Something stinks ... and it isn't coming from McAlarney's car

Cop smelled weed.

Cop searched car.

Cop said he found joint.

Cop arrested kid.

See, pretty simple. CSI South Bend was not consulted. Regardless, it still took the university 25 days to rule. In the meantime, McAlarney, maintaining hope, began spring semester classes last week and continued practicing up until Monday.

What's the big deal, you ask?

Had Notre Dame ruled this way two weeks ago -- or perhaps even as late as last week -- McAlarney could've transferred to another institution, knocked out 15 hours and been eligible to resume his college career next December. But because the process dragged, transferring is no longer an option, and a cynic might suggest that was part of the plan all along.

Dismiss the player two weeks ago, you might lose him forever.

Dismiss the player now, his best option will be to seek readmittance at Notre Dame this summer.

I'm not saying, I'm just saying.

Beyond that, McAlarney was informed of his punishment as his coaches and teammates flew to New York. Consequently, the devastating news -- you're finished for the season, you're out of school, pack your stuff and get going, kid -- was delivered without the support system someone in his position might normally possess.

"They could've told my son this when I was there last week or waited until his coaches and friends got back," said Janice McAlarney. "But they told him while nobody was around, and he just packed his things and started driving home. We made him stop in Ohio at a relative's house, and my husband flew to Ohio (Tuesday) morning to meet him so they could drive home together.

"I'm ashamed of how the university abandoned my son."

None of this is to suggest McAlarney didn't screw up. He is accused of having an illegal substance in his car, and as a high-profile athlete you simply have to be smarter than that.

When a star player gets busted it's national news, and whereas McAlarney's status might have helped at a different school, it's reasonable to suggest it doomed him here because once his story went national, Notre Dame officials were in the spotlight. No way were they going to look soft on discipline, so rather than issue a 10-game or even full-season suspension -- which would've been acceptable, I suppose -- they lowered the boom and kicked McAlarney completely out of school to prove a point.

What point?

To them, it's probably that Notre Dame doesn't sacrifice integrity for athletics, and blah, blah, blah. But to me the only thing they proved is that they lack common sense and reason, because a 19-year-old is now off a team and out of school, and for what?

One joint?

You say du Lac.

I say do what?