Tomorrow the Irish unfortunately play a game that is quite possibly the least anticipated game in recent memory. The game is nothing more than an afterthought at this point, with the current coaching administration seemingly on its way out. The game versus UConn is supposed to be a solid November matchup that is meaningful for bowl aspirations and for seniors (its senior day). Unfortunately the game has lost all luster because most fans don't see anything new or exciting come from the Weis coaching staff in game 61 as we've come to fear in the first 60 iterations.
Instead of a game preview, here's a different take on the game tomorrow. Being senior day, there have been some good writeups like this one about the current senior class - Weis's first full recruiting class that he signed in February of 2006. This 28 man class was the class that got the recruiting train rolling for Weis, with the class finishing as the #8 ranked class in the nation. This class marked the beginning of what was going to be the journey towards the return to national top 10. Unfortunately, the class did more for our hopes than it did on the field. The 2006 recruiting class embodies the Weis era in a lot of ways. Each started out with success and was instantly a symbol of the continuous improvement that was surely ahead. Being ranked #8 as a recruiting class, the sentiment was that these guys would lay the foundation for the future, and Weis would recruit even better once he built upon this foundation. Just like for Weis, the promise of this class slowly started to erode. An astounding number of players transfered - 10 - including the loss of 5 four star players (interestingly enough, one 4 star player will be suiting up as the starting QB for Connecticut, Zach Frazier, who lost out to Jimmy Clausen in 2007). Great article covering this class in the Chicago Tribune by Brian Hamilton, here.
Just like the 2006 recruiting class, can't blame everything on Coach Weis. Ultimately he will take the blame - because he is the coach and the "buck stops there". But certainly Weis was handed a top heavy roster that collapsed in 2007 and 2008, based on the lack of recruiting by his predecessor. The 2006 class was mostly good kids that loved Notre Dame - mostly honest and hard working, - just like Coach Weis. The class and coach that were supposed to be the savior are not terrible failures, but I'd prefer to view each as honest efforts that came up short. Sure, thats going soft on them. But the damage has been done - do we really need to keep pointing the finger, dancing over their grave? On senior day, these 2006 class seniors deserve their senior day; Lord knows they have been through a wild 4 years. Just like Weis, they deserve to leave with dignity, not indignation.
I hope the Irish kick UConn's ass tomorrow - and play their best game of the season. However, as much as I want to see Weis and these seniors leave on a decent high note, I cannot bring myself to expect a breakthrough performance for Weis in game 60, or these seniors in game 48. Prediction:
Notre Dame 27 UConn 24
(Vatican Smoke record straight up picking the Irish games is 7-3 on the season; 6-4 against the spread)
No comments:
Post a Comment