Notre Dame Preview

Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Big House at Night
Weather: High of 73 with isolated thunderstorms
TV: ESPN
Line: Michigan +3

This is one of my favorite games of the year.  It rates right up there in my mind with Ohio State.  ND has come to the Big House in past years and hit Michigan with a rocket and Michigan counter punched with Desmond's TD catch.   Both memorable games for different reasons.    I even remember a night game at ND where a Michigan WR took a pass that looked like it had been broken up but ended up on a teammates shoulder and took it for a touchdown.  Michigan lost a close game.   Another year Lou Holtz played for a tie and the memorable games go on and on in your mind, including Denard's dominance last year. 

My job this year is to try give you a prediction on how this game is going to turn out late night on Saturday.  I usually like to take a snap shot of how they played the week before and try to make the decision on who is playing better.   Both teams had long rain delays and one team played through them and lost the other called it a day a won.   Michigan just wet our appetite on offense as two defensive touchdowns and the weather limited Denard's touches against Western Michigan.  ND fumbled and threw away their game as they pretty much doubled up the yards against South Florida last weekend.  (Does that game sound familiar?  It seems very similar to RR's first game in South Bend).

Vegas isn't buying the turnover fest from last weekend from the Fighting Irish and have them as a 3 point favorite which seems strange coming off a loss and having to travel to Ann Arbor. 

So how am I going to predict this game?

Both teams have:

• Guys that can dominate the game on offense - Denard and Floyd
• Two outstanding players on shaky defenses - Mike Martin and Manti Te’O
• Both schools have new coaches and trying to run new schemes (ND has a 1 year advantage)
• Michigan started 2010 strong and ND finished the year strong
• Both are Adidas schools and will be wearing throw back jerseys

• Neither team is ranked but ND was ranked #16 last week
• ESPN Game Day is in the house and it's the prime time game of the week.

Sounds pretty even doesn't it?  Michigan and the Wolverine Fans will be hyped up for the first night at the Big House.  There will be fly overs, hype videos, new jerseys, fireworks and I'm sure other surprises.  Which should get the crowd ready to explode when the Wolverines hit the banner. That "juice" should carry the Wolverines for the 1st quarter or so. 

Ok, Bob enough hype!  What is going to happen in the game?

I expect ND to have a similar game plan as Western did on Saturday.  They will spread out the Wolverines and try to move the ball down the field through the air.  I would make sure Floyd is closely covered because he is clearly the best player on offense.   ND then will try to hit big plays through mixing in the run, catching the Michigan defense off guard.   I personally don't care who the ND QB is since they both can play.   The ND WR's are fast and if they cut out the mistakes they had last week they will be difficult for the Wolverines DB's to cover.  Michigan needs a 100% healthy Troy Woolfolk and it would help if the new Detroit Lion Donovan Warren could dress on Saturday night as well.

Greg Mattison has a tough job this week trying to figure out how to cover Floyd with more then one player, covering the other talented receivers while trying to stop the run.  That is a big task for the Michigan defense that is prone to giving up lots of yards and points to good any offenses.   It's clear Vegas hasn't forgot the Gator Bowl either.

ND has the same problem with trying to stop Denard.  Here is a quote from their DC:
"Unfortunately it just is what it is," defensive coordinator Bob Diaco said. "We need to be perfect, because any little crease and it's over, he's gone. It's not like, somebody hits a crease and he rattles for eight, 10 yards and you get him on the ground. This guy hits the crease and he can punch a hole in the top of the defense like that." …

"It's just a monumental task defending a runner at quarterback in particular, that it almost gives you the feeling like they're playing with 12," Diaco said. "It's a problem." 

I expect to see the ball in Denard's hands more then last week.  The ND defense will all go to Denard on the threat of a run and should leave Michigan TE's and WR's wide open.  Look for big days from Koger, JR and Roundtree.   I don't expect big days for the Michigan running backs unless Al Borges can just flat out fool the defense.   Speaking of fooling the D, I expect a trick play from the Wolverines on Saturday night.  Could it be a pass to Denard?   I also expect to see Hopkins in the I formation as a FB that could get a few carries.  The Michigan offense didn't show much last week and us fans hope there is a lot more to come. 

I hate to say who wins the turn over battle will win the game because that is usually the case in any football game.  The talent is pretty even and I would say the biggest gap is between ND's offense and Michigan's defense.  Most believe that ND won't have the turnovers they did last weekend but I will tell you this, after watching the Wolverines the last few years, turnovers are contagious and sometimes they just don't totally go away from game to game. 

Sing Hail to the Victors Late Night if:

• Denard stays healthy and can dominate
• The Michigan WR's and TE's have big nights
• The Michigan Defense can take one thing away from the ND offense (Floyd or the running game)
• Michigan wins the turnover battle

You feel like Bo when he said, "To Hell with Notre Dame"

• If we have flash backs to when Boubacar tried to cover the ND WR's
• Brian Kelly isn't angry at all
• The Michigan defensive line doesn't get any pass rush at all
• Michigan's offense struggles and can't keep pace on the score board. 

Michigan needs to limit the big plays on Saturday night and I feel the key unit will the Michigan defense.  Both teams will score points and who gets the most stops will win the game.  I have a feeling we are going to see a ton of points and a close game.   Watch the TE's on both sides, they could be a huge difference in the game.  ND is used to playing night games so the first Big House night game shouldn't play too much of a factor for them.   One play or turnover will change this game and tip it for the other team.

Michigan 34 Notre Dame 31

GO BLUE