Sep 7 | Michigan

[Cackalacky]

 

[NDdomer2]

Michigan has no WR talent to speak of. Their go-to receiver is a 5'8" midget. If Gardner doesn't see him open within 3 seconds, he either chucks it downfield at random, or takes off and runs. Their top 3 running backs are either coming off a ghoulish injury, are 25 lbs overweight, or have happy feet respectively.

They put up 59 points, but a lot of that was special teams and field position. They put up a very pedestrian yardage total, which is more reflective of their offensive talent. I actually expect this game to be a defensive contest moreos than anything. I don't have the heart to bet the spread here, but I'm definetly going under 51 total points scored.

i expect it to be more similar to last year than 2011. i can see us going vanilla on d to minimize big plays, play the field possession game, and a nice methodical 50/50 distribution on O. 24-13 nd.

 

[Cackalacky]

 

[GATTACA!]

36-10 ND.

**** michigan

 

[PANDFAN]

67% of the time the underdog has won in the past 13 years...phil steele stated this and picked us as he said after our first 3 drives we closed the playbook because BK wanted to hide it from Michigan..said Michigan's win looks better but had the starters in for most of the game and them losing their qb/rb in 1st half made the score a lot worse

 

[koonja]

67% of the time the underdog has won in the past 13 years...phil steele stated this and picked us as he said after our first 3 drives we closed the playbook because BK wanted to hide it from Michigan..said Michigan's win looks better but had the starters in for most of the game and them losing their qb/rb in 1st half made the score a lot worse

Trevor Matich also just picked ND.

 

[ACamp1900]

I do agree with LAX on one key point… our ILBs vs Gardner when he gets rolling and scrambling around could be scary… and that dynamic during third down plays will be one of the big keys to this game IMO… I think that’s an advantage them.

Special teams is another possible key I’d say is to their advantage…

Still say it’ll come down to who protects the ball, and who the hell knows who has the advantage there… could go either way.

 

[ickythump1225]

Honestly I haven't seen enough of Michigan to say how we match up in each area. I will say that I don't think that 13 points is going to be enough to get it done this year.

 

[ACamp1900]

Oddly the fact that we are the underdog makes me feel good... it sure as hell does seem like the fav in this series rarely wins...

 

[Gauss]

67% of the time the underdog has won in the past 13 years...phil steele stated this and picked us as he said after our first 3 drives we closed the playbook because BK wanted to hide it from Michigan..said Michigan's win looks better but had the starters in for most of the game and them losing their qb/rb in 1st half made the score a lot worse

Is that true? Eyeballing it, Michigan pulled their starters earlier than we did.

 

[PANDFAN]

Trevor Matich also just picked ND.

we have more playmakers! when was the last time that was said...

 

[GaryMcLain'sSkiLodge]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPxPSzz0LBY

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cPxPSzz0LBY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[ACamp1900]

Wouldn't suprise me to see one of the backs makes a big time national statement either, could be Green, could be Amir...

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Their linebackers are vastly superior to ours, depending on how you want to look at Shembo.

See Patulski's post above. If Ryan was playing, they'd easily have a superior LB corps (though I still wouldn't call the difference "vast"). Without him? No way. If you're feeling charitable, call it a wash.

I am terrified of what might happen to our ILBs in this game.

Based on what? The Temple game?

I think the "talent" at QB is definitely a huge check mark for Michigan too...

Gardner is obviously the X-factor here, though the amount of confidence UM fans apparently have in him is absurd. He checks his first read (Gallon or Funchess) and if it isn't there, he scrambles. Diaco knows how to bring a contain-oriented rush.

I also think Michigan might have a debatebale slight edge on the OL. Lewan is better than anyone we have, and I'm still skeptical of three of our players much like how we might be skeptical of their interior OL.

If we're being very generous, we could allow that UM's OL matches ours for talent. But even then, starting a new C and RT is a lot different than having three first year starters making up the entire interior OL. And they're facing Shembo, Tuitt, Nix and Day. We have a decisive advantage in the trenches.

TE, DB, RB all seem to be a wash.

It's tough to make those comparisons in a vacuum. The WR v. DB battle is definitely in our favor. And I wouldn't call RB a wash either. They've got no one with GAIII's speed or Carlisle's elusiveness. Toussaint's serviceable, but he's not gonna have much success between the tackles, and he doesn't have the talent to gash us on outside runs.

