[NBC Notre Dame News]

Weis' tough talk rings hollow

In Charlie Weis' very first season at the helm for Notre Dame, the Irish came excruciatingly close to beating USC in South Bend. But the famous "Bush Push" play that saw Matt Leinart score the winning touchdown in 2005 foiled the Irish, 34-31.

Since then, Notre Dame has lost to USC by 20, 38 and 35 points. And there was this year's result, a 34-27 squeaker.

After the Irish lost Saturday, Weis said: "I think anyone that doesn't realize the fight that's in the Fighting Irish is missing the boat."

It's good to have a team that fights. It's better to have a team that fights and wins.

The "We're a team of fighters" spiel rang a little hollow after Saturday's setback. It came after Weis told the world the week leading up to the game that this year his players really, truly believed they could win. It came after yet another massive pep rally.

The end result was the same old thing.

I don't care if Weis is fired today, or if Notre Dame gives him a 10-year contract extension. The point is that after being on the job for five years, it's too late to talk about how tough you are. That's not what the football public wants to hear. It wants to hear that you won, or it wants to hear silence. It's too late for spin.


Trash Talk: Weis’ tough talk rings hollow