I would like to try a new format this year for the game
previews. Instead of looking at each aspect of the game (rush offense vs
defense, etc), I want to take more of a step back and just point out a few of
the matchups to watch out for. Hopefully this new format can be more
sustainable moving forward.
Michigan heads to South Bend for what appears to be the last
time for at least 15 years. While it is
a storied rivalry that has been chocked full of instant classics, I am excited
to see Michigan try to replace the Irish with other big name programs (Florida,
Oklahoma, UCLA, Virginia Tech). I think fans will miss these games more after
we go a few years without. This year
looks to be an interesting matchup. Michigan desperately wants to put last year’s
miserable season behind them and prove that they are in fact a B1G championship
contender. Notre Dame wants to stay on the national scene from their BCS
Championship game berth 2 years ago, but seem to be sliding backwards with an
array of injuries and academic suspensions.
When Michigan has the ball…
There are two major matchups here that will swing tomorrow
night’s game one way or the other. First off, Sheldon Day against Michigan’s interior
offensive line. While Jaylon Smith is
the Irish’s best defender, Day is by far the most important. With Notre Dame’s
depleted secondary they will be looking to put pressure on Gardner any way
possible. This game plan starts with Day. He is capable of single-handedly
dominating an offensive line. The interior defensive line is Day’s usual
position, however they do split him out as a rush end at times as well. I think the biggest area of concern for Michigan
in this entire game is keeping Gardner protected. Day will likely be able to overpower the left
side of the Wolverine line (Cole/Magnusson), and is much quicker than the right
side of the line (Glasgow/Kalis/Braden). He also lines up directly over the center
at times, and will give Miller or Glasgow all they can handle. If Day is consistently putting pressure on
the quarterback, it will likely force Devin to rush some decisions and throws. And
while he under attack all of last year but somehow still had one of the all-time
great performances, Michigan cannot count on that again. On the flip side, if
Day is not able to break into the backfield it will force Notre Dame to blitz
linebackers because if the new 98 has time he will pick the Irish secondary apart.
This leads me to the matchup number 2: Devin Funchess vs however Notre Dame
tries to cover him. Funchess repped the
number 1 jersey perfectly last weekend. His performance showcased most of his
incredible skills, and now Brian Kelly should be having nightmares of the future
NFL-er. If Gardner feels confident in
the pocket tomorrow night it will not matter if the suspended Irish players are
back or if Funchess is bracket covered all night, the Devin-Devin connection
will be strong again.
When Notre Dame has the ball…
The Irish offense starts and ends with Everett Golson. He is
a much different (and better) quarterback than the one the Wolverines faced two
years ago. He has a very strong arm, and
can keep plays alive with his feet. I would compare him to Russell Wilson. Of
course both can beat you with their feet, but they choose to use their speed to
allow more time for their receivers to break open. Michigan will need to be very disciplined to
contain him. This will be a struggle since many of the Wolverine defenders can
be too aggressive sometimes (Clark, Henry, and Ryan come to mind). A breakdown
in the front seven will result in a big play for Notre Dame. The matchup that I
am also looking forward to seeing if how Michigan’s new found press coverage
fairs against a real opponent. The Wolverine secondary depth is impressive, and
I think they have the advantage on the outside if Notre Dame is indeed without
Daniels. Look for the corners to have a
big game, even though the pass interference flags might be flying (remember MSU
vs ND 2013).
Michigan seems to have a lot of the advantages across the
board. The Irish offense is definitely their strength, but the Wolverine
defense has all of the tools to be elite. The Michigan offensive line will
still try to find their footing with the new schemes, but Notre Dame’s
defensive depth is less than ideal. However, if the Wolverines can find some consistency
in the trenches they have a stable of skill players who can shred the Irish
back 7. Which team will be able to exploit the other’s biggest weaknesses?
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