Fighting Irish Gameday » 2009 Notre Dame Football

The Blink Theory: Why Charlie Weis Failed at Notre Dame & Why Brian Kelly Will Succeed

Eric Murtaugh — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:23:19 +0000

As I was finishing the 2005 best-selling book Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcom Gladwell, I was struck by how some of his research and stories made sense of what happened to Notre Dame football over the past five years.

In a nut shell, the book looks into various ways our unconscious mind plays a role in our decision making in everything from spotting fake ancient sculptures, taste-testing soft drinks, creating facial expressions, choosing dating partners and catching criminals.

For a nice concise summary of the book, click here.

Gladwell asserts that we form (in the matter of seconds or sometimes milliseconds) intuitive responses unconsciously, or what he terms “the blink” or “thin-slicing”, and that often times this form of thought is powerfully correct.

What does this have to do with Notre Dame football? Well, the book itself dives into many different areas of our unconscious mind, both positive and negative, but there were three key arguments that kept setting off alarm bells for a major reason why Charlie Weis failed in South Bend.

Quite simply, Weis and the teams he led onto the field thought too much. They overcomplicated everything from day one, be it through sophisticated game plans, the continuing hiring and firing of coaching and the switching of personnel.

His players never used “the blink” very often, by making use of the powerful ability to make snap decisions in the heat of the moment, because Weis had his players bogged down with too much information. Instead of picking a simple formula for success, Weis led government-like scouting reports that laid too much chance for success on complicated offensive schemes and blitz packages.

A great example in the book came from a story about a man who came up with a simplified medical chart to help the over-crowded Cook Hospital in Chicago treat its chest pain visitors.

The problem beforehand, was that doctors were using too much information, taking too many tests (which often contradicted each other) and many times ended up giving poor diagnoses.

But with the simplified chart, the doctors were ordered to follow its three-step procedure and base the rest of their decision on their gut-feeling as medical professionals.

The result? The hospital diagnosed patients properly over 90 percent of the time with the simplified process, compared to roughly 50 percent before.

If diagnosing heart attacks were like trying to win football games, Charlie Weis would be the doctor too caught up in a mountain of data and test results to bring about victory.

The second example is the story of Paul Van Riper, a heavily decorated retired Marine officer who was brought in by the Pentagon to be part of a 21st Century war game.

Van Riper’s assignment was to be the leader of a rogue nation in the Middle East that would be battling U.S. forces in a multi-million dollar simulated war inside the halls of a cavernous northern Virginia government complex.

The disparity between the two forces before the war could not have been any greater. The Americans (Team Blue) had an overwhelming amount of power in troops, ships, artillery and planes to go with nearly unlimited technology and surveillance. It was expected that Team Blue would win the conflict swiftly and with ease.

However, Van Riper’s Team Red ended up defeating the Blue side almost as quickly as the Blue’s thought they would win the war.

The main reason was that Van Riper was decisive and gave his commanders a lot of power to react to situations in the moment to gain advantages wherever possible. On the other side, Team Blue held long meetings and briefings, poured over enormous amounts of data, acted slowly and found themselves dead in the water in a matter of days of simulated time.

The final example from the book details the outcome of the Battle of Chancellorsville during the American Civil War.

On the Union side there was General Joseph Hooker and over 130,000 troops against the Confederacy’s Robert E. Lee and roughly 60,000 men. Before the battle, the Union held nearly every conceivable advantage including an impressive maneuver to encircle Lee’s army and pin them against the Rappahannock River.

However, the battle was not won by the Union and Lee dealt a serious blow to the Union’s chances of winning the war in one of the greatest victories and upsets in military history.

Why? It was because even with more troops, artillery, spies and information, Hooker became indecisive and was unable to coordinate his army during the heat of the moment. In contrast, Robert E. Lee was boldly decisive and took the initiative with less information and less power to use.

I can’t help but think that Charlie Weis was to Notre Dame what Joseph Hooker was to the Union Army.

In both the war game and Chancellorsville, Team Blue and General Hooker were overly satisfied with their advantages and superiority. Just like Weis, they believed a major “schematic advantage” would win the day.

Often times Weis would lead the Irish on to the field against a weaker opponent only to find himself licking his wounds after a Notre Dame loss. Against teams like Syracuse, UConn and Navy, Weis’ teams had a monopoly of talent, yet they did not win. A schematic advantage was not enough.

The Irish teams from 2005-09 suffered from major “analysis paralysis” that hindered the team’s ability to perform at the highest level. Instead of picking one offense, Weis made his teams learn a multitude of differing packages, often switching game plans in the middle of a contest.

