September 15, 2007

Big Problems at Notre Dame

Charlie Weis
Image found on USA Today web site

To say that Notre Dame's head coach Charlie Weis is having trouble with his new Freshman starting quarterback Jimmy Claussen is being nice. The Fighting Irish started out the college football season 0-2 which is not good at all and then Charlie has a true freshman as his starting quarterback. The first start of Clausen's college career was against Pen State in Happy Valley in front of over 100,000 fans covered in white. Then, he got in a bus and went to Ann Arbor, Michigan to play in front of over 110,000 fans covered in blue and yellow.

At the beginning of the season every year, fans of Notre Dame and Michigan lick their chops at this weekend's game because both teams are usually in the top 25 in the polls and are undefeated, but this season was totally different. For the first time ever, both teams started the season 0-2 and Notre Dame's offense was hideous.

In the game against Michigan, the Fighting Irish put up a total of 86 yards compared to 379 for Michigan. The Irish were shut out once again losing 38-0. Chad Henne was out for the game with an injury so the Wolverines started a freshman Ryan Mallett, a 6 ft 6 inch 250 pounder who was 7/15 for 90 yards and 3 touchdowns. Mike Hart, the outstanding Michigan running back during this last week guaranteed a win against Notre Dame right after Michigan got destroyed by Oregon and he put his performance where his mouth was: 187 yard rushing in 35 attempts with 2 touchdowns and 14 yards receiving.

Before I go, I understand that it is not all the quarterbacks fault mostly because most of the offense line is completely new and that most of the starters (offense and defense) left after last season, but still this was a joke. I know Charlie Weis has worked hard but I used to love to watch Notre Dame win games against big opponents but now they are getting destroyed. It almost looks like they are in the playoff division playing teams in the bowl division.

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