University of Notre Dame & Coach Charlie Weis: the Luck of the Irish?

Losers of four out of their final five games in 2008, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish seemed to be closing in on the end of the Charlie Weis era. However, with their coach's job on the line, Notre Dame showed some promise against Hawaii, in the Hawaii Bowl, winning the game 49-21, and finishing the season, 7-6. The performance was enough to keep Weis in South Bend for another year, as head coach of Notre Dame.

As the 2009 season begins, the coach's seat is still warm, but may be cooling. The Irish are ranked #23 and play a schedule that has them facing only one team in the current top 25, USC. In their first game against Nevada, Notre Dame looked impressive. Clausen, who picked up where he left off in the Hawaii Bowl, finished the game 15-18 for 315 yards and 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions. The defense also played well, keeping Colin Kaepernick in check. Notre Dame seemed to do everything right. Whatever rust there may have been, was adequately covered under their golden helmets. Notre Dame's offensive line blocked well, their running and passing game looked flawless, and their defense was stifling, creating sacks and turnovers.

Next up for the Irish, Michigan on the road and Michigan State at home. Michigan is coming off a horrific 3-9 season last year, but looked much improved in their opening game. Michigan State enjoyed a 9-4 record last season, including a win over the Irish, 23-7. The Irish then go on the road and face a Purdue team that finished 4-8 last year. Notre Dame then begins a three game home stand. The first game is against, the University of Washington, a team the Irish beat, 33-7 last season, on the road.

Week six features the big showdown, Notre Dame against USC. The Trojans were victorious in last years match-up, 38-3, but Sanchez is gone and Clausen looks improved, which should equate to a more competitive game. A victory against USC could help solidify a BCS bowl game for Notre Dame, but at the very least, the Irish must play competitively against the Trojans. The final game in the home stand comes against, the always tough Boston College Eagles.

The Irish next two games, are away against Washington State, and home against Navy, a Navy team that almost tied the game late, against Ohio State in week one. Notre Dame then battles two Big East opponents, the University of Pittsburgh and University of Connecticut. Last years Panthers, Irish game, took four overtimes to conclude, with Pittsburgh winning on a field goal. Notre Dame finishes the year, on the road, against a competitive Stanford team. Their schedule, 7 home games and 5 road games with one of the road games being in Indiana (against Purdue), should make things easier for Notre Dame.

Charlie Weis, the former New England Patriots offensive coordinator, came to South Bend with great expectations. Maybe in year five, expectations will be realized, as Coach Weis goes back to what he does best, calling the offensive plays, something he did very well in the NFL. It's early, and enthusiasm over the week one victory over Nevada, needs to be curbed. Notre Dame started 2-0 last season. It's a long year, but Notre Dame's first step of the 2009 season looked good.

Sources:

http://usc.rivals.com/schedule.asp?Team=USC&year=2008
http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/pitt-m-footbl-sched-2008.html
http://www.gohuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/wash-m-footbl-sched.html
http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/pur-m-footbl-sched-2008.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/teams/schedule?teamId=127&year=2008
http://www.mgoblue.com/football/page.aspx?id=84112
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/scoreboards/2009/09/05/40288_viewcast.html
http://sportsratings.typepad.com/college_football/2008/12/hawaii-bowl-results-notre-dame-crushes-hawaii-final-score-4921.html