From ESPN's preview of Div 1 Independents:

There are many terms to describe Notre Dame's last season, but the most accurate, and probably least crude, would be "rebuilding year." The Irish returned just nine starters last season and were breaking in many skill position players, including true freshman quarterback Jimmy Clausen. The rebuilding is over.

The Irish return 16 starters from last year's 3-9 team, including almost the entire offense. The depth was the positive that came out of last season because coach Charlie Weis threw a lot of guys into the fire who will be critical this season. ... And Notre Dame's schedule is a little easier than it has been in past seasons... It is conceivable that Notre Dame wins at least nine games and puts itself back into a bowl, but whether it's good enough to regain its BCS status is yet to be determined.

Goddamned outrage. Once again the national press is carrying out a vendetta against the Irish. How else do you explain ESPN acknowledging the incredible job Charlie Weis did? He kept the program afloat in a tough rebuilding year, testing his young recruits with a trial-by-fire, and bringing Notre Dame back to its former glory. Now to say it's "conceivable" that the Irish win nine games and go to the BCS is damning them with faint praise. Especially when you factor in the easier schedule. BC and Michigan alone constitute two wins automatically.