Down the Drain (Notre Dame)

[Nors]

Down the drain

By Dan Wetzel, Yahoo! Sports
September 8, 2007



STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The good news for Notre Dame and Michigan is they will play in a bowl game this year. Unfortunately it's the Toilet Bowl (brought to you by Unimaginative Game Plans screwed up by Slow, Confused Players).

It's scheduled for Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The two winningest programs in Division I-A history are not just both 0-2, they are so pathetically 0-2 that Duke and Temple are laughing.

The Irish lost 31-10 here Saturday night, which had less to do with Penn State looking like a good team than Notre Dame being an almost incomprehensibly awful one.


A true top-25 team would have beaten Notre Dame 222-0. Penn State was, for most of the game, lousy – turnovers, bad play calling, terrible execution. Notre Dame was just worse.

The 110,078 white-clad fans here whooped it up plenty. And they should. Hey, it's still fun beating the Irish, even if they couldn't rush a fraternity. But the fact this was a 17-10 game deep in the third quarter before an understandably worn-out Notre Dame defense faded fast doesn't bode well for the season. Of course, Penn State is in the sagging Big Ten.

In this one, the Lions had the luxury of playing with no sense of urgency. Notre Dame's offense isn't so much weak as just nonexistent. It's like boxing a man with no arms – even if you have trouble swatting flies, you like your chances eventually.

"So many three and outs," said Irish coach Charlie Weis, whose offense stumbled and bumbled to 10 consecutive futile drives before Penn State felt so bad for them they committed a penalty to get the chains moved. (It was quite a collegiate gesture.)

"It was just sputtering after sputtering," Weis said.

Notre Dame scored 10 points. One was an interception return for a touchdown. The other was when Tom Zbikowski returned a punt to the Penn State 7. When he stepped out of bounds so close to the end zone you could see his frustration because deep down he knew there was no way, no how Notre Dame could score a touchdown, even sitting first and goal.

And they didn't, kicking on fourth and 5.

The Irish offense hasn't scored a touchdown all season. You'd call that its most embarrassing shutout except that Notre Dame didn't manage a single net yard rushing in this game.

And you'd call that the Irish offense's worst stat, but it actually is an improvement over last week, when Notre Dame rushed for minus-8 yards against Georgia Tech.

So, Big Charlie, what's wrong?

"That's a good question," Weis said. "I don't have the answer."

Personally, I had full faith that Weis was a top-line coach and that once he got talent throughout the program – recruiting is strong – he'd get the Irish back into the big time. I still believe this, actually, and I was one of the few sober people within 10 miles of State College on Saturday.

But Weis is testing everyone's faith right now because it isn't just a lack of talent that is Notre Dame's problem. It is the lack of execution, the sloppiness, the silliness, the sheer disorganization of the team.

A well-coached team at least maximizes what it has. This team minimizes.

Even on the rare occasions Notre Dame actually did something positive (say freshman Jimmy Clausen completing a 43-yard pass); the Irish shot themselves in the foot (called back due to a hold).

For most of the game Notre Dame was penalized for more yards than it gained. The Irish finished with 14 flags for 97 yards, often critical errors at the absolute wrong moment.

For fun, let's rank our five favorite ridiculously terrible Notre Dame penalties:

5. The hold on a touchback.

4. The offsides following a delay of game.

3. The needless facemask on a sack that would have forced fourth down.

2. The personal foul when they tackled the Penn State punt returner before he could even make a fair catch.

1. The delay of game following a timeout.

We probably could have made this a top 10.

"That was miserable," Weis said.

This entire game was. Penn State put on quite a show, a jammed and jumping overflow crowd in all white. But they mostly watched a tractor pull of a game, stops and starts and blown gaskets.

Weis only could offer praise for the effort of his defense and the potential of Clausen.

"Although I'm not doing cartwheels," Weis said.

And just when you thought nothing could be uglier than the Notre Dame offense.

In all the weeks in all the stadiums of all the teams I've ever covered, Notre Dame was the worst high major college football team I've ever seen. Of course, I haven't seen Michigan in person this season – yet.

"I can't be worrying about Michigan," Weis said. "(But, these days,) it doesn't make a difference what your name is."

