If you hadn't noticed already, the clock is officially ticking on Charlie Weis.
With a chance - a suprisingly good chance - at his first signature victory, Weis and the Irish came away with another signature loss. A runner-up finish to USC in a 34-27 loss. Normally, losing by seven points to the #6 team (they're better than that) in the country wouldn't be anything to complain about. But after four-and-a-half years of coming close, there's still one thing that has yet to be found in South Bend:
Results.
"Anyone who doesn't realize the fight that's in the Fighting Irish is missing the boat. Down three scores, everyone in the house probably figured it was time to throw in the towel. Not this group. No way." - Charlie Weis
Do those sounds like the words of a head coach in year number five of one of the most storied programs in college football history? Or does it sound like a rookie head coach, taking a moral victory in his above-average team hanging tough with a juggernaut?
The time for moral victories and kudos for team effort are over. Frankly, they've been over since this summer, when the memories of 3-9 were months in the past and most of this star-studded group including Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate officially became upperclassmen. This team may not have Championship-caliber talent, but does that matter? Ask Cincinnati about talent. Hell, ask Georgia Tech. How about Iowa? Can anyone seriously argue that the Bearcats, Yellow Jackets, and Hawkeyes have more talent than Notre Dame? Yet, all of those teams win consistently, and beat good competition (gasp!).
This is Notre Dame. This isn't Northwestern (though they certainly look similar lately, don't they?). This isn't Stanford. This isn't even Boston College - even though BC regularly beats the tar out of the Irish and annually plays way over their talent level. This is supposed to be a program that competes for National Championships. A program where BCS bowls aren't hoped for - they're a given.
Instead of talking about the 500+ yards of total offense that the Trojans racked up and numerous missed opportunities by the offense down the stretch, the Irish are patting themselves on the back for fighting? Knute Rockne must be rolling over in his grave.
Sure the Notre Dame players deserve some credit for fighting back from a 34-14 deficit, but they're to blame for digging themselves into that hole in the first place. It appears that the program is slowly moving in the right direction - closing the gap, if you will. But, how do we really know that? What the Irish have done during the Charlie Weis era is all bun. Where's the beef?
Since the start of 2007, Weis' teams are 1-15 against teams that finished with a winning record. 1-9 against teams that finished the season ranked in the Top 25. He owns a 4-13 combined record against USC, Michigan State, Michigan, and Boston College during his tenure. Does that sound like a program that's moving in the right direction?
With a chance - a suprisingly good chance - at his first signature victory, Weis and the Irish came away with another signature loss. A runner-up finish to USC in a 34-27 loss. Normally, losing by seven points to the #6 team (they're better than that) in the country wouldn't be anything to complain about. But after four-and-a-half years of coming close, there's still one thing that has yet to be found in South Bend:
Results.
"Anyone who doesn't realize the fight that's in the Fighting Irish is missing the boat. Down three scores, everyone in the house probably figured it was time to throw in the towel. Not this group. No way." - Charlie Weis
Do those sounds like the words of a head coach in year number five of one of the most storied programs in college football history? Or does it sound like a rookie head coach, taking a moral victory in his above-average team hanging tough with a juggernaut?
The time for moral victories and kudos for team effort are over. Frankly, they've been over since this summer, when the memories of 3-9 were months in the past and most of this star-studded group including Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate officially became upperclassmen. This team may not have Championship-caliber talent, but does that matter? Ask Cincinnati about talent. Hell, ask Georgia Tech. How about Iowa? Can anyone seriously argue that the Bearcats, Yellow Jackets, and Hawkeyes have more talent than Notre Dame? Yet, all of those teams win consistently, and beat good competition (gasp!).
This is Notre Dame. This isn't Northwestern (though they certainly look similar lately, don't they?). This isn't Stanford. This isn't even Boston College - even though BC regularly beats the tar out of the Irish and annually plays way over their talent level. This is supposed to be a program that competes for National Championships. A program where BCS bowls aren't hoped for - they're a given.
Instead of talking about the 500+ yards of total offense that the Trojans racked up and numerous missed opportunities by the offense down the stretch, the Irish are patting themselves on the back for fighting? Knute Rockne must be rolling over in his grave.
Sure the Notre Dame players deserve some credit for fighting back from a 34-14 deficit, but they're to blame for digging themselves into that hole in the first place. It appears that the program is slowly moving in the right direction - closing the gap, if you will. But, how do we really know that? What the Irish have done during the Charlie Weis era is all bun. Where's the beef?
Since the start of 2007, Weis' teams are 1-15 against teams that finished with a winning record. 1-9 against teams that finished the season ranked in the Top 25. He owns a 4-13 combined record against USC, Michigan State, Michigan, and Boston College during his tenure. Does that sound like a program that's moving in the right direction?
Do they have moral victories at places like USC?
I'm going to wait until the rest of the season plays out until my final decision on whether or not Weis should be retained. But, with Saturday's "signature" loss to USC, Notre Dame doesn't have very many chances to impress outside observers. A road win at Pitt (6-1) may help, but Pitt isn't Michigan, and they certainly aren't USC.
Close losses to the USCs and Michigans of the world and squeaker-wins over the Purdues and Michigan States aren't going to get it done. Yet, that's been the ceiling under Charlie Weis.
Trophies for moral victories. Banners for bowl wins over Hawaii. Kudos for effort. Decade-long contract extensions for misplaced visions of grandeur.
Welcome to the last 15 years of Notre Dame football.
But, hey at least they're fighting, right?
Where's the beef!
ReplyDeleteI must admit I get a little depressed when I see the ND Championship banners (basement) and ND's last Championship was around the time I discovered my joystick.
It is said, isn't it?
ReplyDelete