Top 5 reasons why Notre Dame football sucks
Dumb and domer
Matt Mattucci
I grew up a brainwashed, fair weather Notre Dame fan. They were and still are “America’s Team” in college football with their squeaky clean reputation, their Independent conference and their annoying NBC television contract. But, luckily for me, things changed. And I, like so many other college football fans across the country, see Notre Dame football for what it really is: a complete and utter sham.
The Irish are turning in yet another incredibly disappointing season, with their latest debacle coming against Pittsburgh this past weekend. Notre Dame led 17-3 at one point in the game and wound up losing in overtime 36-33, dropping their record to 5-3 on the season. That may be a vast improvement from a year ago, but it’s still garbage in my book.
So with that, let’s take a look at the top five reasons why Notre Dame football sucks this season:
5) NBC Television - This one is simple. Recruiting is one of the most important facets of a successful college football program. Having your own television contract with NBC can be a great recruiting tool, unless you continue to lose the big, important games. Notre Dame isn’t struggling in getting their five-star, blue chip recruits - but they’re not showcasing them very well either. Plus, with nationally televised games comes nation-wide expectations and a mountain of pressure.
4) Stupid scheduling - It’s always been a tradition for Notre Dame to jam-pack their schedule with the toughest opponents. This year, the Irish played at Michigan State (and lost), at North Carolina (and lost) and still have to play road games against Boston College and USC. At least three of those teams are regulars on the Irish’s schedule, so there’s no going back now. But the Irish will have to find a way to alleviate some of the stress their schedule puts onto them. Winning would certainly help.
3) Jimmy Clausen - Don’t get me wrong, Clausen turned in a pretty impressive performance last Saturday against a solid Pittsburgh team. But, in the Irish’s first three games of the season, the sophomore threw at least two interceptions. Clausen was rated by many as the best high school senior quarterback in the country and, of course, the Golden Domers thought he would lead them back to the promised land. I know he’s only a sophomore, but for a prestigious program that is struggling immensely, this is a sprint, not a marathon.
2) Rich, powerful, unrealistic alumni - I’ll do my best to refrain from stereotyping an entire fan base here, but it’s hard not to. Too many Notre Dame fans of my generation especially (born in the early-to-mid 80s) grew up with the likes of Tim Brown, Raghib Ismail, Ron Powlus and Jerome Bettis, among many many others. Notre Dame football was on top of the world and it was shoved down all of our throats. Fathers passed down their love of the Irish to their sons and it was the safe team to root for. Now, two decades later, it’s still shoved down our throats - but the quality has been watered down tremendously. There are other, much better and much more prestigious football programs in the country, but many fans fail to recognize that.
1) Charlie Weis - What did Notre Dame really expect when they hired Charlie? He came from the Bill Belichick School of Videography. More importantly, Weis came from a professional football team that allowed him to make calls for one of the most potent offenses in the land. Now, Weis and Clausen are slowly putting together a respectable offensive in South Bend, but there’s a thing called defense that is severely lacking. The Irish have been able to beat up on the little guys, but have failed miserably to pull off any upsets.
|
Gold isn't really an appropriate color for ND helmets these days. How about puke green?
Highlights
- Notre Dame lost to Pittsburgh in four overtimes on Saturday, 36-33
- The Fighting Irish have been terrible under coach Charlie Weis
- Sophomore quarterback Jimmy Clausen continues to disappoint the Irish faithful
Follow us on Twitter!
|
DIGG
Become a Fan on Facebook
Comments (36):
Jeff
2008 11 03
Glad your an ex-fan. That leaves one more seat in the stadium for a life long true fan like me. You forgot to mention what “perfect” school you are willing to stand behind.
Malcolm
2008 11 03
Matt,
You need to bump up your meds a little bit. Notre Dame has a young team, and they will improve. I was frustrated with the loss to Pitt. I felt Notre Dame should have been able to put the game away before OT. If Harrison Smith had not let Pitt off the hook with a stupid personal foul, the outcome would probably have been different. But it is what it is. You are a hater....and you need to get a life.
John
2008 11 03
1.Charlie doesnt call plays bud. 2. why not focus ur energy on writing a positive article about a team you like.
