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2007 Preview: Notre Dame (Football)
Fox Sports ^ | 16 July 2007 | Pete Fiutak

Posted on 07/16/2007 3:08:44 PM PDT by GOP_Raider

By almost any standard you want to set, Charlie Weis has worked out extremely well over his first two years in South Bend. Yeah, Notre Dame has the cozy deal with the BCS, but to get to two straight big money games is still a noteworthy achievement. Considering the concern among many Irish fans that the program had sunk during the Ty Willingham era, what Weis has done has been remarkable. Now the Irish must start to actually win the big games to go along with all the attention and adulation.

Everyone who jumped on the Notre Dame bandwagon early last year quickly abandoned ship at the end after blowout losses to USC and LSU. Most ignored the horrible secondary and the potential for a bad year from the offensive line when setting the national title expectations; it was almost like many were trying to will Notre Dame to greatness. Now the hype and focus has swung the other way. Now it's become fashionable to rip on the Irish.

Yes, Notre Dame was overrated; however, it just couldn't beat the best of the best of the best teams in America. Of the six losses in the two years under Weis, one came in an overtime stunner to Michigan State in 2005, while the other five (USC, Ohio State, Michigan, and LSU) came against national title-level squads that would've beaten roughly 110 other teams like a drum.

Now Notre Dame wants to be one of those national title-level good teams. It's not going to have one this year.

(Excerpt) Read more at msn.foxsports.com ...


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: fightingirish; football; ncaa; notredame
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To: Hebrews 11:6
Only because it seemed somewhat necessary...


41 posted on 07/16/2007 6:14:57 PM PDT by GOP_Raider (Your one stop shop for all your useless information needs.)
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To: GOP_Raider

That’s why we fight on!


42 posted on 07/16/2007 6:23:31 PM PDT by Hebrews 11:6 (Do you REALLY believe that (1) God is, and (2) God is good?)
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To: NittanyLion

I would consider it an honor to be the subject of a fatwa issued by JoePa, without a doubt the most respected head coach in college football. I would say “ever,” but I’m not prepared for the incoming that would follow.


43 posted on 07/16/2007 6:35:02 PM PDT by Ax
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To: NittanyLion

That’s not a shame. That’s music to my ears...


44 posted on 07/16/2007 7:08:54 PM PDT by Hurricane Andrew (History teaches that wars begin when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap.)
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To: NittanyLion

One man’s shame is another man’s joy. :)


45 posted on 07/16/2007 7:30:09 PM PDT by GOP_Raider (Your one stop shop for all your useless information needs.)
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To: dfwgator

People seem to be picking another Texas - USC match-up for the BCS championship game.


46 posted on 07/16/2007 8:07:28 PM PDT by fkabuckeyesrule (I've been funny I've been cool with the lines ain't that they way loves supposed 2 be?)
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To: Ronaldus Magnus Reagan; dfwgator

These could be some great years for UF since both Miami & Free Shoe University seem to be down a little bit and UF has that whole pool of talent in the state of Florida to recruit.


47 posted on 07/16/2007 8:10:00 PM PDT by fkabuckeyesrule (I've been funny I've been cool with the lines ain't that they way loves supposed 2 be?)
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To: rabidralph
****Navy will take them out of the bowl picture this year.****

This could be the year Navy beats ND. I hope so.

48 posted on 07/16/2007 8:11:17 PM PDT by fkabuckeyesrule (I've been funny I've been cool with the lines ain't that they way loves supposed 2 be?)
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To: NittanyLion

Penn State is my darkhorse favorite to if they can get a few breaks to go udefeated and maybe play for the CS Championship.


49 posted on 07/16/2007 8:13:12 PM PDT by fkabuckeyesrule (I've been funny I've been cool with the lines ain't that they way loves supposed 2 be?)
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To: NittanyLion

Penn State is my darkhorse favorite to if they can get a few breaks to go udefeated and maybe play for the BCS Championship.


50 posted on 07/16/2007 8:13:24 PM PDT by fkabuckeyesrule (I've been funny I've been cool with the lines ain't that they way loves supposed 2 be?)
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To: Tall_Texan

I had to chuckle as I read your post. You really have the pattern down. some potential QBs have already left Notre Dame’s program before the season even started. I guess they would rather play than warm a bench. Notre Dame is always so over rated. Last year’s bowl game was so sad because another team deserved to be there but didn’t get to play because Notre Dame demolished the academies after all. The brilliant player at Notre Dame doesn’t fly. The schools all sort of lower their admissions for good athletes, even Notre Dame.


51 posted on 07/16/2007 8:14:53 PM PDT by No Fool 2
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To: GOP_Raider

So that’s why Leinart stayed for his senior season. LOL!


52 posted on 07/16/2007 8:14:59 PM PDT by fkabuckeyesrule (I've been funny I've been cool with the lines ain't that they way loves supposed 2 be?)
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To: GOP_Raider

They’ve had no major success since they walled-out Touchdown Jesus. As an Irish fan, I don’t have any problem with that.


53 posted on 07/16/2007 8:15:44 PM PDT by Petronski (imwithfred.com)
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To: GOP_Raider

Norte Dame

The NY Yankees and LA Lakers of NCAA football. You love them or hate them. No in between.

Get alot of undeserved media hype and attention.

Play a hand picked schedule and get’s a special pass into the BCS non sense.

And they suck.

There, I said my part.

Now Hook’em Horns!


54 posted on 07/16/2007 8:15:50 PM PDT by The South Texan (The Drive By Media is America's worst enemy and American people don't know it.)
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To: Petronski

ND Stadium doesn’t look the same with the extra section of seats blocking out Touchdown Jesus.


55 posted on 07/16/2007 8:22:31 PM PDT by GOP_Raider (Your one stop shop for all your useless information needs.)
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To: Hebrews 11:6

Just remember, you need SC and UM to spell scum.


56 posted on 07/16/2007 8:24:07 PM PDT by Natural Law
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To: GOP_Raider

It’s a terrible mistake.

If reason and faith ever coincide there again, two sections of that top row will be removed, so at least He’ll be visible from the center of the field, if not the hashmarks.


57 posted on 07/16/2007 8:24:45 PM PDT by Petronski (imwithfred.com)
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To: fkabuckeyesrule

Must have been a hard decision...well, in a manner of speaking.


58 posted on 07/16/2007 8:30:05 PM PDT by GOP_Raider (Your one stop shop for all your useless information needs.)
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To: Perdogg

I’ll be in partly cloudy Corvallis, Oregon that night for the Utah/Oregon St. game. This’ll be a fun season.


59 posted on 07/16/2007 8:39:16 PM PDT by GOP_Raider (Your one stop shop for all your useless information needs.)
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To: Natural Law

You’d know all about scum, I’m guessing. Anytime I’m curious about it, I’ll seek you out. Until then, I’ll just leave you to wallow in it.


60 posted on 07/16/2007 9:52:14 PM PDT by Hebrews 11:6 (Do you REALLY believe that (1) God is, and (2) God is good?)
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