Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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On Paper By Dan Murphy Michigan Running Game Vs. Notre Dame Run Defense The month of September has been a tough test for the Irish defensive front. They started by holding Navy to 149 yards on the ground and forcing it to throw the ball. Purdue managed only three yards per carry the following Saturday. This week, they face the Wolverines and their big-play machine, senior quarterback Denard Robinson. Four of Michigan’s first six touchdowns this season came on plays of at least 30 yards, and two of those were 58- and 79-yard runs by Robinson. He has torched the Irish for 366 rushing yards in their past two meetings. This year, he also has junior running back Fitzgerald Toussaint, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, to help share the load. Notre Dame’s defense, led by a stout core of linemen and senior captain Manti Te’o, gave up only one rush longer than 18 yards in its first two games. If they can hold Robinson and Toussaint in check in Notre Dame Stadium, they’ll give the Irish a good chance to win. Advantage: Notre Dame Michigan Passing Game Vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense Robinson isn’t a traditional drop-back passing quarterback, but he has had plenty of success throwing the ball against Notre Dame in the past. A year ago, he threw for 338 yards and a last-second, game-winning touchdown in Michigan’s 35-31 victory. The Wolverines lost top receiver Junior Hemingway to graduation this season. Converted quarterback Devin Gardner and junior Jeremy Gallon are Robinson’s top targets in September, each collected more than 100 receiving yards in the team’s first two games. Freshman tight end Devin Funchess had 106 yards receiving in Michigan’s win over Air Force, which was the best performance by a Wolverine tight end since 1997. His promising debut filled a hole in the lineup that most thought would be a weak spot this season. Notre Dame’s young cornerbacks responded to a rocky start against Navy by keeping a pack of speedy Purdue receivers relatively under wraps. The Boilermakers threw for 198 yards, and Irish junior Bennett Jackson made two key interceptions in the second half. Still there are some vulnerable soft spots in the Irish pass coverage, especially on underneath routes. Notre Dame’s ability to put pressure on Robinson and force quick throws could be the deciding factor in their success in stopping the pass. Advantage: Even Notre Dame Running Game Vs. Michigan Run Defense Notre Dame’s rushing attack stalled against a big, physical Purdue defense that was determined to stop the run. The Boilermakers held Notre Dame to 52 yards rushing after the Irish walloped Navy for 293 in the season opener. Did they provide a formula to the rest of the Big Ten for keeping the score low against the Irish? Michigan doesn’t have the fearsome defensive front of Michigan State or Purdue. Their depth in the front seven couldn’t stand up to an Alabama team that ran for 247 yards in the season opener. Air Force’s triple-option attack topped that with 290 yards a week later. Michigan finished that game with true freshman linebackers Joe Bolden and James Ross III on the field. Despite their lack of experience, that pair might see plenty of time moving forward for the Wolverines. Michigan’s defensive linemen are all in the 280-300 pound range, but should be an easier group to control than the past two fronts the Irish offense has faced. Advantage: Notre Dame Notre Dame Passing Game Vs. Michigan Pass Defense Sophomore quarterback Everett Golson has a strong arm and works well in a moving pocket. As many receivers as Notre Dame has used this year, the offense still stalled without senior Tyler Eifert and sophomore DaVaris Daniels on the field against Purdue in the second half. Those two, who combined for eight catches and 168 yards before leaving the game with injuries, will be important for Golson’s ability to stretch the field all season. Michigan’s defensive backfield is loaded with experience. Fifth-year senior safety Jordan Kovacs and fifth-year senior cornerback J.T. Floyd lead a group that surrendered an average of 163.0 passing yards in its first two games, but has yet to be truly tested. Alabama never needed to throw, Air Force relies on a rushing attack and last week’s opponent, Massachusetts, is still trying to find its bearings as an FBS-level team. Michigan has also had to deal with losing starting cornerback Blake Countess for the season, after the sophomore was injured against the Crimson Tide. Advantage: Michigan Special Teams After a few first-game jitters, Notre Dame’s kickers have settled into a groove. Sophomore Kyle Brindza made a push for the starting placekicker job by hitting a clutch game winner against Purdue in the final seconds, while senior Ben Turk averaged 40.6 yards per punt through the first two games. Freshman punt returner Davonte’ Neal has had little chance to break loose in his first two games, but he’s already proven to be more aggressive than last year’s returners. Michigan has had a rough start to the year returning punts. The Wolverines ranked 96th in the nation with four punt return yards through two games. They were 95th in net punting, but that number was dragged down dramatically by one 24-yard shank from placekicker Matt Wile. The team’s regular punter, Will Hagerup, averaged 49 yards in his first nine punts. Notre Dame’s biggest special teams snafu in its first two games was a blown kickoff coverage that eventually led to Purdue’s first touchdown of the game. Wile has kicked six touchbacks in his first nine attempts and help opponents to an average starting field position of the 22-yard line following a kickoff. Advantage: Michigan Coaching The Irish coaching staff has gone two seasons in South Bend without finding a way to stop Robinson. Brian Kelly and his assistants have provided plenty of signs that they are laying a good foundation at Notre Dame, but haven’t quite tipped momentum completely in their direction. They can tick a lot of boxes if they can game plan to stop Robinson and come away with a win at home against a ranked rival this week. Michigan head coach Brady Hoke made a big splash in his first year in Ann Arbor by leading the Wolverines to a BCS bowl win. The much-improved defense that helped them get there hasn’t been the same yet in Hoke’s second year. This matchup might shape the direction of a big year for both coaches. Advantage: Even Intangibles No senior class at Notre Dame has ever lost to Michigan four years in a row. This year’s team is in jeopardy of becoming the first. The last three losses to Michigan have come in heartbreaking fashion for Notre Dame. This game has been circled on the Irish calendars for several months. Playing at night in Notre Dame Stadium will only heighten the atmosphere for what will likely be the biggest game of the year in South Bend. The Irish fans disappointed during the first home game of the season, booing quarterback Tommy Rees as he led the team on a game-winning drive, but should still provide their team with an edge against rival Michigan. Advantage: Notre Dame