outside of USC this schedule is extremely light and could
see Notre Dame win as many as 10 games Yes!! I said it, Ten. The Cupcake games
like Stanford, Navy, Syracuse, and San Diego State right off the bat are 4
guaranteed wins where the Irish are clearly more talented. Four wins are better then 3 in 2007. Michigan, Purdue, Washington, Boston College are 4 swing games that Notre Dame needs to win and will judge if they go bowling. Michigan is going through a major makeover with Rich Rodriguez’s spread offense being
implemented and their visit to Notre Dame will be their first road test with an
inexperienced quarterback so the Irish have an advantage and if they stay
turnover free should win a close one. Purdue returns gunslinger Curtis Painter
but loses all their star receivers including first round pick Dustin Keller and their
defense has been atrocious and let an anemic Notre Dame team back in the
game last year. Washington has a dangerous dual-threat signal-caller in Jake
Locker who can do it all but has zero playmakers around him and also the
defense is terrible and looks like the unit Ty Willingham fielded at Notre Dame
before he was canned. This game will be emotional and for a young team this
should be a measuring stick. It is also a late night national televised game plus
Willingham is on the hot seat and losing to him will only make more controversy.
No Matt Ryan right off the bat will make it tough for the Eagles in 2008 plus
ND’s defense should be scary and harass who ever is playing quarterback for
BC. BC always plays their best versus the Irish and this game is another tough
road test and will be highly emotional since BC has won the last 5 meetings. If
Notre Dame comes prepared and plays their game they should get out of
Chestnut Hill with a victory. Fans wont hate Weis as much if his only win this
year was to a dubious Boston College team. USC, Pittsburgh, Michigan
State, and North Carolina prove to be steal games. USC will clobber Notre Dame
even though the Irish should make it interesting, Pittsburgh is unpredictable but
due to ND’s inability to stop the run this game is challenging, North Carolina
will be a tough road test facing a Tar-Heel team reminiscent of themselves plus
with Butch Davis coaching the game is not a walk in the park. Michigan State
returns Brian Hoyer their starting quarterback but there is no Devin Thomas or
Kellen Freeman-Davis because both are in the pros. Despite being the road team in
this series has won the last 6 games, which should be a good sign for the Irish,
State always gives Notre Dame trouble.

Impact Freshmen:
Michael Floyd-
Floyd might be the biggest impact Freshman out of all of them at 6’-3” & 215lbs and
with a physical body, and solid route running skills up to college speed. He has
the potential to be the first big Notre Dame playmaking wide receiver since
Derek Mayes. He can stretch the field taking a 5-yard gain and turning it into 30
yards something the Irish have lacked in recent seasons. He also has cracked
the depth chart as one of the top 4 receivers right out of fall camp, which should
tell you something. They are comparing him in South Bend to Randy Moss who
was denied acceptance to Notre Dame due to a criminal action back in 1995.
Floyd’s big plays in the All-America game definitely show his potential either as
Randy Moss or another great receiver of the past and his name will be heard
a lot this year by Notre Dame Fans.

Kyle Rudolph-
The 6-7 255 Tight End will probably be playing more than any other Notre
Dame Freshmen this year with the loss of starting Tight End Mike Ragone.
Rudolph like Floyd was a Rivals Five-Star recruit in 2008 and the top tight end
in the nation. While blocking is a definite challenge of his, coach Weis is very
high on him and said he can run faster down the seam than all of his tight ends.
Rudolph is a weapon at 6-7 and barring better pass protection, he could be a
major target of Jimmy Clausen. Here is the scary part he was 222 in high school,
gained 30 pounds of muscle before coming to school, and will be even bigger
and tougher to defend down the road.

Trevor Robinson-
His long curly brown hair reminds me of Kevin Steele of the Steelers and
Robinson definitely plays with that demeanor. At 6’-5” 301 pounds he is a
monster and can blow up a defensive linemen like no other. He already has
cracked the two deep roster in fall camp like fellow Freshman Michael Floyd and
could be a huge help to improving Notre Dame’s offensive line.

Ethan Johnson-
At 6’-4” 275lbs he has great pass rushing ability, which Notre Dame has not had
since Justin Tuck. Johnson will play probably situational this season but his rush
ability along with John Tenuta’s new scheme will allow him to harass the
Quarterback this year.

Record Prediction:
While the pundits believe this is a make or break year for
Weis and see 7 wins in 2008 from Notre Dame, they are sadly mistaken. This
analysis is not coming to you just because I have been following Notre Dame since I was 6. Like Lou Holtz (who by the way predicted 11 wins for the Irish in ’08) my father and i know Notre Dame football and their schedule. We also know that Notre Dame bounces back better than anyone in the country and this year will prove it. Notre Dame has a chance to be 4-1 or 3-2 going into back-to-back
road tests with North Carolina and Washington in October. Michigan is down
this year, San Diego State is a pushover, Purdue has to travel to Notre Dame
where they have only won twice since 1963, and Stanford is still rebuilding.
North Carolina is winnable but will be tough. Washington will also be a tough
emotional matchup but Notre Dame’s athletes should overpower them in the
end. November proves to be the toughest month with Pittsburgh, Boston
College, and USC. If Notre Dame can stop the run they have a chance to beat
Pittsburgh. BC will give ND a scare but they should pull that game out and USC
is a toss-up. Hopefully, Notre Dame can make it close with the Trojans by the
end of the year something they have not done since Weis’s first season. While 10
wins and 11 have been shouted around by Lou Holtz and some South Bend
Papers 9-3 and a gator bowl victory seems fitting with concentration hopefully
on a BCS game in 2009.