Michigan Football: How the Wolverines can beat Notre Dame

Expectations for Michigan football are high again this year, but the opening game against Notre Dame will set the stage for the season.

If Devin Bush and Khaleke Hudson of Michigan football do what they do best, Notre Dame starting quarterback Brandon Wimbush may spend a great deal of time on his back wondering what hit him.

Wimbush is an erratic passer who is unlikely to find an open man with Viper Hudson, Lavert Hill and David Long in the secondary, and Tyree Kinnel coming on strong at safety.  Notre Dame hopes Wimbush can get loose to pick up yards on the ground, but Bush likes to get into the backfield, and hits hard.  Similarly, Hudson has a nose for the ball and can pick up Wimbush should he get a step.

If Michigan’s defensive line is better than ever, despite losing Maurice Hurst to the draft.  The odds are good as Rashan Gary is a monster, a first-round prospect, and Chase Winovich is back after an outstanding season last year.  The news gets better as Aubrey Solomon and Michael Dwumfour have been impressive at tackle, grabbing the start at Notre Dame while experienced and talented Bryan Mone, Lawrence Marshall, Carlo Kemp and Kwity Paye are more than ready to step in as needed.

If Jim Harbaugh’s simplified offense allows an improving offensive line the opportunity to provide Shea Patterson enough protection to develop a passing game.  It won’t take much to improve on last season’s ineffective offense; a passing threat open lanes for running backs Karan Higdon and Chris Evans, both of whom showed the ability to break off a long run if given an opening.  It’s no secret that a good offense is a balanced offense, and Patterson’s experience at quarterback and simplified offensive schemes could go a long way toward balancing Michigan’s scoring.

If 6’5 wide receiver Nico Collins turns out to have the pass-catching radius wolverine fans have been longing to see, Donovan Peoples-Jones puts his speed to good use under a more accurate quarterback’s passes, and Grant Perry plays up to the standard he has established as a veteran receiver.  Yes, the Wolverines will miss Tarik Black, but Collins has the physical gifts and athleticism to become a dominant force for Michigan’s offense.

If Quinn Nordin has worked out whatever goblins got into his kicking game last season.  Nordin’s good for 50-yard field goals; he may be the strongest kicker in college football.  Accuracy was an issue in the second half of the season, however, and as Nordin lost consistency, Michigan lost the edge his field goals had provided early on.  The offense should be more productive, and fewer games should come down to a field goal to seal the deal, but when they do, an accurate Quinn Nordin could make the difference that takes Michigan to the top of the charts at season’s end.

Playing Notre Dame in South Bend is never easy, and most prognosticators see this as a game almost too close to call.  Notre Dame has at least as many questions to answer on Saturday, and the news from Ann Arbor remains overwhelmingly positive.  If only two or three of the issues identified above are resolved satisfactorily, this should be a hard-fought first victory for a much improved Michigan team.