Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/163197
Game Preview: Michigan Stanford and Navy, and that appears to be in place. Last May 13, Michigan head coach Brady Hoke played to a partisan Michigan crowd in Grand Rapids when he told them: "We have unbelievable rivalry games at Michigan. The Notre Dame, that rivalry, which they're chickening out of … they're still going to play Michigan State, they'll play Purdue; they don't want to play Michigan." The statement drew an instant response from Irish senior nose guard Louis Nix III on his Twitter. Replied Nix: "Chickened out? #MeatChicken will taste delicious Sept 7th. #GoIrish" Harmless jabs, but a little extra spice for the fare. No. 1 vs. No. 2 Notre Dame took a step toward supplanting Michigan atop the all-time winning percentage list after a 12-1 campaign that outpaced the Wolverines' 8-5 record. However, the Wolverines still maintain their lead on the Fighting Irish, and are in pretty good position to hold it through the 2013 campaign — unless repeat records from 2012 are posted. Find the current rankings of all time winning percentage at the box at the bottom of the page. ✦ Predictions Tom Loy: Notre Dame 24, Michigan 20 The Irish will have to establish a strong running game if they want to go into Ann Arbor and defeat the Wolverines. In addition, quarterback Tommy Rees will have to outplay Michigan's Devin Gardner in the turnover battle between the signal-callers. In the end, Rees does just enough to get his team out of enemy territory with a close win and a 2-0 record to start the season. Dan Murphy: Michigan 27, Notre Dame 24 These two teams are headed down similar paths, but the Wolverines hold two key advantages that will help them squeak out another dramatic finish under the lights. First, experience in the backfield. I'm not sold on Notre Dame's offensive weapons yet. Fitzgerald Touissant is a former 1,000-yard rusher, and Devin Gardner is a very athletic quarterback. Second, Michigan is at home, where 110,000 screaming fans can make a difference in a neck-and-neck battle. Andrew Owens: Michigan 31, Notre Dame 28 Under the lights at The Big House, the Irish running backs will rush for more than 150 yards and Tommy Rees will avoid the big turnover. That sounds like a recipe for success, but Michigan will secure its fourth win in five tries in this series with a late game-winning drive. Pivotal will be Notre Dame's ability to pressure Devin Gardner behind a line of two returning starters, even if one is All-American Taylor Lewan. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 24, Michigan 13 After four straight games where this game came down to the final possession, a double-digit win by one team or the other is due. It's more likely to be Michigan at home under the lights, but it's still too early in the year for me to give up big dreams. Skill positions are a question mark for the Irish, but the hope is they can win it in the trenches.