(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
College football's other Catholic university comes calling Saturday touting the second longest winning streak over Notre Dame, and for the 2009 football season to remain successful the streak must end.
High expectations and a perceived weak schedule met the Irish at the outset of the campaign, along with many years of pent-up aggravation. A pair of disappointing seasons, a terrible record to teams with a winning record, and long losing streaks to the two biggest rivals have fans on edge.
With the season's first half in then bag, the only two things that is certain is that the offense can score on anyone and that they must score to win.
The defense has not come around as quickly as the Irish faithful had hoped, and it has taken a weekly herculean effort by Heisman candidate Junior Quarterback Jimmy Clausen and the offense to pull the Irish to a 4-2 record.
What is more frustrating is that if the defense were at all better, so marginally better to prevent one more first down a game, Notre Dame could easily be 6-0.
Tough last-second losses at Michigan and home to USC typically would be easily palatable by Irish fans, but in a year where a perceived "soft" schedule had many predicting a 10 or 11 win finish losing two of the first six games has kept many on edge.
Critics say that the Weis era has yet to bring a signature win to South Bend. While I argue that they must be forgetting his second game, beating a ranked Michigan team at the Big House, I will agree that the 2005 Michigan win is one of the few that Notre Dame has recorded over a winning team under Weis.
Those critics love to remind us that the record against teams that finish the year ranked is staggeringly bad. Entering the season, Weis had posted a lowly 8-19 mark against teams that finished the year with a winning record while beating up on teams on the down side (19-2).
Saturday at home, in the finale of a three game series that this scribe believes will define this team, Weis and his Irish have a chance to begin change the perception of those critics.
The groundwork was laid a week ago when Notre Dame's third straight fourth quarter comeback fell just short. The same voices that usually lampooned Notre Dame lauded them for showing such toughness, and for showing that they have closed the talent gap enough to put the mighty USC on the ropes.
Weis himself should get some praise for coaching a great game. Those of us who have thrown harsh words at him need to tip a cap and credit him with a solid game plan, a well timed trick play, and making smart decisions in down, and distance.
Apart from a time management mess at the end of the game that probably cost the Irish a last crack at evening the score, it was apparent that the primary difference between USC and Notre Dame was speed on the defensive line.
Close, but not quite.
To guard against a post-USC let down, Weis needs to remind his players what is at stake. He must remind them that this schedule is not a cake-walk as many predicted.
Boston College, thought to be a hot mess when the season began, enters the contest 5-2 and atop the ACC. A week ago they pounded North Carolina State 52-20, and are almost certainly going to finish above .500 and in a bowl game.
A win over the Eagles fulfills several needs for the Irish program. It gains them a win over a rival, snaps a lengthy losing streak, and earns a win over a team with a winning record. A win over BC is also necessary to allow the Irish a chance to end the season where they were expected to.
A New Years Day or BCS bowl game, and a Top-25 ranking.
Following the BC tilt, the Irish have their weakest contest of the year meeting Washington State in San Antonio. The Cougars will represent the last team on the Irish schedule that currently holds a losing records.
Following the "home" game in Texas, Notre Dame welcomes the 5-2 Naval Academy who nearly upset Ohio State.
After Navy, the Irish head to Heinz Field to take on the 6-1 No. 20 Pittsburgh Panthers in what should be the second most talented opponent the Irish will face this year.
Notre Dame then hosts the 4-2 Connecticut Huskies who will be playing for a fallen teammate.
The Irish end the season on the West Coast where they meet the scrappy 4-3 Stanford Cardinal.
A loss to the Eagles on Saturday puts the Irish in peril. With tough road games against two solid opponents left on the schedule, and already suffering two losses, a loss to Boston College opens up every barely healed wound on Irish hearts.
Questions will intensify regarding the coach, the program's direction, and the return of offensive stars Golden Tate and Jimmy Clausen who are each climbing up many first round draft boards.
Excitement regarding the massive offensive out-put will be clouded in doubt about the future of this program.
On the other hand...
A win over the Eagles confirms that the Irish are indeed a talented bunch, that despite some weaknesses on defense, can hang with anyone. It shows that Notre Dame is headed in the right direction, and stops at least one rivalry losing streak.
Beating Boston College can propel the Irish through the rest of the season. It can serve to bolster their confidence in themselves and allow them to play with passion to win, rather than fear of losing.
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