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Wrong. Every week we need to win. Last week it was a defining week, that some, albeit misinformed people, went so far into outerspace as to say McCarthy's tackle saved CW's job. Look, we see improvement, even with a loss next week we have been seeing improvement. How much improvement is still to be determined. Do we really want to come out each week and say that the following week is a "must win"? This young team is going to lay an egg or two this year. They are going to loose to someone they shouldn't and beat someone that they shouldn't. Be prepared for it. Losing next week is not going to sent the 2008 season to the toilet bowl. They have already demonstrated that they have the ability to bounce back. Disappointing premise and post.

JNND, I'm sorry you didn't like the post, but I feel I should respond to a few of your points. First, I didn't think I needed to explicitly say that ND should be trying its level best to win every game on its schedule; I would assume we all conceed that point. That said, this is a young team coming off, arguably the worst season in program history. While all games count, certain ones on the schedule (those with the best likelihood of their winning) are more important, developmentally, than others. Part of what a team like the 2008 Irish needs to do is learn how to win at this level. Winning isn't just about talent, it's about having a sense of confidence that you can win. The only way to gain that is by actually winning games. This is why winning games at home and against "lesser" opponents such as San Diego State, Syracuse and, even, Stanford are so important. Last week was, undoubtedly, a big step forward for the team. Not only did they produce offensively but, and this has been overlooked a bit, they bounced back from a tough loss on the road to win. In other words, they managed to swing momentum back in their direction. Losing at home this week would certainly undermine that and put them in a difficult position as they head into a rough portion of the schedule.
As for winning games that they shouldn't; unfortunately, that has not been a hallmark of the Weis era. I am not a Charlie basher, by any means, but his teams have yet to overachieve on the field by scoring a big upset. It almost happened against SC in 2005 but, candidly, they haven't been close since. Maybe this team will do it but, I think, counting on it is a bit much to hope for.
As for McCarthy's play, I don't think it saved Weis' job, but I do think it saved the game for ND.
This is all I meant and, I'm sorry if my intent was unclear. If you still disagree, that's ok too. Reasonable people are free to do so. The most important thing is that we both want to see the Irish win on Saturday.

I actually think this article is pretty much on point. I don't think every week is going to be a must win week, but this one is key to the continuation of establishing a winning mentality.

As far as us losing to a team we shouldn't I would agree that is very likely. But in terms of beating a team we shouldn't, I don't see any teams left that we "shouldn't" beat save for FUSC. You could maybe make a case for UNC, but who knows how good they really are...

I have to disagree with the OP, I don't think it's disappointing at all. Nothing wrong with honest disagreement though!