Two years ago, and after only seven games as the Fighting Irish coach, Weis was handed a new 10-year contract worth more than $30 million. It's payback time, and Notre Dame's opponents are getting it.

Weis, only slightly less arrogant than Donald Trump in recent years, is getting humbled and taking a cream pie in the face every week.

The fall of the Irish has happened fast. They are 0-4 -- outscored by a combined 133-27 -- and will be lucky to be 1-7 after eight games.

When he was hired, Weis reportedly boasted at a pep rally that Notre Dame was done losing to teams like Purdue. This week, he has been complimentary of the unbeaten Boilermakers.

The Irish are 22-point underdogs at Purdue on Saturday. One month ago, the Las Vegas Hilton's futures line on this game had the Boilermakers favored by 41/2.

The spread is too inflated to play the favorite, and Notre Dame's offense is too weak to recommend the underdog unless the line hits 24.

The Irish rank 119th and last in Division I in total offense at 137 yards per game, 62 yards per game behind No. 118 Florida International.

Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter has 16 touchdown passes in four games. Notre Dame freshman Jimmy Clausen, who rode a limousine to a press conference to announce his college decision, has not thrown one TD pass.

In July, Weis lost his lawsuit against two surgeons who he said were negligent in treating him when he had gastric bypass surgery. Weis failed even with the help of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who testified in the case.

Weis, a former Patriots offensive coordinator, is a smart coach who is recruiting well and will win again. But this fall of the Irish is comical, inexcusable and unthinkable.

In a desperate attempt to pick more winners than losers, here are five plays for Saturday (home team in CAPS):

• Alabama (+21/2) over FLORIDA STATE -- The Seminoles' offense has been a confused mess and quarterback Drew Weatherford is not making plays. New coach Nick Saban has inspired the Crimson Tide, which has the better passer in John Parker Wilson.

• FLORIDA (-18) over Auburn -- Any doubts about the Gators were erased in their 39-point thrashing of Tennessee. Sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow will be too much for the Auburn defense as Florida convincingly avenges its only loss last season.

• Michigan State (+71/2) over WISCONSIN -- The Badgers appear to be overrated after struggling in victories over UNLV, The Citadel and Iowa. Javon Ringer leads a strong running attack that will give the Spartans a shot at stopping Wisconsin's 13-game winning streak.

• TULSA (-22) over Alabama-Birmingham -- The Blazers are about as bad as it gets. Golden Hurricane senior quarterback Paul Smith will turn this into a blowout.

• NEW MEXICO (+41/2) over Brigham Young -- Sophomore quarterback Donovan Porterie and junior running back Rodney Ferguson are sparking the Lobos, who are 16-7 in their past 23 games as underdogs.

Last week: 2-3-1 against the spread

Season: 10-12-2

Review-Journal sportswriter Matt Youmans can be reached at 387-2907 or myoumans@reviewjournal.com.