(Photo by: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Someone's season is going to change for the worse on Saturday. 

Two teams of storied rivalry; Michigan and Notre Dame meet for the 37th time in the Big House. One of them go home with a whole lot of unanswered questions.  The other goes home with that special feeling that they could have something good going on this season.

It's another weekend, and time for another Saturday's Sack.  This week of course it's a rivalry week with Notre Dame heading to the Big House to face the Michigan Wolverines. So, without further ado, let's just jump right in.

As before, I'll do the opponent first in my breakdown of what each team must do if they want to spend Happy Hour-Happy in Ann Arbor.

Michigan: Offense

Run the Ball.  For a few years now Notre Dame has had a very average run defense.  They are susceptible to the big run play.  Last week Nevada was able to rip off some long ones and you should have the ponies to replicate that feat. 

John Tenuta will blitz the fire out of the offensive line and keep Forcier confused as to where the blitz is coming from and who will be open for a dump off or safety valve pass. The best way to defeat Tenuta's pressure scheme is to run right up the gut, right past it.


Protect Your QBs.  Your playing with a young freshman QB.  I don't care how "mature" you think he is for his age, a freshman will get rattled if pressured.  In order to avoid costly picks that will keep your defense on the field, you need to keep the pressure and sacks to a minimum.

This defense got a few sacks against a very good QB last weekend and all they have been hearing about is how great Forcier is.  They will hit him hard if you don't protect him.  What you don't need is an early season injury to Michigan's Tebow.


Utilize Short Passes.  Tenuta plays a soft cover three coverage, always has, and Corwin is probably blue in the face trying to get him to let the CBs play up.  The fact that they will not is a blessing to you.  Since they play so far off the WR, you will be able to toss a short pass quickly for a solid gain on almost every down. 

This will help Forcier's confidence, his pass numbers, and a WR might make a play after the catch.  This will also help mitigate all of the blitzing you'll be facing.  You can win this game on short passes and running alone. 

If you start to sling it down the field, you will run into interceptions and lots of third and longs.  This is a run first, short pass second game.

Michigan: Defense

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