Tony Pike Proves My Point About Jimmy Clausen

The place was Pittsburgh. The conditions were brutal as snow was falling like it had been all game long. Pittsburgh had just taken the lead over Cincinnati with only 1:30 left in the game. However, Panther fans were still holding their collective breaths. That is because of a missed extra point that kept the lead to six points and not seven.

Fan knew that one point was huge because 1:30 is more than enough time for a great quarterback. For the day Tony Pike had an up and down game. He had overcome three interceptions to throw two touchdown passes already. The offense had already produced 38 points. Certainly the loss wouldn't have been Pike's fault if the Bearcats failed to score.

However, Pike did what great players do with the game on the line. He produced. Pittsburgh brought the house at him but Pike was able to evade the rush and find his recievers. The drive ended with Pike hitting Armon Binns on a deep out for the touchdown. With the extra point that followed, Cincinnati clinched a Big East title.

Nobody was surprised that Pike was able to deliver one more time despite having to do it all day and all season. The Bearcat's defense had let them down at times and Pike was asked to do all he could and more. Each week he delivered. That is what great quarterbacks do.

Now lets look at Jimmy Clausen. There is no doubt he had a phenomenal statistical year. He also played his heart out all year. He did all he could for Notre Dame and there is no way you can blame Clausen for the six losses.

There is a difference though between Pike and Clausen. Clausen did all he could. Pike did all he could and more. The "and more" part is the difference between a really good quarterback and a great quarterback.

Watching Notre Dame each week was hard on the heart. It was exciting and frustrating at the same time. Clausen made great throws and Golden Tate made great catches. In 10 of 12 games the game was a nail biter. It was only against Nevada and Washington State that the games were blowouts.

In all the other games, the difference was a touchdown or less. In all 10 of those games, the ball was in Clausen's hands with the game on the line.

It started at Michigan. Clausen had a phenomenal day. However, with a minute to go in the game he missed Golden Tate on a play that would have got a first down and sealed a victory. Instead Michigan got the ball and true freshman Tate Forcier led the Wolverines to victory.

The next three weeks featured three more close games against Michigan State, Purdue, and Washington. In those games Clausen was the man and led his team to victory. In these games he produced with the game on the line.

After a bye, USC came to South Bend. The Trojans established a big lead in the third quarter. Clausen once again played his heart out and led the Irish back. Clausen had three chances to get the Fighting Irish into the endzone to get the victory. This time he failed.

Then came Boston College and in another close game, Clausen hit Tate in the closing minutes to get the victory. Then came the massacre at the Alamo. At that point Notre Dame was 6-2 and things were looking great.

Then it happened. There were four games left and the opponents were Navy, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, and Stanford. These games seemed to have a familiar theme. The offense was putting up good numbers and scoring points but the defense could stop nobody.

Clausen would be phenomenal for three and half quarters. However, it was that last half of the fourth quarters in which Clausen failed to produce. He would either get sacked or be hurried on the throw. While those conditions are not his fault a great quarterback finds a way to overcome them and produce when the game is on the line.

The conditions Clausen had were no different that Pike faced last Saturday. Yet Pike still found a way to come through.

While Clausen can't be blamed for the losses, he also can't be called a great quarterback. To be fair, Clausen faced the situation of having the ball in his hands with the game on the line way more than Pike did. However, he succeeded four times and failed 6 times.

Does a great quarterback fail 60% of the time? Everybody knows the answer to that. Again, Clausen is not at fault for the team losing. Just don't say he was a great quarterback.

On Monday, Clausen announced that he would be entering the NFL draft as many expected. Looking at his skill set, it seems he is more fit for the professional game than he is for college. He has a great arm and incredible accuracy on the deep ball. His lack of mobility is less of an issue since he has professionals protecting him.

He can be great in the NFL if he goes to the right situation. At Notre Dame, he was very good but he can't be called a great college quarterback.

Good Luck Jimmy and Thank You.

This article is also posted on http://fightingirishgameday.com/