Date: Sept. 13
Time: 3:30pm ET NBC
Why to tune in:
Why? It’s Michigan-Notre Dame, that’s why. Two of the most storied franchises in NCAA history will square off again in one of the most heated rivalries. Here’s a bit of a history lesson on this series: Michigan and Notre Dame once had a gentlemen’s agreement a few decades ago that the schools would play each other in its first game every season. After a few battles, the Fighting Irish started to sneak teams onto their schedule before playing U of M so that they would have a tune-up game (much like today’s college programs have) in order to be sharper for the Wolverines. Needless to say, Michigan didn’t appreciate what ND was doing and called off the agreement. That’s why every time these two schools play each other it’s usually the third game of the season. These programs, coaches and players hate each other and that usually leads to one heck of a battle.
When Michigan has the ball:
In last season’s defeat at the hands of Notre Dame in Ann Arbor, Michigan was without one of its best linemen in Jake Long. The Wolverines also didn’t have All-Pro running back Mike Hart for more than three plays and that left too much pressure on then-sophomore quarterback Chad Henne and freshmen Kevin Grady. Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and the Wolverines offense love to play smash mouth football and rely on their defense late in games. When Michigan has a lead, it will run in between the tackles and lean on the offensive line to get the job done. One weakness ND has on defense is that so far in two games, the Irish have allowed an average of 138.5 yards on the ground. Notre Dame has faired much better in pass defense, but don’t expect with Hart fully healthy that the Irish are going to be dropping into coverage all day.
When Notre Dame has the ball:
Quarterback Brady Quinn looked much more comfortable in the pocket throwing for three touchdowns and 287 yards against Penn State last week than he did in the opener. Running back Darius Walker has had a lot of success running in this series, but Michigan has also made marked improvements in its run defense. As much as Charlie Weis might want to open up the passing game in this contest, the Wolverines are third in the nation in sacks and can put a lot of pressure on Quinn. If the Irish do deciede to throw the ball often, the best match up to watch of the day will be ND receivers Jeff Samardzija and Rhema McKnight vs. cornerbacks Leon Hall and Morgan Trent for Michigan.
Prediction:
Even though I like Michigan’s team a lot better than the two previous seasons, Notre Dame has already played two decent opponents (including Georgia Tech on the road) where as the Wolverines are coming off of two cupcakes. I just don’t see U of M as mentally prepared as ND is right now. Quinn won’t be the difference maker against Michigan this week – Walker will be. As a nobody underclassmen two years ago, Walker tore up the Wolverines for 115 yards on the ground. Last year, Walker rushed for 104 yards and also caught five passes out of the backfield. Although Michigan has shored up its run defense this season, Walker is still going to get going and the Irish won’t have to rely on Quinn to get pummeled by the Wolverines pass rush. Even though I think both teams will try to establish the run early and often, I still expect a high scoring affair.
It will be close, but I like the Irish to make it three in a row: Notre Dame 30, Michigan 24.
