Michigan Wolverines: ND — What Happened and What it Means — Part I

Sep 6, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; A genera view of Notre Dame Stadium during the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Michigan Wolverines. Notre Dame won 31-0. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Posted at 5:15am — 9/8/2014

Michigan Wolverines: ND — What Happened and What it Means — Part I

Michigan Undergoes Disaster — Michigan at Notre Dame — Wrap-up

How can an adequate description of the Saturday debacle be put forth? Perhaps the best path is simple and direct. Michigan played Notre Dame as an equal for about 10 minutes and then the game turned it a futile display that became bitter to watch. The final result was an embarrassing shutout that may leave the Michigan faithful both sour and bitter.

First of all, Michigan had not been shut out for about 30 years. The Notre Dame defense is good, but not great. Michigan should not have been shut out. Matt Wile pushed one field goal attempt to the right and slipped on another to seal the ultimate insult. His six points were insignificant except for an observation that the misses seemed to create an instant deflation effect.

Sep 6, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) fumbles as he is hit by Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 31-0. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY SportsThis begs the question: how bad is Michigan and how good is Notre Dame? The suspicion here is that Notre Dame is very good, good enough to perhaps win 10 or 11 games. Kelly has assembled a near all-star cast of coaches and the high four and five star recruits of the past two or three years appear to be different makers. Stanford and Southern California are winnable games for the Notre Dame team. Florida State may be another matter.

Second, the clear difference in Saturday’s game was the play of both lines. Notre Dame put enough pressure on Devin Gardner, especially as the game progressed, to disrupt the Michigan passing game. This was aided by the defense melting at the end of the first half when Michigan again gave up a touchdown with little time on the clock to push the score to 21-0. The game was essentially over at that point as Michigan became one- dimensional.

Sep 6, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) throws in the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY SportsNotre Dame’s offensive line held up very well in pass defense, neutralizing every blitz when Everett was in the pocket. Notre Dame smartly rolled Golson outside the middle blitz frequently and even though this condensed the field Golson always found a guy open. When Michigan did get to Golson, he put a move or two on the pass rush and some bad Michigan whiffs resulted. At least Beyer held the edge much of the time, but Clark still whiffs on good opportunities. The middle of Michigan’s defense got little push.

Notre Dame’s defensive line and linebackers attacked the run gaps well enough to put the Michigan running game nearly on hold. There was a flicker of hope, but the 21-0 score doomed the running game. Conversely, when Notre Dame needed just one yard or so to continue a drive, it was acquired, sometimes by a mere inch or so.

Sep 6, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly leads his players onto the field before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY SportsLater in the game, as Michigan was forced to pass; the Notre Dame blitz package pressured Devin Gardner sufficiently to invigorate the turnover syndrome. Third, Notre Dame’s offense had every answer for Greg Mattison’s 4-3 packages. It was as if the Irish had a direct line to the sideline calls. Golson got rid of the ball quickly and his accuracy was splendid. With the exception of Jake Ryan, the linebackers were not to be found. More than likely one or more were caught up in failed blitzes.

The well-trumpeted press defense became the dagger in Michigan’s back. Coach Kelly focused on throwing to the isolated receiver and Michigan’s press coverage produced two deadly flaws. First, the Michigan defenders gave up inside leverage way too easily and this resulted in several successful slants, skinny posts, or seam routes. Second, Michigan’s defenders stopped their feet long enough for the Notre Dame receivers to pull off several stop and go moves that left the Michigan defenders a yard or so off the ball. The receivers were obviously very well prepared for the game and their technical skill and good hands produced great results.

Part II will look at the Big Ten and talk more about the ND game.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu

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