PITTSBURGH -- Given our location this evening, I feel a responsibility to work the term "confluence" into the text. For instance, it is an interesting confluence of events that brings Charlie Weis back to Pittsburgh for the first time since his 2005 debut as he is about to coach the most important game of his career. The Fighting Irish have tackled November with all the prowess that they have tackled anything of late, which is to say not well.The Irish are 3-7 in their last ten November contests after having won their first seven under Weis. We'll see this evening which way the proverbial arrow is pointing in terms of Notre Dame's November nitty gritty.
Key stat heading into the game? Pittsburgh leads the nation in sacks. That's bad news for a team with an immobile quarterback and a back-up who, though experienced, has yet to attempt a pass in a game this season (Evan Sharpley). I cannot, in the words of Matt Millen, "underemphasize enough" how important it is that Clausen, who is likely more dinged up than either he or Weis is letting on, remain in the game.
As for the weather? Absolutely perfect. Is this really Pittsburgh in November? It feels like San Diego. I went running this afternoon and needed sunglasses. You could have run with your shirt off. I wouldn't subject the public to that, but you could.
Enjoy the game. See you on Tweet Street.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I guess the most important factor is the "who cares?" element. Notre Dame is irrelevant to college football in spite of the best efforts of the media to keep them in the mix.
I don't think the high school players nowadays care about the tradition nor listen to the parents who care about it. There are too many programs in "inferior" conferences who can take a Notre Dame out...like Navy. The playing field has leveled. A great free website where all high school athletes can be reviewed and recruited by college coaches daily is www.playerville.com
Booby you mother is letting you back on the internet?!
You commenting on Notre Dame means they are relevant. Why are you following them if they are irrelevant? How many times have you watched "RUDY"?
You waste your time watching and reading about something irrelevant is pathetic. You must live one sad and pathetic life.
Cameron - didn't you use that same Rudy line with me a couple weeks ago? For the record, I still have yet to see a second of that movie, and I'm guessing that this guy hasn't either.
Bye Bye Charlie
And don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way out.
So much for a "schematic advantage". ND should beat Pitt by 10 pts based on the skill positions alone! I cannot wait to hear the fat boy's excuses this time-perhaps Pitt played "dirty" like Navy.
The best part of all of this is that Charlie will be back next year, meaning we have many more brutal choke jobs to enjoy for some time to come.
It's been over an hour and I'm still appalled at that final call. I was waiting for the Irish to lose...but not that way. I'm sure we'll read this week that this crew will be reprimanded. Too bad that they were the ones to determine the outcome of the game and not the actual players on the field.
Will Jimmy Clausen be the losingest QB in Notre Dame history?
John - 2 weeks ago you told me that Notre Dame was in better shape than they were in Tyrone Willingham's 3rd year. Now that they are 1 loss away from their 20th loss in 3 seasons (did you ever think you'd say that about Notre Dame), have only won 3 of their last 20 games against teams with winning records, and have not beat a ranked team in 4 years, do you still believe that to be the case?
I'm not a Notre Dame fan. But, I do want them to have a competitive team. The USC Notre Dame game was always a big event. For years now it's just been another game when compared to years past.
Perhaps it's because things have really changed.
The real power houses of collge football is now in
the south and southeast. I hope both teams get their acts together.
Its hard to win when your playing a football game against another team and the refs.
The last call against Notre Dame when Clausen threw the ball, was a blantent lie and even the pitt fans knew it.
They could have won had the refs not been against them the whole game. Calling personal fouls when they should have been just penalties and the last call was completely a show that the big east refs have no place coaching a game with opponents from the outside.
The Irish did play pretty awful most of the game but they are noted for their comebacks and they should have had that ball.
Jimmy did not FUMBLE the ball and the ref that made that call should be ashamed of himself and the people that watch over these refs, should fire him for that call and the other call he made that was not indisputable.
That was bullshit and the refs had it for the Irish from the minute they stepped on the field.
Hard to play a game when your refs are against you too.