President Barack Obama already caused a fuss at Notre Dame by giving the commencement speech and accepting an honorary degree – the chagrin of Roman Catholics opposed to his views on abortion and stem-cell research.

So maybe he shouldn’t have taken a shot at the Not-So-Fighting Irish football team while speaking at an Indianapolis fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee. According to the Associated Press, Obama shared some of his chit-chat with The Rev. John Jenkins, president of Notre Dame.

Obama suggested the controversy he stirred at the university “paled in comparison to what to do about the football team.”

Notre Dame went 10-15 the last two seasons under high-priced coach Charlie Weis and hasn’t been a national title threat for two decades.

“That’s an issue we may not resolve within my four years,” Obama said.

“Eight,” shouted someone from the audience.

“All right, well, maybe in eight we might get it done,” Obama said.

Tipsheet imagines that beleaguered Weis really appreciated the President’s support. This will go a long way to boost morale.

MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE

Questions to ponder while wondering what, exactly, got into Joel Pineiro Tuesday night:

• Now that Colby Rasmus has found his power stroke, will the Cards outfield become the most productive in major league baseball?
• Will the Los Angeles Clippers find a way to screw up the first overall draft pick?
• So what becomes of Michael Vick now? How does he recover from economic ruin?
• Is playing professional poker the answer? Should he go the Jose Canseco route and try reality TV?
• Shouldn’t George Brett be in a much better mood with the Royals finally back on the climb?
• Now that Keith Olbermann is returning to ESPN, with a radio show, what’s next — world peace?
• Should Charles Barkley be concerned that Shaquille O’Neal is prepping for a broadcasting future?

BUFFALO: HARD UP FOR GOOD NEWS

We know this because the city went overboard to welcome Terrell Owens to town.

But what could possibly go wrong with T.O.’s foray into the Snow Belt?

QUIPS ‘R US

Here is what some of America’s leading sports pundits have been writing:

Bill Simmons, ESPN.com: “Can you play a fluid sport like basketball at its highest level without bodies banging, penetrating players getting clobbered and the occasional testiness? Of course you can’t. The NBA pretends you can, though, putting the playoffs in the hands of (mostly incompetent) refs who overreact to each shove and stare. It drives me crazy. On the flip side you have hockey — a sport in which players police the ice themselves and happily jump into the boards after scoring a goal. In hockey, it’s okay to settle differences like men, and websites like hockeyfights.com thrive. It’s always business, never personal. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the NBA could learn something from the NHL.”

Jeff Schultz, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “The success of any pro athlete, particularly an NFL quarterback, is not fast legs or a strong arm. It’s all of those things Vick failed miserably at: leadership, work ethic, resolve, toughness, maturity, teamwork, character.”

Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel: “Brett Favre in line in front of you at the grocery store: “I’ll take plastic. I mean paper. I mean plastic. I mean paper. I mean plastic.’”

Greg Cote, Miami Herald: “Jeremy Mayfield became the first NASCAR driver suspended for failing a drug test. About time that sport started testing. Because I’m thinking that being under the influence of anything tends to be magnified somewhat at 197 mph.”

Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle: “Jake Peavy says, ‘I hope people realize we’re doing all we can as players and as a sport in general to make sure we’re clean.’ Is Peavy referring to the same players who have fought drug testing every step of the way?”

MEGAPHONE

“I look at Cleveland [and] say to myself, ‘How many games could they win without LeBron James?’ That’s how great he is. He has a chance to be arguably the greatest player ever to play the game.”

Former NBA great Jerry West, to Reuters.