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 11:38 AM ^
This is the way i see it, as well. I don't think that the fact that Hoke hasn't won road games against better teams will have any bearing on Saturday. The past isn't the future. The key for Michigan will be stopping the ND run game, and then not changing scheme to stop the passing game. If the linebackers (a deep group with the team's best coach) hold up, they can do that.
On the other side of the ball, I don't see ND having the horses to stop the Michigan passing game for the whole game. Michigan needs to be able to run enough to keep them honest (and with ND's linebackers, may be able to do much better thanh that, but "keep 'em honest" is the minimum standard), but the passing game should be enough to bring out a comfortable win, even though Hoke didn't beat MSU in 2011.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:54 AM ^
making Golson pay for those scrambles.
September 4th, 2014 at 10:12 AM ^
It's like a cornucopia of citrus wagering with no accountability.
Also, if ND scores 27 on this new and improved defense, featuring in-your-face press coverage and lots of blitzing, I will severely disappointed. To me the perfect outcome would be a big blowout like 2006 where everyone was surprised but the fan base by the outcome.
I say Nuss and the offense show a few wrinkles, including wide use of 4-receiver sets to take advantage of a depleted Irish secondary, and Michigan goes deep a lot throwing over the top to Funchess and his crew. This sets up the running game on the perimeter.
On defense, Michigan must keep Golson bottled up and pressure him with confusing looks and varied blitzes. They have the depth to rotate the pass rush, and they need to mirror cover ND's wideouts giving him small windows and limited opportunities for big plays.
I am looking for a 34-13 win.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:17 AM ^
1. Golson makes some hero moves to extend plays and burns our secondary on a few longer throws.
2. We get a few hair-pulling PI calls because our defense is playing so aggressive.
3. Our receivers repeatedly burn ND's broken secondary.
3. Michigan runs the ball enough and pulls away in the fourth quarter to win.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:18 AM ^
September 4th, 2014 at 9:20 AM ^
I truly believe we are more talented than Notre Dame by a pretty wide margin. With that being said, I have no idea how this game will go, because there are still so many unknowns (first road game, can we run effectively, can the defense adjust to tempo).
I'll go with Michigan winning 37-27. Gardner throws for 300. We get a 3.5 YPC average in the run game, Frank Clark and Joe Bolden get a sack, and we pick off Gholson twice.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:22 AM ^
I predict a big day for rushing, especially in the second half, after Nuss scorches them with his receiver options in the first half.
With this in mind, I predict we come out throwing the ball in the first, in a controlled attack that sets them on their heels. DG is sacked but in general steps up into the pocket and hits his wide open targets. The passing attack pulls the LB's back, opening up the outside zone for the second half. (Pretty much like Nuss did to ND in the national championship game a couple of years ago.)
I predict a big game for Fleetwood, making ND pay for double teams on the big guys and loose safeties.
I also predict strong DL pressure that disrupts the ND passing attack.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:22 AM ^
We'll be able to get consistent pressure from the edge, and hit Golson early and often. The secondary reaps the benefits of said pressure leading to 3+ turnovers. Green and Smith will be serviceable enough to force ND to respect the run, opening up the passing game (specifically for Chesson due to overcompensation for Funchess). Both Chesson and Funchess finish with a score and 80+ yards each, Butt grabs another (you heard it here first), and either Green or Smith plunges in for a short yardage score. Final score, UM 31-17.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:25 AM ^
Predict the average prediction of MGoBlog readers (in contrast to Michigan getting +5.5 as the road dog). People seem to be treating this game like it's in the bag. I don't get it.
What did we learn from beating ASU in its first ever game as an FBS team, and why is that more impressive than what ND did against the defending Conference USA champs? I see a game that's going to be decided by a single bad turnover, a critical PI penalty in the 4th, a single blown assignment in the secondary, something like that.
Homers, you better be right. I'm counting on you.
September 4th, 2014 at 10:13 AM ^
September 4th, 2014 at 10:31 AM ^
by the Irish win over Rice, and except for a couple of poorly executed defensive calls and reactions to belly runs by ASU last Saturday, I thought Michigan was pretty suffocating defensively, I mean that team couldn't get a first down withou a penalty in the first half. It was 35-0 at the half, and the score wasn't indicative of the play. I mean they had like 60 first half yards offensively. That's pretty stout against any opponent.
Based on the starter losses in the Irish defense facing a team like Michigan with as many weapons as it has on offense, I just think if you take advantage of that, you could have a big night. And I'm counting on the secondary to continue showing what I think will be a season-long demonstration of tight coverage that makes the pass rush stronger and the overall defense extremely efficient and effective. The only question in my mind is how Michigan fares in dealing with Golson's elusiveness.
I know that Golson is a better qb than he was two years ago, but how much of a better passer is he? I mean he was relieved in the last meeting between these two teams at South Bend, and they had great receivers on that team. ND's best pass catcher isn't likely to play Saturday. I just like Michigan on both sides of the ball in this matchup. They have the better matchups with Golson's ability to extend plays and turn them into scoring chances, the biggest problem Michigan will have to solve.
