Gippers Notre Dame - Michigan thoughts/play

After rehashing the Irish's 21-13 season opening win over San Diego State, one thing is for sure, Notre Dame's defense is going to keep them in plenty of contests. No matter how much the offense will sputter at times, the new revamped Irish defense, orchestrated by Coordinator Corwin Brown and Associate Head Coach Jon Tenuta (what a steal), looks like they could become one of the better ones in college football.

You might be saying to yourself, it is only one game, and it was against San Diego State. True, but you can say that about how lethargic the offense looked until the fourth quarter. But let me elaborate more into why I believe this defense is going to be a special group

15 - Number of series the Aztecs had against Notre Dame on Saturday.
5 - Number of series San Diego State had against the Irish defense that was 20 yards or more.
2 - Out of the 5 drives mentioned above that were extended by penalties.
2 - TD drives off of Notre Dame turnovers.
33 - Percentage of drives lasting more than 20 yards against the Irish.
2 - Turnovers
1 - Sack

Now for the offense.  The last three seasons against Michigan, the Irish have scored four relevant touchdowns (seriously, four touchdowns in three games?).  In those drives, the Irish were in a no-huddle, quasi-hurry up, with no drive lasting longer than four minutes and twenty-five seconds (one was a two play drive after a turnover, so kindly disregard it).  There was a steady helping of Darius Walker in those drives, but he was doing what he does best - finding cracks on draws after Brady Quinn, either threw throwing it or simply reputation, had established the pass and had the defensive line getting up-field too recklessly.  While Robert Hughes is more of a downhill runner than D-Walk, both he and Armando Allen are more than capable of finding holes without a lead blocker in front of them

Utah and Miami rushed for 83 combined yards, neither gaining more than a yard and a half per carry.  The Irish can go no huddle, take advantage of the front seven sucking up towards Clausen and then test Donovan Warren and Morgan Trent if they can get some one-on-one coverage.  Warren is going to be (is?) a top-flight corner in the nation, but all the Irish need is one or two big plays down the field to put Rich Rodriguez's offense (which was nearly outgained by the RedHawks on Saturday, despite the victory) in a hole they'd have some difficulty crawling out of.

Everyone wants this Notre Dame team to be some sort of power-running, old school Big Ten powerhouse.  If the personnel are there and that works, fantastic, but don't try to fit a square peg into a round hole.  The best performances from Charlie Weis' offense would happen when Brady Quinn would get into a rhythm in the passing game, then working the running game in with screens and draws.  I'm not advocating for one way or the other, but don't desire to be a running team just because you think there's more honor in that.  If Clausen plays like he did in the fourth quarter and guys like Floyd and Tate pan out, there's no shame in throwing the damn ball deep if that's the best option.

Weis and Notre Dame nation may want balance in the offense, which is a noble, acceptable goal.  I'd prefer to just score some damn points and repay Michigan for the Yakety Sax of the last two years.  If we go into a quick-hitting passing game and Clausen starts throwing interceptions or getting planted into the ground repeatedly, adjust, but don't think the Irish have to be a power running team just because of a few preseason quotes. 

Nothing I have seen, And believe me I have looked, (even though I was so disgusted with the start of the game Saturday I left at the end of the 1st quarter) makes me think the Irish can't win both sides of the line.  While I agree with everyone that Rodriquez is head and shoulders above Weis at this point of their careers, I see a rather EASY Irish victory.  Now I am not sure why anyone outside of Ann Arbor or South Bend would want to watch this game, many may want to bet it.  I will go with

                                IRISH  27   Michigan   13