PITTBCSBOWL
2008 11 03
HAIL TO PITT!!!!!!!!!!
NO
BOWL 4
CHARLIE AND CLAWSON!!!!!
PITT IS IT!!!!!!!!!!
2008 11 03
HAIL TO PITT!!!!!!!!!!
36-33 4 OT
NO
BOWL 4
CHARLIE AND CLAUSON!!!!!
mike farley
2008 11 03
It starts and ends with defense! All the great Notre Dame teams had a great defense. And a kicking game wouldn"t hurt either.
Stevo Schwaby
2008 11 03
Really? Can you really say that the most prestigous team in college football (No, that is not arguable. Sorry.) is a sham just because they had 3 years of admitedly less-than-anythingnearperfect? Congratulations. You’re a bandwagon jumper. You were ‘brainwashed’? No, you were raised watching a team that won, and when they didn’t, you root for the teams that win. No sense of loyalty, no sense of what college football is ALL about. Most true college football fans agree with me, no?
Yep, the Irish have terrible flaws. Yep, they need to fix them to be succesfull. No, the program is not a shame because they had less than 5 years of bad play.
JD
2008 11 03
I absolutely disagree with this article, but also that it isn’t arguable that ND is the most prestigious team in college football. Just because you happen to be a fan doesn’t mean they’re program is any better than others. Yeah they had a lot of great years, so have Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, LSU, USC, Michigan, Penn State, etc.
Please…
Mike
2008 11 03
Seeyah Matt, wouldn’t wanna be yah. A fan you are not, your loyalty missing. Every situation needs poitive support and input, you had none of value in your tirade. Good riddance and so sorry to the next team you judge, because you are not ever going to be happy; is just not your mission. I am a baby boomer here, with deeper loyalty and confidence. Went to school with Hanratty and Seymour; smelled the sweet swet in the stadium locker room, nothing finer. School spirit abounds around you, and you just have to have the emotional fortitude to stay the course. So many plunge in the abiss thinking there is nervana in the deep… good luck with that Matt!
Dan
2008 11 03
You need to get a life.Probably the only thing you know about football came out of a Cracker Jack box.It’s quite evident you’re an N.D. hater and trying to make a living out of writing articles you know nothing about. By the way, you’re still brainwashed....
bill from jersey
2008 11 03
Don R
2008 11 03
Your OBVIOUSLY a LIBERAL OBAMA supporter!
Kyle
2008 11 03
Wow dude. Get a life, every team has a rebuilding season and this is Notre Dame’s year, as well as michigan. And “Pitt is it” at least learn how to spell Clausen right.
Pitt is not it, they suck!!!
Penn state FTW!
Buster
2008 11 04
Dan R: The article was about ND football, not your pathetic political views. If you are not a millionaire, voting Republican makes about as much sense as putting you money in a tin can. A man who does not vote his paycheck is a fool.
Mike Smith
2008 11 04
You wil;l eat your words about Clausen.
jake
2008 11 04
0-9 in bowl games since 1994. very, very prestigious. the glory days are over. its time some of u loudmouth notre dame fans dealt with it.
CharlieTuna
2008 11 04
How many championships do the Golden Domers have that weren’t 100% subjective? How many times have ND been eligible for the Commanders Cup? ND was a nice story. But all fairy tales come to an end, children. Close the book and grow up. As much as America loves ND, the nostalgia is all that is left.
myles
2008 11 04
really? this is worthy of actually getting posted online? wat a waste of time. i’m now 5 minutes dumber for reading this horsesh1t article! i just have one question. if all of you hate ND as bad as you say you do, them why come on here write articles and talk about it? why not go onto your “new” favorite teams sites and talk to other fans about that team? you are jealous, and that’s all that needs said about it. and for the 2 retarded Pitt fans on here, i’m assuming you hate ND b/c you couldn’t get accepted there considering the way you both butchered the spelling of Jimmy’s last name! get a clue morons!
stephanie
2008 11 04
brainwashed is a term i’ve heard a lot the past 2 years, about my 5 year old, simply because she too is a nd fan. but you know what - i’m proud of the fact that she already has something in which she can believe. and the fact that it happens to be the same football program i have put my faith in since i was 8 - and f.y.i. i too was born in the early 80s - makes me a proud, proud parent.
