TheWolverine.com - Staff Predictions: Michigan vs. Notre Dame

September 11, 2009

The Staff of TheWolverine.com

There were some interesting moments from the Notre Dame press conferences held this week, including interviews with former Michigan defensive back Corwin Brown, quarterback Jimmy Clausen and head coach Charlie Weis, but not much bulletin board material.

About the only thing that remotely close came from Weis himself, when he was asked about Michigan freshman quarterback Tate Forcier and whether he knew much about him [with thoughts on what he was really thinking in brackets].

"Yeah, he's been here, we visited with him, we know him and his whole family, we know the whole ball of wax [which I've since given to Jimmy as hair product]," said Weis. "It was interesting -- I haven't thought about him for a while [at least since Saturday night ? if we couldn't stop the guy they threw out there last year, and in a monsoon, no less, how in the hell are we going to stop this kid?].

"But it was interesting he went to four high schools in four years, I think [actually two, and he was home schooled, but I'll make the kid look bad by making him out to be a nomad]. I'd have to go back and look at that [though I'll choose not to later], but I think it's four high schools in four years, so it was tough to keep track of him a little bit, to tell you the truth [hell, anytime we needed to find Jimmy, we just looked for the stretch Hummer].

"I thought he was athletic -- what I'm seeing is what we're getting [a peewee who we never figured could be this good as a frosh]. I just didn't think for us, for what we do [lose to most good opponents on the schedule and get blown out by teams with great athletes] -- there is a perfect fit for everyone, and it wasn't a perfect fit for us [Jimmy ? you complete me! Orange whip, son?]."

The Irish, of course, have put together a two-game winning streak dating back to last season's bowl win over Hawaii, albeit against "defense optional" teams. Will their offensive line hold up against Michigan's pass rush? Will the defensive line do a better job getting off blocks than it did last year? Will Michigan's defensive backs be able to hang with Notre Dame's receivers?

We're ready to find out.

Congratulations to last week's winner, Matt Pargoff (though he told us his pick would really have been 48-0, but he was so worried we'd trash him he opted for the conservative route ? so Matt, you'll have to win again this week to get your Lions t-shirt). This week's winner receives Return to Glory VIII: Notre Dame's Rise from the Ashes to 2-0 in its Last Two Games and the 1993 movie "Leprechaun" starring Jennifer Aniston (as seen on TV - usually from 3:30 to 5:30 a.m.).

The picks:

Chris Balas: Watching the 1986 Michigan - Notre Dame game recently on the Big Ten Network brought back great memories (Jamie Morris, Jim Harbaugh and the option. Being able to watch Lou Holtz squirm on the sidelines instead of having to hear him) ?

Seriously, has this game ever been so hard to predict? We've heard suggestions Notre Dame will win because it has better athletes ? we disagree. They might win because they have more experienced athletes, but ?

Michigan 24, Notre Dame 23

John Borton: We could go for the trifecta this week - Michigan knocks off Notre Dame, USC undresses The Vest in The Shoe, and Terrelle Pryor's favorite quarterback gets dragged by a Doberman on his way to the stadium. Of course, that's unnecessarily harsh on reformed dog destroyers, so we'll stick with the first two. Charlie goes back to the Chocolate Factory for solace, staring at 1-1.

Michigan 28, Notre Dame 24

Michael Spath: Pouring through the chats that I did over at IrishIllustrated.com and Pete Sampson did here on The Fort yesterday, something struck us both - Notre Dame and Michigan fans are eerily similar and hate to admit it. They both have an embattled coach, both had an impressive opening week, both have more talent than 90 percent of the opponents they face and both believe they never get beat (instead that they beat themselves).

Face it U-M fans, ND is your evil step-brother. And unfortunately, I now have two Irish step-brothers I must tolerate at holiday gatherings (I hope my mom doesn't read this or it's no more allowance for me!). It is imperative the Wolverines take care of business so my younger brother (another Michigan grad) and I have bragging rights all year.

So I hope I'm wrong about this, but ?

Notre Dame 28, Michigan 21

Matt Pargoff: I could sit here and make fun of Josh for his pick last week, but I figure that everyone else has already taken care of that. And besides, what an easy target. Instead, I'd like to point out that Balas, Borton, Spath, Jon Chait and Ace Anbender each picked Michigan to give up at least 20 points to
Western. Good call guys.

Balas should have known better than to make last week's prize a Detroit Lions back-to-back preseason champions t-shirt. Put something valuable like that on the line and you know I'll be on target.

Oh yeah, the Notre Dame game. I'll be honest - I have no idea what is going to happen in this game. Normally I think I've got a pretty good feel for these things, but yeesh, have you ever seen two fan bases getting more excited about beating a couple of pushover opponents? Hooray, we're both at least average this year! That gets to remain as the consolation prize of a close loser to this game.

Michigan 24, Notre Dame 23

Josh Helmholdt: Before you start spitting barbs my direction for this pick, remember how well it worked out for Michigan last week.

Notre Dame 27, Michigan 23

Jonathan Chait: Here's the problem with trying to predict these Michigan-Notre Dame games: you think you have a perfect handle on how the game will play out, but then the whole thing comes down to something like whether touchdowns will be awarded to quarterbacks who come within two yards of the goal line before fumbling (answer: close enough!) or to quarterbacks who appear to cross the plane with their entire upper torso (answer: no touchdown, and no, we won't review it.) Not that I'm bitter.

Anyway, Rich Rodriguez proved last year that he is a true Michigan Man by following the hallowed tradition of pushing Notre Dame up and down the field but watching his players discover ever more ridiculous ways to lose. If there was a real scandal around Michigan football, it would probably be that last year's team shaved points against Notre Dame. Lots and lots and lots of points. Not that I'm bitter.

Anyway, my lesson from last week is to ramp down the specificity and give yourself a chance. So: Michigan runs for a lot of yards but passes for relatively few. Notre Dame passes for a lot of yards but rushes for relatively few. The key to the game: Notre Dame remains coached by Charlie Weis, who regularly beats up on inferior opponents but has never beaten a team that finished in the top 20. Question: is Michigan a top 20 caliber team? I'll say... at this point in the year .... with the defense still healthy... assuming Minor and Hemingway can perform reasonably well... yes.

Michigan 31, Notre Dame 28

Michigan NEWS

[More]

Latest Headlines:

Resources:

Font Size:

FEATURED PRODUCT