Michigan vs. Notre Dame Open Thread

Two things: 1) holy shit was that a total train wreck from the offense in general and denard in particular; and 2) holy shit, we're only down 10-0. This is totally winnable

For everything that has gone right for ND, to be up only 10 has to be a bit disheartening.

 

Something about night games seems to always cause Denard to start poorly.  It was true in last year's UTL game, the NW game, the Sugar Bowl and Bama.  But he usually rebounds.  He's got to settle down.  If the play's not there, run or throw it away.   

Let's get it to Funchess.

We looked good for one drive before we threw a pick in the end zone, so you know we are capable, but we really have to be waaay more consistent.  On the other hand, I never really expected us to win this game and still see us as an 8-4 team with this and two more losses coming from 2 of 3 of MSU, Purdue, and OSU.  So, I guess we are right on track.  But, that doens't make it any less frustrating.  

Denard looks like somone who has been over taught and now can't make up his mind about anything.  I love Denard and will miss him when he his gone, but I'm pretty tired of living and dying by him.  Just too inconsistent, especially against anything resembling a real defense.

I have to admit that I was not expecting a Michigan win coming into the game, but I have been very impressed with the defense. Denard has been awful, and the Smith INT was outrageous, but having said that, we are only down 10. Remember how grim it looked last year after 3 quarters?

Let's go Blue!

Don't worry guys, we're just going to great lengths to maximize the pain inflicted by our last-second victory.

I am so ready!

Ugliest game ever. Looks like JV teams.

At least the rest of the Big10 looks like shit.

I really dont know what to say.  This is the worst I've ever seen Denard look - he looked better against Alabama candidly.  

I sure hope we have one hell of a halftime speech cooking.

My beefs:
-why do you put in jarrod Wilson at a critical juncture of a tight game?
-Borges stop getting cute. Vincent smiths passing ability should not be determining this game

Borges is out coaching himself to boot

Maybe we can tell Denard we're skipping the third quarter and we're just gonna play the fourth quarter twice. It's worth a shot.

Lets not play on national television anymore.

8 seconds!!!!

ESPN's got a good game on.

My wife just pointed something out. Michigan's last 5 pass attempts have been picked (smith and then four for Denard). Holy crap!!!!

Just awful. We have to run him. He can't throw.

but I don't quite see the disaster most of you seem to. More yards, more first downs, fewer punts, fewer penalties. We threw five interceptions in one half and we're only down 10-0, and the red zone defense was pretty stout even on the one TD.

Another half like that but without the turnovers and we win going away.

Just looked at the box score play by play.  All 4 of Denards interceptions have come on consecutive throws.  Has that ever happened in history? wow.

The D is playing well.  ND had only seven first downs, and one came on a penalty.  We've just got to stop asking the D to stop ND on short fields.  

OK....everybody take a deep breath and remember....we've been down to these clowns three straight years and came back three straight years.   If we stop beating ourselves and concentrate on them we stand a chance.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but I doubt he starts next year.

Let's kill them in the 2nd half!

"When we're all gone at last then there'll be nobody here but death and his days will be numbered too. He'll be out in the road there with nothing to do and nobody to do it to. He'll say: Where did everybody go? And that's how it will be. What's wrong with that?"

Everybody is saying why have Jarrod Wilson in the game, but they aren't providing who else they think we should have had in.

“He walked out in the gray light and stood and he saw for a brief moment the absolute truth of the world. The cold relentless circling of the intestate earth. Darkness implacable. The blind dogs of the sun in their running. The crushing black vacuum of the universe. And somewhere two hunted animals trembling like ground-foxes in their cover. Borrowed time and borrowed world and borrowed eyes with which to sorrow it.” 

Every single throw in the 2nd quarter was an interception.  Amazing.  History?

How could they possibly make this coverage more bias

Shut your mouth when he wins the game.

BEAST MODE JAKE RYAN!

THOR!!!!

OK, so we know we turnover Denard and either Gardner or Bellomy is our QB next year.  I think Devin is a better QB, but that gives us a new hole at WR, but I digress.  So, beyond that, what's our real problem?...it's line play right?  We need to run the ball and stop the run as well as rush the QB without having to blitz.  To me, our lines won't be any better next year will they?  We lose Barnum, Mealer, and Omameh on offense and Roh and BWC on defense.  But, it's not like all of a sudden Kalis and Magnuson will be ready on offense and Ojemudia, Beyer, Wormley, etc. will be ready either.  Granted having Bolden, Ross, Pipkins and Wilson with experience will help and getting Countess back will help too, but our lines will still be weak.  In reality next year will be very much a rebuilding year and this will continue until our lines can be built up.