Jimmy Clausen to start against Penn State, throw for a billion yards, 4 TDs.
Charlie Weis just announced in yesterday’s press conference that Jimmy Clausen will be the starter against Penn State. We are entering into the Clausen Epoch, and I couldn’t be happier.
However, I was wondering this morning: why all the hate? Charlie announcing Clausen as the starter was like throwing blood in the water of the Nittany Lion faithful. Of course, in this metaphor, the Nittany Lions are actually sharks, as I don’t believe lions really care if blood is in the water or not, they’re just trying not to drown and figure out what the hell they’re doing in the ocean anyways.
But still, I’ve got to contend that no collegiate freshman has ever received such a reaction in the college football world. Anybody who isn’t a Notre Dame fan hates the kid with every ounce of their being. And for what? A stretch Hummer? A press conference at the College Football Hall of Fame? If you’ve ever been to South Bend, you’d realize that since Jimmy couldn’t announce anywhere on campus, it was either the Hall or Steak n’ Shake.
More specifically, I’m wondering if the Jimmy hate is because of Jimmy, or because of Notre Dame. The combination of the most highly hyped (and one of the most highly-sought after) recruits in recent history coupled with the one college football program every person in the country has one way or the other is apparently quite volatile. Name me one other high school recruit that most people in the country knew about before his collegiate enrollment. That should give you a sense of the lightning rod that is Jimmy Clausen.
If that doesn’t give you a good sense, look at what people have spent time and effort on, before the dude ever even played in a game:
Craziness.
Would it be different if Jimmy went to USC? How about Florida? I think Jimmy just gives Notre Dame haters another reason to hate Notre Dame, and they think it’s a pretty good one.
I’m headed up to Happy Valley this weekend for the Penn State game, and I fully expect their fans to be foaming at the mouth, wanting to get a piece of Clausen. Welcome to Notre Dame football, Jimmy. Just remember, the mere fact that they hate you means that you’re worth discussing, and that’s better than irrelevant and forgotten any day.
I think the strong feelings regarding Claussen are very much because he chose to go to Notre Dame. Just the mention of the Irish receives strong responses from all sides. The Irish are just very polarizing. I also think it’s because he is starting so early in his career. Had he gone to USC or Florida, not only would he not be playing in South Bend, but he also wouldn’t be starting at all for a couple of years. Jimmy (and his hype) is being thrust into the limelight immediately.
Look at Mitch Mustain. He was a story for a little while as a highly sought-after recruit who couldn’t make up his mind. He went to Arkansas, but after he failed to grab a hold of the starter’s spot, the spotlight faded a little. Now he’s transferred to USC, and by the time he’s a starter again they hype, and therefore love or hatred, will have faded.
Josh
September 5, 2007 at 10:47 am
The haircut, the stretch Hummer, the Hall of Fame, the fact that he’s already 27 years old, and of course…Notre Dame and Charlie Front Butt. It’s the perfect storm of doucheticity.
Run Up The Score!
September 7, 2007 at 10:51 pm