Another week down, and for the first time, an easy win! (Ribbon cuttings, champagne poppings, trumpet blarings, bras falling off, and Hallelujahs being shouted in the background.) No sure what there is to take from playing WSU, but the Irish did what they needed to do against a bad team. Anyway, here’s what I saw this week. Do you agree, or do I need my contact prescription adjusted?

Did you see: That Golden Tate is the most dangerous receiver in the nation? Still can’t get over that Hail Mary to end the half. You will never see a better catch. Ever. Tate is the only receiver in the nation that you can say, “Got a new play for the playbook, he’ just gonna run straight down the field when the coverage is playing prevent, get covered by 3 or 4 guys, but we’ll still throw it to him anyway”-and think that the new play is a good idea. Unbelievable.

Did you see: That Jimmy Clausen is in complete control of everything he is doing? It used to be almost catastrophic for the Irish and their fans when Jimmy got a little pressure. Like Edward Scissorhands being a masseuse at the Sonya Dakar Skin Clinic catastrophe. (Look out, Gwyneth Paltrow!) But now, he just steps up, keeps the play alive with his feet, and delivers a touchdown pass to Duval Kamara in the back of the endzone on his 3rd read.

Did you see: That Robert Hughes has finally gotten tough? Better late than never to run like a big back. The kid has been running harder that ever all year, and was rewarded against the Cougars with a 24 carry, 131 yard performance, where he spent the evening trucking numerous Wazzu defenders. I hear the worry is that WSU trainers will run out of SpongeBob SquarePants Band Aids this week to cover the various bumps and bruises caused by Mr. Hughes.

Did you see: That the Irish have plenty of speed in their front 7? Kapron Lewis-Moore, Kerry Neal, Darius Fleming, Steve Filer, and Manti Te’o all ran people down, and made plays from sideline to sideline. The speed looks promising for the future, but they will all have to improve their technique, and how they shed blocks when engaged by an opposing player (better players, at that) to make this a truly formidable defense in the future.

Did you see: That the secondary coverage still needs work? I like the move of Kyle McCarthy to deep safety, and have been pleasantly surprised by the play of Gary Gray. But, the team was just a badly underthrown ball away from Robert Blanton giving up a 99 yard touchdown pass. Just can’t do that.

Navy is up next, and they will be a tough out. The Irish need to keep getting better to be ready for Pitt.

What did you see, and what do you think is on the horizon for the Irish?

December 24, 2008. The Irish are finally back in the bowl winning circle. It just took nearly as long as it did for those American Pie kids to lose their virginity (or at least have sex with a pie out of desperation)!

The Good

A bowl win. Nuff said.

Jimmy Clausen was Superman. Every pass he threw was spot on, as he set records for completion percentage (84.6%), yards (401), and touchdown passes (5). He also saved 2 kids from drowning, and used his X-Ray vision to look under at least 5 hula girls grass skirts.

Golden Tate burned the soles off his shoes. Sorry Adidas, your shoes are not strong enough to contain the power of those legs churning as Tate blows by another defender.

Armando Allen makes Frank Beamer proud. A special teams touchdown? Yep, it happened. Allen shows he can house it.

49 points. Not sure that the Irish scored that much all season. It was nice to see Notre Dame’s skill guys show what they can do if given the opportunity.

The Bad

Still no running game. One of these days, the Irish will be able to average 3 yards a carry (I think).

The Ugly

For the first time ever…no ugly!

Let’s see what a bowl victory means for next year.

The yearly spanking by USC was administered last night. 38-3. And it could’ve been worse. It was as if Pa let up with his leather belt, and got the last few whacks in with his bare hand instead. The Domers still can’t sit down yet, but should be able to do so tomorrow.

The Good
The USC song girls have some hotness about them. If the CW network has a show searching for the next Pussy Cat Doll, they could certainly do one for the Song Girls. It’d be on my DVR.

The Bad
I watched the game at BW3’s and looking at the Song Girls caused me to drop some barbecue sauce on my jeans. It was terrible.

The Ugly
The worst I have ever seen the Irish offense look. No first downs until the end of the 3rd, and under 100 yards of total offense. There is a distinct possibility that Weis went the Pete Rose route and bet that the Irish wouldn’t beat the spread.

Jimmy Clausen throwing the ball into the ground (again and again) kinda reminded me of a dog marking his territory.

Flowers and Candy sent to the ND offensive line by the Trojan defenders. Just to say “thank you” for all of the easy hits and yardage lost.

Where’s the Skill? Wendy’s asked Where’s the beef? in the 80’s. Substitute one word for another, and the question can be asked of the Irish today. Notre Dame is light years away from being a contender.

Can anyone help Notre Dame? Weis has worked hard to restore Note Dame and it looks like he has failed. Does he get another chance, or does somebody else get a shot? Does it matter who?