2014 Michigan Gameday #2: at Notre Dame

Fresh off last week's 52-14 thumping of Appalachian State, the Wolverines head to South Bend for the last matchup (for a while) in one of college football's most storied rivalries.  Michigan is 24-16-1 in the 41 contests with the Irish through 2013, having won the opener in 1887 as well as last year's game.  The Maize and Blue are winners of four of the last five and won three straight, 2009-2011, by four points each thanks to the heroics of QBs Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson.

With #16 Notre Dame having chickened out of the series for now ("Notre Dame is scared like a little girl" tag in play), it remains to be seen how much they bring to tonight's 7:30 game, especially considering the results of the recent matchups.  Michigan, meanwhile, is seeking a road win against a good opponent, something that's eluded them under coach Brady Hoke thus far.  2014's edition of the Wolverines looks pretty talented, though, especially with fifth-year senior Devin Gardner at QB, new #1 WR Devin Funchess winning jumpball matchups, and a potential dual-headed RB threat in Derrick Green and De'Veon Smith.

All three of Michigan's biggest tests, naturally the rivalry games with Notre Dame, Michigan State, and Ohio State, are on the road this year, so tonight's game could be an excellent indicator of how far the Wolverines have come since last year's disappointing finish.  For my part, I hope to see a lot of this tonight:

"Brian Kelly is very red" tag also in play.

While I await gametime (and try to send some good luck towards Kerry's Ducks (MSU) and Adam's Hokies (OSU), not to mention Matt's Mountaineers, here's some of my fondest memories from the series:

Grbac to Desmond on 4th down, 1991

Michigan's final drive, Forcier to Mathews, 2009

Highlights, including Denard Robinson's game-winning drive, 2010

Final 0:30, including Denard to Gallon, from 2011 (Under the Lights), possibly the best game in the entire series

Here's to beating the team formerly coached by Captain Front-Butt himself,

and closing out the series the way it started.  To hell with Notre Dame...

LET'S GO BLUE!

 

Jonvalk, MGoBlog

Michigan gameday 2013 #2: vs. #14 Notre Dame

Coming off last week's thumping of Central Michigan, the Wolverines will be Under the Lights in prime time, facing (soon-to-be former) rival Notre Dame (#14) at 8.

This will be the last Irish-Wolverines tilt in Ann Arbor for the foreseeable future due to Notre Dame's commitment to the ACC caused some scheduling changes.  Although they'll continue to play Big Ten powerhouses competitors participants Michigan State and Purdue, the school has unquestionably chickened out of one of their best historical rivalries, then laughably tried to play it off as both no big deal and a necessary evil.  Irish coach Violet Beauregarde Brian Kelly then dipped into his years of experience at the school and downplayed the series, which was probably advisable since Michigan leads 23-16-1 going into tonight.  Then again, perhaps I red--

--er, read too much into his comments.  But we ARE talking about a school who celebrates one of the game's most overrated, blatant self-promoters (who was OFFSIDE, by the way!).

GO FIGTHING IRISH!  Wait...

Meanwhile, Michigan hopes to return to the success it had the last time these teams met in Ann Arbor at night, way back in 2011.  For the third straight year the game shaped up to be a nail-biter, but an amazing Wolverines comeback looked like it would sadly fall short.  Then this happened:

From MGoBlog.com

"Oh, WIDE OPEN!"

And then THIS happened:

From MGoBlog.com

Notre Dame's radio guys were in such disbelief that they resorted to wishful thinking on the game-winning TD;  Hawk Harrelson thought they were embarrassing, it was so bad.

Anyway, last year was a different story, with the Irish on their way to an extremely lucky 12-0 regular season record before face-planting against Alabama in the title game.  That game, in South Bend, wasn't pretty for either team, with a final score of 13-6 in favor of Notre Dame, and one offensive TD scored all game.  Denard Robinson was responsible for four of Michigan's five interceptions, and six turnovers overall.

The Irish running game should look like this tonight

Tonight's matchup will likely be yet another decided by one score.  Michigan RS junior do-everything QB Devin Gardner will wear a jersey honoring this guy,

who was also known to be a pretty good athlete in his day.  With a very talented team, an in-control coach and a great deal of motivation, Michigan will be looking to affirm Notre Dame's decision to run away from a top opponent yet again.  Tune in at 8 EST for what should be another classic.  And as Bo would say, TO HELL WITH NOTRE DAME.

LET'S GO BLUE!