UofM Oline vs. ND D line.....the matchup that will tell all.

I think we're going to have to rely on our passing game (and Devin scrambling) to come out on top in this one. I thought our pass blocking was pretty solid last week but our run blocking needs work. We'll probably have to get the H-backs and fullbacks heavily involved tomorrow.

Either way, I don't see us losing this game. Go Blue.

the occasional saftey of CB blitz will critical.  If the Scofield can handle Tuitt and the FB and Lewan can handle blitzers, Devin should be able to find some open receivers.  Turnovers and red zone offense will be key to this game.

ND will have the best front 3-4 we face.  But their linebackers?  The Domer boards have been ripping the lack of mobility of their LBs exposing them to Temple's QB on scrambles.  Also encouraging; Nix was getting stonewalled and had to play a LOT of plays, and his primary backup was lost in the preseason due to injury.  I think we see a lot more of a vertical game, with play-action and healthy doses of Funchess testing their LBs down the seams.

This game has Norfleet's name written all over it. I would think that getting him involved on some end-around / jet sweep action would buy nice hesitation from ND's D-line.

How bout some Pistol and/or veer, hasn't the team supposedly been working on that? Double the interior, read the end...should be a viable concept here no?

Would love to see ND get "Rocket-ed"

Yes, the trenches will determine the outcome of this game, no doubt.  BOTH sides of the ball need to have great games.  I have a feeling IF we do run right at Nix, then we'll probably see a lot of combo blocking with Miller and one of the guards, because I'm not sure Miller can handle Nix by himself.  That means that the guard is going to have to stay on the nose longer to help out, so the guard likely won't be able to scrape off and get to the next level to block a LB.  Fitz, or whoever is playing RB, is going to have to make that LB miss.  Should be an interesting matchup.

Also, I'm excited to see our D.  I'm sure Mattison kept things very vanilla last week...hopefully he unleashes the Kraken this week...or, 11 Krakens.

Make that tub of lard Nix run sideline to sideline up tempo all night.  If Tuitt ever makes it into the backfield I hope Kerridge puts his helmet on his chin and takes his head off.

Stomp, maim, kill!

Go Blue!

The 3-man front might actually be a benefit for... Michigan. Lewan has proven he can seal a top notch DE/LB in Clowney. Key matchup is going to be whichever Guard has to take on Tuitt/Nix. This is where I think Kalis proves how much of a beast he is in matching up with either of these players. 

I think our 2013 Defense is very similar to ND's 2011/2012 Defense, in terms of talent.

I don't expect a last second shootout here. Our line is improved, and if Garner can make some better decisions (I'll bet he's watched more ND film than Central), I am expecting more points for our boys.

The question is if they can put up more on us. I think not, so I am going into this game with a don't-want-to-jinx-it comfort level. Say 29 Michigan - 14 FigThing Irish.

And either Norfleet or Dileo wear 98. (I think Dileo).

You're forgetting them.  The starting DL/OLB are excellent. 

I'm not worried about whoever is matched up opposite Lewan. Tuitt, I assume? Could be wrong, but either way, Lewan has proven that he's able to go toe-to-toe with the best and hold them at bay, so I'm not worried about Gardner's blindside.

Just have to be able to at least fight Nix to a draw, otherwise it'll be tough sledding for Fitz and Green, and the running game in general. At least up the gut. Tomorrow night will allow Kalis, Miller and Glasgow the chance to grow up in a hurry. But the good news is that it'll probably be the best defensive line they play against all year, so its good that they're seeing it now.

Kalis is going to MAUL some Fig-Things!

Obviously, the lines are incredibly important. At the same time, my feeling is that any one strong area of a defense can be schemed around. I'd be interested in the viewpoints of the coacherati on here. It seems like things like quick-hit passes, screens and misdirection runs can be used to neutralize a strong DL, particularly when 2 of your DL have satelites orbiting them. Do those more knowledgeable feel that Borges has the types of plays, and willingness, to neutralize the DL?

I'd love to see our OL hold up against their DL mano y mano. I think we've got a chance, though results from CMU have too many caveats for confidence at this time. Even if ND wins that battle, however, I'm not sure we lose the war.

I didn't see anything in ND's defense that was substantially better than ours against Alabama. And the end result was pretty much the same. That, combined with last year's game, convinces me that the two teams were evenly matched last year.

If Devin can find targets in the play-action game, holes should open up for the runners.

Yes, the OL needs to have at least a decent game, but a lot rests on Devin's arm.

by spreading the field. Expect a lot of run along the edge and sweeps and rolling and designed QB runs to work their DL running left to right all day long. Both Tuitt and Nix are oversized and they don't have much depth behind them, and if we are able to keep them on field with running plays and short passes, they will be wore out eventually. 

The weakest spot of our OL is Miller's weak blocking, either Glasgow and Kalis need to help Miller to double team Nix. Expect Byrant or Braden to see some play time at LG and slide Glasgow to the center if Miller is beaten consistently early on.

I remain underwhelmed by ND's front 7.  The LBs look lost, and for all of the talk last year about them "shutting down" the running game Denard and co. still put up 161 yards, with Fitz averaging 4.5 ypc behind a pretty bad line.  Te'o seemed to be the difference in that game, and with him gone I suspect the passing game to improve and, with it, the running game outside the tackles.  The one issue I see is if Borges and the offense shies away from pushing the tempo, which would lock in those tackles and maybe tire them out a bit.  If ND is allowed to substitute liberally, it will be harder to get those guys winded and, thus, easier to run against.