Predictions for Notre Dame
Let's hear your predictions for the ND game. Who wins and why? Who will be the players of the game on offense and defense?
I have UM winning 28-13. UM goes into halftime ahead 14-13 and then comes out in the second half with a dominating performance defensively. I think Frank Clark is going to have a very good game as I see ND LT Ronnie Stanley struggling with his speed all night. Clark ends the game with 2 sacks and 3 TFL. On offense, I'm going with Devin Funchess. I think the running game will struggle some (still looking better than 2013) but the Devin to Devin connection will continue its rise to the top QB/WR combo in the conference. Funchess ends with 10 receptions for 165 yards and 2 more TD's.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:04 AM ^
But there is a front page dedicated to predictions.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:10 AM ^
Sigh. I thought maybe we could have a discussion as to why X team will win, other than just a score prediction. But if this is too redundant...please delete.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:27 AM ^
edit my post if I could. Since I cannot, would you accept my apologies?
September 4th, 2014 at 9:18 AM ^
September 5th, 2014 at 5:53 AM ^
September 4th, 2014 at 9:05 AM ^
the running game will be huge in this game. The back end of their defense is decimated. They will have to stay pretty basic at the loi to protect the secondary. Im hoping this translates to a solid outing from our oline and backs.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:06 AM ^
Gardener throws for 3 tds, Green and Smith combine for 200+ yards and 2 tds, and Funchess has two more tds. We ride off into the sunset flipping the bird to the thousands of domers who can suck it!
September 4th, 2014 at 9:52 AM ^
September 4th, 2014 at 11:23 AM ^
Ok, so I thought there was an extra "e" in there. My bad.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:07 AM ^
I predict three Mr. T posts for this thread.
September 4th, 2014 at 11:17 AM ^
Fair enough
September 4th, 2014 at 9:07 AM ^
Close game at the half, maybe even UM down by a score. ND rides the crowd's energy into the locker room, but UM comes out swinging for the second half then goes up by a couple TDs. ND has a late surge, but falls short. Series ends: 25–16–1
September 4th, 2014 at 9:08 AM ^
Michigan 41-24
Player of the game will be Devin Gardner with over 400 yards of total offense, 4 total TD ( 3 passing to 1 rushing) and only one turnover.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:08 AM ^
I agree with you on most of your predictions but i think Funchess will be double teamed all game and it should open up a big game for another receiver such as Chesson, Darboh, or maybe we see more Canteen. I think funchess will still make some plays but be limited to maybe 5 catches for 60 yards and hopefully a touchdown. I still see Gardiner throwing for at least 250-300 yards though. Final score Michigan 28 Chickens 17
September 4th, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^
This, I think, is the most intriguing element of this game -- assuming Funchess is doubled, who then opens up and how effectively will Gardner exploit it?
I have a sense Gardner will exploit to M's advantage. I see it Michigan 35, ND 17.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:49 AM ^
on Funchess is still a win for us. Baaahahahaha - Screw you ND...Funchess goes over 100 yards despite extra attention, with at least two TDs.
JMFR comes back with a vengence and has a MONSTER game. Frank Clark totally exposes the LT who is suspect to begin with (per Ace's piece), and Golson pays dearly.
Michigan 41, ND 31
September 4th, 2014 at 10:01 AM ^
I think ND only has one DB on their depth chart under 5'10". Most of their DBs are 5'11" - 6'1" as they have pretty good height at that position.
September 4th, 2014 at 11:52 AM ^
I did use a generalization. This sometimes happens in the Internet.
Regardless, Funch has a decided HUGENESS advantage against every DB in America.
September 4th, 2014 at 11:06 AM ^
Who is Gardiner?
September 4th, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^
My Bad!
September 4th, 2014 at 1:59 PM ^
Is Gardner's gardener.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:09 AM ^
Oregon wins by 10+
September 4th, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^
for the sparty game... I think you're right about the margin of victory, but I'm not sure how I feel about it. I desperately want the B1G to gain some respect nationally, just not sure how I feel about it being on the backs of msu. BUT, I do feel that this particular game they will get beaten down fairly soundly.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:24 AM ^
won't that help Michigan when we beat MSU?