Meanwhile, while opponents were busy making adjustments in real time, Weis continually sought out too much information, consulting his atlas sized play sheet for a different formation to send to the huddle. In effect, Weis was merely guessing his way through games as coach of Notre Dame.

It’s not so much that Weis used such a thick playbook and tried to use his “schematic advantage” to beat teams, but that his entire system of operation was bogged down in paralysis because this “schematic advantage” permeated through every player.

Just think about Harrison Smith looking lost at the line of scrimmage and leaving a receiver wide open for a big play. Does that look like someone who was thinking without thinking? Or did it look like someone too confused by the plethora of coverages to know what he was doing?

If Weis had run a power running game similar to Alabama, concentrated on performing that system to perfection, and then used some of his offensive genius to make big plays, perhaps things would have worked out.

Instead, Notre Dame ran the ball 50 times one game, switched to a pro-style offense the next game, switched to shotgun Texas Tech ball the next, switched to West Coast style the next and everything in between. And the biggest problem was that these moves were made during games and sometimes from series to series.

And most of all, this attention to schematic advantage lessened the influence of crucial qualities which college football players need such as motivation, development and conditioning.

In short, Weis was not a very good leader. In the above examples of the Chicago heart chart, Pentagon war game and the battle of Chancellorsville, each problem was solved by someone with incredible intelligence. While it certainly takes a lot of studying and experience to be able to find solutions to the most difficult of problems, knowledge alone is not enough.

No one can deny that Charlie Weis was a smart man, but he never figured out that you can’t treat players like professionals and that scouting and clever formations alone wouldn’t win football games.

Almost immediately, Notre Dame fans have been struck with how different of an approach Brian Kelly is taking in South Bend.

Because of Kelly’s intelligence and experience, he knows what it takes to succeed. We’ve already heard him speak about how important it is to get players to develop and push themselves, to buy into the system, to learn it through and through and to be able to perform at the highest of levels without even thinking about it. It’s something Kelly calls, “unconscious competence.”

As Kelly said, “You can move them to a level that they can’t get to by themselves. That’s player development. That’s at the core of what I mean, to get people to do things that they normally wouldn’t do on their own. ”

In other words, Kelly wants Notre Dame football players to have “the blink” when it comes time to step on the field. He wants them to have confidence in their abilities as players and build a team that can think without thinking. That’s how you take a bunch of two and three star recruits to an undefeated season in the Big East.

Player development, strength and conditioning and fundamentals are three major areas that Kelly has stressed throughout his entire career and it is obvious that his players have been able think without thinking because of their preparation under this system.

When the entire coaching philosophy trickles down the program from a schematic advantage viewpoint, players cannot be developed very well. Without player development there is no harnessing of the potential of the unconscious mind and the ability to think without thinking is slowly stifled.

And the ironic part of is, the team that stresses schematic advantage usually ends up being out-schemed on the field because its players are not adequately prepared for a team that has confidence to think without thinking.

Do not think I believe that the solution to all of Notre Dame’s problems comes from “the blink” factor. There are too many aspects to coaching and winning football games to break it down to something that simple.

However, it is an interesting topic that showcases how successful people, organizations, company’s and teams can harness the ability to act decisively with the proper training in order to gain an edge on the competition.

In a lot of ways, Charlie Weis’ coaching staff was a lot like the U.S. Government during the Pentagon war games. Weis hired some of the best coordinators and recruiters in the country, just like the government brings together the best talent from different federal agencies.

The problem is, without an effective leader laying down a plan for everyone to follow, the odds of success are severely diminished.

Weis hired two defensive coordinators, each of whom had different coaching philosophies. Corwin Brown thought his way would work best, but John Tenuta believed his would work even better.

This is no different than the CIA or FBI trying to work together when both agencies are working in opposite directions.

The result is major dysfunction and a total lack of comprehension during the most critical times of battle during war and on the football field.

As Gladwell points out in the end of the book, “The key to good decision making is not knowledge. It is understanding.”

Both Weis and Kelly have the knowledge. But so far, Weis has proven he did not understand college football.

So far, Brian Kelly has shown through his coaching hires, speeches and football past, that he is the type of coach who knows how to lead and set a foundation for success.

2009 Notre Dame Football Schedule & Results

Admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:55:27 +0000

2009 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Schedule and Results

Why Wait? Notre Dame Needs to Let Charlie Weis Go.. Immediately

Dan Scofield — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:36:09 +0000

With each passing week, rumors and speculations grow on who will take over as the newest head football coach for the most watched, scrutinized, hated, and loved team in the country.

Although many believed even before Notre Dame’s Saturday afternoon overtime loss to Connecticut that Charlie Weis was as good as gone, this one leaves very few, if any, supporters of him in South Bend.

