Michigan vs. Notre Dame

[Kodiak7]

I will have continued write-ups for this game during the week:

the line stands at Michigan -10 playing this saturday 3:30 (east.) at the Big House.

I will be on Notre Dame here for a few reasons.

1st off: this game is always close and Michigan has been ran on early this year. CMU pounded them on the ground and Houston, well Houston didn't try to run. Notre Dame will establish the run and eat clock as OSU did 2 years ago at the BIG HOUSE in there 1st of 2 upset victories!

2nd: Michigans passing game has sputtered. Navaree looks immobile and off early on. Edwards drops two catches two. The rest of the wideouts are young and will be getting there true 1st taste of this BIG TIME rivalry.

3rd: Notre Dame will key on stopping the best runningback in the country the 1st two weeks of the season, Chris Perry. They should have success early on until Navaree softens them up with the passing game. Its hard to run with 8 in the box.

4th: Michigan gives up back door covers like no other, and if they get a team down the like to eat clock instead of scoring more points to put a team away. Its called Conservatism, and Lloyd is the KING!

in closing: Bottom-Line for me is this. I love michigan to win this Saturday, no question, but 10 points is to many with Michigan vs. ND. And for me if they cover the 10, which I don't think they will! I'm still happy and Drunk at the BIG HOUSE!

 

[Kodiak7]

SERIES HISTORY:

Michigan and Notre Dame will meet on the gridiron for the 30th time this saturday afternoon in beautiful Ann Arbor Michigan. The Wolves hold a 17-12-1 all time record against the Irish and are one of only 10 teams to hold a winning record against Notre Dame all time. Michigan has a 9-6 advantage in games played in Ann Arbor, but the series is knotted at 5-5-1 in games at the BIG HOUSE. In games decided by 3 or fewer points, Notre Dame leads by a 4-2-1 margin.

This saturday Michigan makes it 4-3-1...

 

[Kodiak7]

LAST MEETING:

(#20 Notre Dame -25 #7 Michigan 23)

The Wolves were unable to overcome 4 turnovers in this 25-23 loss to the Irish. Some bad calls and Irish LUCK also helped contribute to this biter loss to the clovers.... The TD at the 1/2 was a fumble and that gave the Irish the lead and the MO to finish off the Wolves in the 2nd..

 

[Kodiak7]

PLAYER TO WATCH:

Michigan redshirt freshman STEVE BREASTON. this kid can fly and he is the next thing at the University of Michigan. His numbers stand at 8 punt returns for 130 avg. 16.2 per return. with a long of 38. Figure into that the TD return which was called back on a bad call against Houston and this Kid has opposing coaches wetting the bed! Against ND I have a feeling that he may make the difference..

Do you remember the Rocket? Desmond? Timmy Brown? All made this game special with there return MAGIC.. Breaston maybe next!

 

[Kodiak7]

Final Score Prediction:

Michiagn -24 Notre Dame -20

enjoy!
777

 

[KMAN]

Agreed, Michigan wins but it could be close. No way Notre Dame comes into the Big House and wins this year.

KMAN

 

[hellcat]

I agree, I think Michigan will pull it out, but I don't see them covering. I will be on the Irish.

 

[MGoBlue]

Breaston is a Burner! Looking forward to watching him on Saturday's for the next few years! Hopefully Navarre and the wideouts get on the same page this weekend. Overall the D looks pretty good...the LB's need to play a little more consistently however. Looking for a close game at the Big House!

One more thing...gotta love that field turf that has been installed there this year, looks like Perry really likes running on it huh?

 

[KMAN]

Perry looks awesome. It has been against weak competition but I would much rather have the ball in his hands than Navarre. Navarre has a great arm but he's not the most accurate passer I've seen. However, last week, I do remember a couple of balls that Braylon Edwards gave up on. I wasn't to pleased with that.

Anyway, I hate ND so I hope it's 50-10 but I see it like you guys. Michigan winning about 24-17.

GL,
KMAN

 

[Kodiak7]

Kman. Perry does look great! ND has noticed this as well. Navarre will have to beat them for Michigan to win. Perry will be up against 8 men in the box until NAVARRE softens them up. I always hope for the WOlVES to come home. the smart play here though is with the points, I hope its a backdoor cover for me!

~you know that 24-13 game with 5minutes left. that all of a sudden turns into a 24-20 game with two minutes left, failed onside kick, then one 1st down and the party's over type game..

