Another tough and disappointing year for the Irish on the field this year, as we saw them limp to another .500 finish. Next year is a new year, and the energy of every Irish fan is currently being directed toward the hope for a revival under Brian Kelly (He took UC to #3 people!), but for now, here are some thoughts on the season that was.

10.) Weis got thrashed a lot for not living up to his “decided schematic advantage” comments on a yearly basis, and for what its worth, the Irish offense never seemed particularly creative. But, as for this year, if you had Golden Tate and Michael Floyd on the outside, wouldn’t you be tempted to throw bombs and fades on every play too?

9.) Armando Allen, this is the first year I liked you as a running back. Way to run tough and break some tackles.

8.) If the NFL ever falls through for him, Jimmy Clausen would make one hell of a sniper on some special forces unit. CNN Headline: “Another terrorist leader goes down mysteriously with a football right between the eyes.”

7.) Before you think that all of Notre Dame’s problems come down to coaching the last 15 years, realize that the elite schools have multiple players with Manti Te’o’s skill set on their defense every year. (I think USC’s entire 2008 defense will play in the NFL.)

6.) Can’t field a championship defense when 3* and lightly recruited Brian Smith is widely considered to be your best defender. This isn’t to say that some lightly regarded recruits can’t turn into studs, but do you think that the Irish coaches could have gotten anything more out of Smith?

5.) Not sure if I enjoyed anything more than watching human wrecking-ball Taylor Mays being swatted off of Golden Tate as if he were a pesky fly.

4.) Michael Floyd, drink some milk in the offseason, I want you to be healthy for the entirety of your third and final season before you go pro.

3.) Nothing says “under performance” like losing to Navy (for the second time).

2.) Notre Dame defenders found it more difficult to tackle anybody than gay people find it is to respect celebrity blogger Perez Hilton (and he’s one of their own).

1.) Charlie, thanks for trying.