Charlie Weis Predicts 9-12 Wins: It's Not Happening

Blue and Gold Illustrated reports that Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis is "privately projecting anywhere from nine to 12 victories this year."

I could spend the whole article analyzing Notre Dame's schedule, but let's cut to the chase. Notre Dame is coming off a 3-9 season. Even if Jimmy Claussen is healthy, even if the O-Line improves, and even if what went wrong last year (everything) is improved, this is not a 9-12 win season.

It's a seven win team. At best.

I'm sure Notre Dame homers will cry foul, but they should hope for seven. Because less than that will heat up Weis' seat big time.

Notre Dame has never won more than 10 games since 1993 (11), which was under Lou Holtz (Coincidentally, it was the last season Notre Dame won a bowl game).

Even with a Senior laden team in 2006 that included Brady Quinn, Jeff Samardzija, Tom Zbikowski, and Victor Abiamiri, Notre Dame won "only" 10 games.

So to predict 9-12 wins coming off the train-wreck that was last season takes a lot of guts.

It's too bad it's not realistic.

Listen, I have no problem with a coach predicting a near perfect season for his team at athletic banquets, what the heck is he supposed to say? They are going to lose nine again? The boosters need to be kept happy.

But the fact of the matter is, Irish fans shouldn't get their hopes up. They do play some cupcakes (San Diego State, North Carolina, Stanford, Washington, and Navy) but don't expect this team to reach a New Year's Day bowl game.

If the Irish win seven or even eight games, they should be very happy with their season. Just don't expect them to enter the L.A. Coliseum on November 29th with a 11-0 record.