Michigan-Notre Dame: Irish Matchup Will Reveal Wolverines' True Colors

Defense, Special Teams Must Carry the Load for Wolverines

After a frustrating home loss to a decent but unspectacular Utah team, and a frustratingly narrow win over local MAC opponent Miami (Ohio), the Wolverines now travel to South Bend for their first road game of the Rich Rodriguez era.

Fans, unfortunately, are no closer to knowing who the real Michigan team is, although we suspect this week will tell us.

After falling behind early to Utah, the Wolverines staged an admirable comeback, which fell short in large part because Utah's special teams managed to put four field goals on the board.  Similarly, Miami used excellent punt and kickoff team play to keep the Wolverines starting inside their own 30.

Michigan must generate better results from punt returner Donovan Warren and kickoff returner Boubacar Cissoko, because the offense sputtered most of the game, only putting together two drives of significant length.

If Rodriguez once again decides to alternate between Steve Threet and Nick Sheridan (both of whom missed wide-open receivers during the Miami game), Michigan can expect to struggle offensively.

Heralded freshman tailback Sam McGuffie did show flashes of brilliance, but he was stopped for little or no gain far too often—a sign that the offensive line is not yet ready to blow MAC-level opponents (let alone Notre Dame) off the line of scrimmage.

Michigan's most effective plays have been play-action passes, quick hits to the slot receiver, and runs off-tackle.  Sweeps were particularly ineffective against the quick RedHawk cornerbacks.

The defense, after struggling early against Utah, has now shown the form that was expected of them by analysts, giving up only nine points over the last six quarters of football.

Against Notre Dame, they will need to continue their fine form, preventing long drives and avoiding penalties, since the special teams have done nothing spectacular (kicker K.C. Lopata even managed to miss an extra point against Miami), and the offense looks unlikely to generate the points necessary to come back from any sizable deficit. 

Prediction: As much as it pains me to say it...Notre Dame 24, Michigan 10.