Notre Dame encounters more trouble at Purdue
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by Behbigben15
It must really suck to be ND Head Coach, Charlie Weis, who never should have left NE. ND has some big problems, mainly at the QB position, but either way they are 0-5. After losing 33-19 against the now 5-0 Purdue Boilermakers. On a day when the ND QB(s) played solid, and the offense only gives the ball up twice (as compared to their average of 3 TO's a game in their previous 4 games), the ND defense gives up 33 points. Although, Purdue is an undefeated team, ND still should have won this game, the Fighting Irish will have tough games in the next three weeks (at UCLA, v.s. #12 Boston College, v.s. #1 USC). Don't be surprised if the Irish start the season 0-8, I don't see ND easily beating any of the teams left on their schedule, every game will have to be a well-played game, the WHOLE entire game.
Weis has a big QB problem. He has yet to decide on a true number 1 QB, Weis has only had one QB play a game through its entirety once so far this season, and that was week 2, when freshman QB Jimmy Clausen went 17 for 32, for 144 yards, and 1 INT in a 31-10 loss at Penn State. ND QB's have gone 56 for 96, for 445 passing yards, with 0 TD's, and 3 INT's before today's game against Purdue. That doesn't sound too bad, but when you have guys that struggle to lead your team down the field, and get into the end zone, then you've got a big problem. Today, Weis played Clausen, and Junior QB Evan Sharpley. Sharpley and Clausen helped the Fighting Irish offense get their first TD through the air (plus number two, and three on the season), but that wasn't enough, as the ND defense gave up 33 points to Curtis Painter, and his Boilermaker offense. Purdue Halfback, Kory Sheets, also had a big day, as he rushed for 141 yards and 1 TD.
I think Weis should go with Evan Sharpley as his starter. Sharpley has more experience, and so far has a better completion percentage, QB Rating, YPA, and TD's, as well as less INT's. All of those stats tell me that Sharpley is more deserving of the starting job, Clausen can't just come in as a freshman, and be the starter, especially if Sharpley is doing better than him. If Weis wants to improve, he's got to go with Sharpley.
QB's aren't Weis's only problem, the running game is also slacking. The Backs, and Recievers have gained just 269 yards on the ground, with an average of 53.8 Yds per game. The Defense is ND's is another big weakness, there is no way your'e going to win games when your'e offense is averageing just 9.2 points per game, and your defense is giving up an average of 33.2 points. So far this season, ND hasn't held an offense under 30 points, (33, 31, 38, 31, 33). This defense is embarrassing, they have already given up 1,056 rushing yards (211.2 PG), and 729 passing yards (145.8). This rushing defense needs to get better if they plan on staying in the next few games. It is pretty bad when your defense only forces 9 turnovers in 5 games, with an offense like this, you have got to force 2+ TO's per game.
All in all, this team has alot of improving to do, and I really think that if the Fighting Irish loses to many more games, then Charlie Weis's coaching job will certainly be in jeopardy. I expect ND to lose their first 8 games, and maybe be in danger of going 0-9 agasint Navy if Clausen stay's the starter.
