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✦ ON PAPER BY DAN MURPHY Irish defensive front. They held three strong running at- tacks to an average of 96.33 yards per game. 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 MICHIGAN RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE The month of September has been a tough test for the on plays of at least 30 yards, and two of those were 58- and 79-yard runs by Robinson. 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 targets in September, each collected eight grabs and more than 100 receiving yards in the team's first three games. Freshman tight end Devin Funchess had 106 yards receiv- ing in Michigan's win over Air Force, which was the best performance by a Wolverine tight end since 1997. Notre Dame's young secondary has risen to the challenge against inexperienced quarterbacks so far this season. This week they'll have to face a veteran without fifth-year senior Jamoris Slaughter, who is out for the year with a rupture Achilles tendon. Advantage: Michigan and senior captain Manti Te'o, gave up only one rush lon- ger than 18 yards in its first three 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 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. MICHIGAN PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE Robinson isn't a traditional drop-back quarterback, but he cal 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. Last week, the Irish ran when they needed to against the Spartans. 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's defensive linemen are all in the 280-300 NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. MICHIGAN RUN DEFENSE Notre Dame's rushing attack stalled against a big, physi- pound range, but should be an easier group to control than the past two fronts the Irish offense has faced. Advantage: Notre Dame Junior wide receiver Devin Gardner, a converted quarterback, was Michigan's most productive pass catcher through three games, with eight catches for 155 yards and three touchdowns. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL graduation this season. Junior Devin Gardner, a converted quarterback, and junior Jeremy Gallon are Robinson's top The Wolverines lost top receiver Junior Hemingway to and works well in a moving pocket. As many pass catchers as Notre Dame has used this year, the offense still stalled without senior tight end Tyler Eifert and sophomore wide receiver 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 experi- ence. Fifth-year senior safety Jordan Kovacs and fifth-year senior cornerback J.T. Floyd lead a group that surrendered an average of 157.7 passing yards in its first three 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. Advantage: Michigan NOTRE DAME PASSING GAME VS. MICHIGAN PASS DEFENSE Sophomore quarterback Everett Golson has a strong arm SPECIAL TEAMS After a few first-game jitters, Notre Dame's kickers have ✦ PAGE 5 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 was last week's Independent Special Teams Player of the Week. Michigan has had a rough start to the year returning punts. The Wolverines ranked 96th in the nation with four punt return yards through three games. They were 95th in net punting, but that number was dragged down dramati- cally by one 24-yard shank from placekicker Matt Wile. The team's regular punter, Will Hagerup, averaged 48.5 yards in his first nine punts. Notre Dame's biggest special teams snafu in its first three 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 fol- lowing 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 still have yet to beat the Wolverines. 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 the first to go 0-4 against Michigan. The last three losses have come in heartbreaking fashion for Notre Dame, mak- ing this a game that has been circled on the Notre Dame calendars for several months. Playing at night in Notre Dame Stadium will only heighten the atmosphere for what will be one of the biggest game of the year in South Bend. Advantage: Notre Dame INTANGIBLES This year's Irish senior class is in jeopardy of becoming PREDICTIONS Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 28, Michigan 21 Jason Sapp: Notre Dame 28, Michigan 24 Wes Morgan: Michigan 31, Notre Dame 28 Dan Murphy: Notre Dame 33, Michigan 24