Two of the biggest names of all time (if not the biggest) meet next week in what for decades has been a great rivalry with national implications. Instead we'll find out who's better, Michigan's collapsing program or Notre Dame's down in the dumps one?

In ESPN's "Bottom 10" rankings last week the Wolverines and Irish were labeled the fifth- and 10th-worst teams.

It turns out they were overrated.

[jay cee]

Charlie Weiss is not looking any better than the previous ND coach right now. The name escapes me right now, but I think he got off to a good start his 1st two seasons before struggling.

Looks like Weiss is doing the same thing.

[tomson75]

Charlie Weiss is not looking any better than the previous ND coach right now. The name escapes me right now, but I think he got off to a good start his 1st two seasons before struggling.

Looks like Weiss is doing the same thing.

You're thinking of Ty Willingham. Weis is arguably looking far worse at this point, as I think the espectations are much higher for him.


I don't see much hope for Notre Dame until they do something to fix that offensive line. It might be the worst line I've ever seen. I don't care how much potential Clausen has, he's not going to amount to much if his OTs continue blocking worse than Dieon Sanders tackles.

Other than Zbikowski, that team is absolutely awful.

[burmafrd]

As usual the article is totally exagerated. Penn State has a VERY good D. It is true the O line sucks tractor trailors. The D is actually better then last year. But untill the O line can do something ND is in trouble. Agree about the penalties- but that is something you get with all the young guys playing. They need to have thier butts kicked.

[jay cee]

As usual the article is totally exagerated. Penn State has a VERY good D. It is true the O line sucks tractor trailors. The D is actually better then last year. But untill the O line can do something ND is in trouble. Agree about the penalties- but that is something you get with all the young guys playing. They need to have thier butts kicked.

Good thing Weiss has that big extension. I think it's going to take them a couple of years to fix that O-line problem and I'm sure the young qb is going to struggle for the 1st couple of seasons also.

[burmafrd]

Clausen looked very good considering he was running for his life most of the time and there was NO RUNNING GAME at all to help out.

[peplaw06]

Clausen looked very good considering he was running for his life most of the time and there was NO RUNNING GAME at all to help out.I think Clausen will be everything that was expected of him. He's the real deal.

[jay cee]

I think Clausen will be everything that was expected of him. He's the real deal.

He may, but I still don't expect him to be a dominant player in his 1st two seasons.

That's why I don't expect them to win very much this year or next. IMO, you need a lot of talent around a young qb for him to be successful, so that he is not asked to do to much.

It's probably going to take the next two seasons for them to build the talent around him.

If they do, they could make some noise by his Junior season.

[windward]

Notre Dame will be a 5-7 type teamthis year. That's fine, they're rebuilding.

[joseephuss]

Notre Dame will be a 5-7 type teamthis year. That's fine, they're rebuilding.

Where are they going to find 5 teams they can beat this year? Maybe one in Michigan. No chance for a tie in that game.

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Notre Dame will be a 5-7 type teamthis year. That's fine, they're rebuilding.

Well they do have their two yearly games against the soldiers, they also play Duke and a couple of other typing colleges so they will probably win 4 at least.

[Nors]

I hear that Notre Dame has locked up the Coast Guard, Mass Maritime, Air Force, Army, Navy and 1-AA upstart the Marines in 2013.

[burmafrd]

Typical BS. I guess MIchigan should be praised for their early schedule- Or Ohio State? ND has only played all 3 academies maybe 5 times in 40 years.
And it will not happen again in the forseeable future. But don't let the facts get in the way of more stupid rants. Navy gave Rutgers all they wanted. Certainly better then at least a couple of Big Ten teams. Love all these comments from the uninformed.

