Ten Things I Think Will Happen For Michigan Against Notre Dame
Michigan's games have been tough to predict because most of them have not played out how many thought they would. As 22-point favorites over the Black Knights of Army, Michigan escaped with a three-point win in double overtime. As 3.5-dogs against the Badgers, U-M limped away from Madison after a 21-point loss that was actually much worse. The Wolverines were favored by 27.5 over Rutgers and won by 52 in an offensive explosion compared to weeks prior. There was the 10-point offensive clunker against the Hawkeyes that somehow resulted in a win. Then two weeks ago, Michigan inexplicably gave up 25 straight points to Illinois before ultimately winning the game 42-25. Finally a game went somewhat according to plan when Michigan lost by just seven in Happy Valley last weekend. That makes these guesses tricky, but here are some specific predictions on how the action will look this Saturday.
Player Predictions
Zach Charbonnet scores a touchdown for the fourth week in a row
Michigan's freshman back scored once against Iowa and Illinois and made his way to the end zone twice last week against the Nittany Lions. He's asserted himself as the No. 1 overall back for Michigan over the course of the season and he'll be heavily utilized against the Irish on Saturday. I think that bodes well for his chance to score again.
Shea Patterson throws at least two touchdown passes
Patterson played well against Penn State but did not throw a touchdown pass. In Patterson's defense, he should've had at least one to Ronnie Bell but obviously that one was dropped. He scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak and made a lot of good decisions but some more explosive plays and perhaps a touchdown toss or two would've made the different against Penn State. He realizes that and finds a couple of receivers in the end zone this weekend.
Ronnie Bell scores his first touchdown of the year
Bell has been Patterson's favorite receiver all year but amazingly he hasn't been able to score yet. Against Penn State, Bell caught an errant ball that was jarred loose from Donovan Peoples-Jones and took it in for a touchdown only to have it taken off the board because of an ineligible player downfield. Later he dropped what would've been the tying touchdown with less than two minutes to play. This is the week. Bell redeems himself and scores his first touchdown of 2019.
Aidan Hutchinson makes a big impact play
This one is a little vague but it'll be obvious if Hutchinson can make a big splash play. He's got a knack for knocking down balls and does a great job at it because of his 6-6 frame. He's also usually good for a big momentum tackle for loss or sack but failed to really do that against Penn State. He'll be fired up at home and will make an impact against the Irish.
Cameron McGrone will lead the team in tackles
The ascension of McGrone has been a sight to see. He's been talked about as being as fast as Devin Bush and really flashes on the field. He's been very good but he hasn't led the team in tackles yet. He had a team high 11 tackles against Illinois but so did Jordan Glasgow. This week, McGrone will pace everyone in the tackle department and will be at the top of the box score by himself.
Team Predictions
The Michigan defense will pick off Ian Book
Book has only thrown two interceptions on the year but it was against the best team with the best athletes the Irish have played — Georgia. He's got good looking numbers but it's a little misleading since he's been able to feast on two of the worst pass defenses in the country in New Mexico and Bowling Green. I think Michigan gets to him a few times and makes him throw one to the other team.
Michigan will outrush Notre Dame
The Irish are averaging 188 yards rushing per game but I wouldn't be surprised if they fall short of that in Ann Arbor against Michigan's defense. Georgia is the only tough run defense Notre Dame has faced, whereas the Wolverines are averaging 154 yards rushing per game after facing two of the best run defenses in the country in Wisconsin and Penn State. Michigan's defense usually plays well at home and should keep the Irish backs in check.
Michigan will have at least 400 yards of total offense
The Wolverines are averaging 391 yards of offense on the year but looked to have found something against the Nittany Lions in the second half of last week's game. If you think U-M's offense will click for four quarters this week, they'll eclipse 400 yards. If you think they'll revert to what we've seen for most of the year, they'll fall short of the mark. I think the offense will be better overall than it's been and will produce north of 400 yards.
Michigan will score first at home
The Wolverines are so much worse on the road against top ten teams, it's alarming. Luckily for Michigan, Saturday's game is being played in Ann Arbor. If the trend continues, Michigan will get on the board first on Saturday and they'll need to in order to outpace Notre Dame for 60 minutes.
The two teams will score less than a combined 45 points
Neither offense is prolific and both defenses have some really good players. To me, that equals a slightly less than explosive game. Throw in the fact that it could be raining the entire time and points will likely be at a premium.
What do you think of the predictions? Which will happen and which won't? What predictions do you have? Comment below!!!
