Notre Dame Week Begins Now
Well it's officially Notre Dame week in Ann Arbor as of the home opening win and both teams are coming off of dominating victories. Michigan with the 31-7 win over WMU and Notre Dame shuting out Nevada 35-0. Both are going to clash head to head next week as they always do but this win doesn't mean we are going to pound ND or that ND is going to manhandle us. Michigan despite the fact of playing a MAC team showed they fianlly have an offense that can put up points and can do it often with the true freshman Tate Forcier and of course Denard Robinson. However Jimmy Clausen has gotten a lot better and has wide recievers and a half back that can get the job done. But with the way the Wolverines defense looked today and if they can play that way next Saturday they can shut down Clausen and frustrate the offense of Notre Dame. Either way it's a rivalry game but after the embarrassing loss to ND last year Michigan deffinetly has the team that can knock off Notre Dame this year. The big challenge for Michigan now is winning back to back and this year it looks like Michigan has the team to do it! What are your thoughts regarding next saturday's matchup?
September 5th, 2009 at 9:44 PM ^
Hopefully, RR has some kind of version of the old "24-hour rule," where you can celebrate victories and pout over losses for 24 hours before forgetting about it and getting back to work.
September 5th, 2009 at 11:41 PM ^
Uhhh... I'm pretty sure they'll be locked in the practice facility/sweatshop well before 24 hours after the game. They have to wake up bright and early to fit in the standard 9 hours of Sunday practice.
September 5th, 2009 at 9:44 PM ^
The stats for UM's game today are impressive, I wasn't able to catch much of the game other than flipping between halftime, is there anywhere online that a full or condensed version of the games is uploaded? Msnbc or HULU (or both) should have ND's up tonight or tomorrow if anyones interested but I would really like to see the whole UM game, so as to not rush to any judgement.
September 5th, 2009 at 9:51 PM ^
Keep an eye out on www.mgovideo.com. And I think espn360 has it if you have an ISP who carries it. Other than that I haven't found anywhere else yet.
September 5th, 2009 at 9:54 PM ^
charter doesn't even offer espn360 or espnu in my area. I was hoping for something at 3am on espn2 but there showing another game. I will be sure to check the site out thanks.
September 5th, 2009 at 9:47 PM ^
My good friend on youtube and I'm sure many of you fellow blue know his name wolverinehistorian will be uploading all the highlights and big plays from today's game in 30 minutes!
September 5th, 2009 at 9:51 PM ^
Thanks,
nbc has uploaded the ND game already, it is condensed
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/32708744#32707225
September 5th, 2009 at 11:13 PM ^
I will admit that is one awesome thing about the NBC coverage for Notre Dame. The entire game in about 25 minutes makes it actually reasonable to go back and watch a Notre Dame game that I couldn't watch on TV. Not that I've ever done it (that I can think of) but it would cut out 3+ hours of wasted time.
September 5th, 2009 at 9:50 PM ^
Hopefully the crowd can sustain the noise next week. If they were to be as loud as they were when they drowned out that ref for an entire game worth of defense and special team plays, we could really take ND right out of it.
I'm still worried about pass defense. ND's OL will be much better than WMU, allowing Clausen time to throw deeper. Hiller didn't have that luxury, allowing us to play more press coverage (at least early in the game). ND won't be forced into the same one dimensional style of play.
I don't think beating WMU really told us much other than our D can actually tackle solidly. Once we face the ND OL, we'll really know how good our defense really is.
September 5th, 2009 at 9:53 PM ^
Clausen and Floyd were on fire today. 300+ yards and 4 TDs for the Emu, and 189 yards and 3 TDs for Floyd. Damn it's going to be a tough battle for our secondary against ND. Can't wait until next Saturday.
September 5th, 2009 at 9:58 PM ^
I wish I was going to that one. Tickets are waaaaaay out of my account though. But I am going to EMU Deleware and Purdue. My first three games at the Big House! I can't wait! Damn is there any way to get ND tickets?!
