Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/163197
Game Preview: Michigan of emphasis this fall was to create a more balanced attack. The performance of first-time contributors Ronnie Stanley and true freshman Steve Elmer (a Midland, Mich. native) at right tackle will determine much of this battle. In Notre Dame's dramatic 35-31 loss at Michigan two years ago, running the ball was not an issue. Cierre Wood and Jonas Gray combined for 200 yards and a touchdown. Repeating such a performance will take the pressure off Rees in the passing game. Advantage: Notre Dame Notre Dame Passing Game Vs. Michigan Pass Defense This is Rees' third and final game against Michigan after starting in 2011 (27-of-39 passing for 315 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions) and managing the 2012 win well after relieving Everett Golson. The Michigan game marks the first true test for a passing offense without a go-to playmaker like it had in recent years with tight end Tyler Eifert, and wide receivers Michael Floyd and Golden Tate. If the running game is successful for the Irish, it opens up many more opportunities for Rees to challenge the Wolverines' new starters, cornerback Blake Countess and safety Jarrod Wilson. In Michigan's bowl game last year, the Wolverines surrendered 341 passing yards to South Carolina, the best passing offense they had faced all season. Raymon Taylor and Thomas Gordon return, but the losses of safety Jordan Kovacs and cornerback J.T. Floyd sting. Notre Dame's offensive line has shown improvement in each of the first three seasons under Brian Kelly, and it might just do it again in 2013 with three starters returning. Rees should have plenty of time to throw as long as the right tackle combination of Stanley and Elmer hold their own. Advantage: Even Special Teams Notre Dame's struggles on special teams are well documented, but Kelly sounded optimistic that the use of TJ Jones as a punt returner has energized the unit. Kickoff returns will be successful if George Atkinson III can match his 2011 totals (915 yards and two touchdowns) after a mediocre 2012. Kicker and punter are both fluid situations, and it might be difficult to forecast the personnel at those positions each week until a player claims each respective job. Brendan Gibbons is back as Michigan's kicker after a 16-of-18 performance on field goals in 2012, but last year's top punter in the Big Ten, Will Hagerup, has been suspended for the season. The punt and kickoff return units both return relatively intact and should improve in 2013. Advantage: Michigan Coaching Michigan head coach Brady Hoke is in a similar position to what Kelly experienced heading into 2012. He must demonstrate in 2013 that the program is once again one of the nation's elite. Otherwise, fans will begin to say that the 11-2 season in 2011 was a fluke. Kelly knows the importance of setting the brutal September slate off right with a win at Michigan. He and Hoke have split their two meetings, and Kelly is 1-2 against Michigan as Notre Dame's head coach. The 41st meeting between these schools will be a chess match between two of college football's rising coaches. Advantage: Even Intangibles A loss at Michigan Stadium would be Notre Dame's sixth in seven tries at The Big House since the series resumed in 2002. Historically, a win in this early-season matchup foreshadows a successful season, and both of these teams have high expectations heading into week two. The Big House has been a house of horrors in recent years for Notre Dame, but the Irish played their best football on the road in 2012. Advantage: Michigan