[mr.jameswoods]

I'm sorry but Weis is responsible for the weak offensive line and lack of talent. You can't make the excuse that Weis needs time to develop that talent. If he won inheriting players from Tyrone Willingham, Weis should win after having 2 recruiting seasons under his belt especially at Notre Dame. If Weis is supposedly the better coach then he should have more success having two of his own recruiting classes to workt with. Both Urban Meyer and Bob Stoops won the national championship in their second year. I'm not expecting Weis to win a national title in his third year but they are not even competitive which is a sign of poor recruiting and coaching by Weis. It's not asking a lot for college sophmores to be ready to play. To say that Weis needs more time is making excuses for his failure to have his players ready. I realize that most fans are not objective and excuse coaches they are fond of. Weis is well spoken during interviews and is an intelligent person so fans will give him the benefit of the doubt they wouldn't give other coaches in a similar situation. The truth is poor coaching is still poor coaching regardless of the guy's IQ

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Typical BS. I guess MIchigan should be praised for their early schedule- Or Ohio State? ND has only played all 3 academies maybe 5 times in 40 years.
And it will not happen again in the forseeable future. But don't let the facts get in the way of more stupid rants. Navy gave Rutgers all they wanted. Certainly better then at least a couple of Big Ten teams. Love all these comments from the uninformed.

I know you tried to make the weak argument last year that the academies are good opponents but you are a Notre Dame honk so you have little credibility.

When you have beaten a team 45 straight times like Notre Dame has done to Navy, it is clear the other is on the schedule for a guaranteed win.

They also play Army this year, along with other crap schools.

I would have some respect for Notre Dame if it shared its NBC money, joined a conference and wasn't given the right to play in BCS games without having to win a conference title.

[burmafrd]

Well since you are from canada you know nothing about American Football. Just using your own logic (hah) against you.

[burmafrd]

Just look at who is LEFT from Willinghams last 2 classes. You have not bothered to do that clearly. Weis is having to start who he has- nobodies or kids. His first class was all he could salvage from Willinghams LAST class which was pathetic. HIS classes are fresh and sopomores. And a lot of them are playing when they should be redshirting- but unlike Michigan, OSU, USC, etc ND only redshirts on INJURIES and then not all that often. Just love the ignorance here.

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Well since you are from canada you know nothing about American Football. Just using your own logic (hah) against you.

Hardly given I have access to the same stuff online and on tv that you do. The old arguments that you don't live here so you cannot know whatever no longer applies.

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Well we all know what will come out next from Notre Dame fan.

Either the "brutal schedule" argument or the "brutal entrance requirements" one.

No Bowl wins since 1994 :lmao2:

[Roughneck]

Well we all know what will come out next from Notre Dame fan.

Either the "brutal schedule" argument or the "brutal entrance requirements" one.

No Bowl wins since 1994 :lmao2:While it is true that Notre Dame is 0-9 in their last nine bowl games, the good news for the Irish is that they probably won't have to worry about another bowl loss this year (or a bowl appearance for that matter).

[CanadianCowboysFan]

While it is true that Notre Dame is 0-9 in their last nine bowl games, the good news for the Irish is that they probably won't have to worry about another bowl loss this year (or a bowl appearance for that matter).

Hehehehe. I don't know what I like better, Notre Dame not getting to a bowl or getting to one on name alone and being trashed by a vastly superior program.

[jay cee]

Just look at who is LEFT from Willinghams last 2 classes. You have not bothered to do that clearly. Weis is having to start who he has- nobodies or kids. His first class was all he could salvage from Willinghams LAST class which was pathetic. HIS classes are fresh and sopomores. And a lot of them are playing when they should be redshirting- but unlike Michigan, OSU, USC, etc ND only redshirts on INJURIES and then not all that often. Just love the ignorance here.

Willingham might have accomplished the same thing the last two years that Weiss accomplished.

It's obvious that the team will struggle this year. I don't think they will be a BCS contender next year either. If he can't have them in contention by '09, he's no better than Willingham and not worth the big extension IMO.

[Bob Sacamano]

-8 rushing yards in 2 games

that's un-heard of

[jman]

I guess now that the Patriots have no use for that "extra" film crew, maybe Charlie can call Bill and ask to use them.

[burmafrd]

Love the ignorance shown here by the canadian. Hard to explain that from the rest- but then there are a lot of skins fans as well. Canadian- you hate ND but your opinion is supposed to count while mine as an Irish fan doesn't. Love your logic but then I expect that from you.

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Love the ignorance shown here by the canadian. Hard to explain that from the rest- but then there are a lot of skins fans as well. Canadian- you hate ND but your opinion is supposed to count while mine as an Irish fan doesn't. Love your logic but then I expect that from you.