now, to address the original post, b/c i believe everyone is entitled to their own opinions as long as they expect to hear others on the same subjects:
5. the most awesome thing for me on a saturday morning is knowing i can turn on nbc at 1230 (we live on the west coast) and more than half the time nbc is playing a game that is watched by MILLIONS
4. nd’s strength of schedule is what has led them to the 9 bowl games since 1994 (whether they were wins or losses, how many teams have actually MADE it to 9 bowl games in 14 years - seriously) and until they decide to get rid of the bcs i will still vote in favor of their ridiculous schedule - what else should they be doing??? watering down the schedule just to have a perfect season? what is this? the big 12?
3. jimmy, jimmy, jimmy - yeah so he’s having a bad season, but man oh day - look at the improvement from last year - and in case you haven’t been paying attention joe montana’s son is on the team now too - wonder if he’s anything like his pop…
2. rich powerful alumni - well - what can you say about that - when it’s a school that currently is around a $50k a year tuition did you really think the alumni would end up as hobos in los angeles? but as for fans - i can definitely attest to the fact that they arent all rich and spoiled!
1. charlie weis - are you ready to fire him after a few rebuilding years like they did to ty willingham - hell - what was bob davies record with nd and he stuck around WAY too long. a head coach is only as good as the reast of his staff, the talent with which he has to work on the field, and the support of the fans.
OBVIOUSLY im a big nd fan - but, in my opinion, the best part is that i’m a 27 year old woman who knows better than you that being a fairweather fan is just WRONG
ward
2008 11 04
This rant would have been more appropriate on the couch of a qualified therapist, to many issues with dad coming through on this one.
Greg
2008 11 04
ND is the most overrated program in the country. They live off of historical achievements and for some asinine reason they have their own network when they haven’t done a thing in years. To be honest, I don’t truly mind that they’re in bed with NBC because I have to admit that it is really fun to watch them lose on a very regular basis!
stephanie
2008 11 04
sorry - i forgot there were still male chauvinists in the world. but - i should get back to the kitchen now and cook something.
Jake
2008 11 05
The title of your article alone shows the complete lack of class that you have. You could not think of another adjective? I was going to go on a rant and defend ND but you’re a buffoon and not worth my time. A true fan supports their team through thick and thin….that is life as well. Therefore, I am glad that you no longer support ND.
John
2008 11 05
College Football is a lifestyle for some, each person has their own team that they favor. This sense of UNDYING loyalty is what makes this lifestyle such a rollercoaster ride, sometimes your team wins other times they lose. When they win regularly you have the opportunity to rub it in the face of those who lose to your team, but when your team loses you must take it on the chin just the same as when you give it. I believe anyone who claims to have been a fan of a team and looses their faith in that team doesn’t really understands what it means to be a fan. Remember the term fan comes from FANITIC which is a word that describes outlandish actions, cheering for the underdog, clinging to hope in times of desperation, and celebrating wildly with others in times of victory. If you like college football route for someone dont waste your time irritating the faithful of other programs just because you dont like a certain team. All programs throughout college football’s wonderful history have had ups and downs, black spots, poor managment decisions, great players coaches and amazing games. I wonder if you would like to hear from those who dont like you the five reasons you SUCK, #1 might be you have no idea what loyalty actually is.
Dean
2008 11 05
I have been n ND fan since the days of Hanwrity. Notre Dame always took pride in their true student athletes Weis has won with Tyrone’s players and for some reason ND rewarded him for that.
jake
2008 11 05
notre dame has made 9 bowl games in 14 years for the same reason they are still televised every game, cuz they still have fanatical fans who will pay to watch them no matter who or where they play. do not mistake that for them being a quality program. In fact 6 of the 12 teams in the acc( not traditionally a powerhouse conference as a whole) have been to 9 or more bowls in that time...and all of them have won atleast one of those bowl games. look it up.
