Notre Dame (football only discussion)

[Zurp]

Heard on ESPN Radio that Weis has announced the freshman guy will start against Penn State. Jimmy Clausen - is that his name? Anyway, it was Colin Cowherd saying that he'll start - so he may be making it up.

['BusNative]

Originally Posted by Zurp

Heard on ESPN Radio that Weis has announced the freshman guy will start against Penn State. Jimmy Clausen - is that his name? Anyway, it was Colin Cowherd saying that he'll start - so he may be making it up.

Confirmed

ESPN - Freshman Clausen to start at QB for Notre Dame - College Football

[BuckeyeMike80]

Originally Posted by 'BusNative

Confirmed

ESPN - Freshman Clausen to start at QB for Notre Dame - College Football

And right now they are smiling at Penn State....

[ulukinatme]

I think Penn State would be smiling no matter who would be playing at QB for ND this week. Evan Sharpley accounted for 7/9 sacks in the GT game. Part of this can be attributed to the poor offensive line play and the inability to pick up the blitz, at the same time Sharpley doesn't have the same elusiveness Brady had at times. Demetrius Jones was able to get away from the pressure at times, but he also couldn't hold onto the football. Clausen is talented, but as green as they come at the college level, so Penn State's defense is going to really challenge him.
If this wasn't enough you know PSU is gonna be looking for revenge after the embarrassment in South Bend last year.

[Jaxbuck]

Originally Posted by Zurp

Heard on ESPN Radio that Weis has announced the freshman guy will start against Penn State. Jimmy Clausen - is that his name? Anyway, it was Colin Cowherd saying that he'll start - so he may be making it up.

Well seeing as he burned his RS for a few snaps in a hopeless blowout, thats about all CW can do at this point.

That kid is going to get abused. This will illustrate very clearly why CW isn't a college coach imo. Claussen is not only going to take a beating from opponents, he's going to be treated by his own coach like Parcells would treat a veteran NFL player. Not to mention ND nation if it goes as badly as it looks like it could.

Good luck kid, your going to need it.

[Thump]

Good move on Charlie's part.

This season is a wash, might as well let the kid take his lumps now.

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Originally Posted by Thump

Good move on Charlie's part.

This season is a wash, might as well let the kid take his lumps now.

And he will take many lumps....

[Thump]

Originally Posted by Buckeyeskickbuttocks

And he will take many lumps....

Yes he will.

[Zurp]

Originally Posted by Jaxbuck

Well seeing as he burned his RS for a few snaps in a hopeless blowout, thats about all CW can do at this point.

That kid is going to get abused. This will illustrate very clearly why CW isn't a college coach imo. Claussen is not only going to take a beating from opponents, he's going to be treated by his own coach like Parcells would treat a veteran NFL player. Not to mention ND nation if it goes as badly as it looks like it could.

Good luck kid, your going to need it.

I don't think anyone expected Clausen to be red-shirted. With the hype I've heard, he wouldn't stick around for a fifth season, anyway, so why red-shirt him?

But you're right about him getting abused. Unless he's a big guy or can otherwise take a good beating, I don't see what the point is in starting him at this point. But who knows? If Notre Dame comes away with a win, I'll have to admit that Weis is smarter than I give him credit for.

[BuckTwenty]

I'm taking this as Weis's chance to help deflect some of the blame for not making a bowl game this year and giving his future star quarterback a ton of reps through a trial by fire. By Weis's thinking, Brady did it and he turned out just fine, right?

Genius.

[OCBucksFan]

Originally Posted by Zurp

Heard on ESPN Radio that Weis has announced the freshman guy will start against Penn State. Jimmy Clausen - is that his name? Anyway, it was Colin Cowherd saying that he'll start - so he may be making it up.

Well, Clausen did seem to be the most consistent of the three QBs, might as well get the kid out and let him learn the ropes. If Charlie goes 5 and 7 this year losing on an average of 30 points though this kid's life will be hell.

[sandgk]

Excellent write-up in the San Jose Mercury News - Jon Wilmer Wasn't he one of the questionable poll voters last year?

Projects a 7 or 8 game losing streak to begin the season.

And that headline, folks — that headline is no joke.
The first two-thirds of Notre Dame’s schedule is brutal — it would be brutal for a good team. And Notre Dame is not a good team.
The opener, at home, against Georgia Tech, was supposed to be one if the easiest games — maybe THE easiest — of their September. Instead it was 33-3.

So what’s coming for the Irish?
This week: at No. 17 Penn State (wipeout)
Next week: at Michigan (worse than App State but better than Notre Dame, possible wipeout).
Then: Michigan State (which has beaten far better Irish teams than this one)
Then: Purdue (experienced and underrated)
Then: at No. 14 UCLA (possible wipeout)
Then: Boston College (always wins in South Bend, and a good team)
Then: No. 1 USC (massive wipeout)
At this point, the Irish would be fortunate to escape that eight-game gauntlet with two wins, but I could also see 1-7 or even 0-8.

His "Winners & Losers" section is also pretty funny.

[Oneshot]

Originally Posted by Zurp

I don't think anyone expected Clausen to be red-shirted. With the hype I've heard, he wouldn't stick around for a fifth season, anyway, so why red-shirt him?

But you're right about him getting abused. Unless he's a big guy or can otherwise take a good beating, I don't see what the point is in starting him at this point. But who knows? If Notre Dame comes away with a win, I'll have to admit that Weis is smarter than I give him credit for.

He cannot take a hit. He cannot take a hit. The guy was sacked in the SINGLE DIGITS in his high school CAREER.

[Buckeye86]

So much for not throwing your quarterbacks to the wolves (his justification for not naming a starter last week). Apparently Charlie thinks that members of the media can cause more damage to Clausen than opposing defenses. Genius!

[Bucklion]

Charlie had better hope Claussen is tougher than belt leather...make that Weis' belt leather...beacuse he'll never live it down if he sticks that freshman in there against an A-level defense and he gets hurt playing behind what is obviously a D-level offensive line.