Soldier boy, I never said I was unbiased regarding South Bend City College, however you make out like you are not just a Notre Dame honk.

You running around yapping about the academies being real opponents is more you trying to convince yourself than convincing me.

[joseephuss]

Notre Dame often schedules very weak teams. Just like their game this week against lowly Michigan. :D

I think ND has often gotten a bad rap for their scheduling. Yes, the acadamies are not strong teams, but they balance that out with some tough games. Traditionally Michigan and USC are tough teams.

They usually face off with Michigan St. and Purdue. Not always great teams and sometimes bad, but most times middle of the road teams. The rest of the Big 10+ has to face them and don't see them as walk overs. Same with Boston College most years.

Then sprinkle in comparable teams such as Georgia Tech and UCLA on this years schedule. Other middle of the road games depending on the types of years those teams are having. This is an up year for both those schools. Maybe in a few years, whichever two teams replace them may also be having up seasons or down seasons.

There is no denying that Army, Air Force and Navy are usually not good teams. They tend to face two of the three each season and every now and then all three. Every conference out there has teams like this at the bottom of the standings.

All in all their schedule is comparable to most of the major players in college football. It may not matter this year because they are just not good.

I don't know how they are ever going to get more the top talent any more. The program no longer has the luster and appeal to get the top names. Used to be one of the only shows in town. Now there are so many options. A guy doesn't have to go to ND or any of the traditional powers for that matter to get exposure. You can go to what were traditionally second tier teams and play on television each week, play and practice in state of the art facilities and have a good college career. Parity has brought ND back to the pack and they may not pull away again. Their higher admission standards and scholarship limitations no longer make them a big boy in NCAA football. They can get back there, but it will be very tough to do.

[peplaw06]

Notre Dame often schedules very weak teams. Just like their game this week against lowly Michigan. :D

I think ND has often gotten a bad rap for their scheduling. Yes, the acadamies are not strong teams, but they balance that out with some tough games. Traditionally Michigan and USC are tough teams.

They usually face off with Michigan St. and Purdue. Not always great teams and sometimes bad, but most times middle of the road teams. The rest of the Big 10+ has to face them and don't see them as walk overs. Same with Boston College most years.

Then sprinkle in comparable teams such as Georgia Tech and UCLA on this years schedule. Other middle of the road games depending on the types of years those teams are having. This is an up year for both those schools. Maybe in a few years, whichever two teams replace them may also be having up seasons or down seasons.

There is no denying that Army, Air Force and Navy are usually not good teams. They tend to face two of the three each season and every now and then all three. Every conference out there has teams like this at the bottom of the standings.

All in all their schedule is comparable to most of the major players in college football. It may not matter this year because they are just not good.

I don't know how they are ever going to get more the top talent any more. The program no longer has the luster and appeal to get the top names. Used to be one of the only shows in town. Now there are so many options. A guy doesn't have to go to ND or any of the traditional powers for that matter to get exposure. You can go to what were traditionally second tier teams and play on television each week, play and practice in state of the art facilities and have a good college career. Parity has brought ND back to the pack and they may not pull away again. Their higher admission standards and scholarship limitations no longer make them a big boy in NCAA football. They can get back there, but it will be very tough to do.Another thing about the ND schedule argument. Typically the toughest part of their schedule is at the beginning. That's because they're an Independent, and once the conference teams start playing conference schedules, they have no choice but to schedule the academies and sprinkle in a USC or Michigan State on conference bye weeks.

I hate the schedule arguments anyway. If you had a playoff system, it would be a non-factor, a la the NFL.

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Every conference has patsies, no doubt about it.

However, it is rare that a conference would have say the equivalent of the academies, Stanford, Rutgers (which usually is bad), BYU etc

I just hate the "we play a brutal schedule" argument. They aren't forced to play anyone because they are too chicken to play in a conference.

[mr.jameswoods]

Just look at who is LEFT from Willinghams last 2 classes. You have not bothered to do that clearly. Weis is having to start who he has- nobodies or kids. His first class was all he could salvage from Willinghams LAST class which was pathetic. HIS classes are fresh and sopomores. And a lot of them are playing when they should be redshirting- but unlike Michigan, OSU, USC, etc ND only redshirts on INJURIES and then not all that often. Just love the ignorance here.

