Last year's Notre Dame/Michigan game was one of the more painful ones for me to watch. The last second defeat at the hands of a "Taint" Forcier pass after having the lead killed me. My feelings can be summed up by a small quote from my post on the game back on September 13, 2009, "It's going to be difficult for me to sum up the Notre Dame/Michigan game without getting so angry that I toss the laptop across the living room." Well, I'll most likely be recapping this version of the rivalry on September 13, 2010, and I can only hope that I'll be typing with a slightly better disposition. REVENGE!
Let's put the second game of the Irish season into some historical perspective. Most agree that this rivalry between Michigan and Notre Dame is the oldest in college fooseball history. First played in 1887, the series stands at 21 wins for the Wolverines, 15 for the Irish, and 1 tie (1992). The two squads are ranked #1 and #2 in all time NCAA football winning percentage, and are ranked #1 and #3 in all time wins (with Texas splitting them). Each squad claims an amazing eleven National Championships, although most Irish fans will tell you that we have more than Michigan based on our having more consesus titles. Last season, Notre Dame set the rivalry record for most points scored in a loss, while Michigan can point to 2006 when they put 47 on ND for the most points scored in a win. Michigan also pasted us in 2002 and 2007 for the largest margins of victory (38 each time). One thing I like about this rivalry compared to others is that it has no nickname and there is no trophy to be played for. It's all about respect and honor, and the on field battle speaks for itself more than any rivalry nickname ever could.
Most recently, you have that embarrassing UM win last year that I don't want to talk anymore about. In 2008, better days indeed, ND beat the Wolverines 35-17 after jumping out to a 21-0 lead where the Irish capitalized on 6 Michigan turnovers. In 2007, Michigan crushed us 38-0 in the year we finished a Ram-ish 3-9. God, why was I so high on Charlie Weis? 47-21 was the blowout previously mentioned from '06, and back in 2005 (Charlie's first year) we squeaked out a 17-10 win despite only getting a field goal in the second half.
Who knows what to expect this time around? Currently, odds makers are giving ND a 3 point win with an over/under of 52. Most in the "real" media seem to think that Michigan's win over UConn, with their QB running Usian Bolt all over the Huskies, means nothing compared to coming into South Bend and beating a re-energized Irish squad. Boy, I'd like to think they're right. But, as a long suffering fan, I'm looking at the legs on Denard Robinson and getting nervous. The closer we get to the game, the more fearful I am that I'm going to spend 3+ hours of my life watching this guy light my boys up like Vick did to my Rams so many NFL playoffs ago. I have to have confidence that Brian Kelly has adequately prepared the Golden Domers for this kid and that our linebackers will be able to stuff him the way UConn couldn't (not to mention that the expected showers may do some damage on this knob's ability to tear up the field). Is the "real" media right? Will this be a narrow, but definite ND victory? To increase my confidence (and expectations), I give you my 5 reasons Notre Dame will beat Michigan.
1. Brian Kelly: I know it's only been one game, but Kelly is the real deal. While Weis impressed us briefly early on with his exciting offense (again, only early on) and personal swagger (which we soon realized was arogance), Kelly just feels different. He always knows what to say in an interview, always gives you the confidence that he has prepared this squad for the task ahead, and makes it clear that he understands the tradition and importance this football team carries with it. When asked about his excitement at getting a shot at Michigan, he responded smartly, "It's more important that my team gains an identity and respect for how they're going to play the game, more than my personal feelings about playing Michigan." See what I mean? Kelly gets it, man.
2. This is THE defense: Watching that test with Purdue made me feel so good about this defense. You can really see the improvement. The tackling, the closing of holes, and the playing as a team were all clear as heck. The linebackers are so strong this year, even with Slaughter possibly missing this game, that you never fear the big play getting past them. Brian Kelly reported that the scout team played a perfect clone of the UM offense in practice this week, and that the defense is ready. He preaches no excuses with this D, and that's the way it should be.
3. Michael Floyd: If you aren't a big Irish fan, you may have watched/read about the Purdue game and wondered if Michael Floyd is going to factor into this offense. Mark my words, the game this Saturday will be Floyd's coming out party. The big NFL-ready receiver is going to be highlighted like crazy this week, in my opinion, and on Monday morning, everyone will be talking about The Archangel, not the Wolverine QB.
4. Our running game is so rad: The new tandem of Armando Allen and Cierre Wood was dynamic in the first week of the season, and I'm expecting more of the same. Despite the showers in the forecast, these two guys should be able to run all over UM's defense, especially if the offensive line keeps up the good work as well (not to mention the solid blocking by wide outs). Running like crazy out of the shotgun was pretty fun to watch, and Brian Kelly seems primed to make everyone realize how this team is a team that can run at will, "If we decide on third down and one or two that we want to run the football, we have to be able to exert our will." Any 3rd down in the Weis era was a hands down passing play, and I like that Kelly is not that kind of finesse-ie coach.
5. A loud crowd, and a young offense: Much has been made on Robinson and Michigan after week one, but UM has a fairly young offense, and winning in front of 100,000+ home fans at the Big House is nothing like trying to win in front of 80,000 screaming Irish fans and Touchdown Jesus. An insane Irish crowd, stoked on the promise this team has shown, along with the awe of just being in South Bend may be too much for this young Michigan squad to handle.
So, there you have it. Notre Dame and Michigan will kick off early on Saturday afternoon, and I couldn't be more excited.
Onward to victory!
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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