Hawaii Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii

Notre Dame (6-6) vs. Hawaii (7-6) – ESPN – 8 p.m.

For most programs, a bowl game one season after a 3-9 season would be reason for celebration. For Notre Dame, Charlie Weis just avoided being fired.

The school’s said Weis is coming back, for at least one more season, but a 10th consecutive bowl loss would not help Weis heading into next season. It’s been since Jan. 1, 1994 since the Irish won a bowl game.

It’s not only the record which is a cause for concern for Notre Dame, it’s losing to Syracuse, barely beating Navy, San Diego St. and Stanford and not even belonging on the same field against USC.

After losing Colt Brennan and its head coach after making a BCS game, Hawaii has done a fairly quick rebuilding job. Hawaii won three straight games in November and came close to keeping the streak going in a 29-24 loss to Big East champ Cincinnati.

Line – Notre Dame by 2

My pick – Irish 27-21