Lou Holtz: The Myopic Domer Homer

I had an opportunity to watch College Game Day Live today.

On the show, they had Lou Holtz on the phone to discuss the Fighting Irish and their prospects for the upcoming season.

Lou said all the right things if you are a Notre Dame fan. He talked about how the Irish are returning so many starters, how talented Golden Tate and company are, and how Jimmy Clausen has made such great strides and will be back for his third year.

All these things are true.

I, for one, also believe the Fighting Irish will show a marked improvement this year.

The schedule is favorable with many teams who will face the Irish either struggling or anticipated to struggle.

Coach Holtz mentioned the questions surrounding USC and ventured his opinion that this game also will result in an Irish “W.”

As a Trojan fan, I respectfully disagree, but that is not the point of this article.

After enumerating the many reasons that compelled him (Holtz) to suggest a dramatic turnaround for Notre Dame, the wily, old coach went and did it again.

He stuck his foot in his mouth.

When asked how he thought the Irish would wind up, Holtz said if they beat USC, they will play Florida for the national championship.

Boom–all the credibility, out the window.

First of all, if the schedule is so weak that it ensures a favorable season for Notre Dame, then it is too easy to get them to the national championship.

In addition, if the Fighting Irish can win the minimum 11 games it will take to be considered —and this is a big "if"—they will have to win in such dramatic fashion that it will sway those in the Harris poll that Notre Dame is good enough to play in the title game.

Someone needs to remind Coach Holtz what Notre Dame's record was last season.

Holtz expects a big turnaround. "Turnaround" is a mild term to describe what Holtz assumes will take place.

This is more like a Vatican-qualified miracle.

Lou Holtz was a great coach, motivator, and recruiter.

As an analyst, he leaves a bit to be desired, and as a prognosticator he has no credibility.

Last year, Holtz embarrassed himself by claiming that the Irish would win at least nine games.

They won six and barely qualified for a bowl.

The year before they went 3-9.

Coach Holtz also had them going to a bowl game that year too. Oops.

Lou Holtz deserves a place in both the college football and Notre Dame Hall of Fame. He was an excellent coach and is an icon in the annals of college football .

As a prognosticator, however, he should just turn and run every time someone asks his opinion.