The Wiz of Odds

Game of the Weak

Mike Hlas is an award-winning columnist with the Cedar Rapids Gazette and force behind The Hlog. Each week, he will break down the worst matchup in college football. Considering the increasing number of uncompetitive and uninteresting games, Mike's task is harder than digging out from the rubble at Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame and USC.

Maybe if Charlie Weis had still been the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator, he could have talked Bill Belichick out of going for a first-down Sunday night at Indianapolis on a fourth-and-two at the New England 30 late in the game with the Pats ahead, 34-28.

New England lost after that mystifying decision by Belichick that didn’t work. Weis knew what to do with Tom Brady and when to do it. If you’re hiring after the season, Coach Belichick, perhaps you’d consider Coach Weis to run your offense once more. He did pretty well with you before.

Crewcut Charlie looks like he’ll be unemployed before long. His fifth season at Notre Dame is ending badly. The Irish are 6-4, not what they or their vocal followers had in mind when this season began.

Most of the Irish faithful gave up the ship two weeks ago when Notre Dame lost at home to Navy. After not having lost to Navy since Theodore Roosevelt was president — or so it seemed — that marked two straight home defeats to the Midshipmen.

That was followed by a 27-22 defeat at Pittsburgh, the Irish’s second-straight loss to Dave Wannstedt’s Panthers. Notre Dame is no longer as good as Eastern programs it once dominated. The die is cast. It’s over for Weis in South Bend.

Navy Cheap Shot

Watch Navy receiver Nick Henderson go low on Notre Dame cornerback Robert Blanton about 25 yards from the end of the play during Saturday's game in South Bend.

Fighting Irish assistant Corwin Brown ripped the Midshipmen tactics Wednesday night. That video is after the jump.

Fighting Irish Lack a Finishing Touch

Notre Dame fans were ready for the arrival of USC on Saturday, but despite their best efforts at a conviction, the Trojans were acquitted and left town with a 34-27 victory. Wiz correspondent Greg Laughlin joined Mike Golic and the rest of the crazies in South Bend, and here is a sample of his images from the festivities. You can view Greg's gallery by clicking here.

Notre Dame's 'Bush Push'

Notre Dame raised hell in 2005 when Reggie Bush pushed Matt Leinart into the end zone for the winning touchdown with three seconds left in USC's 34-31 victory. The illegal play became known as the "Bush Push."

The Fighting Irish were the ones doing the pushing on Saturday against Washington. It's clear from this video that not only was running back Robert Hughes' forward progress helped illegally by several of his beefy linemen (note No. 59 Chris Stewart pulling Hughes toward the goal), but the ball fails to break the plane of the goal before his right knee hits the ground.

Nonetheless, the pulling and pushing continues until Hughes ends up in the end zone for a successful two-point conversion, a key play leading to overtime in Notre Dame's 37-30 victory.

Playing In the Band

Golden Tate's dive into the Michigan State band, done to Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart." We would have preferred the Hurra Torpedo version, which you can view after the jump.

Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish brushed aside Nevada, 35-0, to set up Saturday's showdown at Michigan. Notre Dame was expected to have plenty of firepower on offense, with 10 returning starters, but the shutout of the Wolf Pack was a surprise. If the defense plays at a high level, the Fighting Irish will likely finish the season in a Bowl Championship Series game. Thanks to Brian, Gary and Notre Dame Sports Properties.