The Staff Weighs In: Notre Dame

​I'd like to start by sharing a link to a video of Chad Henne's former coach making a pregame speech. (Thanks to Kevin Cowbell for this one). OMG.

After this week is over, I'll have some kind of composite table showing the prediction prowess of the three prognosticators and the XBox. But for now:

The Hammer:

It is fair to say, Notre Dame has not faced a defensive line like Michigan's. Hopefully that matters. Someone who apparently gets paid to write about College Football for CSTV predicted Notre Dame 45, Michigan 17. He's a graduate from Lindenwood University, the NAIA powerhouse we all know and love. This maddens me. A link here to my disrespected article might be appropriate.

Needless to say I'll be the guy in the front row with the played out "we believe" sign. (Please don't tell ND about our secondary. Yikes!)

Michigan 24
Notre Dame 20

Lamar Woodley for Heisman, Mike Hart for NFL MVP.

Johnny Cleveland:

I am Irish. I am Catholic and my favorite all time quote is "Fuck Go Blue". This will be a mismatch, for once we are prepared. Contrary to the idiots who think the tougher ND schedule helped them, our light load has given us 3 weeks+ to get ready for this one. Of course our 2 touchdown halftime lead will require us to institute our prevent and Quinn will lead them all the way back. However little does the Hammer know, our secondary will eventually appear and J. Stew will get a late pick to make it 3 for the game for Quinn and we waltz with a 35-28 victory. Tough day for the Irish, no more #2, no more title hopes, and no more Heisman hopes.

Offensive MVP: Mikey Hart
Defensive MVP: Alan Branch

The XBox:

Notre Dame 33
Michigan 18

The Webmaster:

I've watched our games against Vandy and CMU ad nauseam. I saw ND vs. GTech in its entirety. Based on that alone, I can't see how ND can match up with us. Unfortunately, like Pavlov's Dog, when the bell rings and tells me that it's the first road game of the year, and that we're playing at ND, disappointment sets in before kickoff. Six straight road openers, and I attended each of them. As far away as Seattle and as nearby as South Bend, all with similar results. Should have won. Could have won. Fell apart in the end.

And that my friends is the balancing act when it comes to this year's football season, and predicting this game. Which way to go? Pack it in and swallow your pride...or believe. Believe that this year it IS different. Believe that zone run blocking and a stunting defense is the key to success. That somehow, someway, Magic will happen inour favor. Believe that this is our time. Can you do it? Can the Wolverines?

YES.

Michigan 35
Notre Dame 24

Offensive MVP: Chad Henne
Defensive MVP: Rondell Biggs

UM v. ND

by Johnny Cleveland​

Whom can stop thinking about this one??? Well I sure can't so I figured I would give my memories of the recent UM v. ND history. By the way, if you read this and check out the links and videos, I gaurantee it will bring back memories (good and bad), give you the chills, and most importantly help Saturday get here faster! xoxo, JC

The History

With two schools so rich in History and Legends of Days of Yore, we would be remised not to explore our conjoined pasts. If you can think of a way to win a game, surely this rivalry has produced it. It appears to all of us that in the last 25 years we have been the defeated in more games than not against the aforementioned fish eaters, however the monumentality the Irish and National media make of them struggling to barely beat us is what I believe adds to this illusion. So without further ado, I give my personal history lesson on the highlights/lowlights of the feud.

Foundation

As we know two of the most recognized Football Programs as well as Universities in the World and easily 1 and 2 in the Midwest in overall recognition and support. Their traditions and fan base make them universal names in athletics and scholastics.

A. Prototypical Helmets

UM: Winged Tipped ND: Golden Domes

B. Famous Fight Songs

UM: Hail to the Victors ND: Notre Dame Victory March

C. Football History

UM: #1 Wins and Winning % ND: #2 Winning %

D. Stadium Lore

UM: "The Big House" - the largest capacity of any college football team.

ND: Home of the famous"Touchdown Jesus".

