Michigan Football: Notre Dame Game Primer and Predictions
By Alex Dale
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
It’s Michigan-Notre Dame week. And sadly, this is the last week that sentence can be said for the foreseeable future. It’s been one of the best rivalries in football: two giants in college football who have played thrillers. But all good things must end (usually), and Michigan’s visit to South Bend on Saturday will be the final scheduled game between the two programs. So, before we see which team can secure indefinite bragging rights, let’s look at some key factors of the game.
Devin FUNchess
Michigan’s coaches had high hopes for Funchess when they moved the star tight end to wide receiver and against Appalachian State it paid off. Funchess was terrific, grabbing 7 passes for 95 yards and 3 TDs. He looked like Braylon Edwards out there, with the newly given number 1 on his jersey. Funchess had too much size, speed and route-running ability for App State to defend him. He looked a man amongst boys out there, especially now, as a wideout, that he is matched up with smaller defensive backs instead of linebackers.
Notre Dame will have better corners and a whole week to prepare for Funchess, but will that be enough?
If you remember, Jeremy Gallon was able to destroy the Irish last year, with 8 catches for 184 yards and 3 TDs. Gallon used his quickness and a knack for finding soft spots in the defense to beat Notre Dame, while Funchess will use his size and strength. And that size could trouble Notre Dame, as both of their starting corners are under 6 feet tall, leaving them vulnerable when covering the 6 foot 5 Funchess. Look for Funchess to cause problems for Notre Dame, as long as Devin Gardner can get the ball to him.
Containing Golson
While Michigan’s quarterbacks have dominated Notre Dame recently (Denard Robinson’s 502 yards and 4 TDs in 2010, 446 yards and 5 TDs in 2011 and Gardner’s 5 TDs last season), Michigan’s defense will have to watchout for Notre Dame’s QB, Everett Golson this year. Golson had five total TDs and threw for 295 yards last week in Notre Dame’s rout of Rice and looked electrifying after being suspended for the 2013 season. This will be Golson’s first big game since getting obliterated by Alabama in the BCS Title game in January of 2013.
It will be telling to see how Greg Mattison decides to attack Golson with his defense. Will they send a lot of pressure, hoping to exploit a potential lack of sharpness? Or will Michigan take a more conservative approach and force Golson to try to pick them apart?
Will the bright lights be too much for Golson or will he shine on the big stage?
Hoke’s Big Stage
While Golson is going to be under the microscope because of how long he has been gone from the team, Michigan’s coach Brady Hoke has been under mounting pressure for the lack of progress his team has been making the last couple years. Beating rivals, apart from winning in general, is the best way to alleviate pressure for a coach. Considering Michigan also plays its other two rivalry games, Michigan State and Ohio State, on the road, Notre Dame will likely be their best shot at a win. If Michigan loses all three rivalry games and doesn’t go to the Big Ten title game, Hoke could be in legitimate danger of losing his job. Beating Notre Dame doesn’t solve all of his problems, remember Rich Rodriguez and Hoke have both been 2-1 against the Irish, but it doesn’t hurt and will help create some momentum for the rest of the season.
Prediction
The two offenses duel in another thriller, but Funchess is too much for the small Notre Dame defensive backs and Michigan’s pass rush makes a big play late to win the game.
Michigan 34-Notre Dame 31
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