Week 2: ND vs UM Predictions

[blue in ohio]

Denard out of the shotgun 26 times. Under center 12 times.



Our defense isn't that good? We held USF to 250 yards total, 1 TD and 3 FGs. Most in fact were because we shot ourselves in the foot.

What's USF though? A middle of the pack big east team. You guys should have beat them by 3 td's. The 250 yards was what you should have done against them. Our terrible defense of last year gave up no more than that to their league champ.

 

[arrowryan]

If we dont make stupid mistakes and if our offense doesnt give the ball away, we will win. That is my prediction for every game this year. I learned that our offense is very powerful in both the passing and running game. Our defense can hold their own too. The turnovers obviously lost us the game last week, if we didnt turn it over we wouldve scored 35 on that team. That is what made me mad.

 

[blue in ohio]

Us Michigan fans had the same debate about Rodriguez and his crazy temper. Overall it divided the team, shook up younger players who needed confidence, and caused much attrition so you should be worried about it. You guys are in a tough position though and all you can do is support your coach just as we supported Rodriguez. I wasn't at all impressed with Reese last year. The throws were just wide open and he missed by a mile all too often. I know you guys are high on him but I will have to see it to believe it. Denard did everything last year to win against you guys. The fact that he can do so much will cause your defense major problems if they spend all game keying on him Toussant could pull a Biakabutuka. This is going to be a whole lot tougher than you guys think. I agree with the 6 out of 10 for last year even 7 with Christ the starter but this year you have so much more to account for not to mention very solid defensive play calling on our side even if the talent is lacking. Anybody expecting a blow out is just setting yourself up for a huge let down. If ND turns the ball over the way they did the other day it will be Michigan in a route because the Michigan offense will do much better than 250 yards. Seems like turnovers are the key byproduct of the spread style offense. I saw three years of it.

 

[irishff1014]

The coaches can only do some much. They can't hold on to the ball for the players, they can hold there hand on the field. These kids are going to School for FREE to play football. Yes a game. Sometime or another the plaers need to take responsibility for there actions.

 

[Irish Insanity]

T. Rees---349 yds on 34/49 w/ 3 tds
M. Floyd---189 yds on 11 rec w/ 2 tds
C. Wood---147 yds on 24 rush w/ 1 td
We force 2 turnovers
Final Score ND-41
U of M-28

 

[notredomer23]

What's USF though? A middle of the pack big east team. You guys should have beat them by 3 td's. The 250 yards was what you should have done against them. Our terrible defense of last year gave up no more than that to their league champ.

middle of the pack? Get out of here skunk they are top two this year along with West Virginia. Lets get real. You guys beat up on a terrible team who you guys only scored 20 points against offensively. Real talk son. Get your garbage out of here. Western Mich had 300 yards on you through 3 quarters of play. If they avoided untimely turnovers that game is going to the wire in the fourth quarter.

And son lets get real. Their league champ? Come on. We all know they were third most talented team in that league at best. West Virginia and Pitt were clearly more talented. But either way, the big east absolutely sucked last year.

And you say we should have beaten them by 3 Td's, watch the game. We would have easily scored 35 baring turnovers and the worst game our players possibly ever played. And we still only lost by 3. If you had 5 turnovers against South Florida you woulda lost by 50 because BJ Daniels would be pooping on your defenders all day.

God damn.

Oh yeah, our QB was Nate Montana for a half last year. Lets get real. You guys beat a team using whom would be their 5th string QB this year for a half. Had Crist not gotten hurt, it would have been over well before that final drive.

 

[blue in ohio]

middle of the pack? Get out of here skunk they are top two this year along with West Virginia. Lets get real. You guys beat up on a terrible team who you guys only scored 20 points against offensively. Real talk son. Get your garbage out of here. Western Mich had 300 yards on you through 3 quarters of play. If they avoided untimely turnovers that game is going to the wire in the fourth quarter.

And son lets get real. Their league champ? Come on. We all know they were third most talented team in that league at best. West Virginia and Pitt were clearly more talented. But either way, the big east absolutely sucked last year.

And you say we should have beaten them by 3 Td's, watch the game. We would have easily scored 35 baring turnovers and the worst game our players possibly ever played. And we still only lost by 3. If you had 5 turnovers against South Florida you woulda lost by 50 because BJ Daniels would be pooping on your defenders all day.

God damn.

We did what we were supposed to do did you? We scored three times on five possessions. Like it or not UConn was the league champ last season so WVU or Pitt really didn't matter. Just because your team lost to USF doesn't suddenly make them a good team. See what they do the rest of the year before making the assumption they are good. I wouldn't bother making the turnover excuses. Better hope you didn't just get a preview of the whole season.

 

[Irish Insanity]

We did what we were supposed to do did you? We scored three times on five possessions. Like it or not UConn was the league champ last season so WVU or Pitt really didn't matter. Just because your team lost to USF doesn't suddenly make them a good team. See what they do the rest of the year before making the assumption they are good. I wouldn't bother making the turnover excuses. Better hope you didn't just get a preview of the whole season.

