Another week down, another reason to purchase some Just For Men to rid myself of Fighting Irish-induced gray hair follicles. It’s a few days after BC, and I just finished my last piece of Nicorette to quit smoking (after picking up this nervous habit for the first time during the game). Anyway, here’s what I saw this week. Do you agree, or do I need my contact prescription adjusted?

Did you see: That Jimmy Clausen is the best pro-style quarterback in college football? If there is anyone out there who still thinks that Clausen is all hype, they probably believe that you also need to drink 10 glasses of water a day to avoid being “chronically dehydrated“. Clausen has the best combo (in the nation) of the tools needed to succeed as a top-flight pocket passer: accuracy, intelligence, arm strength, toughness, and just enough mobility. He showed another trait against BC-patience. He took what the defense gave him, and did not try to force any throws (which he did last year versus BC-to the tune of 4 interceptions) that could have cost the game. He has the talent, and now he has the know-how to be an upper-echelon quarterback. Simply put, there is no better quarterback a team could have at the helm.

Did you see: That Manti Te’o is becoming a force? He led the team in tackles (9), and had 2.5 tackles for loss. He showed his artistic side by impersonating former BC D-lineman B.J. Raji (Frank Caliendo and his Madden impersonation have nothing on Manti), and running right over opposing offensive lineman. On another play, he stuffed a screen pass that would have gone for about 40 yards on any other Weis era defense (he was the only Irish defender there). With his talent, Irish fans can actually hope that this defense will improve.

Did you see: That defenses don’t know what to do against Golden Tate? His 3rd straight 100 yard receiving game. Another multiple touchdown game. Another huge play on the go-ahead touchdown catch. Hey Mr. businessman, you’ve heard of the 80/20 rule, right? Well, it also applies to Golden, because the Irish get a huge portion of big plays from a guy that only gets to touch the ball a small portion of the offensive snaps.

Did you see: Better coverage by the corners, but not the safeties? Gary Gray and Robert Blanton contested quarterback throws as well as the Irish have done all season. There got it done with pass-breakups, and tight coverage. But, the middle of the field killed Notre Dame, and too many big pass plays were still given up (10 completions of 20+yards).

Did you see: That Armando Allen should get more carries? Just good things happen when he has the ball in his hands (it’s sorta like Martha Stewart with household tips). He’s gonna get the yards. As much as I like Weis having Clausen chuck it all over the place, it wouldn’t be bad to get Allen more carries and help keep the running game in a groove.

On to Washington State next week. If the Irish can’t win big against them, it will never happen. They need to keep winning, get better play from the defense, see what happens with Michael Floyd, and maybe this Irish team can be as dangerous as anyone by season’s end.

A look at the games, players, plays, surprises, and disappointments that have made up the first half of the Irish season. (Brought to you by our sponsors.)

GAMES

It’ A Good Day To Be Irish (best win):

The Washington game. Non-stop excitement and big plays (Tate with a 60+ yard reception and and 70+ year reception.) throughout the contest. Steady rain to up the danger quotient (turnover at any moment). A questionable 2 point conversion in the Irish’s favor that made the Bush Push look innocent by comparison. And, I don’t recall the Irish ever actually winning in overtime.

“Reach For Another” Guinness (Toughest loss).

The USC game. Almost saw some Irish magic that would make Rudy proud. Almost a comeback to remember forever (granted, with some help from boneheaded USC penalties). The Irish offense showed what they are capable of (man, I can’t wait for Floyd to come back) and it was awesome to behold. If only the defense could make some plays. Just four more yards.

PLAYERS

Universal Music Group Presents “The U2 (I can’t live) With Or Without You Award”:

Jimmy Clausen. This isn’t even up for debate. Clausen is the best pro-style quarterback in the nation. His arm is able and his passes are pristine, and the offense hums when he is at the helm. Without him, the Irish are 1-5, and haven’t won since Sept 5th. But, having him do so much to win also makes us realize how fragile the Irish are. (Hence, the hard to live with part.)