Games

I. Big Upsets 

You can take this as a compliment or as a continual underachievement thing but the big upsets of the past 30 years tend to only occur when ND wins since we are usually fairly evenly ranked or UM is supposed to win.

#1. 1993 - ND is a nine point dog and UM is ranked #3. ND assistant coach apparently gives pep talk that leads to win and then coach Lou Holtz proclaimsRockne's speech is now #2. ND 27 UM 23.

#2. 2004 - Although UM blew this one and it was in SBend, they were unranked and we were #7. Hart and Henne appear as Freshmen in their first encounter with ND and now they want paybacks, as does Steve Breaston, #15 for his fumble. ND 28 UM 20.

II. IT'S GOOD!! 

When teams are closely matched it's inevitable that special teams play a part.

#1. 1994 - Just after the Webmaster attends his last class at UM, ND scores with under a minute to play to take the lead on a throw from Ron Powlus. Then Todd Collinsrallies UM in range and Remy Hamilton etches his name in UM history with a buzzer to win it. Lou Holtz's participation in the rivalry ends on a sour note. UM 26 ND 24.

#2. 1980 - UM goes for two earlier in the game and misses, it later comes back to haunt them as Harry Oliver squeaks a 51 yarder over the uprights as the strong wind in his face miraculously disappears just as the ball is snapped. Touchdown Jesus? The ensuing elation of the south benders is labeled "The Wildest Celebration Ever". ND 29 UM 27.

III. Historic Contests 

With rich history, there are some unique events that transpire when these two rivals meet.

#1. 1992 - The last ever tie at ND stadium. A fabulous match up between #3 ND and #6 UM ends all square as the Irish's Reggie Brooks scores as he falls into the endzone after being knocked unconscious by would be/should be Michigan tacklers. UM 17 ND 17.

#2. 1982 - First ever night game at ND. #20 ND holds #10 UM to a measly 41 yds rushing. ND 23 UM 17.

#3. 1887 - As a friendly gift we generously allow Notre Dame to play us in their first ever game. And like any good mentor, we refuse to humiliate them and let them stay close. However we shut them out! UM 8 ND 0.

IV. R U KIDDIN ME! 

#1. 1989 - UM is in control of every aspect of this one, except for tackling a certain kick returner. Notre Dame struggled throughout this rain filled afternoon, but their"Rocket" did not. He becomes the first player to return a kick against UM in 32 years, then #25 does it again later in the game. ND 24 UM 19.

#2. 1991 - The blue prevail in this one that will forever be remembered for "The Catch". Desmond Howard gets horizontal with the big ball as he catches the oblong ball in mesmerizing fashion. UM 24 ND 14

#3. 1990 - With #4 UM leading by 10 points in the final quarter, #1 ND decides to allow young Rick Mirer to make his Irish debut. Elvis Grbac gets picked twice late and ND preserves its top national ranking with an astonishing comeback. ND 28 UM 24

V. Fairly Rare Ones 

#1. 1999 - A rare occurrence for Maize/Blue fans. UM is trailing late and future NFL Superbowl MVP (X2), Tom Brady leads UM all the way back to take the lead and defeat the shocked Irish faithful. UM 26 ND 22

#2 1978 - UM is running an option offense? ND gets a ridiculous 26 tackles from legendary linebacker Bob Golic but neither is enough. UM 28 ND 14

VI. NATIONAL CHAMPS! 

#1. 1997 - An early season test in the rivals' first meeting in three seasons boosts UM up the polls. Although don't get to excited it was Bob Davie's coaching debut against UM. The Wolverines slip by the Irish in route to a perfect season and National Championship! UM 21 ND 14

#2. 1988 - #9 Michigan v. #13 ND. Probably the most memorable for any ND fan. UM's stingy D allows no offensive touchdowns on the day. However Ricky Watters returns a punt 81 yds for a score to go along with the diminutive Reggie Ho's 4 field goals that included the game winner. Last minute heroics by Mike Gillette miss splitting the uprights and ND goes on to win the National Championship! ND 19 UM 17

VII. Futures

#1 2006- Story to be told: Saturday, September 16th beginning at 3:30 in South Bend, Indiana. Go Blue!!!!

