Although former Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen might be done playing college ball, we’re not done with him yet. Clausen inked a 4-year NFL contract earlier this week with the Carolina Panthers, which happens to give him more than 2.5 million in guarantees. His signing also brings about a variety of questions going into camp.

How will he adjust to the NFL?

Will Carolina fit Clausen’s skill set?

How will he mesh with stud wideout Steve Smith?

When the hell will he play?

While these are all valid questions, there not the questions that I want answers to. After all, we saw what Clausen did upon getting drafted – lathered up, went poolside and sported some sick “BRO” shades. Now that he’s got the contract, and more specifically the cool signing bonus – what do we think Clausen’s next big purchases will be.

I don’t have answers to those questions, but I have a few ideas.

More BRO Shades -You can’t be QB 1 without looking like Kanye.

V-Necks- A frequent item in the J-Clausen closet

Tribal Tats – Come one, now. This one is easy

Tanning Oil – It really brings out the blond in his hair

A Sidekick – They were cool 3 years ago and the man needs to text his bros.

And finally, Hair Gel – Good luck and congrats, buddy.

Oh yea, Notre Dame fans! Time to lather up in your BCS oil and get weird with your Irish buddies. Crack open that bottle of bubbly and pour it on yourself. Then drink 19 or so beers and get ready to celebrate a BCS championship win. Scratch that, multiple championship wins. Brian Kelly feels this way SO IT MUST BE TRUE.

Kelly was asked on a Michigan radio show yesterday if he would win a title while coaching at Notre Dame. His response, “More than one, Absolutely.”

I’m not going to kill a guy for having confidence in his team? I mean, is he supposed to say no? Obviously Kelly wants to rekindle some excitement with a program that desperately needs it. The obvious problem I have, however, is his unnecessary cockiness as he alludes to winning multiple championships. We could debate whether this will come true until we’re blue in the face, but one thing’s for certain. The challenges, pressure, and expectations at South Bend will be unlike anything Kelly has ever had to deal with.

The stresses of winning a Big East title will pale in comparison to having to beat Michigan State at home in October (random example, save the schedule comments). I watched Kelly tiptoe around egg shells at the Bearcats when ND rumors started popping up as Charlie Weis’ fate was secured by the middle of last season. I know he didn’t exactly pass that test with flying colors, but again, this was no easy scenario.

This issue I have with Kelly’s statement, however, is how there really isn’t anything that warrants fans to believe him. Notre Dame’s recruiting has stalled to an extent, and I can’t see the SEC and company relinquishing recruiting dominance. Notre Dame is no longer a hot spot for 5-star athletes. Yes, they play on T.V., but have you seen Florida’s T.V. schedule this year? Let’s just say you’ll be seeing plenty of angry Urban Meyer shots in more meaningful games, versus watching Notre Dame edge Purdue late in the 4th quarter (again, don’t judge me, bros).

Notre Dame still plays a brutal schedule – which lightens mildly in 2010 – that makes getting to a championship game difficult. At-large bowl bids are a different story because of the overwhelming fandom and money at stake. While most ND fans would absolutely take a BCS game appearance and certainly a win, it appears that Kelly has much higher hopes. MUCH, MUCH HIGHER.

Let’s flash back a little less than a year ago when Notre Dame’s resident super-homer and ESPN analyst Lou Holtz broke code and predicited Notre Dame would win the BCS national championship. Now, I’m not saying Kelly is on the same level of absurdity, but my god it does feel close enough where we should show it again.

Please feel free to continue drinking yourself ridiculously drunk and continue chatter about how awesome it’ll be when Notre Dame win four consecutive titles.

With expansion rumors bouncing from coast to coast and conference to conference, one thing remains certain. Notre Dame will not, or at least doesn not, want to join any one these potential leagues anytime soon.

Rumors about Notre Dame’s interest in the Big 10 circulated Twitter on Monday afternoon, only to be shot down by Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick an hour later. This, of course, is not the first we’ve heard of Notre Dame’s connection to the Big 10 along with other expansion scenarios and likely won’t be the last.

It’s not surprising that we’re hearing these rumors, but it is surprising that we are still able to look at them with an ounce of serious interest. Their new coach Brian Kelly came out earlier this year and proclaimed his desire to stay independent.

“From my standpoint, being the head football coach at Notre Dame, there’s nothing better than being an independent football school,” said Kelly while quoted in the South Bend Tribune. “I know you’re hearing all these rumors about the Big Ten and all these other things, but let me tell you one thing, the history … the tradition of Notre Dame football is steeped in that independence.”

I know, I know, I know. College coaches (particularly ones with a solid track record of anti-truth) shouldn’t necessarily be taken on their word. I heard him proclaim his love and dedication for the Bearcats as he has one, if not both feet out the door. But Kelly is someone who enjoys the challenge and already appears to be embracing the Irish spotlight. This spotlight, of course, shines much brighter because of the fact that ND is on an island all alone.

Their television deal with NBC also looms large in this situation. Perhaps larger than any of us know or believe. Notre Dame nets close to eleven million dollars a year from NBC (a small share coming from basketball). While this number could increase somewhat substantially by joining the Big 10, perhaps by as much as 50%, it doesn’t depict the full story. Notre Dame would be forced to share their BCS appearances with the rest of conference, something I can’t imagine they’d even want to fathom. (Insert joke about them not making it here).

They also would lose some of their marketing appeal if they were one of many. ND is America’s team, even if half of the United States roots for them to slip on the concrete on the way out to the field. Joining the Big 10 would cost them dearly beyond the extra dollars that would be guaranteed.

Scheduling, and the lack of freedom that they’ve grown accustomed to, is also monumental in this debate. As independents, Notre Dame is able to keep up primo out-of-conference rivalries (i.e. USC) and be creative in how each and every season plays out. I imagine RichRod would literally kill (or at least cheat mightily) for this. While this isn’t as large of a factor as many believe, there are plenty of large-pocketed Notre Dame boosters that pay top dollar for these rare college football freedoms.

Notre Dame doesn’t need or want the Big 10. The Big 10 needs Notre Dame. The Irish are a brand unlike any other in college football that still brews a passionate following regardless of record. The only other brand the can rival ND from a financial/brand perspective is Texas, who seems to be taking all options, including independence, into consideration. This unique situation of expansion hysteria isn’t what the Irish need right now. What they need, (and I believe internally they all believe this) is a 9-win season and a big bowl win.

Joining the Big 10 would be looked upon as a step down and a deal will only happen if the expansion is so grand that they have no where else to turn. If super-leagues began forming and Notre Dame’s other sports started to be effected greatly, perhaps that would have to pounce. Again, this isn’t something the Irish want to do, but something that may have to be done in order to not be caught in a corner and left behind.