In the end Michigan in the winners Circle!

GO BLUE!
777*7

 

[bestbets22]

Irish will pull one out in what will be an espn classic

i look for the irish tandem of julius jones and ryan grant to run wild on the wolves.. Grant had a huge game last year and i look for the same.

as for holiday he is a dow joneser,, up and down,, last year played well vs mich,, last week was rotten for 1 half,, if holiday can show up and be accurate (which is a rarity) then the irish's talented recievers might be able to do something.

Michigan has played 2 no bodys that even i could run wild on. Granted perry is a great back, he will be put to the test this week.

The irish will need to run the ball control offense which will be pounding out the yards on the ground and keep the clock movine, mixing in some great timing passes. Special teams could play a big part as well as the Irish have one of the best in football in vontez duff, and now with jones back there returning kicks, makes opponent think who to kick too.

like i said it will be a nail biter and i look for the irish to pull one out like last year

my prediction
ND 24 Michigan 21

 

[Kodiak7]

thanks for the thoughts bestbets. I hope its a classic.. but a classic WOLVES Victory!

YOUR MY BOY BLUE!

 

[ChiTownHustler]

K7

I am really showing restraint and respect for the rivalry not to jump on UofM here. I think UofM is in for an undefeated season if they can make it past Minny when they make the trip there. ND just finds ways to hang in these games. I have no idea how they move the ball against the Wolves and this is Navarre's chance to shut up his critics (me included) by leading UofM to a 2+ TD win here.

 

[BigTwelveFan]

With that donkey Carlyle Holiday (sp?) at QB for the irish they will continue to have one of the most pathetic/anemic offenses in the nation (don't count on the fluke running late in games to bail them out every week).

It's the same as Auburn w/ Campbell. Look at the great backs the Tigers have, and they are terrible with that clown taking the snaps!

Mich wins this one EASY!

BTF

 

[Kodiak7]

nice posts guys. I just respect the rivalry SO much that I see this as a closer game then 2 touches..

 

[Kodiak7]

One other thing I failed to mention.. Michigan is 2-0 vs. the # this year. I honestly CANNOT remember the last time the covered three straight games... Its just not MICHIGAN!

and until NAVARRE and his WR get into gear no top 30 team will be a cake walk!

 

[KMAN]

Kodiak7 - Agreed.

What does Michigan think they are doing covering these games???

This is a different Michigan team than the past. They have an explosive offense and are looking to show it off. It's about damn time!

KMAN

 

[Kodiak7]

Michigan is getting alot of PUB. currently. Alot of people including myself see them as a National Champion sort of team. The truth is they haven't proved a thing yet! And Notre Dame is not only well coached but motivated by the underdog role they are coming into this Saturday!

MICHIGAN WINS 24-20

FVCK as long as they win we're all good! I'm worried about the Sandwich game next week at OREGON.. The ducks fall between ND and the BIG 10 Opener and are at home..

BIG GAME ME THINKS!

late:
777*7

 

[Kodiak7]

PASSING GAME WOES FRUSTRATING THE WOLVES:

They're disappointed. At time frustrated.

While it hasn't been a issue in there first two woodshed whippins, it may be in there next game Saturday vs. Notre Dame.

Through two games MICHIGAN'S offensive attack has has relied on there running game HEAVILY. They are avg. a Nation leading 370 yards a game on the ground.

The passing game, meanwhile, is averaging 208 yards a game.

That's 63rd nationally, and down 25 yards per from last season.

The Wolves sputtered through the air last week. Navarre completed just 13 of 30 for 136 yards. And while Navarre wasn't always on target with his throws, his output was hurt by some drops, just as it was in the opener.

Coach Carr expressed disappointment in the passing game. He said the key to success is to have recievers spaced properly, in the right position, and running good routes.
"I think it was a combination of things," Carr said, "Obviously, we want to catch the football better, but it goes beyond just that. We had a couple of problems in protection as well. We had a couple of times where we didn't go to the right side, where we looked left when we should have looked right. So there are things in there we just need to do better and I think we will."

I think the Wolves will improve also! The fact remains though Notre Dame is coming to town and we are not insinct with the passing game..

ND +10

LATE:

 

[Kodiak7]

any other thoughts on this game..

I see the line is down to 9..

I would love to see it fall to lets say 3.. lol...