Michigan Wolverines 2 Deep

[Irish Envy]

QB
Chad Henne- JR
Jason Forcier- FR*

RB
Mike Hart- JR
Kevin Grady- SO

FB
Will Paul- JR
Brian Thompson- SR*

WR
Adrian Arrington- SO*
Mario Manningham-SO

Slot WR
Steve Breaston-SR*
Doug Dutch- SO*

TE
Tyler Ecker- SR*
Mike Massey- SO

RT
Rueben Riley-SR*
Mike Kolodziej- SR*

RG
Alex Mitchell- SO*
Jeremy Ciulla- SO*

C
Mark Bihl- SR*
David Moosman- FR*

LG
Adam Kraus- JR*
Justin Schifano- FR*

LT
Jake Long- JR*
Brett Gallimore- SO*

Bold= returning starter

 

[Irish Envy]

RDE
Rondell Biggs- SR
Eugene Germany- FR*

NG
Terrance Taylor-SO
Marques Walton- SO

DT
Alan Branch- JR
Will Johnson-SO

LDE
Lamarr Woodley- SR
Tim Jamison- JR

OLB
Prescott Burgess- SR
Shawn Crable- JR*

MLB
Dave Harris- SR*
Brandon Logan- SO

OLB
Chris Graham- JR
John Thompson- SO*

CB
Leon Hall- SR
Charles Stewart- SO*

FS
Ryan Mundy- JR
Willis Barringer-SR*

SS
Jamar Adams- JR
Brandent Englemon- JR*

CB
Morgan Trent- SO*
Darnell Hood-SR*

* Redshirt
Bold= Returning Starter

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

That's a lot of returning starters. People better not overlook these boys...if they click this year, they will hand you your ass.

 

[guff]

Lot of returning starters. I think Michigan is a very under rated team. Sept 16th is going to be a NDs toughest game.

 

[jiggafini19]

This game worries me. A lot.

 

[irishnd31]

This game worries me. A lot.

Just remember this fellas...



Llllloyd Carr Coach

Retrurning in Bold

 

[scooper]

Their front seven on D looks especially strong. I'm glad this game's in South Bend.

Looking at their two-deep by grade, I suspect they may be one of the favorites to win it all in 07.

 

[maison bleu]

I'm loving all those upperclassmen on the D.

 

[tommy]

honestly all the games scare me im a dont count your chicks till they are hatched but im more confidant in this team then any other even the team that beat #1 fsu that later lost to fredo

 

[ralphwaldoemerson]

A lot of returning starters back from a team that lost 5 (or was it 6?) games last year. They have talent and experience and should be good - but not that good. ND should certainly beat this team, especially at home. It's far from a sure thing, and will be a difficult game (Michigan gave us more trouble last year than all but OSU, including the two other losses), but it's a game ND should win. No use worrying about it.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I'm loving all those upperclassmen on the D.

As you should. Honestly, the team has the talent. It just needs to gel better.

I am glad that this is not a rebuilding year for ND...otherwise I would NOT place much money on this game.

 

[punishment]

It seems like Michigan will have a somewhat young team. There are a lot of sophomores in the 2 deep. Might be a very strong unit come 2007.

 

[Guest]

Michigan will be the toughest team on our schedule this year.USC is very talented, but you can never underestimate experience, and Michigan has plenty.. They're very talented offensively and their defense is experienced and should be much better, especially against the run. Plus Michigan hasn't won in South Bend since 94' so its almost like they're due a win there.

It'll be a close game no matter what IMO, you can always throw out rankings when these two teams play. Both teams have such a hatred for one another that the worse team always manages to play up to their competition in this game.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Michigan will be the toughest team on our schedule this year.USC is very talented, but you can never underestimate experience, and Michigan has plenty.. They're very talented offensively and their defense is experienced and should be much better, especially against the run. Plus Michigan hasn't won in South Bend since 94' so its almost like they're due a win there.