Entering the stadium, arm in arm with his captains and his football team behind him, Weis supplied a watery-eyed moment as he took the field for maybe his last time in South Bend.

Does he already know what lies ahead in the next week or so?

Some say yes.

Rumors were making their way through the Notre Dame community before the game that Weis had told his team he had planned to resign after the Stanford game. Even if that appears to now be false, the entrance itself showed a coach that seemed like he had nothing left in him.

After the game, Weis was seen again sporting the waterworks during the Irish alma mater and then snubbing sideline reporter Alex Flanagan for only one question before making his way into the depths of the tunnel.

The real question now is when, not if, Weis will be fired or if he will resign.

In either case, the call shouldn’t have to be made at the end of the season. Anyone that knows what a football is can sense that Weis’ time in South Bend has run out.

With that said, Jack Swarbrick should inform Weis that he will be letting him go (if he hasn’t already), let his team know, and let them play one last game for their sorrowed coach.

This need not be a messy break-up.

Pat Haden said during the game that Swarbrick has not and will not contact any other programs about their coaches until the end of the season. Choosing to stay quiet on prime-targets who are about to sign extensions through the year 2075?

Not the smartest move, Jack.

Getting the news out about Weis’ future and trying to lure the next big name to South Bend doesn’t need to wait another week. Not only is the Irish fan base on edge, but the current recruits must really be scratching their heads on where Notre Dame is headed.

Patience is a virtue in some cases. In this situation, decision-making is the virtue that needs to be attained.

Urban Meyer, Bob Stoops, Brian Kelly, and all of the other 35 names mentioned with the Notre Dame job are all in their primes and have phones ringing off the hook. Most of these targets haven’t denied interest in Notre Dame, but simply have replied by saying “this isn’t a relevant conversation if there isn’t a vacancy.”

Make that vacancy, Jack.

South Bend needs it. The fan base needs it. The future needs it.

And most importantly, Charlie needs it.

Who’s Next at Notre Dame?: Making Cases for Brian Kelly, Urban Meyer

Dan Scofield — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:18:33 +0000

Charlie Weis addressed the media yesterday, cancelling his traditional Sunday press conference after a ship-sinking loss against Pittsburgh.

"This is my dream job!"

The biggest piece of information coming from his mouth was he believes a decision hasn’t been made on his future, even though most of Notre Dame nation has already made that decision for the program.

“Oh no, I don’t think that any decision’s been made because I probably would know, and I don’t know,” Weis said Tuesday.

Charlie is half-correct on that response to a difficult question. A decision hasn’t been made, but the search has already gotten underway.

The next two weeks are going to be two of struggles and question marks for Irish fans. Many will be anxious to get the season over with in order to unwrap their Christmas gift early and find out the next big name to sit on the throne of the Notre Dame football office.

Well, who are the heir apparents?

There are plenty of names being thrown around in the replacement theory of Weis: Paul Johnson (option, anyone?), Jon Gruden (MNF bound), Pat Fitzgerald (squashed), and Bob Stoops (definite possibility) to name a few.

However, the following two names stick out the most in this process, and by taking a look at their résumés and bios, here is why:

Brian Kelly, Cincinnati Head Coach

-Consistent, experienced head coach (will have 231 games under his belt at the end of the ’09 season) who defines the word “improvement” in the dictionary of college football coaching.

-As close to Urban Meyer at Utah as you will find; 48 years old and in his prime.

-Irishman from the north shore of Boston.

-118-35-2 record at D-II school Grand Valley State, which includes two national championships.

-Turned Central Michigan into a conference winner in his third year in the program. Improvement case No. 1.

-In the middle of the four greatest years of Cincinnati football. His team sits at No. 5 in the BCS rankings and is undefeated at 10-0.

-Can coach, but can also coach academic excellence. His current team holds the highest team GPA in the Big East and is one of seven teams to post a 90 percent graduation rate in 2008.

-Proven recruiter, especially in the backyard of Notre Dame and in the Northeast.

Urban Meyer, Florida Head Coach

-45 years young and a Catholic who was named after a pope.

-Former assistant coach under Lou Holtz at Notre Dame who has proclaimed the Irish head coaching gig as his “dream job.”

-Notre Dame is one of three schools that his wife Shelley apparently cannot veto him from taking the job at. I believe if Shelley says yes, he ends up an Irishman.

-Two national championships and considered the top coach in college football today.

-A small buyout ($500,000) makes the move even more appealing and friendly to the economy of South Bend.

-Tim Tebow graduates this season, leaving the Gators heading into the post-Savior era. If Meyer doesn’t leave this year, there is a good chance he will never end up leaving.

-Overall coaching record sits at 93-17, including a 5-1 bowl record.

-One of the best, if not the best recruiter in the nation (as many Irish fans know). Think Omar Hunter and Justin Trattou.