Again, you still have yet to explain how Weis was able to coach Willingham's initial classes but suddenly can't coach his recent class. A good coach also develops talent. Regardless if Willingham recruited those athletes, they were under the tutelage of Charlie Weis so they should have improved or shown enough ability to compete if Weis is truly a genius. Furthermore, being a sophmore is no excuse. The overwhelming majority of great college football players played well during their sophmore year. At the very least, ND should have scored one TD on offense and more than minus 8 rushing yards in their first two games. Your logic is faulty at best.

[Cochese]

Again, you still have yet to explain how Weis was able to coach Willingham's initial classes but suddenly can't coach his recent class. A good coach also develops talent. Regardless if Willingham recruited those athletes, they were under the tutelage of Charlie Weis so they should have improved or shown enough ability to compete if Weis is truly a genius. Furthermore, being a sophmore is no excuse. The overwhelming majority of great college football players played well during their sophmore year. At the very least, ND should have scored one TD on offense and more than minus 8 rushing yards in their first two games. Your logic is faulty at best.


The 'blame Tyrone' excuse cant last much longer.

[mr.jameswoods]

The 'blame Tyrone' excuse cant last much longer.

In fairness to ND, I don't think race had to do with why they courted Weis and not Willingham. Offense is always more attractive to boosters and fans. Willingham was a defensive minded coach that was very conservative while Weis was an aggressive offensive minded coach. That being said, I do think ND jumped the gun and made a very poor decision to extend the contract of a coach who had yet to truly prove himself.

[Cochese]

Just look at who is LEFT from Willinghams last 2 classes. You have not bothered to do that clearly. Weis is having to start who he has- nobodies or kids. His first class was all he could salvage from Willinghams LAST class which was pathetic. HIS classes are fresh and sopomores. And a lot of them are playing when they should be redshirting- but unlike Michigan, OSU, USC, etc ND only redshirts on INJURIES and then not all that often. Just love the ignorance here.

So Weis is not allowed to recruit Juco players or go after transfers? What will domers do when they cant blame the old coach anymore? Come to the realization that your stuck with Heartattack Charlie and his huge contact that he earned after he scammed his way through the NFL?

Pretty funny that Demetrius Jones said "F this, Im outta here" this week. Best decision of his life.

[Cochese]

My god, they are horrible.

[Cochese]

USC might score 75 on this team. This is just horrible. Offensive genius Weis cant even coach his players to snap correctly or take a handoff.

[Cochese]

At the half

Michigan-31 ND-0
Washington-7 tOSU-3

[Cochese]

its finally over. ND is one of the worst college fb teams I have ever seen. Thank god they have Weiss until 2015.

[ConcordCowboy]

At the half


Washington-7 tOSU-3

Final

Ohio St -33 Washington -14

:D

[Cochese]

Final

Ohio St -33 Washington -14

:D

True, OSU pulled it off. But Tyrone STILL has 2 victories, and his team scored atleast 1 offensive touchdown that I saw.

[mr.jameswoods]

Final

Ohio St -33 Washington -14

:D

Oh, so you mean Washington scored, I wonder if Notre Dame did?

[mr.jameswoods]

its finally over. ND is one of the worst college fb teams I have ever seen. Thank god they have Weiss until 2015.

Don't blame Weis. He has too many freshmen and sophmores. The fact that both his freshmen and sophmore classes were ranked in the top 8 according to Rivals means absolutely nothing. It's all Willingham's fault!!

[ConcordCowboy]

Oh, so you mean Washington scored, I wonder if Notre Dame did?

Well I think that Washington has just a little better Offense that Notre Dame.

And Washington scored their second TD with only a minute to go after the game was decided.

[Cochese]

Well I think that Washington has just a little better Offense that Notre Dame.


How is that possible? We are talking about an offensive genius at work here folks.

[ConcordCowboy]

How is that possible? We are talking about an offensive genius at work here folks.

