Michigan vs Notre Dame Preview

Game Time: 3:30

Location: Big House

Line: ND -3

TV: ABC

Weather: 73 Partly Cloudy

This seems like an "old time" Michigan - ND match up. Both teams are 1-0 with a ton of media attention around this match up. I think the attention has more to do with the two head coaches but hey that's what sells on ESPN these days.

So on to this weeks match up.

Both teams played well last week against weaker opponents. The ND defense pitched a shut out and the Michigan D gave up one big play. Both offenses scored often and early and cruised in the second half with over 30 points total. So you can rack both of those victories up as a pre-season win. (I know both are good wins and wins are wins) The real season starts on Saturday.

If you look at head to head match ups, ND is the better team and the reason why they are ranked #18. They have a experienced QB, they have explosive WR's, and a defense that played well against Hawaii in the Bowl Game and Nevada last week. It's not a big mystery what we will see from ND on Saturday. They will run in between the tackles, throw long to the WR's, and try to win the turnover battle again.

If you just look at the match up's and stats, I would say this is a 10 point victory by ND.

What's interesting in this game is the intangibles:

• A Greg Robinson lead Syracuse team beating ND in South Bend last year.


• Goodtime Charlie being 2-2 against Michigan with two Michigan blowouts.


• ND being 3-9 in road openers since 1997


• 5 upsets in the last 7 games between these two teams

Both teams are feeling really good about themselves but only one team has to travel to Ann Arbor and play in the new louder Big House. That could be the difference in this game. I would like to look at last years game but it really don't make sense with Michigan's 6 turnovers.

BHB "keys" to the game:

• Clausen vs Michigan's CB's: ND will throw the long ball can Michigan's CB's cover them tight? Look for Justin Turner to make his debut in some role as a CB, since JT Floyd struggled against WMU.


• Mike Martin and Brandon Graham vs ND OL: Can these two guys get pressure on Jimmy? If ND wants to throw long, Jimmy will need time. (Jimmy likes his chicken spicy!) :)


• Can Michigan run the ball? Nevada averaged over 5 yards per carry. Michigan will need easy first downs on the ground.

Worry if:

• Boubacar is hurt and can't play


• Jimmy's jersey stays clean


• The FedEx duo starts acting like freshman QB's and turns the ball over


• Michigan for some reason can't hang on to the ball


• Sheridan takes his baseball hat off

Sing "Hail to the Victors" if:

• Brandon Graham is a regular in ND's backfield


• Junior Hemingway goes Mario Manningham from ND memories of past


• Greg Robinson's defense has some secret sauce for ND


• If Brandon Minor plays and has a Penn State type of day


• Michigan gets over 200 yards on the ground again


• No turnovers!!!!!

This is a very hard game to predict. ND for all intense and purposes has the more experienced team but gives up a number of yards on the ground. Michigan would love to run all day and only pass when the "Forcier is with them". Buckle up for this one..............

Michigan 28 ND 24

GO BLUE! and

God Bless America on 9/11!