Goodbye, Charlie: Replacement Wanted At Notre Dame

Dan Scofield — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:55:11 +0000

Charlie Weis was one pain-staking loss to an inferior team away from losing the support of the Notre Dame community and fan base.

That very loss came on Saturday when the Irish played one of their worse collections of four quarters of football during the Weis era, losing to a more disciplined, sound team in the Navy Midshipmen.

Is the "internship" over? More than likely.

Fresh off a blowout win in San Antonio against Washington State and with BCS talks starting to brew, Notre Dame overlooked a Navy team that had proven all year long that it could compete against BCS teams across the nation. Instead of competing in South Bend, they decided it was time to take a win from one of those teams.

Although this loss digs up many new questions, the most appealing one at the time is who will replace Charlie Weis?

My views and opinions are full of extreme optimism. In previous weeks, I also stated I was hanging in regards to supporting Weis, but that could change with just one bad loss.

With three games still left to be played, including a trip to Pittsburgh, a matchup with a good Connecticut team, and a west coast road trip to face a team fresh off an upset victory of Oregon, the Irish will be happy with an 8-4 finish this season, likely earning them a Gator Bowl invitation.

Weis and his team lost to the one team that could change their fate so negatively. With that, almost all of the Weis supporters that were still on his bandwagon have jumped off and started running towards Cincinnati, Gainesville, or elsewhere to find a replacement.

Weis is one of the best recruiters ever to come to Notre Dame. He has brought top talent into South Bend, a tough task with the rigorous academic requirements, consistently for five years.

However, what good is elite talent if all of it cannot be developed?

Saturday, four and five-star players were playing against unranked to two-star players. On paper, Notre Dame would have won this game without any concern as most experts had predictions of the Irish winning by 17 or more.

Instead, Weis’ team came out flat and was dominated by a less talented, yet extremely well coached team that consistently executed.

Weis is one of the best offensive coordinators not only in college football, but in any league.

However, there are two sides of the ball. Defense wins football games, which has not been evidenced by Weis and his staff thus far.

Notre Dame fans will now be calling for a coach with college experience that has a history of preparing his teams, making them fundamentally sound, and one that can recruit yet develop that same talent.

The rumors of Brian Kelly to Notre Dame will now begin to heat up, and expect plenty of more fans to begin to support the push for a Kelly-like hire.

Kelly has his Bearcats ranked No. 4 in the country and a team dominating the Big East without any trouble. Not only can he recruit, but he can develop. Not to mention, in all of his previous three coaching gigs, his teams have improved dramatically.

Brian Kelly should be a top priority for the Irish.

Other rumors calling for the head of Weis will come along with the requests of the hire of a famous Notre Dame coaching alum, Urban Meyer.

Everyone knows whats on Meyer’s resume. With experience coaching on the Notre Dame staff already, it only makes sense for his name to be brought up. This is the same guy that called Notre Dame his eventual “dream job”.

Other names that could arise include Skip Holtz, Gary Patterson, Nick Saban, and Chris Peterson. Hell, go out and interview Paul Johnson or Ken Niumatalolo.

These are college football coaches.

Weis is a great man and a like able person, especially coming from a Morris County, Jersey guy like myself. He has a great personality, is loved in South Bend, and has a great family who is actively involved in the school community. Not only that, but he is the founder of the Hannah and Friends charity organization dedicated to his young daughter’s disease.

However, Weis’ luck may have ran out on Saturday.

Friendly advice from one of the previously biggest Charlie Weis supporters in the fan base: pack your office, let Charlie Jr. spend his fours years as a Notre Dame student, run your foundation, go on to have a spectacular career in the NFL as an offensive genius, and leave the door open for the next person in line for a coaching internship in South Bend.

Michael Floyd’s Return Will Have Major Impact on Weis’ Offense

Dan Scofield — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:01:33 +0000

Notre Dame’s best receiver has been sitting on the sidelines the past five weeks in the form of a sophomore sensation derived from the depths of Minnesota.

After going up for a jump ball in the right corner of the endzone against Michigan State, what also seemed to be his sixth touchdown of the year, Floyd hit the ground, grabbed his shoulder, and shook his head, putting a pit in every Irish fan’s stomach.

Notre Dame gets it's best wide receiver back in Floyd.

He was diagnosed with a broken collarbone and was orginally expected to miss the remainder of the season.

But doctors seemed to forget that this wasn’t any ordinary human being they were diagnosing-this was Michael Floyd, the most talented wide receiver in college football.

Before his devastating injury, he miraculously hauled in five touchdowns, 358 receiving yards to go along with a 27.5 yard per catch average, all coming on only 13 receptions.