That's gonna put the game on Gardner's arm (and his weak receiving corps). Keep him in the pocket with a contain-oriented rush, mix in some delayed LB blitzs, play a conservative Cover-2, and wait for the turnovers to come.

 

[returnofthemack]

See Patulski's post above. If Ryan was playing, they'd easily have a superior LB corps (though I still wouldn't call the different "vast"). Without him? No way. If you're feeling charitable, call it a wash.



Based on what? The Temple game?



Gardner is obviously the X-factor here, though the amount of confidence UM fans apparently have in him is absurd. He checks his first read (Gallon or Funchess) and if it isn't there, he scrambles. Diaco knows how to bring a contain-oriented rush.



If we're being very generous, we could allow that UM's OL matches ours for talent. But even then, starting a new C and RT is a lot different than having three first year starters making up the entire interior OL. And they're facing Shembo, Tuitt, Nix and Day. We have a decisive advantage in the trenches.



It's tough to make those comparisons in a vacuum. The WR v. DB battle is definitely in our favor. And I wouldn't call RB a wash either. They've got no one with GAIII's speed or Carlisle's elusiveness. Toussaint's serviceable, but he's not gonna have much success between the tackles, and he doesn't have the talent to gash us on outside runs.

That's gonna put the game on Gardner's arm (and his weak receiving corps). Keep him in the pocket with a contain-oriented rush, mix in some delayed LB blitzs, play a conservative Cover-2, and wait for the turnovers to come.

uhhh, yes.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Is it Saturday yet?

 

[NDWorld247]

Is it Saturday yet?

2 days, 6 hours, 40 minutes...

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Smh <a href="https://twitter.com/McShay13">@McShay13</a> called me Brandon Jackson though ... &#55357;&#56398; Lol</p>— Bennett Jackson Jr. (@B_Jax2) <a href="https://twitter.com/B_Jax2/statuses/375667969541410816">September 5, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Seth from MGoBlah answers some questions about ND-UM over at UHND. He doesn't make much effort to hide his disdain for ND. Reading this should remind you of why we hate these as$holes, and why I'm glad this series is ending.

OFD's Eric Murtaught previews the game here:

It feels like for at least the past half decade Notre Dame has come into this game with "better" talent. Yet, it's resulted in only a 2-3 record versus Michigan since 2008. Okay, losing 3 out of 5 isn't that bad but it is when you think you should win---if not every time at least a majority of the time---and with all three of those losses being of the insane/unbelievable/ridiculous/soul-crushing variety. Is Michigan coming into this game feeling that way after last year's clown show in South Bend?

Weird things happen in Ann Arbor when the Irish show up---and it's usually not in Notre Dame's favor. Just like the Big House has been a consistent vexing force in recent times yet again the Irish travel north with what looks like a stronger team. No, Notre Dame is not favored for the first time since 2008 but you can throw the spread out when these teams get together as the underdog has covered in 20 out of the last 24 meetings.

I really don't have much more to say. If we compare units and matchups in this game I think Notre Dame has a distinct advantage, especially where it matters most in the trenches. I have a lot more faith in Notre Dame's ability to run the ball, stop the run, and protect the quarterback. I'd have a lot of faith in the Irish getting after Devin Gardner but he's a great athlete who can make plays by himself and escape pressure.

And that's just it. If Gardner plays just okay and isn't Devin the Darkhorse Heisman Candidate I don't see how Michigan wins this game. I think Notre Dame can win if Tommy Rees plays okay. Too simplistic?

This one should be a little more high scoring than expected.

Notre Dame 31

Michigan 28

And OFD's pburns2010 published a good film breakdown of Gardner and what ND needs to do to contain him. This is definitely worth a read, as it should allay many of the concerns being expressed here.

 

[IrishLax]

See Patulski's post above. If Ryan was playing, they'd easily have a superior LB corps (though I still wouldn't call the difference "vast"). Without him? No way. If you're feeling charitable, call it a wash.

Based on what? The Temple game?

