K
knute
Guest
Living in Ann Arbor is never easy for a Notre Dame fan and alumnus. Sure it's been great beating them the past few years, but you always worry about wearing your ND gear around town, especially when you're going out to eat (what's taking them so long with my food back in the kitchen?). You'll be walking down the street and someone's eyes dart to your ND shirt, then suddenly a frown appears. Yes, it feels great, but it's tougher to make friends.
Then there's the media. TV, radio and newspapers always talking about how Michigan can't beat Ohio State and Notre Dame. Should Lloyd Carr be fired, yada, yada, yada. But one week every year, I listen to those radio stations and read those newspaper articles and maybe have a unique perspective on the UofM psyche.
For UofM this game is a test of manhood. It's like, if they win this game the seniors can graduate with honor, otherwise, they will be haunted forever by what could have been. It worries me that this game may mean alot more to Michigan than it does to Notre Dame. It's similar to the ND/USC game last year where USC was focused on the National Championship and ND was just focused on beating USC.
The analogy being used around here is Pittsburgh Steelers versus Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs last year. It's smashmouth versus skill. Size and strength versus complicated schemes. I expect Michigan to come out hitting hard, several cheap shots, fights and blood on the field.
Some keys:
1) ND will need to match Michigan's intensity and don't sell out to stop the run. We don't want a repeat of Ohio State where every play-action-pass goes for a touchdown. Luckily Michigan doesn't have Troy Smith, Holmes and Ginn, but still their receivers and tight end can hurt us. Discipline is key.
2) Flex some of our new-found depth, especially on the DLine to keep our guys fresh going into the second half where the game is likely to be close.
3) Control Michigan's front seven with a steady diet of screens, draw plays and quick slants.
4) Win the battle of turnovers and special teams.
Then there's the media. TV, radio and newspapers always talking about how Michigan can't beat Ohio State and Notre Dame. Should Lloyd Carr be fired, yada, yada, yada. But one week every year, I listen to those radio stations and read those newspaper articles and maybe have a unique perspective on the UofM psyche.
For UofM this game is a test of manhood. It's like, if they win this game the seniors can graduate with honor, otherwise, they will be haunted forever by what could have been. It worries me that this game may mean alot more to Michigan than it does to Notre Dame. It's similar to the ND/USC game last year where USC was focused on the National Championship and ND was just focused on beating USC.
The analogy being used around here is Pittsburgh Steelers versus Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs last year. It's smashmouth versus skill. Size and strength versus complicated schemes. I expect Michigan to come out hitting hard, several cheap shots, fights and blood on the field.
Some keys:
1) ND will need to match Michigan's intensity and don't sell out to stop the run. We don't want a repeat of Ohio State where every play-action-pass goes for a touchdown. Luckily Michigan doesn't have Troy Smith, Holmes and Ginn, but still their receivers and tight end can hurt us. Discipline is key.
2) Flex some of our new-found depth, especially on the DLine to keep our guys fresh going into the second half where the game is likely to be close.
3) Control Michigan's front seven with a steady diet of screens, draw plays and quick slants.
4) Win the battle of turnovers and special teams.
