Week 2: ND vs UM Predictions

[ToledoGoIrish]

then again we dont have Denard either. and Rees coming in very productive in the second half of a Home game in front of 70+ thou fans cheering FOR him will be a world of difference from being the opposing QB in a hyped up night game in front of 105+ thou

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

then again we dont have Denard either. and Rees coming in very productive in the second half of a Home game in front of 70+ thou fans cheering FOR him will be a world of difference from being the opposing QB in a hyped up night game in front of 105+ thou

Rees was pretty darn good in a hyped up night game in front of 100+ thou in LA last year. Kid is pretty cool under pressure.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

Rees was pretty darn good in a hyped up night game in front of 100+ thou in LA last year. Kid is pretty cool under pressure.

I think, more so then usual, it is crucial for ND to start fast, and get up on UM early. If ND can get up 14-0, and put Denard in a position he has to throw the rock, it'll play into ND's hands. I am worried that this game will come down to the final 2 minutes, which will not be the best scenario for ND with the environment, and Denard.

I also think that Hoke will be more inclined to us Denard as he is at his best, out of the shotgun and running the ball. Our edges have to stay in position.

 

[JughedJones]

Are we not seeing the Brian Kelly show today?

Is everyone but me watching right now?

 

[DuffHouse12]

Are we not seeing the Brian Kelly show today?

Is everyone but me watching right now?

well.... look who decides to show up. welcome back bud

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

I think, more so then usual, it is crucial for ND to start fast, and get up on UM early. If ND can get up 14-0, and put Denard in a position he has to throw the rock, it'll play into ND's hands. I am worried that this game will come down to the final 2 minutes, which will not be the best scenario for ND with the environment, and Denard.

I also think that Hoke will be more inclined to us Denard as he is at his best, out of the shotgun and running the ball. Our edges have to stay in position.

I think you are right. Especially after what happened last week, the confidence of this team is really fragile. If they get behind, they will have to fight the "here we go again" mentality. If they can get a quick score or two and play with a lead early, that would be the best possible scenario.

 

[Black Irish]

I think, more so then usual, it is crucial for ND to start fast, and get up on UM early. If ND can get up 14-0, and put Denard in a position he has to throw the rock, it'll play into ND's hands. I am worried that this game will come down to the final 2 minutes, which will not be the best scenario for ND with the environment, and Denard.

I also think that Hoke will be more inclined to us Denard as he is at his best, out of the shotgun and running the ball. Our edges have to stay in position.

This. Have Michigan's offense playing from behind will likely have them throwing a lot to play catch up. Diaco should do a lot of LB blitzes to keep Denard under pressure. It's one thing when he drops back, can't find a receiver, then takes off for a big run with no pressure on him. It'll be something else if he's scrambling for his life before he can set his feet because Irish LBs are swarming into the backfield. I'd like to see the Irish D gamble a bit with more blitzes to throw Michigan off early. As good as the D played against South FL, they didn't break up too many plays in the backfield. They need to focus on that this week.

 

[johnnyoooo]

I agree with getting our linebackers in the backfield but Fleming is too slow in open space and Robinson will simply juke him out. We gotta get someone with speed in the backfield. Question is who .

 

[Whiskeyjack]

This. Have Michigan's offense playing from behind will likely have them throwing a lot to play catch up. Diaco should do a lot of LB blitzes to keep Denard under pressure. It's one thing when he drops back, can't find a receiver, then takes off for a big run with no pressure on him. It'll be something else if he's scrambling for his life before he can set his feet because Irish LBs are swarming into the backfield. I'd like to see the Irish D gamble a bit with more blitzes to throw Michigan off early. As good as the D played against South FL, they didn't break up too many plays in the backfield. They need to focus on that this week.

I disagree with blitzing Denard. Since we couldn't get much pressure on Daniels, we're not likely to do a better job pressuring a more mobile QB behind a better OL. Blitzing also leaves gaps that Robinson can exploit with his legs or short passes for long gains (which he's good at).

Mattison is going to blitz the hell out of us because Rees is immobile, but more importantly because he has to protect a weak secondary. ND doesn't have that problem; we have a talented veteran secondary, and Robinson doesn't throw a good deep ball.

I think our DL will stuff their interior runs. The big question is whether Fleming and Shembo can keep contain on the edges; if so, it'll force the game onto Robinson's arm, and the Irish will be in excellent position once that happens.

Getting overly aggressive with Robinson is asking for a big play.

 

[Rhode Irish]

I disagree with blitzing Denard. Since we couldn't get much pressure on Daniels, we're not likely to do a better job pressuring a more mobile QB behind a better OL. Blitzing also leaves gaps that Robinson can exploit with his legs or short passes for long gains (which he's good at).

Mattison is going to blitz the hell out of us because Rees is immobile, but more importantly because he has to protect a weak secondary. ND doesn't have that problem; we have a talented veteran secondary, and Robinson doesn't throw a good deep ball.

