Michigan Football: 3 things to watch against Notre Dame

Michigan football and Notre Dame will square off tonight in South Bend, here are three things to watch from a Wolverines’ perspective.

After months of waiting and counting down the days, the season opener for Michigan football against Notre Dame is finally upon us. Well, we are just hours away now.

The hype machine surrounding this game and this season for Michigan football has been working overtime. Many are picking the Wolverines to make the playoffs or win the Big Ten. However, most Michigan fans just want to see their team beat another good team. That’s step one.

Before Michigan can even think about winning a Big Ten championship or competing for a playoff spot, it needs to beat good teams and win big games. This game definitely classifies as a big game and if Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines can beat Notre Dame, it will arguably be the biggest win during his tenure as head coach.

It will definitely be the best road win Michigan football has had in years and certainly the best under Harbaugh. Of course, even with a loss, UM will still have all of its goals in front of it. The Big Ten East won’t be won or lost Saturday night in South Bend.

However, the perception that Michigan is overrated and can’t win big games will persist and I for one am sick of that narrative. I am sick of experiencing it, writing about it and watching it. This team needs to perform on a big stage and that’s just one thing that bears watching when the Wolverines and Fighting Irish take the field tonight.