Game of the Week Breakdown: Michigan vs. Notre Dame

Week 2 of the college football season boasts several solid matchups. The best of the best will be fought between the Michigan Wolverines and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Last week, the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Western Michigan Broncos 34-10 in a shortened game. Severe rain and extended delays forced the game to be suspended permanently in the third quarter.

Denard Robinson did not have a big day. Brandon Herron did. Herron recorded two defensive touchdowns. One, a fumble. The other a 94 yard scamper on an interception.

The Fighting Irish had a matchup with South Florida in South Bend in Week 1. A 23-20 defeat to the Bulls has forced the Irish out of the AP Top 25 as of Tuesday.

Like the Michigan game, this game would be disturbed by mother nature. A rain delay lasting over two hours made this game even more bizarre for the Fighting Irish. Instead of a defensive collapse a la` 2010, the Irish turned the ball over five times.

Starting quarterback Dayne Crist would be replaced by sophomore Tommy Rees. Rees ignited the Irish, but it was to late. Brian Kelly's second season does not start the way he would have liked.

This game could either make Michigan an exciting 2-0 and the Irish a disappointing 0-2.

Either way, here is how this game breaks down from top to bottom:

The Quarterbacks

The Michigan Wolverines and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have two totally different situations at quarterback.

For the Fighting Irish, Dayne Crist entered Week 1 as the starter behind center. After the first rain delay, Tommy Rees emerged as the starting option for Brian Kelly.

Rees did a very good job. He passed for 296 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions.

The offense has a much better flow and consistency to it with Rees calling the shots. How well he does his job against Michigan's defense could be the story of the game.

The Wolverines, unlike the Irish, have a luxury at quarterback. Denard Robinson is one of the most electrifying players in the Big Ten, as well as the nation.

In Week 1 Robinson appeared to still be adjusting to Brady Hoke's new pro-style system in Ann Arbor. He threw for just 98 yards, while running for 46 more.

Robinson's ability to adjust to making more plays in the pocket under Hoke will be the key to the entire season for the Wolverines.

If he can do it Saturday, well, that would be a bonus for the Wolverines.

The Running Backs

If Michigan and Notre Dame play in the sort of weather they did in Week 1, the running backs will be very important.

Notre Dame may not mind that scenario as long as Cierre Wood is toting the rock downfield. On Saturday Wood accumulated 104 yards on 21 carries. He picked up five yards a clip and also found the endzone one time.

Wood is very explosive and has the speed to get past the secondary. He could be a major x-factor for Brian Kelly all season.

Michigan has two running backs fighting for carries. Fitz Toussaint is a north-south runner. He racked up 80 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday and will probably get more carries in Week 2. Michael Shaw is a shifty second option, and ran the ball four times Saturday at 13.5 yards per carry.

Wood gives the Irish an exciting presence in their backfield. Toussaint and Shaw could give the Wolverines a presence as well, but are not as proven.

Look for all three to receive ample opportunity to prove their worth.

The Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Michigan and Notre Dame will both need playmakers to emerge at wide receiver in Week 2.

Notre Dame has the privilege of having two great talents for quarterback Tommy Rees to throw too.

Michael Floyd had 12 catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns against South Florida on Saturday. He was a physical presence and dominated the Bulls' secondary for the entire game.

Working the middle of the field for the Irish is tight end Tyler Eifert. Eifert caught six passes against the Bulls for 93 yards. He is a great compliment to Floyd's vertical presence. For an inexperienced Rees, Eifert is a safety valve and a great option underneath.

Michigan does not have a takeover presence in their receiving corps. In their new pro-style offense, that could be a problem down the road. Roy Roundtree and Junior Hemingway are both experienced, but have not played to their potential during their careers.

The talent is there for the Wolverines, but the focus is, at times, not. Look for things to improve as the offense adjusts to Brady Hoke's more traditional system.

The Offensive Lines

If skill players for either Michigan or Notre Dame want to get a chance to score the ball, both offensive lines will have to hold up their end.

Notre Dame's Braxston Cave, Trevor Robinson, and Taylor Dever give the Irish a strong core up front. Zach Martin is also a solid presence at left tackle -- protecting Tommy Rees' blindside.

Michigan will look to pressure Rees into turning the ball over on Saturday. If the Irish's offensive line cannot hold up to the challenge, it could be another very long day for Brian Kelly.

