2009 is the moment of truth for Irish fans, whether you realize it or not. This is the year we get to find out if Notre Dame is still truly relevant in today’s college football. Because if the Irish cannot win with the (experienced) roster it has right now-they will never be an elite program again.

Look at what the Irish would have to “overcome” to win less than 10 and not play in the BCS:

The most accurate pro-style quarterback they have ever had. That’s what Clausen is. He was a much better player than Brady Quinn comparing their first two years (better than #1 draft pick Matt Stafford too)-and this is the year he should really take off. The game should slow down for him, and he should pick apart defenses. He has already shown the uncanny accuracy and arm strength that would make most pros jealous, and putting it all together means he will be what Ron Powlus was supposed to be.

An offensive line with over 100 career starts, and a fresh coaching perspective. Notre Dame’s line should play, and play well. They’ve been put through the fire, and have come out alive (getting through 2007, and 2008). Most were highly-touted recruits (Sam Young was Florida player of the year), and are supposed to be talented. Latina was a respected line coach (note the was), and so is Verducci. If these guys can’t play as a cohesive unit after all their experiences, coaching tidbits and weight-training sessions, than Notre Dame is just incapable of getting good offensive lineman anymore.

2 wide receivers, and a tight end that have “NFL” written all over them. Tate, Floyd, and Rudolph will all play in the NFL. I have not seen an Irish offense with this amount of talent spread out over every position. Points should come in bunches.

Contrary to popular belief, Weis can coach. He has made mistakes in developing young talent. Nobody denies this. But he can “X And O” with the best of ‘em when that talent is ripe (as it is now). Hop in the DeLorean and go back to 2005 if you don’t believe me.

A defense that can run. Darrin Walls, Robert Blanton, and Harrison Smith are as athletic a secondary as there is. Ethan Johnson, Kapron Lewis-Moore, Steve Filer, Darius Fleming, and Manti Te’o give the Irish front 7 playmakers that they haven’t had in ages.

A schedule whose second toughest game is Michigan State. USC would scare any team. But after that? It has to be the Spartans. They always play ND tough. But good teams whip Sparty. Ohio State rolled them last year. Do you think Florida would be scared of Dantonio’s bunch? It is sad that ND has a schedule like this-and that it is actually worrisome.

So yes, it is now or never. ‘Cuz if they don’t win with all that is going for them, we will never be sure that good will happen. Not sure no matter how much “talent” is assembled, how easy the schedule is, or how respected the coaching staff is. It will always be “the next coach can get it done.” It will be a dog chasing its tail without end.

And that is the ugly truth.

Like, Joan Rivers Ugly