And don't forget he has Clausen too.:p:

You'll like this.

http://www.jimmyclausenonline.org/

[windward]

Jimmy Clausen's new theme song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoqTD0mOKF4

[mr.jameswoods]

Well I think that Washington has just a little better Offense that Notre Dame.

Did Notre Dame's lack of an offensive TD, negative 8.2 yards total rushing and 119 out of 120 rank in total yards lead you to that conclusion? Washington is averaging 26.5 more points per game than Notre Dame. Ohio St. is "slightly" better than Michigan too.

[Cochese]

Did Notre Dame's lack of an offensive TD, negative 8.2 yards total rushing and 119 out of 120 rank in total yards lead you to that conclusion?

Does Weis trust Jimmah? He called the most ridiculous plays the entire game, there has to be no faith in him. Calling swing passes on 1st and 3rd downs when you are down by 20 something says it all.

[mr.jameswoods]

Does Weis trust Jimmah? He called the most ridiculous plays the entire game, there has to be no faith in him. Calling swing passes on 1st and 3rd downs when you are down by 20 something says it all.

I'm still struggling to figure out if Washington is better than Notre Dame.

Okay, I'm not

[Cochese]

I'm still struggling to figure out if Washington is better than Notre Dame.

Okay, I'm not

Dont worry, QB coach Ron Pawlus is going to teach Jimmah everything he knows.:lmao2:

[CanadianCowboysFan]

USC might score 75 on this team. This is just horrible. Offensive genius Weis cant even coach his players to snap correctly or take a handoff.

I was thinking the same. If they can put up 49 on Nebraska, they might be able to rest Booty by the end of the first quarter against South Bend City College.

This is as good for Notre Dame haters as the Scrub Davie and Gerry Faust eras.

[windward]

I was thinking the same. If they can put up 49 on Nebraska, they might be able to rest Booty by the end of the first quarter against South Bend City College.

This is as good for Notre Dame haters as the Scrub Davie and Gerry Faust eras.
It may be better. I initially thought 5-7 but I can see this team losing 9+ games. Heck, even Duke might beat this team.

[ConcordCowboy]

Did Notre Dame's lack of an offensive TD, negative 8.2 yards total rushing and 119 out of 120 rank in total yards lead you to that conclusion? Washington is averaging 26.5 more points per game than Notre Dame. Ohio St. is "slightly" better than Michigan too.

This is the only thing that matters to me.

I don't give a rats *** about ND.

[mr.jameswoods]

This is the only thing that matters to me.

I don't give a rats *** about ND.

I could care less about Ohio St. The point you are missing is Washington is a lot better than Notre Dame. Ohio St. is a great team so losing to them isn't a criticism of Washington. Washington may have beaten Michigan had they played in Seattle.

[Blake]

I recall last year Jimmy Clausen saying how he plans to be the first quarterback to win 4 national championships in a row. :laugh2:

I have no doubt he'll be a good quarterback but talk about buying way to much into your own hype, ofcourse it doesn't help that Weis' playcalling is just uber redicoulus.

[ConcordCowboy]

I could care less about Ohio St. The point you are missing is Washington is a lot better than Notre Dame. Ohio St. is a great team so losing to them isn't a criticism of Washington. Washington may have beaten Michigan had they played in Seattle.

I admit I'm lost.

Who do you like and what's your point.

[Cochese]

They seem to be playing better this week, but will still lose by atleast 3 touchdowns.

[CanadianCowboysFan]

They seem to be playing better this week, but will still lose by atleast 3 touchdowns.

Almost, they only lost by 17 ;) That is a close game by Notre Dame standards.

:laugh1:

[mr.jameswoods]

I admit I'm lost.

Who do you like and what's your point.

I could care less about Ohio St. The point you are missing is Washington is a lot better than Notre Dame. Ohio St. is a great team so losing to them isn't a criticism of Washington. Washington may have beaten Michigan had they played in Seattle.

Should you get lost again, please refer to the bold and underlined statement. Who I like has absolutely no relation to this topic.

[mr.jameswoods]

They seem to be playing better this week, but will still lose by atleast 3 touchdowns.

I think they will realistically win at least 4 games this year: Navy, Airforce, Duke and Stanford. That's enough to get them into a BCS game.