(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
In anticipation of Saturday's matchup of the nation's two winningest programs, Notre Dame writer Marc Halsted, and Michigan writer Justin Potts face off. Each presents his case for which team has the edge in each position battle and who will win the game.
Notre Dame pass offense vs. Michigan pass defense
Marc: The word on the street Monday was Mrs. Clausen overthrew son Rick in the fourth quarter of the family flag football game late Sunday afternoon. She was immediately pulled off to the field, reminded that Clausens don’t throw incomplete passes, and sent over to Ron Powlus to work on her mechanics.
Jimmy Clausen won’t miss much this coming Saturday. Michael Floyd is a big-time playmaker and Kyle Rudolph may be the most athletic tight end Michigan sees all season. Add in Golden Tate—a man who could outrun Desmond Howard wearing flip-flops and bloomers—and you have a frightening day for a Wolverine defensive backfield that gave up 263 yards to Western Michigan.
Justin: Led by junior quarterback Jimmy Clausen, and receivers Golden Tate and Michael Floyd, Notre Dame has the talent to put up a lot of points.
However, Clausen’s numbers last season fell off considerably in the six losses. In those games, he completed just 57 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was also sacked 15 times. In seven wins, he completed 65.5 percent for 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while being sacked only six times.
Michigan has one of the best defensive ends in the Big Ten in senior Brandon Graham. Last season, Graham ranked second in the nation in tackles for loss (20), and seventh in sacks (10).
If Graham, Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen can pressure Clausen, it could be a long day for Notre Dame.
If Clausen has time to step up and throw, he can pick apart Michigan’s razor-thin secondary. Notre Dame has the advantage in this match-up because of Clausen's experience and the wealth of talent at his disposal.
Notre Dame rush offense vs. Michigan rush defense
Marc: The Irish didn’t need to run when they had so many opportunities to throw against the vacant Nevada pass defense on opening day. The diversity of the ND offense will overwhelm the Wolverines, especially with Robert Hughes providing a new legitimate option at fullback on Saturday. Armando Allen hits it big for a 100-yard day and the human wrecking-ball on speed named Jonas Gray introduces himself to a national audience.
Justin: Last season, Notre Dame had one 100-yard rushing game, when Armando Allen rushed for 136 yards against Purdue. The Irish averaged just 135.7 yards per game on the ground, and a paltry 3.3 yards per carry.
The running game seems to be improved this season, lining up behind an experienced offensive line. In last week’s opener against Nevada, Allen averaged 4.8 yards per carry, running for 72 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
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