It’s the final time that we have a Michigan versus Notre Dame football game on the schedule. All the “chickening out” stories have been written. That narrative has been played out. Today at the press conference Brian Kelly simply said that having Michigan off the schedule now opens itself up to new opportunities, the chances to play Texas and Georgia.
So we’ll leave it at that. And did you see HIS SUIT??!!!!! It resembles the evening wear of Al Czervik, the HILARIOUSLY obnoxious nouveau riche character played by Rodney Dangerfield in “Caddyshack.”
RT“@dkurtenbach: Who wore it better? pic.twitter.com/4MGpfsL1NO” Winner: Brian Kelly.
— The New ND Nation (@TNNDN) September 2, 2014
Photo credit, Twitter account of Allison Hayes, Big Ten Network. Follow her on Twitter @AlliHayesSports. She really really knows her Fighting Irish football. We just had her on the podcast talking ND.
Michigan football preview:
We learned nothing from the App State game. It was just another example of college football pre-conference these days being as interesting and exciting as NFL preseason. Now we’ll learn something this week as Michigan’s Offensive Line attempts to show the college football world that they’re not as atrocious as they were last year. It helps that they won’t have to face that great of a front seven. Other than Jaylon Smith and Sheldon Day, the ND front seven isn’t all that spectacular. No update yet on the 5 suspended players.
The Fighting Irish and Wolverines will square off in their 42nd all-time meeting, with Michigan holding a 24-16-1 advantage in the series. The Fighting Irish won the last meeting in South Bend between the two teams in 2012, when the Notre Dame defense forced six turnovers in a 13-6 victory. Last season, Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner totaled five touchdowns in a 41-30 win over Notre Dame in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson threw for three touchdowns, and ran for two more in his first game since the 2012 season, as the Fighting Irish defeated Rice University 48-17 in South Bend. Michigan avenged its 2007 upset loss to Appalachian State with a 52-14 win over the Mountaineers last weekend.
ND’s investigation into their suspended players has been completed, but we still have no ruling yet on when they might return. It won’t be this week that’s for sure.
With no KeiVare Russell, expect Devin Funchess to have a huge game. Here’s everything you need to know about him. How the Notre Dame football team attempts to stop him will be key. Devin Gardner is good; you know that. We know that. However, he can’t do it alone.
Jabrill Peppers is dinged up but should play. Why are we talking so much about a freshman nickel back? Well, this is why.
That and the Michigan running game situation. Yes, we’ve seen much better Michigan Wolverines teams in our lifetimes.
Notre Dame football preview:
Brian Kelly is a great salesman and a great face for the Notre Dame football program. That’s part of the reason he’s such a great recruiter. Unfortunately, the top athletes are usually not the top character guys. Week one went well, as ND crushed a very weak Rice team into many little pieces, but the schedule gets much tougher, starting this week with the Michigan Wolverines.
Luckily, Kelly has raised the game of his wardrobe in order to match the challenges in front of him. Thus far, Kelly has been able to keep winning despite all the scandals and off the field issues. ND football under Brian Kelly has seen more drama than a boxed set of “Friday Night Lights.” However, the combination of Kelly’s winning percentage, his media skills and his social skills have kept his seat from warming up; even as trouble keeps arising within the program.
Mike Mayock, who will call the game for NBC, on Everett Golson: “He had a breakout game against Rice, and people are really buzzing about his performance. If you’re Michigan, you have to be aware that he’s a dual threat.” Kickoff is at 6:30 CST on NBC.
UM has one national title since 1948. ND has been in the national title conversation once since 1993. So this is definitely a game of programs who have seen better days, and the 2014 version will have more brand name appeal than actual meaning. However, that doesn’t mean it still won’t be a special game that we’ll all want to see.
Dan Hicks who will also call the game for NBC, on the unique feel of Notre Dame-Michigan rivalry: “One more time with feeling! Sometimes when two teams get together, stuff just happens…that’s what happens with Michigan and Notre Dame, moments that crystalize in your memory. I’m expecting the next chapter to be as dramatic as the last.”
Brian Kelly didn’t want to talk too much on Tuesday about the secondary, for understandable reasons, but he did say that the unit needs to be more demonstrative, and take more control back there:
The safeties couldn’t even make sure the secondary lined up right at times, and that led to some huge plays given up versus Rice.
Prediction: The Notre Dame Football program 35, That’s the Michigan Difference 27
Paul M. Banks owns and operates The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with Fox Sports, Yahoo! and the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He’s been a guest on news talk shows all across the world and been featured in hundreds of media outlets including NFL Network, Fox Sports 1 and ESPN2. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)