The energy outage was induced by a Navy team that wasn’t supposed to compete.

Passion isn’t measured in yards and inches. Or, points on a scoreboard.

It’s gauged by bodies flying. It’s the intensity that develops into a confidence. It’s a confidence that evolves into a swagger.

That swagger is the distance between a program on the cusp of greatness, with the "want to" to achieve it, and one content to wallow in mediocrity.

What Weis has to deal with is a bigger concern than scheme. Erase the greaseboard and the blueprint is changed.

Not so fast, my friend.

Passion is different. It’s either there or it isn’t. Passion isn’t coached.

Have all the narrow escapes and disheartening last-second losses finally exacted their toll? Is the Irish tank finally empty?

When Weis talks about accountability, it can easily be construed as blame. With blame comes negativity. With negativity comes a downward spiral that can flush the rest of the season — and possibly a coaching career — down the commode in a hurry.

Will egos get in the way of survival?

The time for blame has passed. This is damage-control mode, plain and simple. This is not a drill. This, fellas, is the real thing.

If the program doesn’t heal itself soon, the life-support equipment will be in place. Keeping a heart beating by artificial means rarely ends well. The guy with his hand on the plug always has the last call.

It may already be too late.

Not to worry. Fate is fate. Control is limited. With only three games promised, the only option is to play them hard; play them well; play them with passion.

And give the guy with his hand on the plug a reason to have a second thought.