Michigan's offensive line is experienced in front of quarterback Denard Robinson. David Molk and Mark Huyge are seniors. Their experience tells them that Robinson will be on the loose up field in no time. However, this season they must be able to hold their blocks, and hold the pocket for a different offensive scheme under Brady Hoke.

The offensive line has been important in every football game ever played. The most necessary team unit will need to play that way in Week 2 for both squads.

The Defensive Lines

As far as Michigan's defense goes, it all starts with defensive tackle Mike Martin.

Martin plays with a high motor, and is relentless in pursuit of the ball. Because of his size and his athleticism, Martin sees his share of double teams. That allows Michigan's linebackers to make plays.

Craig Roh and Ryan Van Bergen are two other solid options up front for the Wolverines. Last year, Van Bergen led Michigan in sacks.

Notre Dame is led by Ethan Johnson up front. Johnson is very experienced, and uses his size very well to control blockers. He is also productive behind the line.

Kapron Lewis-Moore compliments Johnson well on the Fighting Irish's offensive line. Together, they form a formidable duo.

Applying pressure to the quarterback can change the game drastically. Whichever team can make it happen should be very happy with the results.

Listen for the name Martin on Saturday.

The Linebackers

Manti Te'o is the best linebacker in this game, and one of the best linebackers in the country. Without him, Notre Dame's defense would be a disaster.

Te'o is a ferocious presence. He covers the entire field, and does not miss tackles often. Te'o is a serious All-American candidate and can change a game on the drop of a hat.

Playing next to Te'o is Carlo Calabrese. While not as talented as Te'o, Calabrese definitely gets the job done. He is a sure tackler, and he still has potential.

Michigan returns just one starter from their 2010 linebacker unit. Kenny Demens needs to take his game to another level for the Wolverines this season. Demens had 82 tackles last season, but more is expected from the Wolverines most experienced linebacker.

Cameron Gordon is another player to keep an eye on. He has seen several position changes, but appears to have found a home on the Michigan defense.

Linebackers must make plays. Te'o will make plays.

The Secondaries

Saturday's game will feature two playmaking safeties. Harrison Smith for the Fighting Irish, and Jordan Kovacs for Michigan.

Some people think if a safety is forced to make too many plays, then something must be wrong with the team defense. The dismal defense of Michigan and Notre Dame's defense recently does not argue otherwise.

However you want to look at it. Smith and Kovacs can play.

Last season, Smith led Notre Dame with seven interceptions. His 93 tackles last season show his ability to play in the box, as well as in pass coverage. Notre Dame is privileged to have Manti Te'o and Smith protecting the back end of their defense, now the rest of the group needs to fill in.

Kovacs leads the way for the Wolverine secondary. He recorded 116 tackles last season, and will probably need to do the same this season. He is a sure tackler, and has a nose for the ball carrier.

Troy Woolfolk is also talented, but his health is a concern entering Week 2.

Smith and Kovacs can play. Will the rest of the secondary step up for either side?

Special Teams

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are lucky to have David Ruffer kicking the ball for them this season. Ruffer was a Groza Award finalist in 2010, and should continue that trend this season.

Ruffer is a fifth-year senior and has the experience needed to close out tough games. Having a great kicker is frequently overlooked, until you don't have one. Then it hits home.

Brian Kelly is happy to have Ruffer letting it fly for his side.

Michigan used Brendan Gibbons to kick extra points last Saturday against Western Michigan, but they did not kick any field goals.

Kicker was a big concern heading into the season, and Gibbons is not a sure thing yet.

The kick return game could always play a factor. Both teams have several options to bring the ball back. Look for someone to break free on Saturday.

Conclusion and Prediction

At the end of the day, both of these teams have plenty in their arsenal on both sides of the ball.

However, Notre Dame's talent, plus the loss last week will have them ready to play this game.

Tommy Rees brought some inspiration to the Irish's offense, and with big-time targets Tyler Eifert and Michael Floyd waiting, it makes it easier.

Michigan's defense is not ready to face a versatile Notre Dame attack. A healthy combination of Cierre Wood and the passing attack will expose holes the Western Michigan Broncos weren't able to last Saturday.

Denard Robinson can be dynamic, and Notre Dame's defense can be bad. But with the emerging presence of Manti Te'o, and Harrison Smith as a consistent playmaker on the back end, they appear to be getting better.

Notre Dame takes care of the football in Week 2, and Brian Kelly breathes a sigh of relief at 1-1.