It started at Michigan Clausen had aphenomenal day

Certainly the loss wouldn't have been Pike's fault if the Bearcats failed to score.However, Pike did what great players do with the game on the line He produced. Pittsburgh brought the house at him but Pike was able to evade the rush and find his recievers. The drive ended with Pike hitting Armon Binns on a deep out for the touchdown. With the extra point that followed, Cincinnati clinched a Big East title.Nobody was surprised that Pike was able to deliver one more time despite having to do it all day and all season. The Bearcat's defense had let them down at times and Pike was asked to do all he could and more Each week he delivered. That is what great quarterbacks do.Now lets look at Jimmy Clausen There is no doubt he had aphenomenal statistical year He also played his heart out all year. He did all he could for Notre Dame and there is no way you can blame Clausen for the six losses.There is a difference though between Pike and Clausen Clausen did all he could Pike did all he could and more.

The "and more" part is the difference between a really good quarterback and a great quarterback.Watching Notre Dame each week was hard on the heart It was exciting and frustrating at the same time. Clausen made great throws and Golden Tate made great catches In 10 of 12 games the game was a nail biter. It was only against Nevada and Washington State that the games were blowouts.In all the other games, the difference was a touchdown or less. In all 10 of those games, the ball was in Clausen's hands with the game on the line.It started at Michigan Clausen had aphenomenal day.

However, with a minute to go in the game he missed Golden Tate on a play that would have got a first down and sealed a victory. In those games Clausen was the man and led his team to victory. In these games he produced with the game on the line.After a bye, USC came to South Bend The Trojans established a big lead in the third quarter. Clausen once again played his heart out and led the Irish back. This time he failed.Then came Boston College and in another close game, Clausen hit Tate in the closing minutes to get the victory Then came the massacre at the Alamo. At that point Notre Dame was 6-2 and things were looking great.Then it happened.