September 5th, 2009 at 10:33 PM ^
Definitely give it a try - isn't there a marketplace for tickets on this site?
If there isn't, try Facebook. Last resort would be trying to get them at the game but don't rely on that because I saw dozens of people on my first walk around the outside of the Big House today looking for tickets; most wouldn't find them. And that was Western.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:38 PM ^
I'll deffinetly trying making the trip up there if they sell them at the gate and theres always scalpers
September 5th, 2009 at 10:40 PM ^
there's the sticky on mgoboard with the ticket trading file. but like he said, around the stadium tickets might be a bit more expensive. start closer to the Union and walk toward the stadium. You'll probably find a deal or two on the way.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:02 PM ^
Yeah it was pretty exciting to watch, Floyd ended up with a 47 yards per catch average. As good and big as the offense looked, the defense was lights out, at least that was my first thought watching it live. Holding the 3 rushers which each had over 1000 yards on the ground last year to a team total of 153 rushing yards and shut them out. Just incredible from where we were last year.
I am really excited about next week.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:54 PM ^
and the Irish are much more formidable. In particular, only one Bronco receiver was very impressive (Nunez), and Floyd and Tate are both better receivers. Hiller looked decent when WMU went to the hurry-up. I wonder if Notre Dame will try that to spark the passing game. So, the pass defense will be a concern this week.
Our front 7 looked dominant against the run, but that wasn't Western's game to begin with, and they had to play catch-up pretty quick. Nevertheless I feel pretty good about our run defense. Notre Dame's box didn't fill me with too much fear about their running game, either.
On offense, Shaw looked good for us, and Carlos Brown averaged over 5ypc, but I hope Minor is at full strength next Saturday. I liked Forcier's passing game of course, but I suspect we'll concentrate on the ground game next week.
September 5th, 2009 at 11:10 PM ^
Clearly ND's passing game is their strength and I'm a little nervous about our defensive backfield, even if Cissoko is healthy. We had better put on some kind of blitz package to keep the Emu from having too much time.
September 5th, 2009 at 9:55 PM ^
This is going to be an awesome game. ND looks like a good team (not great but good) and I cant wait to see how our offence looks against a non-MAC team.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:35 PM ^
35-0. They were dominant just as UM was. That was pretty great for both teams, they both look like great teams.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:48 PM ^
Its not that I think they are a bad defence, Im just not going to call them great after 1 game into the season
September 5th, 2009 at 10:51 PM ^
Hate to tell you this and you may -1 me for saying it but 35-0 against Nevada does not a great team make you any more than 31-7 against WMU will make you. Good, yes, much improved, HELL YES but not great. MSU put a beat down on Mont St. with a 44-3 victory and I do not consider them a great team by any sense.
September 5th, 2009 at 9:55 PM ^
Nevada dead last in pass defense last year. We'll need good pressure
September 5th, 2009 at 10:11 PM ^
I agree. Nevada's pass defense was ripe for the picking. While one could say the same thing about ours based on depth , assuming Cissoko is going to be good to go I believe we will fare better than the good-feelings-highlight-airshow-golden-boy thing Notre Dame accomplished through the air today.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:07 PM ^
Notre Dame seems to play the downfield passing game more than the type that frustrates UM--the quick slant type game. What that does is give the Dl more time to rush the passer. This looks like it will be strength vs strength in that aspect.
One thing that has me a bit nervous is it looks like UM might be vulnerable to running plays up the gut.
Claussen is developing very well. UM will have its hands full with him, Floyd, and Tate. They also use the tight end well. My call is that if UM can get to Claussen--victory. If not--long day. That's the #1 key.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:21 AM ^
The secondary is going to be very important. WMU only went deep two or three times and we got beat on one of them. That is not a very high success rate. Hopefully it was just a fluke and the safeties can step up next week.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:02 PM ^
I think that in the first half, it appeared as if we didn't blitz a whole lot and we had a lot better coverage but in the second half we blitzed more and gave up more through the air.
I honestly hope we don't keep constant pressure through blitzes. With Brandon Graham and Craig Roh (who appeared to be the only LB blitzing a couple times...and it worked) I think we COULD put decent pressure on Clausen.
