Charlie has been able to get sick recruits regardless of the outcome. Not sure how he's able to do it, but he's pulling it what looks like a good class this year. I like the DE Chris Martin, they really could use a high caliber pass rush.

This.

Kelly would be an A+ hire.. really wanted him at Mich

I wanted him badly last season. We without a doubt need him now.

Seems like a perfect fit and perfect timing. Which means we will hire Bill Callahan or something because his name is more Irish.

I wouldn't blink at Gary Patterson either. I'm told defense is almost half the game, someone who knows how to coach that might be an upgrade, I don't know.

We need someone who knows how to win in South Bend

Just caught up with the highlights / reaction / analysis there. Seems we were completely outclassed in just about every facet of the game, but Clausen, Tate and the rest of the team stuck to the task and made a bunch of exceptional plays in the 4th quarter to give ourselves a chance. Pretty sick to have another game decided on a goalline at the death.

And I look in here and the talk is of sacking Weis? Really? Should we not be happy with this result? Not be happy with our record and the manner of the games so far this season? IF you can bring in a Peterson, Kelly, Malzahn, Meyer type replacement then yeah, I'm all for canning Weis. But it seems to me that there would be significant contractual and financial hurdles to any such outcome.

I think there is a very good point made above about recruiting. I don't think the two primetime TV losses to Michigan and USC will hurt us in that regard anywhere near as much as some of the defeats during the past few years would. Kids will be looking at this team and thinking that they play awesome offense, and play tough right to the end of games. The point in the context of the Weis discussion? They'll be looking at the program in a much more positive light on the basis of the performances produced this year in comparison to previous years.

Simply put, this team is showing overall progression from where it was last year. It is as good (both in terms of results and performances) as one could reasonably have expected this year (consider the difference having Floyd available would have potentially made yesterday). If this team finishes out the season with just one more loss, I don't think Weis should be fired. The only way my perspective would be changed is if either the regular season loss / bowl game appearance resulted in a crushing blowout.

This team is playing with pride this year, giving us a lot of excitement and maxing out its potential on one side of the ball. The defense is bad, and that means that the big change required at the end of the season is an overhaul of the defensive staff - and those hires should be taken out of Weis' hands imo.

When the bulk of the Players were Wellingham recruits Weis is 19-6, when the bulk of the players have been Weis recruits, Weis is 14-17.

The defense sure hasn't improved since Weis has taken over. The O-line is horrible.

Is the program in better shape now than it was before Weis? Seems like it's about the same to me.

Weis is going to be there at least through 2011.

Last year he kept his job because he showed improvement from the previous year. The same argument would work for this year even if they go 8-5, which is the absolute worst case. Overwhelmingly likely to be better than that.

Next year is Clausen's senior year and they might get an opportunity as a two loss team to get punked in a bcs bowl. Who knows, but won't be a huge step backward.

2011, we'll see how efficient a machine he's built when he has to replace a guy like Clausen.

So love the man. He isn't going anywhere. And hey, if you can beat BC he'll get his career winning percentage back over Ty's/Davies'.

I think the fat man has to lose 2 more games this year to get fired.

BTW if Floyd wasn't hurt, we totally win that game yesterday.

btw, going forward I think it would behoove you guys to try a '4 minute offense.' For the flak Weiss has gotten the last couple years for his play calling, your passing game out of the gun is outstanding. Going with a quasi no-huddle can give your defense a rest while still using the best part of your offense. I wouldn't scrap the run game entirely (obv you can't) but Allen has good speed and I can see him being effective on zone reads and draws out of the gun. As good as our pass rush is, you could see our front four still got tired towards the end, and I think that's something you guys can do to other teams going forward.

You don't really believe this, do you?

The jury is still out on Weis vs Wellingham. We just need more data before I can make up my mind on what Wellingham can do with his own players.

hmm. Didn't the DC start dropping everyone back on the last drive?

fyp

Why not? As close as yesterday turned out, is there any good reason to think that Floyd wouldn't have been a difference maker?

Who cares? Injuries happen in football. It sucks, but you can't throw it out as an excuse when you lose a month after the injury.

Tate really stepped up yesterday, he's been a beast since Floyd's been out. Floyd's presence is missed most in the red zone, that is, when Weis doesn't bring out the Wildcat.

This just in: ND just called it's last timeout. Weis you fat stupid mother****er. Get outta my life please.

Someone tell our analysts that the D is going to look bad when the O doesn't move the ball, c.f. 2007

This team is undefeated if they have the 2007 defense, it's amazing how bad they are that a mediocre unit like that would be a huge upgrade. 117th in the country in passing defense this year, and the secondary was supposed to be a strength. It's a good thing Nevada wasn't clicking to start the year, or they'd be last.

A difference maker if you want to re-imagine the past. But there isn't a college football player alive, past or present, Floyd included, that makes Notre Dame a better team than USC.

You already have enough to beat USC with Floyd missing. Doesn't make you that much more than the JV. But hey, good loss. You are on track.

Exactly. EXACTLY. Weis is such a fat **** POS who completely lacks the ability to motivate or develop rapport with his players it's ridiculous. Oh yeah, and even if he was likable like Foust instead of being a totally uncharismatic clownshoes he still has the same problem Foust had: he can't WIN.

Saturday was great to be at - I'll write up a trip report later today or tomorrow - but put me solidly in the "losses are good because it means ND is that much closer to telling fatass Weis to GTFO" camp. I have always been a peripheral ND homer because of my father's going there, but his staying with me these past months and soaking in analysis during the week along with being totally submerged this past few days with die-hards have me enraged that fatass is even allowed within South Bend's borders, much less to coach a football team.

Embrace the hate tuq.