September 4th, 2014 at 9:28 AM ^
and that's the biggest reason why I'm torn. That said, giving them more confidence before we play them, plus the added annoyance of having to deal with their fans, is something I'd rather avoid.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:52 AM ^
Don't see it as giving MSU more confidence, see it as giving MSU a greatly inflated head.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:53 AM ^
before we beat them. I'd rather pile on than spoil an otherwise great season for them.
September 4th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^
Not me. I want them to collapse after they play Michigan, so the loss to Michigan becomes the turning point in their season.
That used to be the case, and it was glorious.
September 4th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^
I have been to a handful of games in Autzen and it amazes me how hard it is for visiting teams....so damn loud.
If MSU pulls out a win there.....ummm yikes
September 4th, 2014 at 2:05 PM ^
I'm pulling for Sparty this Saturday, but I want OSU to lose, always.
M 34 - 20 ND: 2 nice FG's by Wile; Hagerup punting wins us field position battle; we score on some big plays from Funchess and Darboh/Chesson/Canteen; outrush ND 250-100. ND gets a defensive TD early, but we/Gardner bounce back big-time.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:10 AM ^
Until I see improvement from the linebackers, I see the D getting gashed up the middle with the superior interior Oline along with the speed of Gholson/RB du jour. I hope I'm wrong but with Morgan possibly out I don't like the feeling I get. I do like the possibility of our secondary having a field day of PBUs and INTs with the tight coverage....
September 4th, 2014 at 9:25 AM ^
last year as well, badly by OSU. So that hasn't changed, I wish it had, but it hasn't, so we'll have to live with it.
September 4th, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^
September 4th, 2014 at 9:10 AM ^
I predict one of the two teams will be disappointed by the outcome. That team will be Notre Dame. Because of Funchess.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:11 AM ^
This is a hard one to predict, as I see the game going a couple different ways. I'll give it a shot though.
I have Michigan winning 31-20
I believe that our offense, as long as there is no turnovers, will really shine Saturday night. DG has done well in the past with big games.
Also believe that Michigan's Depth on Defense will help us win the 2nd half.
Players of the game: Devin Gardner on Offense and Blake Countess on Defense.
I think DG will have a big game throwing and RUNNING the ball. Think he combines for 3 total touchdowns. Derrick Green rushes for one. Matt Wile boots a fieldgoal. Countess has 2 PBU's and one interception.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:40 AM ^
I agree on UM's depth quite possibly being the difference. One of the main reasons I want to see a win is because I think ND is probably an 8 win team this year. They play a pretty tough schedule and it's hard seeing them get more than 8-9 wins out of that. So, if Michigan loses to an average team, that will shake my confidence somewhat.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:51 AM ^
right there!
September 4th, 2014 at 1:56 PM ^
I realize that technically Jimmy Clausen is more of an ostrich, but still ... adding a Jimmy Clausen head on that parade would improve an already great piece of work.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:14 AM ^
I expect at most 75 rushing yards against the Smith/Day combo but with a decimated secondary we're going to have 250+ yards passing with Darboh and Chesson leading. On the other side, our defense will confuse Gholson, and, while giving up dink and dunk yardage, will stiffen in the red zone. In the end we commit a couple turnovers and miss a field goal, so it's 7-9 in the fourth but we score in the final minute.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:15 AM ^
September 4th, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^
September 4th, 2014 at 9:21 AM ^
so I'm sure I remember it. :-D
September 4th, 2014 at 9:24 AM ^
Hard to disagree with what you are saying. The main reason I think UM will win this one is ND's lack of playmakers at WR. There is no Michael Floyd, Golden Tate, Tyler Eifert or even a TJ Jones level receiver. I think UM will be able to effectively elimate the threat of a downfield passing game and be able to stack the box to stop the run. Turnovers obviously will be key.