Based on the fact that they are terrible. Neither is remotely close to an NFL caliber player... I'm not even sure if they're BCS level players. Michigan has legitimate athletes at ILB who can make plays. We have liabilities at ILB with gigantic flaws to their game.

Gardner is obviously the X-factor here, though the amount of confidence UM fans apparently have in him is absurd. He checks his first read (Gallon or Funchess) and if it isn't there, he scrambles. Diaco knows how to bring a contain-oriented rush.

We'll see. We've been really poor in defending mobile QBs relative to pocket passers since Diaco has been in town.

If we're being very generous, we could allow that UM's OL matches ours for talent. But even then, starting a new C and RT is a lot different than having three first year starters making up the entire interior OL. And they're facing Shembo, Tuitt, Nix and Day. We have a decisive advantage in the trenches.

Disagree. Leaves OTs 1v1 and double/triple Nix in our 3-down front depending on the play. In 4-down they *might* have issues if and only if Day has a big game. I do not expect our DL to be a big factor for us in this game unless we get creative with pressures... which is unlikely. We'll probably just play contain.

 

[PANDFAN]

Stay in your containment lane. For ends, this means getting level with the QB before constricting the pocket. For tackles, this means simply bull rushing the opposing offensive lineman, and not getting diverted to either side of a straight lane to the QB. See the diagram below for a typical example:

this is the biggest issue for me...Ishaq and tuitt both had multiple times where they completely whiffed leading to big gaps for running

 

[PANDFAN]

gardner is on svp right now

 

[tussin]

Seth from MGoBlah answers some questions about ND-UM over at UHND. He doesn't make much effort to hide his disdain for ND. Reading this should remind you of why we hate these as$holes, and why I'm glad this series is ending.

OFD's Eric Murtaught previews the game here:



And OFD's pburns2010 published a good film breakdown of Gardner and what ND needs to do to contain him. This is definitely worth a read, as it should allay many of the concerns being expressed here.

Pretty laughable that they are comparing Gardner to Vince Young.

 

[koonja]

Pretty laughable that they are comparing Gardner to Vince Young.

Personally, I think it's a very fair comparison. Not saying he's going to be as good in college as Young, but I don't see any difference in ceiling.

 

[nsideirish]

Funny moment. As some of you may know, I am a Michigan grad student. I was out grabbing a Jimmy Johns sandwich today wearing last year's The Shirt and Shane Morris and Maurice Hurst, Jr. walk in. They see my shirt and were actually pretty funny about it. I've heard Shane could be a d-bag but he was pretty cool about it.

Just thought I'd share.

 

[Ironman8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Who was ND's best defensive lineman against Temple? Not Nix or Tuitt. Owl coaches found soph Sheldon Day the most disruptive.</p>— Pete Thamel (@SIPeteThamel) <a href="https://twitter.com/SIPeteThamel/statuses/375675929990668288">September 5, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[woolybug25]

Seth from MGoBlah answers some questions about ND-UM over at UHND. He doesn't make much effort to hide his disdain for ND. Reading this should remind you of why we hate these as$holes, and why I'm glad this series is ending.

In total scUM-Bear fashion, they come off as pompous, rude and backhanded. While UHND asked and answered questions politely and in good faith. MgoBlog did the opposite. That dude is a PoS and we shouldn't have agreed to do that Q&A. They totally used the Q&A to poke fun at us.

*uck em'...

 

[TomHaverford]

Pretty laughable that they are comparing Gardner to Vince Young.

I don't think it's laughable at all. He's a similar type of player. Gardner has incredible potential, his talent is very real. He's a much more talented QB than Denard Robinson ever was, Brian Kelly has said this himself. He's nowhere near refined though, he's only started 6 games and played QB in another 3.

Going back to 2011 when Gardner filled in for Denard in the Illinois and Northwestern games, with Gardner in at QB he has led Michigan to touchdowns on 21 of 24 red zone trips. Scoring TD's at that clip in the red zone is unreal.

 

[Ironman8]

If Day and Shembo can win their matchups consistently, considering they will likely be 1-on-1 all night, I like our chances a whole lot more.

 

[woolybug25]

If Day and Shembo can win their matchups consistently, considering they will likely be 1-on-1 all night, I like our chances a whole lot more.

I hope that isn't what the game depends on.... Shembo has to go against Lewan all game.