September 4th, 2014 at 10:57 AM ^
September 4th, 2014 at 11:33 AM ^
If we start seeing some on the first couple of drives, my entire outlook for the game changes. Otherwise, I'm just going to be screaming "MOAR FUNCHESS" the whole game.
September 4th, 2014 at 11:42 AM ^
September 4th, 2014 at 11:03 AM ^
they beat the defending conference usa champs? were fucked.
September 4th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
so then explain why you think ND should be shaking in their boots because we beat a team that went 4-8 in FCS last year?
September 4th, 2014 at 11:55 AM ^
they shouldnt
September 4th, 2014 at 12:07 PM ^
Actually, yours is far more the straw man argument. Who says ND should be "shaking in their books" at all, let alone based on who Michigan defeated?
Your argument appears to be that Michigan fans are wrong to be optimistic, because ND defeated a team containing some members of the team that won C-USA last year. If confidence can only be justified based on comparing opponents to their last-year's version, then I'd say favor the team that won last year's UM-ND game. If confidence isn't justified by comparing last-year's-version teams, what does it matter how Rice did in C-USA last year?
September 4th, 2014 at 9:25 AM ^
My prediction is that both defenses unravel in the 4th quarter and it turns into a shootout in the end.
Oregon/MSU is a really intriguing one to predict. I'll take Oregon since its in Oregon. It'll be close in the first half but Oregon will get rolling in the 3rd quarter and win by 10 or so.
OSU will beat VT, VT reminds me of FSU when Bowden was getting old.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:26 AM ^
September 4th, 2014 at 9:28 AM ^
• We haven't beaten a ranked team on the road since 2006
• Under Hoke, we haven't beaten a team with a winning season record in its own stadium
• Our record in South Bend since 1978 is 5-10.
• We've had significant historical trouble with mobile, quick QBs who can throw
• ND has had ridiculous luck against UM at home.
September 4th, 2014 at 10:37 AM ^
and a close finish. And maybe I am too optimistic about this team's personnel and its matchup abilities. I just think if you can make some big plays offensively early and play effliciently on defense, you have a chance for another outcome like in 2006. I think few were thinking about that kind of outcome in that game, but Michigan fans knew what that team could do. And that day, they showed it.
September 4th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^
and a close finish. And maybe I am too optimistic about this team's personnel and its matchup abilities. I just think if you can make some big plays offensively early and play effliciently on defense, you have a chance for another outcome like in 2006. I think few were thinking about that kind of outcome in that game, but Michigan fans knew what that team could do. And that day, they showed it.
September 4th, 2014 at 11:52 AM ^
Are we supposed to only choose Michigan? Because of all the times recently where Michigan has gone undefeated?
A lot of really valid points were made. +1 to you
September 4th, 2014 at 1:32 PM ^
and one of the most level-headed MGoBloggers of all, IMO. He got negged because you're not allowed to swim against the current, in some people's eyes. I +1'd him as well.
September 4th, 2014 at 12:19 PM ^
I don't think he made any good points, but I agree that negging a guy merely because you disagree with his arguments is contrary to the entire sirit of the voting system. Don made all of his points clearly and respectfully, and his post is worth a +1 just for that reason. +1, Don
September 4th, 2014 at 12:17 PM ^
Some of these are valid points, some seem to be irrelevant. I don't think that the outcomes of games played in South Bend before the current Michigan players were even born will effect their play. Everyone has significant historical trouble against mobile, quick QBs who can throw, including ND (who face one Saturday). I don't believe that ND has even been particularly more lucky than Michigan at South Bend. I have my doubts that the outcome of the 2011 M-MSU game will effect this game either, other than as a motivator for the Michigan players.
I think all the intangibles are with Michigan in this one, as well as all the tangibles bar the run game. To predict a Michigan loss because of irrelevant factors isn't logical. You gotta have better reasons than those.
September 4th, 2014 at 1:14 PM ^
The failed invasion of Russia by Napoleon didn't affect the Nazis in WWII either. That doesn't mean it would have been smart to place a large wager on the Germans. Going into hostile territory has a way of evening the odds, something that UM fans seem to consistently ignore.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:30 AM ^
The last time a Michigan senior QB played in South Bend, he threw 4 interceptions. Notre Dame ended up winning that game 13-6 after 6 Michigan turnovers. Michigan outgained ND 299-239, outrushed ND 161-94, had the ball 7 minutes longer, converted 5 more 3rd downs, and had 5 more first downs.
That game was 13-6. After SIX turnovers. Against a ND team that made it to the national championship.
I would argue that offensively, Michigan is much more balanced and better across the board. Michigan doesn't have the run threat that Denard was but Devin is a pretty damn good run threat himself and has a much better arm. Michigan also has much better receivers that should challenge the weak ND secondary all day.
Defensively, this is the best unit that we've seen since Brady Hoke has been here. I think Golston is a good QB but the defense will do a good job at getting after him and make him make tough throws to beat them.