I think our DL will stuff their interior runs. The big question is whether Fleming and Shembo can keep contain on the edges; if so, it'll force the game onto Robinson's arm, and the Irish will be in excellent position once that happens.

Getting overly aggressive with Robinson is asking for a big play.

I think our front seven is good enough that we can get a good-to-moderate amount of pressure on Denard while rushing only four guys. The key will be to mix up where that fourth guy is coming from. Also, if we have three linebackers playing the field we can try to dictate where Denard will try to escape to by bringing our pressure from a particular side, then have linebackers in place to close those escape routes down.

If we cannot generate any pressure with four rushers, or if we do not do a good enough job disguising where that pressure might come from pre-snap, Denard could get loose and cause us major problems, but I think Diaco will be able to come up with something that makes him pause just enough.

 

[johnnyoooo]

Backfield

Backfield

We didn't break up many plays in the backfield against Florida for two reasons. One Daniels is fast and has good moves like Pryor or Robinson and they execute their offensive plays fast. Two: Our three down linemen are not strong pass rushers although great against the run. This is the primary reason Kelly recruited Golson who can both run and throw. But he also can scat and put moves on in the backfield when pressured like Daniels, Pryor or Robinson. Fast breaking offensive plays with a runner Qb slows down pass rushes.

 

[johnnyoooo]

Time to refocus. Rather then dwell on Robinson's over 500 yards of offense against us last year dwell on the games Michigan lost last year. Michigan lost a bunch of games last year and Robinson was contained. Plus our defense is much better this year. Our Qbs and offensive line more used to the spread. So I doubt we will lose.

 

[phork]

45-3 ND.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

I guess I have my theories and opinions on how this game should go but F that. Last week was a swift kick to the twig n berries.

I'm trying the clear mind approach this week. I just want to wake up early, get a buzz, watch the afternoon games and keep an even keel. No expectations, no glossy predictions, no statistical evidence. Just ND football at 8.

 

[Dizzyphil]

We have the offense, we are ranked 16th in total offense. The fumble (strip) on the first drive WAS the killer - a complete 'air out of the balloon' killer. We can do good against UM but we will have to contain Denard.

Diz

 

[IrishBoy]

Notre Dame is favored to win

Notre Dame is favored to win

I looked at the history of ND-MICH rivalry. Last time Michigan beat Notre Dame three games in a row was 1900. They beat Notre Dame 1887, 1888, 1898, 1899, and 1900. There were several times Michigan beat Notre Dame two games in a row, but failed when Notre Dame won the game after two seasons. If this is true, expect Notre Dame to win.

See the link. Look below of the page as you see the results.

Michigan – Notre Dame football rivalry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Buster Bluth]

I looked at the history of ND-MICH rivalry. Last time Michigan beat Notre Dame three games in a row was 1900. They beat Notre Dame 1887, 1888, 1898, 1899, and 1900. There were several times Michigan beat Notre Dame two games in a row, but failed when Notre Dame won the game after two seasons. If this is true, expect Notre Dame to win.

See the link. Look below of the page as you see the results.

Michigan – Notre Dame football rivalry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That will have absolutely zero impact on this game. None.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

 

[DuffHouse12]

thank you, ollie.


A+

 

[GreatGolson]

whoever our return man is will not drop a single ball during punts

 

[IrishLax]

Official slightly intoxicated prediction: ND 38 UM 17

Get on the bandwagon now or get left behind. In the words of Rocket, NDOM = UNBELIEF.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Said it before, only more convinced now: ND 34 Mich 16.

Both feet squarely on the bandwagon. Full speed ahead. Lehgo.

 

[ND4EVA]

24-21 ND pulls it out on a 52 yard fg with 2seconds left on the clock

 

[dre1919]

My prediction? Robinson scrambles out and Te'o smacks him so hard his ancestors feel it. He then warns him "Don't do that again!" Then, to everyone's amazement, Robinson doesn't. In fact, UM packs up after a demoralizing loss to Notre Dame and goes back to Ann Arbor...to contemplate whether or not football just might not be their sport (and that perhaps the football's funding should be spent on one badass competitive knitting team).

:starwars:

 

[nvirish]

30-20 ND wins a big game at the big house silencing 115,000 Walmart Wolverines.

 

[military_irish]

Get on if you haven't already. I've been first class for awhile just sipping on tea and crumpets enjoying the ride.

 

[pkt77242]

45-28 Notre Dame
I see lots of offense in this game for us.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Win, and you get this.....

 

[clashmore_mike]

Official slightly intoxicated prediction: ND 38 UM 17

Get on the bandwagon now or get left behind. In the words of Rocket, NDOM = UNBELIEF.

Speaking of UNBELIEF, Rocket will be at the game tomorrow.

 

[clashmore_mike]

Win, and you get this.....

I just won.