It'll be a close game no matter what IMO, you can always throw out rankings when these two teams play. Both teams have such a hatred for one another that the worse team always manages to play up to their competition in this game.

You could not be more right.

Seriously, this game of ALL games keeps me up at night. It's not that I *fear* Michigan, but rather I see all the returning starters they have. And while there was a change in coaching, I simply cannot believe that Michigan has slipped down the crap shoot.

This team will be one of the best 2 we face all season.

USC does NOT worry me. Our boys will be 110% all over them.

scUM worries me...they are a sleeping giant right now.

 

[BigIrish]

scUM worries me...they are a sleeping giant right now.

while i agree that outside SC, UM has what appears to be the best chance (on paper, at least) to beat the Irish this year, i'm starting to get frustrated with this perception that ND might lose because its some sort of trap game where UM comes out and shocks everyone.

UM has consistently recruited highly talented classes. people often get duped into underestimating a team by looking at their previous year's record. Well, let's set the record straight. Charlie Weis knows exactly how talented this UM team is, and so does every player on the Irish squad.

If the Irish get beat by UM in South Bend this year, it'll be because UM has a very talented team that played to its potential. It won't be because UM snuck up on us.

I suppose I'm jaded because I've continued into this week with my masochistic urge to peruse the UM boards, where the UM masses are still ranting about how they'll shock the world by beating ND in their home stadium.

 

[jiggafini19]

The only reason Michigan worries me is they are good, they've changed their attitude and they're going to be conditioned.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

while i agree that outside SC, UM has what appears to be the best chance (on paper, at least) to beat the Irish this year, i'm starting to get frustrated with this perception that ND might lose because its some sort of trap game where UM comes out and shocks everyone.

UM has consistently recruited highly talented classes. people often get duped into underestimating a team by looking at their previous year's record. Well, let's set the record straight. Charlie Weis knows exactly how talented this UM team is, and so does every player on the Irish squad.

I actually firmly agree with you.

It's not that they are a trap, its that they are tremendously talented, have a thirst for revenge, and are bringing a new attitude. They will be very dangerous and are my pick to win the BigTen.

 

[domerfor life]

I actually firmly agree with you.

It's not that they are a trap, its that they are tremendously talented, have a thirst for revenge, and are bringing a new attitude. They will be very dangerous and are my pick to win the BigTen.

I don't think Michigan will sneak up on us. I think we have a lot of respect for Michigan. I don't see how you can call it a trap game. If they beat us, it won't be because we overlooked them. I'm more worried about the games after MSU and before USC where we will have to battle overconfidence.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I don't think Michigan will sneak up on us. I think we have a lot of respect for Michigan. I don't see how you can call it a trap game. If they beat us, it won't be because we overlooked them. I'm more worried about the games after MSU and before USC where we will have to battle overconfidence.

Yeah, I agree...that's why I said it's not a trap.

That being said, UM will most likely be the best team we play, with PSU and USC a close 2nd/3rd.

GT, UCLA, and MSU are the games that I worry about "overconfidence" sneaking up on the team.

However, each of those teams has plenty of film to keep the team concerned about. They all had their moments in the last 2 years...I honestly don't think the team will look past anyone one the schedule. Not even the Academies.

 

[marv81s]

I agree with all you. This isn't a trap game, I about crapped my drawers when Blackage on ESPN called this a trap game for ND. Said that ND won't have the focus that it needs for this game because of the Penn St game the week before which is why he picked us to lose. I don't see how Weis would let something like that happen against a team like Michigan, especially a rivarly game, and with the number of high class recruits that will be on hand to watch this game. He will have the team ready to play. Its going to be a classic game and I just hope that it doesn't come down to a kicking game, I don't have faith in our kicking game at all.

 

[ralphwaldoemerson]

Michigan's changed their attitude? How do you figure? Same head coach. Same players. Maybe this year they lose 3 or 4 instead of 5. No reason ND shouldn't win. Weis needs to re-establish home dominance this season. That should be priority number one. People need to know that coming into ND is a loss.