Those stats were totaled in a time period of only nine quarters of playing time.

Patrolling the sidelines with an anxious look permanently cemented on his face as he watched Golden Tate make SportsCenter-worthy highlights every Saturday, Floyd has dressed the past three weeks in order to feel like a player again.

Now, with recent good news coming from Monday’s MRI on his previously broken collarbone, Floyd is expected to play against Navy this weekend in South Bend.

What does that mean for the Irish?

Charlie Weis’ offense goes from great to elite.

Many believe that with the sophomore receiver, Notre Dame would have beaten USC due to Floyd being Notre Dame’s top red zone threat, where he is almost unstoppable.

If for not going down during the last quarter at Michigan (he received 15 stitches in his leg after the game), the Irish would have had a great shot at also beating the Wolverines.

Without playing the “what if?” game, let’s just say that Floyd is a difference-maker. And a big one at that.

Last season, Floyd went down with a knee injury against Navy and missed the rest of the season. The Irish offense, especially Golden Tate, struggled to live up to it’s name.

“I didn’t really realize it until the ‘SC game, how much we really needed him,” Tate said. “It was almost like I could do nothing. Whatever I did, they were there. It was all out of my hands.” said Tate.

However, this year Tate added the title of “wide receiver” to his resume next to “all-around athlete”. Without Floyd, he has averaged an incredible 124.6 receiving yards per game and has hauled in six touchdowns.

Throw in his rushing stats and miracles with the ball in his hands, Tate has put his name on some Heisman ballots.

Now that the best receiver on the team returns healthy, the Irish again have the best trio of receivers in the country in Floyd, Tate, and sensational-sophomore, Kyle Rudolph, who has seen decreased production after the loss of No. 3.

With the sophomore from Minnesota patrolling the No. 1 receiver slot, opponent secondaries are in trouble. Who do you double team?

Does it matter?

If opponent’s choose to double Floyd, that will leave Tate with single coverage, something he has dominated this season, and take away attention in the middle where Rudolph is most efficient.

Double Tate, and opponent’s may have an even bigger problem if Floyd proves to be as healthy as he is thought to be.

Tate has proven he can beat the double coverage, and single coverage on Floyd is a death wish for any opposing defensive back. Not to mention, Rudolph will have made a living in the middle of the field.

Now that Notre Dame has produced a fairly decent rushing attack with a healthy Armando Allen, Robert Hughes, and even Theo Riddick, opponent’s now have their hand’s full during preparation for one of the best offenses in the country.

Pick your poison Ken Niumatalolo, Dave Wannstedt, Randy Edsall, and Jim Harbaugh.

The Morning After Irish Insight: Washington State

Dan Scofield — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:54:01 +0000

After plenty of last minute wins, the Irish finally got what Charlie Weis has wanted since their season-opener against Nevada—a blowout win.

The Irish traveled south to San Antonio in order to beat the Cougars 40-14. Although a bit sloppy and constantly called a “workman-like” effort by Pat Haden, Notre Dame came away with yet another win. Nonetheless, the Irish ran their unbeaten streak on Halloween to 15 straight.

Likes

Golden Tate is the most electryifying player in college football.

Golden Tate

Golden Tate is bigger in Texas.

The box score on Sunday doesn’t speak for how spectacular Tate was in the Alamodome last night. Notre Dame fans were complaining about paying admission to see a poor game in a neutral site stadium, but they got their moneys worth thanks to the ‘ooh’s and ah’s’ of Tate.

The highlight of the night came when Clausen heaved a 50-yard pass to the right corner of the endzone, where Tate and three Cougar defensive backs waited for the ball. Standing at only 5’11″, Tate leaped over all three defenders and came away with the ball for six points.

Not only is he the most overlooked player in college football, but he is also the most electrifying.

Front Seven

For a second straight week, the Irish front four find themselves in the “Likes” category. That could only mean one thing.

Improvement.

Darius Fleming, Steve Filer, Ian Williams and Ethan Johnson led the attack as the Irish pass-rushers found themselves consistently putting pressure on the hapless Cougar freshman quarterback, Jeff Tuel.

Thanks to the front four’s dominace, everyone else’s job was made easier. The linebackers played extremely well. Every play Manti Te’o is on the field, he makes everyone else around him a better player.

“Backup” Running Backs

Robert Hughes has earned plenty of doubters during his three years in the program. However, there is no denying that when the time comes for him to step up, Hughes delivers.

He has earned the right to be the offensive version of Kyle McCarthy, Mr. Dependable. With Armando Allen sitting out in order to be fully healthy for next week, Hughes carried the ball 24 times for 131 yards and a score. Fighting for each and every yard, he was able to help control the time of possession for the Irish (40:54) and served as a check-down option for Clausen every time he didn’t have an open receive.

