ND/Mich

cat's meow · #1 (**permalink**) 09-15-2006, 01:40 PM

This is from the Fox Sports people:

Quote:

No. 11 Michigan at No. 2 Notre Dame — Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET

Line: ND -6

One way or the other, a flock will be converted. There are still some doubters out there about Notre Dame even after a 41-17 whupping of Penn State and disrespected, tough 14-10 win over Georgia Tech. Maybe the Nittany Lions aren't any good? Didn't the Yellow Jackets sort of beat themselves with ther conservative play calling? Has this defense really faced a talented, balanced offense?

While the trip to East Lansing to face a thorn-in-the-side Michigan State team will be a tough test, this week's battle with Michigan probably represents the last real shot for a possible Notre Dame loss until the regular-season ender at USC. For Michigan, this is as much a must-win game for Lloyd Carr as any against Ohio State. While recent Big Ten titles are great, a large segment of the Maize and Blue fan base is getting a little itchy waiting for Michigan to once again be a player in the national title race. Under Carr, the Wolverines have been out of the hunt before the leaves have turned losing their opening road game in each of the last six seasons and in seven of the last eight years. Losing three of the last four to the South Benders hasn't helped.

A win would propel Michigan into a BCS race and generate a major buzz going into the Big Ten opener against Wisconsin. With Penn State appearing to be average and the toughest Big Ten games at home until the season-ending showdown at Ohio State, a win might mean clear sailing until late November.

Never screw with a streak. This is a new Michigan team with several new coaches and a leaner, meaner attitude, but it's still Michigan in a road opener. Notre Dame will know it's been in a fight.

Prediction: Notre Dame 23 ... Michigan 20

Roman · #2 (**permalink**) 09-15-2006, 11:42 PM

Michigan aren't what they used to be but they're always tough and they always stick people. I think the game depends on Michigan. If they have their stuff toegther they will win, if they make dumb mistakes like they have the last couple of years and continue to be inconsistent and out of sync they will lose.

Roman · #3 (**permalink**) 09-16-2006, 12:04 PM

This may be one of the only times I'll ever cheer for Michigan. I want to see OSU and UM undefeated for the final game of the season.

cat's meow · #4 (**permalink**) 09-16-2006, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roman

Michigan ...and they always stick people. I think the game depends on Michigan.

Well said about the Wolverines, I would say north of the Mason-Dixon line this is the school most known for 'sticking people' on the defensive side. Sorry, I have always seen OSU as an offensive jugernaut.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roman

I want to see OSU and UM undefeated for the final game of the season.

It would be an interesting way to end the season, those rival games are much better when something very big is on the line besides the rivalry itself.

Areyouforreal · #5 (**permalink**) 09-16-2006, 05:48 PM

What happened to ND?

cat's meow · #6 (**permalink**) 09-16-2006, 06:26 PM

Hey Dom...47-21 (at home!)...I think you have some explaining to do here...

The ND offense had many mistakes (Offensive Brainiac Weiss...his 'thinker' overheated today...)...Brady had THREE INTs!

On another note...the Auburn/LSU game was nuts (7-3)!

Others of note...

Louisville wiped otu Miami

Oregon beat the Sooners right at the end 34-33 (can't wait for USC/Oregon now!)

Could be Auburn vs Ohio St (easy win for the Bucks today) at the end...

Dom1 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-16-2006, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cat's meow

Hey Dom...47-21 (at home!)...I think you have some explaining to do here...

The ND offense had many mistakes (Offensive Brainiac Weiss...his 'thinker' overheated today...)...Brady had THREE INTs!

On another note...the Auburn/LSU game was nuts (7-3)!

Others of note...

Louisville wiped otu Miami

Oregon beat the Sooners right at the end 34-33 (can't wait for USC/Oregon now!)

Could be Auburn vs Ohio St (easy win for the Bucks today) at the end...

It wasn't Weis's fault Michigan had three scores due to 1) a missed pass by a receiver which went for a touchdown 2) a fumble inside the twenty on a return, and 3) a pass picked off and returned to the three when Quinn got hit as he was passing. Brady Quinn was awful today. I have been telling other Irish fans that Quinn is overrated anyway, Weis makes him look good. We all knew the Irish 'D' would be slow and were hoping that the offense could carry us. So far two out of three games the offense has under-performed. Notre Dame struggles when they go away from Walker (just like when they hit a slow spot against USC last year) and they had so many mistakes early that they became one dimensional when they got so far down. Not tough to defend the pass when you only put six in the box! They got a couple of Freshman on defense who are going to be good but they can't play big time college football yet. Just like BIG Sam Young can't yet, but he will. Remember his name. In two years he will be the number one offensive lineman in the country. Weis will pull in the Blue Chips to build up what has been an over achieving unit the last year and three games.

On a side note. I didn't get to see the last part of the game. I was three hours away at my mother-in-laws and when she "whooped" when Michigan went up 40-14 I left. Drove home immediately. She doesn't even like Michigan! She just hates the Irish. Could be because her wonderful Methodist daughter converted. Also, for your information, the last time I watched a game there was last year against Michigan State. I vow to never visit on a Notre Dame Saturday again, even if it is one of my son's birthday parties . . .

Roman · #8 (**permalink**) 09-16-2006, 11:09 PM

Nothings wrong with ND, they were just way over hyped!!!

They're a sound two loss team but not championchip material nor is pretty boy Quin Heismen material. Enough said, Cat and I have been preaching this for a couple weeks.

cat's meow · #9 (**permalink**) 09-17-2006, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom1

Brady Quinn was awful today.

That is all I ask when tuning into our little discussion group...THE TRUTH! He pretty much sealed that loss up for ND AT HOME!!!!

Sorry about your Irish buddy, I will be pulling for them against USC (along with Oregon in two weeks). Maybe our collective thought waves can help Notre Dame get up for that game. Roman has that right, ND is about a 2/3 loss team this year.

At this point, it is up to you Roman...who do you see your Ohio State guys playing at the end? I think it is between Auburn, GA, and FL quite frankly (SEC is very tough). I still don't see WV or Louisville doing this. My Longhorns rolled on Rice yesterday but did play sloppy (TX school record of over 17 penalties) and no one else is going to do it in the Big 12 from what I see. Oregon could be a surprise. Please don't even make me think about USC in another national title game

Roman · #10 (**permalink**) 09-17-2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cat's meow

That is all I ask when tuning into our little discussion group...THE TRUTH! He pretty much sealed that loss up for ND AT HOME!!!!

Sorry about your Irish buddy, I will be pulling for them against USC (along with Oregon in two weeks). Maybe our collective thought waves can help Notre Dame get up for that game. Roman has that right, ND is about a 2/3 loss team this year.

At this point, it is up to you Roman...who do you see your Ohio State guys playing at the end? I think it is between Auburn, GA, and FL quite frankly (SEC is very tough). I still don't see WV or Louisville doing this. My Longhorns rolled on Rice yesterday but did play sloppy (TX school record of over 17 penalties) and no one else is going to do it in the Big 12 from what I see. Oregon could be a surprise. Please don't even make me think about USC in another national title game

way too early to tell but like I said I would love to pounce USC in the championship game. To be honest, any SEC scares me becuz their defenses are the epitemy of tough but I think Ohio States offenseive has too many weapons to be stopped unless they make mental mistakes like turnovers and penalites. Michigan also scares me now becuz thats always a tough game and they're loaded with talent, you just don't know which Mich team you're gonna face. Who I don't want to play? WV, Auburn, or Oregon, no big reason I just rather play larger programs to make a point becuz OSU never gets respect.