Sporting News’ Dave Curtis analyzes what Sunday’s buzz means to college football.
Win one for Charlie
Charlie Weis’ “tough time arguing” surrender speech Sunday afternoon didn’t set up the Irish for a rousing effort Saturday night at Stanford. And although the game with the Cardinal won’t save the coach’s job, it will highlight an important yet rarely discussed part of the coach—Charlie Weis, the motivator.
The clock is winding down on Charlie Weis; can he keep his players from quitting on Saturday?
Notre Dame has dealt this season with the following deficits in its losses: 14-3 at Michigan, 34-14 to USC, 14-0 against Navy, 27-9 against Pitt. Saturday’s early lead in the loss to Connecticut, maybe sparked by a pregame show of support for Weis, represented an anomaly. What to make of the early-game troubles?
Perhaps the Irish can’t match the first-half (and third-quarter) intensity of its opponents.
With their coach cooked and their season lost, Notre Dame’s players have an excuse to lack some energy out West. And if Weis can’t motivate them enough to play through the turbulence one more week, it will further justify his pending dismissal.
“The most important thing for Coach Weis and the staff is to make sure we do all we …
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