And then there is yet another freshman, No. 32.

Coming out of Manville, New Jersey, Theo Riddick looks like the successor to Armando Allen and Robert Hughes. In fact, he may even be given some more carries after giving an opportunity on Saturday. Riddick ran the ball 9 times for 51 yards using a combination of power, speed and finesse.

Dislikes

Penalties

The penalties are what turned this game from a great game for the Irish into a good win. With all of the momentum in the world and total control of the game, the offensive line still had reason to commit personal fouls.

Eric Olsen was hit with two personal foul calls and got an earfull from Weis. Being an offensive captain and one of the leaders on the team, the Irish cannot afford these penalties from their veterans against the likes of Pittsburgh and Stanford.

Hopefully this is the last we will see of these mental mishaps.

Punting

While Ben Turk had a beautiful punt of 52 yards pinning the Cougars on their own two-yard line, he also had kicks of 11 and 19 yards.

Not only did the freshman punter still raise question marks for the second straight week, but long-snapper Jordan Cowart had a bad snap which forced Turk to rush a kick, going off the side of his foot.

Consistency is the key in the kicking game and Turk hasn’t quite found that yet. However, that is not to say he won’t because he has the leg and he has the talent. The freshman just needs to put the pieces to the puzzle together.

News, Notes, and Rants

-The Irish are ranked No. 19 in the AP poll, 20th in the Harris poll and No. 21 in the USA Today poll. Look for the Irish to be somewhere between 17-20 in the BCS rankings this week.

-Dayne Crist may have a serious injury. If so, it hurts more than anyone thinks. If the rumor of being an ACL injury is true, Crist is looking at a 6-12 month recovery period.

-Weis said in his post game presser that Trevor Robinson’s injury was probably just a rolled or sprained ankle. Losing Robinson for any amount of time would be a huge loss the rest of the way.

-Before going to commercial at halftime, Clausen went up to Tate after the hail mary touchdown. In his ear, Clausen mouthed “Money, money, money.”

-Robert Hughes needs 6 or 7 touches before he gets going in what seems to be every game. New pregame routine, anyone?

-Jonas Gray may be the odd man out in the future of the running back rotation. He seems very tentative and still cannot hold onto the football.

-Nick Tausch hit his 14th straight field goal, a Notre Dame record. The freshman’s value to the kicking game is hard to put into words.

-Navy rolls into the Bend next weekend with their triple-option attack offense. The Midshipmen lost to Temple this weekend, but also took Ohio State down to the wire.

Glass Half Full for Irish with Plenty to Play For in ’09

Dan Scofield — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:13:28 +0000

Similar to this year’s version of the Fighting Irish, Charlie Weis found his ’08 team sitting at 5-2 heading into November, his fourth season as the head coach of the nation’s most hated, yet loved, college football program.

After an up-and-down start to their ’08 campaign, the Irish began their disappointing second half of the season after the longest game in school history, a deflating overtime loss to Dave Wannstedt’s Pittsburgh Panthers.

Charlie Weis and his team now face a decision heading into the month of November, after a Halloween “fright fest” match-up with an unfortunate foe in the Washington State Cougars.

Do they build on their momemtum and run the table? Or do they fail to live up to expectations and take another late-season plunge?

Contrary to popular belief, the Irish have plenty to play for the rest of the way.

Reaching a BCS bowl isn’t out of the question, even with the Irish sitting at No. 23 in the latest BCS rankings. With a bit of a break in the schedule for the Irish, vs. Washington State and vs. Navy, Notre Dame seems to be ready to make its way up the polls.

If the Irish can take care of their opponents the next two weeks, it isn’t unfathomable to find them somewhere in the range of Nos. 18-20 heading into a very important November 14 matchup with Pittsburgh. Some people have overlooked the Panthers, and if they can also take care of business the next two weeks against South Florida and Syracuse, this game will push for the game of the week.

Notre Dame cannot reach a BCS game without running the table, including a win against a top 15-ranked Panther team. There are still plenty of “if’s” out there (including a six-game winning streak), but Weis knows his team will need more of the luck of the Irish (is that even possible?), now more than ever.

One question looms for this team: Can it run the table?

My response: Why not?

If I were a betting man, I wouldn’t bet on it due to the number of last-minute wins and the Irish defense, or lack thereof. However, with Michael Floyd expected to return at latest for the game against Pittsburgh, and an improving defensive front seven, Notre Dame will be at full strength heading into its deciding stretch of the season: at Pittsburgh, vs. Connecticut, and at Stanford.

Again, a big if, but if Weis and his team can take care of their competition, they will have made a strong case for a BCS bowl game bid.