The Viagra “Mr. Excitement” Award:

Golden Tate. The nation’s best big-play receiver. 17.5 yards per catch (41 rec, 719yds, 6tds). A touchdown waiting to happen. The Mr. Miyagi of the go route. When Clausen throws the ball on a deep route to #23, you know it is going to result in something good for the Irish.

The “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” biggest surprise:

Armando Allen. He is showing the ability to be a top-flight college running back. He has always had the quickness, but his explosiveness and power have been a revelation this year. He simply does not go down on the first tackle anymore, and always gains a few extra yards.

The Gillette “Best A Man Can Get” Award:

Michael Floyd. Even with Tate, an uninjured Floyd may be the Irish’s best player. He certainly projects to the pros the best, and is an almost certain 1st round draft pick.

PLAYS

The Ford “Keep On Truckin” Award:

Robert Hughes. The aforementioned 2 point conversion against Washington may be the single greatest effort I have seen in a football play.

The Wrigley’s Doublemint “Double Dose Of Take That!” Award:

Golden Tate shows up Taylor Mays. First he scores the first receiving touchdown of the year against the Trojans on a streak running by Pinkard that Mays could not get over for in time to stop. Then, Tate catches a slant for a touchdown, and Mays bounces right off of him like a basketball when he tried to lower the boom. Keep in mind that Mays is 8 feet tall, 300lbs, covers from hash mark to hash mark in single bound, and is the reason that coffee is Washington’s most popular drink. You see, Mays went to high school in Washington, and someone had to invent a highly-caffeinated beverage so defensive coaches could stay up all night diagramming plays that might actually get by him. All that, and Golden just worked him.

DISAPPOINTMENT

The Wendy’s “Where’s The Defense?” Award:

The entire secondary. Just too many big plays against. The front 7 isn’t great, but problems were expected there. The defensive backs are a group of quite a few Rivals 100 guys (Walls, McNeil, Gray) that the Irish coaches appear afraid to pit against opposing receivers. Not good.

There is probably nothing that Notre Dame fans hate more than losing to Boston College. (Just like there is nothing ND fans enjoy more than beating USC.) This is because BC wants to be what Notre Dame is (the preeminent Catholic university in America), and it’s fans constantly compare their school to Notre Dame, trying to play a game of One-upmanship. To make matters worse, BC has been the better Catholic university on the field for quite awhile now. They ruined Domer dreams in ‘93 and ‘02, and currently have a 6 game win streak going against the Irish.

Needless to say it is time for Charlie and co. to stop the bleeding, and Notre Dame needs to put BC in its place (beneath the Irish).

‘Cuz there is nothing worse than hearing a BC fan gloat. Not even these:

5.) Watchin’ “McLovin” get the girl. So, you’re a decent-looking guy, with an above-average personality, topped off with a steady job, but you’re pushing thirty and your most recent “date night” consisted of watching 2 consecutive hours of the latest Girls Gone Wild dvds (that you ordered on your last “date night” of watching Ralphie May all night on Comedy Central), and you see that the nerd from Superbad goes home with a girl like this? Really? The point: Forget every good thing you have ever done, and all the hard work you have put in to have financial stability and a successful life, and just try to land a bit role in a comedy to become moderately famous. Then, everything will work out.

4.) Moving to a new house. As George Carlin said, “gotta find a bigger place for all my stuff.” The problem is you need an extra hand so you call your good friend(s) and it goes something like this:

You: Hey buddy, I’m gonna move pretty soon and could use a hand.
Him: Man, I’d really like to, but I’m busy that day.
You: Umm…I didn’t even telly you what day I’m doing it.
Him: Yeah, like I said, I’m busy Saturday.
You: But…I… didn’t say…

Have fun with that damn washer.

3.) Seeing a guy with extreme back hair at the pool/beach. So, what’s so good about all this Lasik 20/20 vision talk?

2.) Rush hour traffic. It can literally make you want to take the life of another human being.

1.) Being forced to watch Sacha Baron Cohen’s Bruno again. I love the comedian. I love Borat. But, after Bruno, I can’t even look at my own penis when I take a whiz at work-I’m afraid it will talk to me.