By Staff
There are four days until the annual showdown between Notre Dame and Michigan.
For the first time in a long time I really don't know who is going to win this football game.
Both teams have played well on defense, but struggled offensively in their opening games.
Then came this past Saturday.
Both teams put 41 points on the board and gave up 17.
Now I am no fool and I know that Penn State and Central Michigan are not the same caliber of opponent.
Or are they?
Penn State ripped an Akron team in its season opener, but did not look very good against the Fighting Irish on either offense or defense.
Central Michigan nearly upset Boston College, which in turn knocked off Clemson this past Saturday.
Over the course of the season we may find out that the Chippewas are a pretty good football team and the Nittany Lions are not.
That does not leave me with the illusion that Michigan will waltz into South Bend (Ind.) on Saturday and knock off the No. 2 ranked Fighting Irish.
I have been there too many times to believe that the Wolverines will play well enough in Notre Dame Stadium to walk out with a victory.
I have been impressed with the Fighting Irish in their two games this season.
In the opening game at Georgia Tech, which is another team we may find out down the road is a pretty good football team, I was impressed by the defense.
Notre Dame struggled at times defensively last season despite a 9-3 record.
This year the Fighting Irish look quicker and more physical on defense which will really help its already powerful offense.
This past Saturday, Notre Dame's offense showed that it can put up some points and do it in a hurry.
The special teams also got into the act.
I have been equally impressed with Michigan's defense. The Wolverines, like the Fighting Irish, look faster and more aggressive this season.
Michigan's offense is another story all together.
Michigan still settles for too many field goals. If the Wolverines are going to beat the Fighting Irish on Saturday, they are going to have to stick the ball in the end zone.
Whichever defense plays the best on Saturday and controls the line of scrimmage will win this football game.
Michigan is going to have to be more aggressive than it has been in previous trips to South Bend.
If it plays aggressively on both sides of the football it will have a shot at upsetting the Fighting Irish.
If it plays conservative football, the outcome will be the same as in other games – a loss.
But if both teams play to their potential, then this could be a classic.