Another thing going for them: The BCS computers seem to have a small crush on this year’s team compared to rest of college football. The computers have Notre Dame’s schedule ranked as the 19th hardest in the country.

The Irish need to finish in the top 14 in the BCS rankings in order to be eligible to be invited to a BCS bowl this year. If they get as high as No. 8 somehow, they will be a lock for a bid.

Although many will say the biggest test of the remaining schedule is against Pitt, a case can also be made for the season finale in California against Stanford. If Notre Dame enters the game with a 9-2 record, expect the Cardinal to do anything possible in order to serve as this year’s BCS late-season spoiler.

It will be interesting to see how the pass defense turns out in the home stretch of the ’09 campaign. The Irish will go as far as their defense will bring them. Even if they can reach the level of average, Notre Dame will be in a BCS bowl.

If they continue to struggle and let the likes of Bill Stull and Andrew Luck to pick them apart, the Irish are Gator Bowl-bound.

Besides a very rewarding BCS payout and invite, Notre Dame has plenty else to play for: a Heisman trophy, five-star recruits, and job stability for Charlie Weiss can all be gained with a six-game winning streak to end the ’09 season.

Which path will this year’s team choose: success or disappointment?

Morning After Irish Insight: Boston College

Dan Scofield — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:44:32 +0000

Another week of vulgarity, pulling hair, and sighs from my living room. It has been too long since the Irish have been able to put together a complete game and take a kneel with a comfortable lead.

"I wanted my turf, damnit!"

Charlie Weis’ team battled to yet another late-game thriller as the Irish beat the Eagles, 20-16, in South Bend.

Likes

Receivers

Notre Dame now has two deserving Heisman contenders thanks to Golden Tate. He is the best college football player nobody is talking about.

Due to Michael Floyd’s injury, Tate’s numbers were expected to take a major hit. Instead, they have only become better.

Without him, the Irish would be looking at at least two or three more losses. Tate’s performances have been the reason Clausen has even had a chance to lead his team back to victory. His attitude has become something fun to watch every week. He knows he is good and loves to show that, both on the field and with his mouth.

Duval Kumara had a long-overdue contributing game yesterday. Being a consistent chain-mover, Kumara had seven receptions for 60 yards. These numbers do not speak for how well the junior receiver played.

Defensive Line

It seems every week, improvement is visible among the defensive front four.

Although they weren’t getting consistent pressure, when they did, it mattered. On all three interceptions thrown by the Eagles’ 25-year old freshman, the Irish were in his face. Darius Fleming moved to rush end and made an impact by putting heavy pressure on Shinskie.

Fleming’s good friend, Steve Filer, also got some reps in while giving the elder some nice pressure. It’s good to see No. 46 on the field, as he was a highly-recruited prospect as a senior and hasn’t lived up this his hype quite yet.

Ian Williams had one of his best games of his career. Stuffing the run, he made his presence felt as the entire unit let up only 70 rushing yards, good for 2.4 yards per carry. Those numbers going up against a solid offensive line and a very good running back are outstanding. No complaints here.

A Win

Yesterday produced the ugliest game the Irish have played all season, but still resulted in a win.

There are plenty of things to point out as far as negatives go, but they all resulted in a 20-15 victory.

Across the Notre Dame community, people are upset over the play of the team. However, would you rather have had them lose for the ninth straight time to a team that rubs us the wrong way consistently, year after year?

With this win, the Irish put another quality win on their resume and will be ranked somewhere between 23rd and 25th going into a fright-fest matchup with Washington State (that means no heart attacks next week, folks!)

Dislikes

3rd-and-Long

I have never seen a football team worse than the ’09 Irish in 3rd-and-long defensive scenarios.

Week after week, the secondary allows the opponent’s to continue last-minute drives by giving up a 25-yards (or more) pass down the middle of the field. These are the plays that lead to fans like myself throwing things at anything they can reach—including windows.

While were on the topic of the secondary and frustrations, let me discuss the play—or lack thereof—of Harrison Smith. Smith is a great athlete, but not a free safety. Weis needs to make adjustments, as the Irish cannot afford to play a man down each week.

4th-and-17 in their own territory, Shinskie is given time to throw, a receiver is left wide-open at midfield, and the Eagles make the play for a huge gain to put them in great position to take the lead. Luckily, Kyle McCarthy decided to come back as a fifth-year senior and saved his team for what seems like the fifth time this season.

Thank you, Kyle.

Punting

If Ben Turk is better than Eric Maust, the Irish have a real problem.

After two games, the freshman punter had been doing a decent job on punts due to his hang-time. Against Boston College, Turk decided to change things up.

His punts went for an average of 32.7 yards on long drives, giving the Eagles consistently great field position. What happened here?

