CFU Week No. 11—“Rock Bottom”

At the rock bottom of this season you’ll see teams that you may expect to be there: Minnesota, Southern Methodist, Utah State, and Florida International.

They’re a combined 2-24.

When eyes focus on a couple of other names at the rock bottom this season, you may think you’re mind’s playing tricks on you.

But it's not.

Nebraska and Bill Callahan don’t seem to mix. 2004, his first season, gave the Cornhuskers their first losing season since 1961. The following two seasons did see improvement, but Callahan’s emphasis on passing never really saw great success at Nebraska, a program that traditionally relied on a strong running game.

That is no more obvious than this season.

Last year, Nebraska went all the way to the Big XII Title game. Cornhusker faithful expected them to make it at least that far this season. But instead, the Cornhuskers managed the first five-game losing streak in 49 years. Then, the Cornhuskers went to Lawrence, Kansas where the Jayhawks obliterated what Nebraska calls defense, putting up 76 points. That’s second only to the 70 points they gave Texas Tech in Callahan’s first year. Only a lack of team cohesiveness and chemistry can explain this, and because Callahan has lost his team, Nebraska has all but lost its football program.

Callahan won’t be back next season.

600 miles away, there’s another storied program in even more trouble.

Notre Dame is an astonishing 1-8. That doesn’t suggest much fight in the Irish. One more loss and this team will be the most embarrassing team to ever sport the gold helmets,a program with a 119-year history. When Charlie Weis came to South Bend, the Irish knew he’d make history but not this kind.

But, unlike Callahan, Weis isn’t going anywhere.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind you of how Notre Dame fired Tyrone Willingham who, of course, is black after only his third season when the Irish have traditionally given coaches five years to settle in. In his third season, Weis is, again, 1-8. Willingham finished his third season 6-5, beating Michigan who was ranked No. 8, Tennessee who was ranked No. 9, Michigan State, and he even continued the traditional beating of Navy—something that Weis failed to do this season, ending the 43-game winning streak.

In his first two seasons Weis took the Irish to BCS games on the back of Willingham’s recruits, Brady Quinn and Jeff Samardzija. And, as far as how their first 34 games compare, Willingham was 21-13, Weis is 20-14.

What many call racial undertones surrounding Willingham’s dismissal quickly turn into racial overtones when you look at those facts. From where I stand, Weis should be fired if not for his subpar performance and if not for the humiliation he’s caused the program, then at least so that Notre Dame doesn’t look like a bunch of racists.

On that note, you have to wonder how much of this is karma. Frank Solich, Callahan’s predecessor, was fired after a 10-3 season. Perhaps these two programs got too greedy and are now paying for it.

Notre Dame’s circumstance, however, stands apart from Nebraska’s. When facts glare as those do something ought to be done. And, if not, then rock bottom isn’t only where Notre Dame should be it is where they should stay.

—R. Cooper