I know it's in South Bend and things tend to go right for them at home but I say fuck the luck of the Irish. Hoke and Co. will have these guys ready.
Michigan 31 Notre Dame 17
September 4th, 2014 at 9:50 AM ^
I was at this game and surrounded by ND fans saying how they were killing us in this game. I tried explaining all these points to them with no luck for them to understand. We should of won this game by two scores at least.
September 4th, 2014 at 10:10 AM ^
You think the Appy St. game constitutes proof that the 2014 D is better than the 2011 D?
September 4th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
No. But some components of that 2011 defense are still on the team.
Countess, Ryan, Morgan (although injured).. all started on that team. Swap Wilson for Kovacs and call it a wash. Swap Clark or Hill for Woolfolk and call it a win. Swap Ramon Taylor or Peppers for Courtney Avery and/or JT Floyd and call it a HUGE win. I think Ryan, Ross III, Bolden, Morgan, and Gedeon in whatever position is better than Morgan back then, Ryan back then, and Demens in the middle.
The DLine in 2011 was Roh, Martin, Heininger, and RVB. The line that Michigan can rotate in this year is overall better than that.
I may be way off base.. but if I glance over the roster then and look at what Michigan has now, it's better. If they perform this year, I'll take this year's defense over 2011's 10 times out of 10.
EDIT: I didn't downvote you FWIW.
September 4th, 2014 at 1:07 PM ^
I actually agree with you on this, at least on paper. My admittedly simple-minded point is that rosters on paper sometimes aren't equaled by on-field performance against decent opposition, and Appy St. wasn't decent opposition.
No worries about the downvotes... I learned long ago around here that predicting anything other than unicorns and rainbows for Michigan football reliably results in negs from a certain segment of the MGoBlog fanbase. Since I can't cash them in at the bank, I don't give a shit about points.
September 4th, 2014 at 10:11 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 4th, 2014 at 9:32 AM ^
September 4th, 2014 at 10:01 AM ^
and we only score 35 points...HOLY BALLS WE SUCK IN THE RED ZONE!
September 4th, 2014 at 9:33 AM ^
I think Michigan gets the W because I think the roster is deeper than ND. I'm not 100% on that prediction because it's still early and I think the team still may be prone to lapses. If this were the 5th or 6th game, I'd say a UM win easy. I'm seeing a close game early and Michigan's depth taking over and eventually wearing out ND. But I could imagine anything from a close loss, to a close win or a blowout win. Basically, I don't really know.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:36 AM ^
I just have this gut feeling like we're going to destroy them. We'll start off slow, in fact it may be tied at half time, but something in me says we're going to just lay the wood to them in the second half and pull away. The final score won't quite reflect how much we actually handled them.
UM - 33
ND - 17
September 4th, 2014 at 9:37 AM ^
ND will have some running success going up the gut, and Golson gets some deep passes out there by scrambling around or stepping up when our D over pursues up field. Gardner struggles a little early trying to force it to Funchess when he's doubled on every passing down, probably throws an interception and ND ends up with an early lead of something like 14-7 or 13-3.
But then starting around the late 2nd quarter our team starts rounding it out getting the score about even at half. In 3rd PIpkens goes in and solidifies the middle, our corners shut them down and Golson starts getting nervous. I think Clark or Ryan will get a sack that forces a fumble / or a rushed pass leading to an INT early in the 3rd that fully swings momentum and from there it's a dominating. Gardner eventually realzes he doesn't have to throw to Funchess every other pass and Chesson has a good day, Funchess does too cuz Megatron Jr, and the RB duo starts getting yards later in the game as they're worn down.
Final somewhere around 38-17 or something like that.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:39 AM ^
September 4th, 2014 at 9:39 AM ^
Michigan will win this game, especially if ND is missing those players. I think Gholson will be somewhat of a problem due to his mobility, but Michigan seems to have a better team overall.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:39 AM ^
I predict me being nervous and PRAYING for no flukey things to go against us.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:54 AM ^
September 4th, 2014 at 9:55 AM ^
I know I'm nervous, not really because of the matchup, but because of what a win could do for the program. I think getting a win provides a lot of confidence and experience and should propel this team forward. I just don't want to miss that opportunity.
September 4th, 2014 at 10:14 AM ^
That's the perspective that being a historian gives you, especially when it comes to us playing under the watchful gaze of Test-Cheating Jesus.
September 4th, 2014 at 11:22 AM ^
You've already predicted ND will win by a significant margin, why would you be nervous, unless you've put a chunk of change on ND to win?
September 4th, 2014 at 9:47 AM ^
I really like UM's roster this year. There seems to be enough depth to handle some of these bigger teams, particularly on defense. I think UM wins by 2 touchdowns.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:48 AM ^
I just think both teams are going to move the ball and have huge plays. Green and Smith go for 140 tops but I think gardner gets loose on the run. Funchess will have the huge day Gallon had last year. Our defense is going to make some big plays but also give up some big ones cause Golson can chuck it. No way we are losing this though. If it ain't workin' Nuss will Adjust! And that'll be the difference folks.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:49 AM ^