Being that I live in Michigan and the majority of my friends are Michigan fans, you should probably hope that you just didn't get a preview of your season. Puff, puff, pass, and get back to reality. Any intellegent fan of any team would see that a W is a W. But a W as ugly as yours leaves more questions and fear than confidence and answeres. Your play wasn't much better than ours and the team you played isn't a good team. I am by no means confident in a W next week, for obvious reasons any intellegent U of M fan shouldn't be either.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

We did what we were supposed to do did you? We scored three times on five possessions. Like it or not UConn was the league champ last season so WVU or Pitt really didn't matter. Just because your team lost to USF doesn't suddenly make them a good team. See what they do the rest of the year before making the assumption they are good. I wouldn't bother making the turnover excuses. Better hope you didn't just get a preview of the whole season.

Heed your own advice, don't make assumptions about a team until the season plays out. USF was a good team, not a great team. They did nothing to beat ND. What if ND rolls Michigan, what does that make Michigan?

 

[blue in ohio]

Being that I live in Michigan and the majority of my friends are Michigan fans, you should probably hope that you just didn't get a preview of your season. Puff, puff, pass, and get back to reality. Any intellegent fan of any team would see that a W is a W. But a W as ugly as yours leaves more questions and fear than confidence and answeres. Your play wasn't much better than ours and the team you played isn't a good team. I am by no means confident in a W next week, for obvious reasons any intellegent U of M fan shouldn't be either.

How is ugly scoring on 3 out of 5 possessions while the defense scores two touchdowns? The only thing that was ugly about that was the weather. I know Michigan is not the greatest but neither is ND. Believe me I don't expect a ten win season. We play just way too many good teams to do that this year.

 

[blue in ohio]

Heed your own advice, don't make assumptions about a team until the season plays out. USF was a good team, not a great team. They did nothing to beat ND. What if ND rolls Michigan, what does that make Michigan?

That makes us worse than we thought we were. I just don't see it. You guys are in the same boat we are in. You could be good but haven't proved it yet. If you roll us that probably just means we won't be going bowling. I doubt we miss a bowl with 19 returning starters.

 

[tko]

my prediciton, Cierre Wood scores late to take the lead and then flashes his stupid gloves to the fans and gets a penalty. scUM then takes the short kickoff, drives down and kicks the game winning field goald.

 

[Rhode Irish]

What's USF though?

Better than Michigan, IMO. And that really isn't based on Saturday. USF really wasn't very impressive on Saturday, although they did do what they had to do to capitalize on ND's poor performance to squeak out a win. Going into the season I thought USF was probably the sixth toughest team on our schedule, and Michigan the ninth. We'll see this Saturday. Obviously I wish we were coming in 1-0, but that's life. We'll both be 1-1 this time next week, and you Skunkbear fans can go back into hiding until next September.

 

[Irish Insanity]

How is ugly scoring on 3 out of 5 possessions while the defense scores two touchdowns? The only thing that was ugly about that was the weather. I know Michigan is not the greatest but neither is ND. Believe me I don't expect a ten win season. We play just way too many good teams to do that this year.

Well if as a U of M fan you were happy with your performance I hope you guys meet those expectations every week. You can expect 6+ losses if you play every game like that.

 

[johnnyumfan]

Better than Michigan, IMO. And that really isn't based on Saturday. USF really wasn't very impressive on Saturday, although they did do what they had to do to capitalize on ND's poor performance to squeak out a win. Going into the season I thought USF was probably the sixth toughest team on our schedule, and Michigan the ninth. We'll see this Saturday. Obviously I wish we were coming in 1-0, but that's life. We'll both be 1-1 this time next week, and you Skunkbear fans can go back into hiding until next September.

Dude, the ND/UM game is usually very competitive. Poor coaching by Kelly caused ND to lose. 5 Turnovers should not happen to ND in Kelly's 2 year with the same players.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Yeah, the games have been very competitive. I think there is as big of a difference in talent between the two teams this year as I can remember. I won't let one aberrational game change my mind about that. If it turns out that Notre Dame actually is the team we saw against USF then we will finish the year 1-11 or 2-10. I think it is more likely that our final record will be the inverse of that. Time will tell.

 

[Riddickulous]

How is ugly scoring on 3 out of 5 possessions while the defense scores two touchdowns? The only thing that was ugly about that was the weather. I know Michigan is not the greatest but neither is ND. Believe me I don't expect a ten win season. We play just way too many good teams to do that this year.

Your defense gave up 279 yards to Western Michigan in three quarters of play. Western Michigan's backs averaged 6 yards per carry (16 for 96). Michigan had to blitz to create a pass rush.

That screams concern.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Crud.....I said I was out of the prediction game. Screw it. I'm kicking "Unbelief" out of my house.

ND 27 UM 21 (2-2 Ruffer FG's, Riddick TD, 2 Wood TD's)

This time we hold Denard on the final drive. I immediately go online and buy my Under the Lights #5 jersey after the game. We don't lose again this calendar year.

