Notre Dame vs. Michigan Football: Keys to the Game and Prediction

As Fergie would say, "Turn up the lights in here baby, extra bright I want y'all to see this."

Now, usually, she isn't the ideal person to draw a college football quote from, but it just fits too well for the night game that fans will see Saturday night in Ann Arbor.

Even without the lighting banks that will stand over the Big House for the first time in U of M's history, the college football world has plenty of reason to be hyped about this game. Despite both teams playing in their second game of the year, this contest can either make or break their seasons.

If Notre Dame leaves Ann Arbor with a victory, it will be back on track after a rough loss to South Florida. If the Fighting Irish do go down, it means they are sitting on an 0-2 record with much doubt in the air.

On the flip side, Michigan can put the pedal to the metal by beating a respectable opponent to advance to 2-0 on the year. If Michigan turns off the lights with a loss, the team could face doubt in the media and within its fan base by falling to a team it has beaten in four out of the last five meetings.

Both teams will look sleek in their retro Adidas jerseys, but they can look even sweeter if they execute these three keys to victory.

Michigan Key No. 1

Keep spreading the ball out

Last year, Michigan's offense consisted of Denard Robinson, Denard Robinson and quarterback Denard Robinson.

Against Western Michigan, the Wolverines showed improvement on taking the load off of Denard—who had eight carries—by handing the ball of to the running back 17 times.

Last season, Denard had 46 percent of the carries, and if Michigan can continue to spread the love to its other weapons, then the opposing defense will have a harder time guessing who will get the ball on the next snap.

Not only are the Wolverines spreading the carries, but they are targeting an array of players in the passing game. In the shortened game, there were six players who shared nine catches, leaving no one with more than two grabs.

This kind of offense makes the Wolverines more unpredictable, and the maize and blue can use that to produce a high point total.

Michigan Key No. 2

Contain Michael Floyd

It doesn't matter who is throwing the ball, because the Irish love to target senior receiver Michael Floyd. Last week in Notre Dame's loss, Floyd grabbed a nation's fourth-best 12 balls for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

Michigan's faulty pass defense will be attacked a lot by Tommy Rees, and its only hope of keeping the passing yards at a minimum is to contain Floyd. Completely shutting him down will be quite the task considering his 6'3" body frame is so easy to target, but if he is kept in check, it should be easier to defend the passing game.

Michigan Key No. 3

Conserve your energy

Saturday night in Ann Arbor will be bumpin', no question about that. The crowd will be erratic, the atmosphere will be tense and the players will be fired up and ready to go. What the players need to keep in mind, however, is that they have to make their energy last a full 60 minutes.

Michigan has yet to play a full game this season, and if it uses all its adrenaline up in the first half, it may find itself tired and weary late in the game.

If Michigan can come out as a relaxed team and contain its excitement, it can use the built-up adrenaline and home crowd to its advantage.

Notre Dame Key No. 1

Front seven needs to step up

They will decide the game, easy as that.

Michigan's running game from the running back and scrambling quarterback is its best chance at winning this game. On the contrary, Manti Te'o and company will use their experience running block to slow down Michigan's ground game in order to give the Irish the win.

The front seven will also need to stay very disciplined because the play is never over when Denard is the opposing quarterback. The secondary shutting down the receivers is great, but the Wolverine quarterback can bolt at any minute and make a big play out of a failed play.

Notre Dame Key No. 2

For the love of Sweet Lou, protect the ball

Want to know how Notre Dame fell to South Florida? Just look at the turnover count: Five. Not good.

Three interceptions, two from starter Tommy Rees, and two fumbles were the demise of the Irish. Seeing five turnovers again from Brian Kelly's team is very unlikely, but there is no doubt it needs to make an extra effort. Tommy Rees is the deserving starter, but the two interceptions last week were the result of poor decision making.

No doubt that every team needs this as its key, but for Notre Dame, it needs to keep this in the back of its head the entire game in order to avoid a replay of last Saturday.

Notre Dame Key No. 3

Relax and slow the game down

Notre Dame is playing for the sake of its season very early, but it can't be thinking like that if it makes for a panicked team.

Another mental aspect of the big game will be dealing with 109,000+ screaming fans. There is no doubt that this will be the most hectic Michigan crowd in recent memory, and the best way to silence them is by boring them. The best way to bore them is to slow the game down by running the play clock down and winning the possession battle.

Playing in a low-scoring game will be a challenge, but it will give Notre Dame the best chance of winning and getting rid of the intangibles like crowd noise.

Prediction

Michigan 35 Notre Dame 31

The game will end close, but it won't always be that way. Michigan will rile up the crowd by marching down field on its first possession and putting up seven on the scoreboard. Notre Dame will have its drive stopped in just two series, and Michigan will find its offense dominating once again on the next drive.

Going down 14-0 early, Notre Dame finally retains control of the game by chewing up a big chunk of time and setting up for a field goal. After the kickoff, it won't take long for Notre Dame to get the ball back on a turnover in its territory that will lead to a touchdown in a matter of plays.

After breaking out of the locker room with a 14-10 halftime score, the Fighting Irish will return the kickoff deep into their side of the field. The great field position will set Notre Dame up for its first lead of the game. Michigan will immediately put more points up on the scoreboard by scoring two unanswered touchdowns, making the score 28-17.

The fourth quarter will be a nerve-racking one when the score turns to 24-28 with just eight minutes left. Michigan will send the Big House into a frenzy after it returns an interception for a touchdown.

Notre Dame will desperately put another touchdown on the board, but a failed onside kick will be the final note in an epic night game in Ann Arbor.