Dayne Crist News

There was never a formal vote, not that there needed to be. In a decision that was so painfully obvious to everyone involved that it barely made it to the "sources said" rumor stage, Notre Dame on Friday officially took its football program out of consideration for a postseason bowl game.

Winning percentage in five seasons, worse than predecessors Tyrone Willingham and Bob Davie when they were fired 3 concerns Players Quarterback Jimmy Clausen and receiver Golden Tate could decide to leave for the NFL draft instead of returning for their senior season.

Notre Dame is going to hear "No" a few times before it hears a yes. The Fighting Irish have tradition and history and a pulpit that remains as bully as any in college football.

Mr. Clausen, this is nothing personal. You did all you could and have played your heart out all year.

Before there was "the streak," there was "the escape." Then came "the ankle," "the ceiling fan to the forehead," the excruciating pain Sam Young sometimes played through from injuries he never blabbed to the media about - none of which were able to truncate "the streak" before it stretched into the Notre Dame football record books.

Pittsburgh - From the outside looking in, college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit sees a fan base reaching its boiling point.

It's been a fun nine weeks , watching the slow, tortuous slide into mediocrity of the Longhorn football program, even as its deluded fans continue to fantasize about a BCS title, completely unaware that Notre Dame is breathing down their back ready to take that title away.

The boldest statement to come out of Notre Dame Sunday regarding the state of its distressed football program was that there wouldn't be any.

Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen looks on as the team sings the Notre Dame alma mater.

Jimmy Clausen thinks about the NFL draft when he needs motivation. It's not the draft this April the Notre Dame quarterback thinks about, though, or the 2011 draft following what would be his senior season.

Before the season, it was assumed a 9-3 record would mean Charlie Weis would return for his sixth season as Notre Dame 's coach and a 7-5 mark or worse would mean Weis would be shown the door.

Notre Dame's loss to Navy cost them a shot at a BCS bowl game this year.A It also cost them a chance at the National Championship next year.A How so, you ask? A few weeks ago, I felt Notre Dame was a legitimate contender for next seasona TMs national championship game.A Then, they played against USC and despite the painful loss I felt more then ...

Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett Not much went right for Notre Dame this weekend, but at least the Irish had some encouraging news on the injury front.

Charlie Weis has long held admiration and respect for the U.S. Naval Academy and its Midshepmen football team.

Evan Sharpley was a bit impish about all the attention he was receiving. It's been a couple of years since Sharpley was part of the Notre Dame football conversation.

Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett Here's some of what's being written about Notre Dame as the Irish approach their game against Navy on Saturday: The Notre Dame offensive line has made great progress this year, Brian Hamilton writes in the Chicago Tribune.

It's almost like watching the perfect storm start to form.A The ingredients for the Notre Dame-Pitt game, only nine days away, are starting to come together and turn it into one of the biggest games both teams have played in years.

It doesn't take much to construct a universe in which Charlie Weis is staring down the barrel of an almost certain firing in 2010.

If you listen carefully, you'll here the rumblings.A Notre Dame football fans have already started talking and projecting about 2010.

TV 1906 Highland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219 513-763-5500 Driving Directions Breaking News Hotline 579-1212 Newsroom Fax 421-3820 Viewer Comment Line 763-5599 Sales Department 763-5485 Click for Sales Staff Directory **IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT FOR LOCAL 12, WKRC-TV, WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU NOT CALL THE LOCAL 12 NEWSROOM.