Week 2: Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Michigan Wolverines

After the lopsided victory over Western Michigan Broncos of the MAC in Week 1, the Wolverines could be in for a rude awakening on Saturday when the Irish visit in Week 2.  

Michigan has a big experienced defensive line that brings a lot of pressure, they have an experienced offensive line, behind which they can run the ball effectively.  No denying they are solid in the trenches.  They will be a challenge to stop in the run game -- even with Minor banged up, and two new guys in there at RB.

However, contrary to what Michigan fans are loudly spouting this week after the quick transition from uncertainty, doubt, and depression to the highs of a 31-7 victory, the Michigan offense at this stage in the season is unquestionably very limited.  Forcier is their best available guy to throw the ball and he is a fragile, 180 lb true freshman.  Their best running back, Minor, is banged up.  

It will be interesting to see how Forcier performs under pressure -- both big game pressure, and defensive blitz pressure brought by Jon Tenuta and Corwin Brown.  Should Rodriguez try to run too much with Forcier, there is a good chance he leaves the game, given the size and speed Notre Dame has at linebacker in guys like Brian Smith, Toryan Smith, Darius Fleming, and the five star Manti Te'o.  Denard Robinson (who apparently doesn't believe in tying his shoes) is lightning fast, but from what has been seen thus far is one-dimensional, allowing Tenuta to stack 7 or 8 in the box and dare the freshman to throw vs the solid Irish secondary. There is a good opportunity for at least one defensive score for the Irish vs the inexperienced offensive skill positions of Michigan.

Charlie Weis has no doubt been game-planning for the Wolverines all off season, and had the luxury of not showing many cards during an opening week rout of Nevada.  Yet the Irish still scored 35 points in two and a half quarters, with a video-game-like offensive air attack including Michael Floyd, Golden Tate, Kyle Rudolph.  Notre Dame should win the turnover battle in Ann Arbor and if the offensive line can protect the highly accurate Jimmy Clausen who has thrown more touchdown passes than incompletions in his last two games (37/44, 9 TD's, 0 INT's, 700+ yards), this game will not be close, and the Big House will be a mausoleum on Saturday.