steelhead56
2008 11 09
Every year Notre Dame calls it a rebuilding year. SC lost two Heisman winners and won the Rose Bowl the following year and was one play for playing for another national championship! I like Notre Dame, but we have to be honest with ourselves, look at the recruiting classes over the last five years and compare them to a Pittsburgh, Navy, Air Force, Boston College. The only school that regularly our recruits us is SC. Notre Dame does not need better recruits or better fans. They are both the best and with the best TV contract to boot. They need a new system and they means a new coaching staff. If Boston College did not make the point last night, the point will never be taken by those who love Notre Dame football. Only four teams with a winning record we have played all season and I do not need to bring up the record. The Charlie experiment must end!
ryan
2008 11 15
ND hahaha the last 14 years they have averaged 7 wins. What is everyone mad at? ND is right where they are and will be for many years to come. Today on game day krik said that not me. Not to mention JOIN A CONFERENCE then call your selfs a real football team. Good luck losing another bowl game this year.
Ulysses
2008 11 22
Today I was surfing games and saw the ND-Syracuse score from time to time. At 3-3 I was nervous but when the score went 23-10 I knew ND would lose by a point. They’ve lost so many games in the last few moments this year. Pittsburg, NC, I don’t know who else. But just those two and Syracuse their record would be 9-3. Why can they finish a team when ahead? The blame on that has to go to one of the most out of shape coaches in football, Charlie Weiss. What a message to his players.
Minxx
2008 11 23
Wow! This is great ... ND fans who love getting clobbered on national television by millions. You sound like Bama before they had Nick Satan. We had Bryant the greatest coach. We won this many championships blah blah blah. It’s not what you did in the past the counts, but what you do NOW! Hope you enjoy getting creamed by USC with an audience of millions watching on NBC. ROTFLMAO
cathe.rine
2008 11 23
i would love to know your great team. let me guess.. an SEC team or maybe big ten. pretty predictable.
glad you aren’t a fan anymore! you’ll probably jump on the bandwagon again once we are back on the road to success..
Lonnie
2008 11 24
Wow, Stephanie. Check your facts. Bob Davies, although wasn’t a great coach, has a more respectable record than Weis. And Ty? Um, Weis matched the suckiness right after the 2nd year he was here. Oh, and the Big 12 have 3 teams in the top 10 of the BCS. Again, do some research. Sam Bradford, Colt Mccoy would run all over your precious Jimmy. It’s time to wake up and forget about ol’ notre lame.
sabremaker
2008 11 27
I love ND. But you did missed the fact the ND can"t seem to muster and running game. Hence, it becomes more difficult to have a passing game. ND needs quickness which it sorely lacks. They keep saying that Golden Tate ran a 10.8 sec 100 meters. Get a life guys. Anyone who knows anything about Track and Field knows 10.8 is mediocre. Brian Urlacher form NM ran a 10.6 100 M. in high school and he is now a great line backer for the Chicago Bears. A 10.3 100m would be credible. ND needs speed.
Later
Sabremaker
DFCO
2008 11 30
5. Can’t complain that they basically have their own network.
4. Their schedule is not as strong as you make it out to be ARMY NAVY every year DUKE?
3. Jimmy the C he is still living off the hype he received in high school. Two more years with him at the helm will lead to tow more mediocre years, At Best.
4. Nothing hurts ND as much as their fat ass front running fans. It creates a massive anti ND fan base and makes it easy for top recruits to choose USA FL Ohio State etc.
5. Weis who knew the guy was a great coordinator for the Jets and Pats. My guess is he will be fired and ND will still be a crap team,
jordan
2008 12 28
FUCK NOTRE DAME AND THEIR STUPID FANS!!
the sane one
2009 03 28
Stephanie-
You’re writing about 5 year olds and using words like “BELIEVE IN...and...FAITH” when you write about something so trivial as Notre Dame football. Please tell me you aren’t so lost that you don’t see the ridiculousness of that.
Notre Dame football and Kentucky basketball are living off the inflated memories of an exaggerated past. The program the the college version of The Dallas Cowboys, a self-proclaimed America’s Team, but the record “just don’t support the claim.” USC, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma all dust Notre Dame in hisory. Around 20-25 teams dust their current lack luster legacy. Let in the light of the Truth. The Truth shall set you free.
Page 1 of 1 pages
