The Blue Board

Denard - 41
ND - 38

Notre dame loses badly and goes back to being what they have been for 10 years....nothing.

ND - 42

Michigan - 14

preach on brother

ND - 21
UM - 20

And,to throw a little substance into this thread, here is my analysis:

1. I was almost sure ND was going to win each of the last three years. I don't think they can beat the odds again, but I also think this is the best shot UM has had out of these four games.

ND'S RUN GAME:

2. ND's rushing attack is not spectacular. Purdue's run D is good, not great. However, C. Wood could affect that greatly. Hard to tell from the first 3 games.

3. Similarly, it is hard to tell how Michigan's run defense will do. They were heavily out-manned by Bama (who eventually found a back that could beat them). They faced the triple-option. And, then they played nickel coverage against a weak UMass team. They are not great on the DL, but not decidely bad either.

4. An average run game for ND vs. an average front 7 for UM = push...ND gets about 150 or so yards.

ND PASS GAME:

5. ND has a young, but good QB and some okay WRs.

6. Michigan has a pretty good secondary, minus Countess.

7. A stronger unit than above on both ND's offense and UM's defense, but ultimately a push =....ND gets about 200 or so yards.

UM RUN GAME

8. UM put up 70 yards on Bama despite no Fitz, little use of Denard and trailing by a lot. Otherwise, the run O has looked good against two weak teams.

9. ND has a strong front 7 and limited all the running attacks they have seen.

10. I think UM is the best rushing attack that ND has seen. But, ND's defense is better than the other teams UM has faced sans Bama. That means potential push or slight edge ND = UM gets about 125 or so yards.

UM PASS GAME

11. Denard has looked better, but still has brain farts. The WRs and TEs have evolved. I think it is a pretty good passing attack and better than what ND has faced this year so far (Navy, Purdue and the Maxwell-led Spartans)

12. ND lost another starter in an already weak secondary. They could have been toasted by State if the State WRS play better. I also think Denard's legs also add a level of deception to take advantage of the young guys that they have not really seen. ND will be loading the box to stop Denard.

13. If Denard is somehwat accurate and limits the picks, I think this is an advantage UM = UM gets about 225 or so yards.

CONCLUSION

Close game. It probably comes down to turnovers and/or special teams. I give ND the victory based on home field and revenge factor....and because Kelly finally looks like he can handle the pressure of coaching there.

Wow, who is that hottie in your sig?

And,

ND - 27
U M - 21

34-24, ND

you are wrong, it's all good in the hood

24-13, Notre Dame

The All-time winningest program in college football - 31
The purple-faced zealots - 28

34-28 Michigan.