Weis said in his press conference today that he will reopen the punting competition in practice this week. Either Eric Maust will fill back in after being benched for three weeks, or Turk will be motivated by the threat of change.

Make the necessary adjustments, Charlie.

News, Notes, and Rants

— Manti Te’o is the best defensive player on this team. By the time he graduates, he will be the best linebacker in college football. Cross your fingers that he decides to take a summer mission.. or none at all.

— Both Shaq Evans and Deion Walker have been ill the past two weeks. Evans has dressed, but then again, so has Michael Floyd.

— Robby Parris left the game in the first quarter of Saturday’s game. He had been listed as doubtful the entire week before being cleared to play. After missing a perfectly placed ball by Clausen in the corner of the end zone, he left and returned in street clothes.

— Robert Hughes was knocked out cold after taking a snap from the Wildcat formation on 4th-and-1. A Boston College safety laid a helmet-to-helmet hit on the 240-pounder as Hughes fell just short of the endzone. Kick the field goal, Charlie.

— Boston College receiver Rich Gunnell is yet another example of poor sportsmanship by a Fredo player. Post-game, Clausen went to shake his hand and praise Gunnell’s play, only to be told off by the receiver and received a finger in his face. Clausen laughed it off, pushing him away and jogging back to midfield.

— Floyd’s CAT scans will be available sometime next week, and Weis expects that they will come back with good news. The final decision on when he comes back will be up to Floyd.

— Notre Dame is ranked No. 25 in the Coaches Poll. While only a couple bottom-feeders lost (Kansas, BYU, Texas Tech), almost all of the “Others receiving votes” lost (Nebraska, Michigan, South Florida, Oregon State, etc).

The Sagirin Poll has Notre Dame ranked as No. 20, and the Howell has them at No. 25. The Irish also have a fairly competitive strength of schedule ranked as the 19th toughest in the BCS computers.

— Weis’ teams are 19-0 when out-rushing the opponent. They are 15-22 when they do not. Need I say more?

Notre Dame Fills Out 2010 Slate With Powerhouses Western Michigan, Tulsa

Dan Scofield — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:57:51 +0000

Notre Dame’s 2010 schedule was finalized today when Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick agreed to add Western Michigan as one of the seven home games for the Irish next season.

Western Michigan—you read it correctly.

Notre Dame's newest 2010 opponent: Western Michigan

The same team that the Irish have played a whopping two times in the years 1919-1920, where they combined to beat the Broncos by a score of 94-0. One of the four directional college football programs involving the state name of Michigan.

Not to mention the most irrelevant.

Irish fans across the nation are asking themselves each the same question—Why? Well at least the Broncos face off against Virginia Tech next year too, right?

Wrong—Notre Dame replaces the Hokies on Western Michigan’s newly completed schedule.

Well at least Swarbrick added some other big names to the 2010 slate. What about the talks concerning Boise State and TCU?

Wrong again.

Instead, Swarbrick added the mighty Golden Hurricane of Tulsa.

On this day, I now consider myself officially off the Swarbrick bandwagon—he was a person in which I was fairly confident.

When hearing him talk about his philosophy regarding his 7-4-1 scheduling model, I felt as if Father Jenkins finally had done the impossible—hired a man who was on the same page with the program’s fans.

Swarbick’s excuse for scheduling the likes of Tulsa and Western Michigan? A change in athletic directors at TCU:

“My response to that is, look at the top 10 right now, and look at it in recent years,” he said. “Last year it was Ball State that was on that remarkable run, and Buffalo had a great year. Certainly, it’s no surprise that TCU and Boise State are having the kind of years they’re having.

“That’s the landscape of college football now. And I know our fans are so savvy and they follow the games closely that they’ll understand that. The second part is we’re trying to maximize home games for our fans and our players. When you do that, you have to find folks that are willing to play you on a non home-and-home basis.”

Really, Jack?

Swarbrick better hope he has enough “savvy” fans to fill his football stadium come October 16th, 2010.

Especially with next season’s Murderer’s Row: Western Michigan, Navy, Tulsa, Utah and Army in consecutive weeks.

Regarding the rest of the schedule, things don’t look too easy. The Irish go on the road against Southern California, Boston College, and Michigan State. At home, they take on Michigan, Stanford, Purdue, Utah, and Pittsburgh in addition to the two new questionable home games.

Since I am known as Mr. Optimist, I leave you with two positives from these new revelations of Notre Dame’s future encounters with powerhouses from the right side of Michigan and Tulsa, the forty-seventh most important football team in its home state.

Either these games were scheduled in order to break in Dayne Crist next season or to allow Charlie Weis’ replacement to get a feel for what it’s like to be Notre Dame’s newest head coach.

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