Lights, Dude

Let there be...

What a novel idea, playing sports at night. Even the Cubs gave in to pressure long ago and began playing night games.  Finally, Michigan will do the same.

Notre Dame comes off a turnover filled loss to South Florida and Michigan comes in feeling good about their blowout win over Western.  So you would think a 1-0 Michigan would be a solid favorite at home over an 0-1 Notre Dame...but Vegas has ND -3.5.

It's going to be a wild one in Ann Arbor Saturday night.  Here are:

3 Things to Watch

1. Will the pressure get home? 

Michigan's secondary looks like it's improved.  Michigan's secondary does not appear to be improved tremendously.  Michael Floyd plays for ND.  This is bad.  Floyd will have a massive game unless Michigan can get regular pressure on ND's quarterbacks.  Floyd is probably going to have a big game regardless, but a couple of hurried mistakes by Rees or sacks to stop drives would be just what the doctor ordered.  Michigan didn't get home with their front four in the Western game, they may have to against Notre Dame.  It will be interesting to see if Mattison can dial up blitz packages that get home two weeks in a row. If Rees has all day in the pocket, the Irish will win this game.

2. Is Notre Dame's defense overrated?

Denard Robinson torched those guys last year.  And then everyone kept saying how improved ND's defense was throughout the season and how great Monte Te'o plays at MLB.  After lopsided yardage numbers in game one, the Irish defense is still being talked about as a dominant unit.  I think maybe ND's D is a bit overrated.  If Michigan gets stuffed in the running game, I'll being to believe the hype.


3. Unleashing of Drob

In what should be a very competitive game throughout, it will be very interesting to watch how often Borges turns to Robinson in key situations.  He's going to run more than he did against Western, but how much is the big question. 


Prediction

I've been waffling here all week.  I really think Michigan is going to struggle defensively in this game.  I also have a sneaking suspicion the offense might explode and have a huge day as well.  I'd be surprised if this isn't a shootout.  Call me Simpson, I'm going with:

Michigan 38-28