The Wiz of Odds

Weis: Comments Were Taken Out of Context

Charlie Weis has called a reverse.

The former Notre Dame coach said his comments about USC counterpart Pete Carroll were taken out of context during an exit interview Saturday with five selected reporters in South Bend.

"In no way was I trying to take a shot at Pete," Weis said in a message for Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times.

"What we were talking about was how the rumor mill can affect people's lives. When I was asked a specific question like that, I responded like, 'This is the same crap that I’m talking about.' You start saying things like this and one thing, this guy does this and I do that and all of a sudden the Internet takes it all over the place.

"So, in no way was I trying to take a shot at Pete. I feel if I offended Pete, I will run Pete down and apologize. ... In no way do I have any idea what’s going on in anyone's life other than the fact that rumors on the Internet can affect coaches' lives in a very, very negative fashion."

Carroll on Weis' Allegation: 'Untrue' and 'Irresponsible'

USC's Pete Carroll said an allegation made by former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis is "untrue" and "irresponsible."

Weis held an exit interview Saturday with five reporters and threw a zinger in Carroll's direction. He was asked, "Is it frustrating to you Pete Carroll, for example, portrayed in one way..."

Weis responded: "Let me ask you this question: You guys know about things that go on in different places. Was I living with a grad student in Malibu, or was I living with my wife in my house? You could bet that if I were living with a grad student here in South Bend, it would be national news.

"He's doing it in Malibu and it's not national news. What's the difference? I don't understand. Why is it okay for one guy to do things like that, but for me, I'm scrutinized when I swear. I'm sorry for swearing; absolve my sins."

Carroll, who is married, responded late Saturday night.

"It's untrue, it's irresponsible and it's incredible he'd be talking about me like that," he said.

Notre Dame's Clausen Involved in Incident Outside Bar

Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen was involved in an altercation outside a South Bend bar on Sunday morning and suffered at least one black eye, according reports out of Chicago.

The incident occurred at 2:30 a.m. outside CJ's Pub. No police report had been filed as of Monday and a bartender at the establishment told the Chicago Tribune that the scuffle "absolutely did not take place inside the bar."

ESPN reported that Clausen was "sucker-punched" by an irate fan.

Clausen, family members and other Irish upperclassmen reportedly were at the bar after Saturday's loss Connecticut.

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.