I'm a little worried if we stay a little bare in the secondary because of blitzes we'll be way more vulnerable for big plays or even medium-length passes which will add up quickly.
Our defense shut down the pass the first few drives which gave us a lot of momentum, and I think the same will be important next week.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:44 PM ^
thanks,
First impressions OMG UM actually used their TEs and effectively at that, and WMU's secondary could have given Nevada's a run for its money.
September 5th, 2009 at 11:20 PM ^
i have never seen a tight end make a catch like that. insane
September 6th, 2009 at 12:04 AM ^
That catch by Kroger was an absolute thing of beauty...if not "art". Good to be back !!!!!
September 5th, 2009 at 10:44 PM ^
now understands the speed of denard robinson.
dunno if she's impressed or not, but she knows the speed. :)
September 5th, 2009 at 11:11 PM ^
What do you Michigan fans think of Notre Dame's defense? They did very well today against a great running team.
September 6th, 2009 at 1:02 AM ^
When weren't handing the ball to ND, we actually looked competent on the ground against ND. I remember being pretty excited about the offense after the game last year. I know Tenuta likes to blitz, but as RR says, strike up the band cause that's what we want.
September 5th, 2009 at 11:14 PM ^
I don't think ND knows what they are in for next week. By the way, is Nevada any good? Is ND's blowout win more or less impressive than our blowout win?
September 5th, 2009 at 11:18 PM ^
Notre Dame shut out a Nevada team that returns three 1,000 yard rushers. Notre Dame definitely knows what they are in for next week. Michigan might be the team that has no idea what it's up against.
September 5th, 2009 at 11:24 PM ^
shut down a team with an NFL QB (according to the scouts)
I'm sure both ND and UM know what they are up against.
September 5th, 2009 at 11:27 PM ^
Colin Kaepernick is no slouch, either.
Notre Dame has the advantage of experience.
September 5th, 2009 at 11:35 PM ^
It will be a good game that's for sure. GO BLUE!
September 5th, 2009 at 11:36 PM ^
That it will. Here's to a great game.
September 5th, 2009 at 11:38 PM ^
I am so pumped for the ND game. It was such a thrill to be at the stadium today for a sweet win, and in light of last year's awful season, to be able to proclaim with utter glee that WE DON'T SUCK! :)
We can beat ND. I know we can. BRING ON THE IRISH!!!!
September 5th, 2009 at 11:46 PM ^
I'm going to try to make the trip up there. God be with me on finding a ticket! GO BLUE
September 6th, 2009 at 3:55 AM ^
i feel the same way. no longer have my student ID so i cant pick off drunkards outside the box. heres hoping to a cheap scalping ticket outside the union. anyone think they can go for less than 100??
September 6th, 2009 at 12:10 AM ^
if we should not win.....DO NOT LOSE THAT ENTHUSIASM !!!
September 6th, 2009 at 12:09 AM ^
It should be a really good game. They clearly have a lot more offensive experience but if our defense can play the way they did against Western, Michigan should have a shot. I think the key is how our secondary performs. They have a good QB in Clausen and two great receivers in Floyd and Tate. If our secondary can somehow contain those two and our offense plays as well as it did in the first half today, we should win. That's a big "if" though...
September 6th, 2009 at 12:39 AM ^
I have to admit, I picked ND to lose today and they clearly proved me wrong. Not saying they are a NC team, but they appear to be great, and I think it's a bit naive to think otherwise. Next week makes me a little nervous, but at the very least I expect us to put on a good performance.
September 6th, 2009 at 1:09 AM ^
Neg me all you want but I think Notre Dame has the advantage just about all over the field. They have the experience and the playmakers to punish our young secondary. I pray I'm wrong but I just get the feeling that they are a lot better than we or anyone else is giving them credit for.
That said, they are still coached by Charlie Weis so take it FWIW.
September 6th, 2009 at 4:27 AM ^
+1 for spelling "Weis" correctly.