Charlie Weis doesn't make excuses. He has told us so many times. He has told us all the excuses he will not make. He also doesn't boast or brag. He lets the team's actions on the field speak for him.

Really?

No. He tells you he is not going to make excuses for x, y, and z. The problem is, by not offering valid counter excuses, he is making thinly veiled excuses without a scapegoat. When he tells us all the excuses he will not make, he in fact is trying to deflect critisism he knows is coming.

We all know about his quotes to let the team speak on the field and "to hell with Michigan!".

His latest gem is forcasting Notre Dame to win 9-12 games this year. Thats right, they could play for the Mythical National Champoinship with those results. I guess all you have to do is beat everybody. Why haven't all the other coaches thought of that?

Now I can hear the excuses now. "Every coach beleives they will win every game"...."Just trying to fire his team up"...."Motivation".....

These are all the wrong excuses. No respectible coach believes they will win most of their games. They worry themselves sick that they may lose every game. If you don't have that "looking over your shoulder" outlook as a coach, you are either arrogant, or ignorant. Maybe a little of both. Back in the day, Lou Holtz would tell you they would be lucky to beat opponent x, y, or z. Even if they were a High School practice team. Nobody believed him, and felt he was just paying respect to his opponents. The "thing" is, Lou didn't take anything or anyone for granted. Sucessful coaches do that. Lou did it, Lloyd Carr did it. Jim Tressel does it.

Charlie is respectible in his own mind. He is a legend in his own mind. Maybe his team will have the record he predicts. If so, I am sure he won't be smug about it. If not, I am sure he won't make any excuses either.

Sarcasm intended.