With College Football just weeks away, KSJ will look at the teams, players, coaches, conferences, and issues surrounding college football. Here's the previous installments.I know this was said last season, but this is a put up or shut up year for Charlie Weis and Norte Dame. Even Lou Holtz says this is the year Norte Dame should contend for the National Championship. Why not? They have the talent and the schedule in their favor.
Look at their schedule for a moment, then ask yourself why they shouldn't at least contend for the national championship? Their toughest games will be against USC and Pittsburgh. And USC visits South Bend this season. The rest of the teams they face this season are all rebuilding. So why can't Norte Dame compete for the national championship? Easy answer: Charlie Weis.
Weis has gone 29-21 in his four seasons in South Bend including 10-15 in the past two seasons. Granted Norte Dame was rebuilding and they had to start a true freshman at quarterback. But this season, Weis is out of excuses. The schedule and the talent are there, he must prove he can get the job done.
And so far, he hasn't been able to do that. Even when Weis had the talent at Norte Dame his first two season, they were totally out-classed by better opponents in Ohio St. and LSU. Weis has never been able to get his team to rise up to the occasion. Weis has never beaten USC and in their toughest games, the team has faltered.
This season will be the ultimate test for Weis. Jimmy Clausen returns for his Junior season and his third year as the Norte Dame starting quarterback. Clausen was one of the most prized recruits in recent memory. Clausen was thrown into the action during his freshman season. Only one problem though, the offensive line was also inexperienced and Clausen spent most of his time running for his life.
This year though, Clausen and the offensive line are more experienced. Also Clausen has two stud receivers in Golden Tate and Michael Floyd. The running game also seems to be improved with a group of running backs that include, Armando Allen, Robert Hughes, and James Aldridge.
The defense should also be improved despite a lack of depth at defensive line. The Irish brought in Manti Te'o at linebacker and they have three cornerbacks with starters abilities. The Irish are also more committed to be more aggressive on defense with more blitz schemes.
I will say it once again, the talent and schedule are there for Norte Dame. Weis is out of excuses. If the Irish don't at least earn a BCS bid, then Weis will be dusting off his resume.
My prediction: Norte Dame starts off hot, then fall apart down the stretch. Then Weis is finally fired.
ReplyDelete/Norte Dame grad'd
//Hate the Weis hiring at the begninning'd
Granted a year has passed, but how can we expect anything great out of this offense when they struggled last year against Navy? People like Lou Holtz will be brought down to earth real fast when USC does more than mop the floor with them at South Bend.
ReplyDelete/Always been a Notre Dame cynic'd.
//Has gotten great pleasure out of the Charlie Weis tenure.