 

[amazinblue]

I'm a Michigan fan - and, not only did I watch the Michigan game against Western Michigan, but also a good portion of the ND game against USF.

ND certainly didn't come out and play its best against USF. The turnovers were the difference in that game - and, if the turnover count was three instead of five, ND would be 1-0 instead of 0-1.

Many of the Irish fans posting here are lambasting Michigan's play on Saturday. For those that are, I have to ask a question - did you watch any of the game? Michigan's D played "bend, don't break" and gave up a 70 plus yard, seven minute plus drive for a TD to Western on its opening possession. After that - for two and a half quarters of football, the D gave up 3 points. Yes, two turnovers were caused and there was a missed field goal by Western. I believe it comes down to - "who should get the credit for that".

Michigan's D adjusted after the first drive and was able to apply pressure when they blitzed. The question for Saturday's game (and, as a Michigan fan) is - how many defenders need to rush to apply pressure to the ND QB - Rees or Crist - it doesn't matter. And, part two of that question is - how much time will the ND QB have to deliver the ball.

Floyd's a solid receiver - no doubt of that - but, will Rees need three seconds to get the ball to him? If the ND O line / RB's can provide ENOUGH protection against the Michigan blitz - there should be a lot of yardage to be gained in the air - if they can't, it will be a very interesting afternoon.

Michigan's secondary, IMO, isn't as weak as many Irish fans are saying - the Michigan LB's - well, that's a different story. I believe the LB's are a question mark - if they step up - it will be interesting - if they don't, it may be very painful (as a Michigan fan).

The Michigan O is different from last season. It's a lot more power oriented than spread oriented. This will be a test for ND's D line.

IMO, this game is a toss-up. We won't know until mid-second quarter. I'm looking forward to the game, and I do think it will depend on one item - execution, as many football games to. The team that executes their game plan and ADJUSTS in-game, will win.

 

[irishff1014]

I am not so much worried about our offense. I want to see how Coach D watches film and gets our guys to stay home. I have enough faith in our DB's that we can handle the pass. We just need to be able to get pressure on DR and contain him to the pocket. I don't believe with even the new offense you can stop him but just contain him.

 

[GoldenDomer2357]

Rees is our guy now. If Crist starts, I will grab the nearest sharp object and remove the Fighting Irishman tattoo I have on my arm. This thing is more like the scarlet letter nowadays anyway.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

NDOM has rubbed off on me...we are going to get blitzed in this game. It's going to be a reenactment of the 07 game...

 

[DCirishfan]

I think that the game will be close but ND will win. I don't think we stand much of a shot against MST though. BTW we need to step up our recruiting UM is pulling the truck up and just grabbing recruits.

 

[NDOM]

NDOM has rubbed off on me...we are going to get blitzed in this game. It's going to be a reenactment of the 07 game...

I think we will score more than 0 this year but still think Denard will have at least 200 yards against us and Michigan will win by at least 13 points.

 

[tankjeep]

I think we will score more than 0 this year but still think Denard will have at least 200 yards against us and Michigan will win by at least 13 points.

i think it'll be close, but i understand your negativity. our defense will have the bend but don't break mentality.

it's our offense that worries me.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I think we will score more than 0 this year but still think Denard will have at least 200 yards against us and Michigan will win by at least 13 points.

You are right i think...Final score I think 31-17 UM.

 

[rikkitikki08]

I really believe in this team they know they really let coach kelly down....i could see this team coming out and firing on all cylinders.

 

[laservet]

In the first half Michigan looked like last year's team, but without the explosive offense. Their D adjusted, started to blitz and play receivers close and took over the game, but they couldn't get pressure on the qb with their 4 linemen. That will spell trouble against better teams -- blitz and get burned, don't blitz and get picked apart like WMU did on their first two drives. Floyd could have a career day against them.

 

[NDMontana]

The question this week is going to be if ND's improved defense over the last quarter of the 2010 season and Saturday was the result lesser opposition, actual improvement or both.
It will be interesting to see if Hoke feels like he needs to win now or if he has breathing room. If he feels pressure, he might install a package to test NDs second and third level speed--areas that I don't think have improved--by getting Robinson to the perimeter. If he doesn't feel pressured then he'll continue the long process of intalling his offense and sticking to his desired game plan (this would bode better for ND).
We will see. It is tough to say what will be the defensive key for ND until we see what Hoke does with Robinson.

 

[johnnyumfan]

The question this week is going to be if ND's improved defense over the last quarter of the 2010 season and Saturday was the result lesser opposition, actual improvement or both.
It will be interesting to see if Hoke feels like he needs to win now or if he has breathing room. If he feels pressure, he might install a package to test NDs second and third level speed--areas that I don't think have improved--by getting Robinson to the perimeter. If he doesn't feel pressured then he'll continue the long process of intalling his offense and sticking to his desired game plan (this would bode better for ND).
We will see. It is tough to say what will be the defensive key for ND until we see what Hoke does with Robinson.

I think Hoke lets Robinson run if it exploits NDs second and third level speed on the perimeter. Win is the name of the game. Hoke has all season to install his offense.