As a follow-up to Bernie's post regarding Weis staying in South Bend - now is as good a time as any to start the "expectations talk."
"Though this past season fell short of the expectations that all of us have for our football program, I am confident that Charlie has a strong foundation in place for future success and that the best course of action is to move forward under his leadership," athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a statement released by the university Wednesday.
That being said, what are expectations for next year? Does that start with winning the bowl game this year? I'm thinking win the bowl game, at least eight wins next season and being competitive against USC. He can't afford an opening loss at home against Nevada and hopefully the extra practices for the bowl help out. It also doesn't seem like Clausen is progressing the last half of this season, he needs competition from Crist and I think it would be good for Charlie to open that competition up in spring ball. (Basically, no matter how much Clausen forces throws and makes bad choices, Sharpley isn't going to replace him as starter.)
This has potential to be a light schedule looking at the performance of a few of these teams (Michigan, Purdue, Washington, Washington State). Combined record as of now for these teams is 71-69. However, ND hasn't been great on beating good teams the past few years and seven of the 12 will have winning records with USC, Michigan State, and BC already at or over nine wins on the season, Pitt likely to join them as well as Navy if they beat Army and win their bowl. Losing to four of the five (and almost five of five) this year seems to leave little room for error navigating the schedule next year.
Sept. 5
Sept. 12 at
Sept. 19
Sept. 26 at Purdue
Oct. 3
Oct. 10 Open Date
Oct. 17 USC
Oct. 24
Oct. 31 vs.
Nov. 7 NAVY
Nov. 14 at
Nov. 21
Nov. 28 at Stanford
9 comments:
Those expectations are WAY too soft. We need to compare the talent and experience of the 2009 team with our upcoming schedule:
Here are the Rivals.com rankings of the 4 recruiting classes on the field in 2009:
- Freshman - #10 (as of today)
- Sophomore - #2 (revised to #1)
- Junior - #8
- Senior - #8
With the exception of USC (#1, #2, #8, #1) and Michigan (#13, #12, #10, #8), no one on our 2009 schedule comes close.
2009 and 2010 are the two seasons we have been waiting for as Notre Dame fans. This is the point where talent meets experience and we SHOULD be making a run at the national championship.
On offense, we have a QB in his 3rd year as a starter, a senior-laden & experienced offensive line, a stable of experienced and talented running backs, 2 5 Star TEs, and from top-to-bottom a top 5receiving corp.
On defense, experience on the line will be an issue, but the depth and skill and coming back. Williams and Johnson are both talented and will be experienced. The LBs and Secondary will be VERY talented and VERY experienced. Assuming Walls comes back, you have Blanton, Walls, McCarthy and H. Smith starting in the Secondary. Very formidable. The LBs include Kerry Neal, B. Smith, T. Smith and a wealth of talented underclassmen competing for the final spot (McDonald, Smith, Quinn, Pozluzny, etc.). I'm not concerned as much about the defense as we actually have competent coaching on that end of the field.
My expectations for Weis for 2009 are 11 Wins. The only excusable loss is at home against USC, but even then we need to show that we belong on the same field, because on paper we do!!
I'm sick of this crap. No more excuses.
The offensive line has got to perform better but most of all you've got to find a deep receiving threat.
I think we have a deep receiving threat if Floyd is healthy. Tate showed that he could go deep last year and this year actually understands how to run routes. Kamara needs to snap out of it and hopefully Evans can come in and push for playing time next year.
Totally agree on the offensive line, need to get them going big time.
Deep receiving threat? I think Floyd and Tate showed they can be that.
And Deion Walker, freshman was was redshirted this season, is supposed to be able to fly.
Man for man for 2009, I would put Floyd, Tate, Kamara, Shaq and Walker up against Williams, Turner, Johnson and Ausberry.
For once, skill position depth and talent on offense are not the issue. Its our Offensive Line and lack of fundamentals, plain and simple.
I half-agree with the O-line comment. This year I think that they have proven that (outstide of the USC game), they can halfway-decently protect the QB. The most disappointing this for me this year was how Clausen turned into JP Losman in the last 6 games and stared down receivers while standing still--he held onto the ball WAY too long.
However, they still can't run block. Blozar could not win the Heisman at ND. My thought and hope is that it is a coaching/schematic problem and not a problem with the players. Hopefully we can cure that with a new O-line coach.
Alright, I'll agree with Ookie about protecting the QB. Clausen survived this year with his head still attached even while he was holding on to the ball too long.
It seems like we're all in agreement that we need a new o-line coach?
Blozar wants Hugh Nall, former OL Coach and OC at Auburn. I'd take him.
I never said I wanted him. As soon as I texted you about the Tuberville situation, the first thing you said was "Who is his line coach?"
The resume is impressive -- one of the top recruiters in the country. All-SEC lineman six of seven seasons.
Post a Comment