Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Fast Facts
Matchup: No. 14 Michigan (0-0) at No. 11 Notre Dame (0-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Ind.
TV/radio: NBC, WWJ-AM (950)
Line: Notre Dame -1
Injury report
Michigan: WR Tarik Black (out).
Notre Dame: OT Robert Hainsey (probable).
Scouting report
When Michigan has the ball: It's time to see what Shea Patterson can do and how much Michigan has changed its approach offensively. The Wolverines began last season by attempting to be multiple, but it never managed to find a rhythm. Patterson's ability to move the pocket and play out of the spread could change that, but if Michigan's offensive line can't move well enough to block against Notre Dame's active front seven, the spread stuff is going to be tough to execute. Notre Dame was an improved defense a year ago and everyone's back. The Irish have an active secondary that will make teams pay for getting careless with the football. Michigan will have some wrinkles on offense — and will try to create mismatches with tight ends Zach Gentry and Sean McKeon — but giving Karan Higdon and Chris Evans as many carries as possible will be a key to playing efficient football. Patterson doesn't need to rewrite Michigan's record book. If deep shots are open, fine. But he must avoid negative plays (there could be rain Saturday), keep Michigan in third-and-manageable and, whatever he does, he can't turn the ball over.
Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush (7) is chased by Navy safety Jarid Ryan (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Photo: Michael Conroy, AP)
When Notre Dame has the ball: There has been speculation about whether or not Notre Dame will have talented back Dexter Williams on Saturday, as Brian Kelly has not confirmed Williams is suspended. If he's out, that's one less weapon for quarterback Brandon Wimbush — who already is working with a host of new talent. The offensive line was the spine of this team a year ago, and while it's still solid with the likes of Alex Bars and Robert Hainsey, it doesn't have the pair of top-10 draft choices (Quenton Nelson, Mike McGlinchey) it did a year ago. Top rusher Josh Adams went pro along with top receiver Equanimeous St. Brown. Michigan's defense is tough on any type of quarterback, and Wimbush, a dual-threat passer, has struggled with accuracy issues. Michigan's secondary returns everything from the country's top-ranked pass defense a year ago. Notre Dame's best bet? Spread Michigan out and see whether Don Brown's willing to remove a safety in favor of a slot nickel in the passing game. And get rid of the ball quick, because Michigan's front seven had a ridiculous 67 tackles for loss last season.
Know the foe
Rush attack: If Williams isn't playing, it puts more pressure on Wimbush to be in total control of this offense. Notre Dame dismissed RB Deon McIntosh over the summer, and he has since transferred. That leaves Tony Jones Jr., who finished last season with just 232 rushing yards on 44 attempts. The depth beyond that? Converted wideout Jafar Armstrong, a player Kelly likes quite a bit.
Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly signals from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in South Bend, Ind. (Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast, AP)
Two QBs?: Kelly isn't shutting the door on playing both Wimbush and backup Ian Book. Book came in to save the day for the Irish in the bowl game last season, as Wimbush completed just 46 percent of his throws in the team's final five games. Kelly's done this before, so rotating players through wouldn't come as a huge shock to anyone.
Big targets: Miles Boykin and Chase Claypool are Notre Dame's top returning receivers, they're both huge. Boykin goes 6-foot-4, 228 while Claypool is at 6-foot-4, 227. Michigan corners Lavert Hill and David Long were outstanding against receivers of all size and shape last season. But if those two move to the slot and Michigan counters with a safety, things could get interesting.
Two cents
Let it rip: Notre Dame brings back a lot from an emerging defense. Michigan brings back a lot from an elite defense. Don Brown's unit should be the best on the field Saturday in South Bend, and after spending nine months listening to people talk about how none of it seemed good enough during a five-loss season a year ago, it seems to be ready to get started. Kelly's talking about two quarterbacks. Maybe there's indecision there, or maybe he really thinks both can play. But two usually means you're struggling with one. Brown's defense feasts on indecision, especially in the front seven. Michigan can, and probably will, mix fronts. Michigan can, and will, send pressure from every level, and it will rotate seven or eight up front. This feels like the perfect opportunity for Michigan's defense to establish itself as something most believe it should be: Dominant.
Defensive lineman: Rashan Gary (Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press)
Just breathe: Michigan needs to stay calm offensively. There is zero reason to be overcomplicated or complex. This is Shea Patterson's first Michigan start in a new offense, behind an unproven offensive line and with a top receiver on the sideline. Of all the tweaks Harbaugh made this offseason, the most important might be how he calls offense in 2018. If it's the Harbaugh who was logical and creative when necessary in 2015 and 2016, Michigan's going to be fine. If it's the 2017 version that tried to do too many things, U-M will get overwhelmed by an active defense in a road environment. Michigan's offense wins or loses this game. Bottom line.
Prediction
This has defensive tussle written all over it, as both sides have too many offensive questions. Michigan's defense is more than good enough to win this game. The whole thing will come down to whether or not Michigan's offense can be efficient and stay out of trouble. I think it does just enough. Michigan 14, Notre Dame 10
Contact Nick Baumgardner: nbaumgardn@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickBaumgardner.
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