And up in the Great Northwest, in Washington — where sports teams and franchises go to die (seriously – every team in that state blows), there is an intriguing matchup between two men who will always be linked: Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis (pictured left…thanks KVB) and Washington coach Tyrone Willingham.

As I’m sure you remember, Notre Dame fired Tyrone Willingham while Willingham still had years left on his contract. This was the first time that Notre Dame had gotten rid of a coach before his contract was up. They replaced him with Charlie Weis, who was coming off another Super Bowl win with the New England Patriots. Over his first couple of seasons in South Bend, Charlie Weis led the Fighting Irish to great success. He received a 10-year extension while Tyrone Willingham was forced to take over a Washington team that has gotten progressively worse since he has been there.

On Saturday, at 8:00 EDT on ESPN2, the 4-2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Charlie Weis will take on the 0-6 Washington Huskies and Tyrone Willingham at Husky Stadium. To add even a little more spice to the matchup, guess who will be calling the game from booth…

That’s right, the Ben Stein of football announcers: Bob Davie. You remember Bob Davie right? He took over for Lou Holtz and bridged the gap to the Tyrone Willingham era. The South Bend Tribune published an interesting article that looked at this intriguing reunion of three coaches who do not seem to be the best of friends. And just think, if ESPN had practiced a little disciplinary consistency and given Lou Holtz some well-deserved time off for using an ill-advised Hitler reference, he could have been there too and made it a quartet. Can you imagine? I think Beano Cook’s turkey neck would explode. (And maybe Ron Powlus could bring his three Heisman trophies for everyone too?)

Anyway, this Notre Dame-Washington game doesn’t really have many implications other than the fact that Notre Dame seems to be rebounding from their awful 2007 season, and a victory would push them one game closer to bowl eligibility. You’d have to think they’ll win, but something tells me that Tyrone Willingham’s team will be ready to at least make it a fight. Willingham does seem to inspire loyalty and passion among his players, even if he is not the greatest X’s and O’s coach in the world. (Charlie Weis, however, is the greatest X’s and O’s coach in the history of mankind and all civilization. Just ask him.)

I think Washington can keep this one close, but I do see Notre Dame pulling it out. Jimmy Clausen seems to be coming into his own as the leader of this Irish offense, and Notre Dame simply will be too talented for the undermanned Huskies.

The real excitement of this game, however, won’t really be the play on the field; but the subtext that surrounds it. There are few jobs in coaching as prestigious and pressure packed as being the head football coach at Notre Dame. Amazingly, the last three men to hold that title will all be involved with this game on Saturday. I am sure that nothing “controversial” will happen and it will just be a pretty normal football game, but it will still be a worth a glance during the commercials of Ohio State and Penn State.

(Photo Art by Midwest Sports Fans and Flash Sports Tonight; and yes, that is Charlie Weis’ head in the Touchdown Jesus mural.  If you are offended, eat a pickle spear and get a sense of humor.)

[tags]charlie weis, tyrone willingham, notre dame football, washington huskies, college football, ncaa[/tags]