Notre Dame Is Improving Like Alabama, but without Notice

Last year the recruiting war came down to Alabama and Notre Dame. In the end, Alabama nosed out the Irish for the No. 1 spot, but oh so closely.

The Crimson Tide wasted no time putting the new recruits to use this season, with as many as 15 of them seeing important playing time and making valuable contributions. 

In one season, the Tide went from a 6-6 regular season record to finishing the regular season this year, in all likelihood, 12-0. They did so by having to rely on many of those great recruits to fill the holes in the lineup.

As recruiting season is coming into play again this year, it is important to look back and see what impact recruiting has had at other schools. As an Alabama fan, I think Notre Dame is usually an over-hyped media darling that is unworthy of the ink it draws.

But if Alabama did so much with its big recruiting class, we should look at what Notre Dame has done as well. You have to give Weis some credit here. 

Last year the Irish were 3-9; this year they may wind up 7-5. They may more than double their output, similar to what Alabama did, so why isn't that fact being played up in the press? 

I guess there's little glory in improving to 7-5. Most think coach Charlie Weis may have done that little without a great signing class, but, like Alabama, some of Notre Dame's rookies have added some needed depth.

Granted, Notre Dame had nowhere to go but up and, while the fans still are not happy with a 7-5 regular-season record, the team is bowl eligible and showing signs that the rebuilding project is heading in the right direction. 

For years Tennessee had great recruiting classes and landed more players in the NFL than most college teams, yet had little to show for it overall. Squandering such talent did not go unnoticed with the powers that be in that school or among the recruits who wanted to be part of a winner. 

As a result, Phillip Fulmer, head coach of Tennessee, is gone after this season despite a lengthy contract remaining in effect.

Weis should take notice. Notre Dame is no more forgiving for a coach than any other school—just ask Ty Willingham. 

With another slate of recruits coming in next year, Weis must continue to show improvement to the point where his team becomes relevant again and not just a team that screws a more deserving one out of a good bowl with its "sweetheart" bowl agreement.

I believe Weis will show a little more improvement, but not the kind and not as much as Notre Dame expects. I believe, in a few years, Weis will be gone. But until I am proven wrong, let's give him a little credit for the quality recruits he's brought in and the improved results this year.