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mgoblog appropriately labeled this game Cripple Fight 2008 because thus far this year neither Michigan or Notre Dame has done anything to distinguish themselves from pop warner teams.  However I am actually interested in this game and I know these guys are too.
What are the implications for the Irish…
Notre Dame has everything to lose. Â The Irish are coming off what can positively described as a shaky performance against San Diego St a team most expected them to hang 40+ on. Â The Domers not only need a win but an easy looking win. Â The offense needs to look crisp and play mistake free. Â Vigo Clausen needs to step up (cut his hair) and play like the all world player the Irish have been expecting him to become. New assistant head \ linebackers coach Jon Tenuta needs to leave his mark on the defensive side of the ball. Â If the Irish want to even have a chance at finally beating USC the defense is going to have to get exponentially better and stopping the Rich Rod spread is a good first test.
What about Michigan?
As bad as Notre Dame has been if Michigan can pull off the upset it will be the first marquee win for the Rich Rodriguez Wolverines.  Last year everyone thought replacing Lloyd Carr was the right move, but it can be hard for a program to just change the way they’ve been doing things for 10+ years, just ask Bill Callahan and Nebraska.  If Rodriguez can get this win it will go a long way in saying I was the right guy for this job.
I hate the Big Ten and Notre Dame why do I care?
I actually think this will turn out to be a very good football game. Â I think Notre Dame will play much better than last week on both sides of the ball. Â But there is something about this Michigan team that makes me think they will hit their stride this week. Â I don’t know why, but a Weis sized gut call is making pick Michigan 31-24.
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.
’)11 Responses to “Michigan Notre Dame this Weekend. Does anybody Care?”
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1Simon on Sep 9, 2008 at 3:10 pm:
In order to score 31 points I’m going to guess Michigan will need to complete passes. I don’t think they can actually do this.
2Jdawg23 on Sep 10, 2008 at 10:32 am:
For Michigan to win this Game there gonna have to hope for Clausen, Tate, Grimes, Allen, Hughes, Kamara, Parris, and lets not forget Michael Floyd, to all get injured in practice. Then michigan might get the win. But that aint happenin’ ! Irish will ROLL over Rich Rod and his little X-men boys!48 – 24
3Simon on Sep 11, 2008 at 12:11 pm:
Umm… Michigan may be crippled, but they’d need to play the entire weekend for the Irish to score 48 points.
Why oh why can’t Notre Dame fans just admit their team sucks?
I can admit Michigan blows and they didnt go 3-9 last year. Is it that hard?
4cgb on Sep 11, 2008 at 12:16 pm:
Yeah I never quite get that either. Your school is nothing more than a bandwagon team that is quickly headed over the cliff. The best is hearing how Notre Dame fan thought they deserved to be in their last two BCS bowl games.
5Jon on Sep 11, 2008 at 2:42 pm:
Notre Dame didn’t deserve to be in those bowls probably, but under BCS terms, they qualified. You might have an argument if they didn’t meet the BCS criteria and were chosen at large, but they earned automatic berths.
6cgb on Sep 11, 2008 at 3:09 pm:
Jon deserving something and automatically qualifying are two different ideas. You said yourself Notre Dame didn’t deserve to be in those games so you are agreeing with me.
7Brian on Sep 12, 2008 at 9:19 am:
cgb – Actually, Jon included the word “probably” in his assertion about ND not deserving spots in those BCS bowls, so no, he doesn’t agree with you.
Simon – Why would you ever want to admit that your own team sucks? Even if it were actually true, you’d be about the worst fan ever. True fans never lose faith or hope, regardless of performance (I know a lot about that being a Pirates fan).
As far as the game goes a lot will depend on the play of Michigan’s d-line vs. ND’s o-line, particularly if Michigan can get to Clausen as easily as they did last year in Ann Arbor.
I’m not so sure this will be a high scoring game, especially if it is going to rain the whole day like the forecast is predicting.
ND 21 – 10
8cgb on Sep 12, 2008 at 9:27 am:
@Brian
Simon can admit his team sucks because he isnt delusional and isnt going to sit her and claim UM is good when they are on a down year.
Notre Dame’s play on the field did not merit two BCS Bowls.
I didn’t realize the forecast called for rain. Maybe the great white hope will rush for 200 and 4tds.
9Mikey H on Sep 12, 2008 at 8:13 pm:
ND looked like shit, I personally doubt they will win 5 games this season. I can openly admit that my favorite team (ND) sucks. Faith and hope from fans wont win games. What will win games is firing that fat fuck charlie weis and replacing him with someone who actually played the sport and didnt ride the coat tails of Bellichik straight to a huge headcoaching contract. Weis is a fraud and I hate him.
Also, I think Michigan will smash them. Which is fine by me, because maybe after one more bullshit season ND will finally can Weis and look for a real coach.
10cgb on Sep 12, 2008 at 8:47 pm:
Charlie Weis enjoys his hot lunch buffet as much as the golf cart he cruises around practice in.
San Diego State coach Chuck Long was asked which team was better, Cal Poly or Notre Dame. The response:
“That’s a tough question,” Long said.