"Notre Dame Can Kiss My Ass"

​I had just completing unburdening my soul on my level of apprehension for Saturday's football contest to tailgater Lisa a moment ago, when she dropped this bit of wisdom on me... "Notre Dame can kiss my ass. Every one of them."

It reminded me of something that I somehow forgot, possibly because of the few years that ND was off the schedule, or perhaps due to their seesaw seasons of falling from, and returning to, glory. I hate them. This is a rivalry game. And from a competition standpoint, it's our biggest rival. I used to know that...we all did. We knew it in 1994, when following Remy Hamilton's game winning field goal in the last victory in South Bend, the student body took to South University, chanting "we want tear gas," and shaking police cars. I participated in the desecration of a Notre Dame flag, tearing it to pieces just a few feet away from where John F. Kennedy stood and announced the creation of the Peace Core on the steps of the Michigan Union. I still have a piece of that flag in a scrapbook.

I hate them.

I hated the way they used to hold that damn winning percentage crap over our heads. "Yes, Michigan has the most wins all-time, but we have the best winning percentage."Not any more...assholes.

I hate the way they look down their nose at you when you go to South Bend. Like their tradition and their University is better than Michigan. There is definitely a look. Like we're the classless cousin here to visit that they just pray doesn't shit in their flower garden.

I hate the way that Touchdown Jesus makes me not like Jesus. God could care less about your stupid football team.

I hate the stat that our last win there was in 1994, which conveys 5 or 6 losses in a row in South Bend. But we don't play there every other year. It's like panicking because our last win against the University of Chicago in Chicago was in 1939.

I hate Charlie Weiss, the way he looks, and the way that they look at him like he's some kind of genius because he had a three loss season.

I hate Sean Astin for playing Rudy. I hate Rudy. I think it's all bullshit. Fabricated movie bullshit. Like they're going to throw a halfback pass to give the ball back to Georgia Tech so a walk-on can play. My favorite part is when his friend dies in the mill, and his brother starts banging his girlfriend. And Rudy's dad was a fruit. "This is the most beautiful sight these eyes have ever seen"? Notre Dame stadium? Eat me.

Notre Dame - Know your Foe

The University:

• Enrollment 11,479


• Mascot: Leprechaun


• Located just 4 miles from the Michigan border

The series:

• Michigan leads 18-14-1,


• The series is a stalemate 7-7-1 in South Bend.


• Michigan has lost the last two games against the Irish.


• Michigan's last victory over the Irish was a 38-0 thrashing in 2003.

Players to watch:

• Brady Quinn : NFL scouts are drooling, but not as much as his sister on AJ Hawk. He is ranked 18th in the nation for total offense, but is just 55th nationally in passing efficiency.


• Jeff Samarzidja : 2005 All American and Biletnikoff award finalist


• Rhema McKnight : Current team leader in receptions and receiving yards per game

The numbers say (national ranks):

• Rushing offense:
• ND 71st, Michigan 10th
• Passing offense:
• ND 27th, Michigan 104th
• Rushing defense:
• ND 73rd, Michigan 4th
• Passing defense:
• ND 43rd, Michigan 27th
• Total defense:
• ND 63rd, Michigan 6th

What Does It Take To Be Number One?

Every good website post should have a Nelly quote in its title.

The real season is fast approaching. Seriously, there are only four shopping days left until Notre Dame. And there is only one thing on your mind as a Wolverine fan, and it has been on your mind for nearly nine years. It is best thing that ever happened to the Michigan Wolverines, and the worst thing that ever happened to your psyche: The 1997 National Championship. Since that amazing New Year's Day in 1998, your expectations have been seasons of perfection at this time every year. No matter how high or how low the pre-season rankings have been, no matter who has left for the NFL, who has stayed for their 5th year, and no matter what has come out of your mouth, there is a little voice in the back of your head, and that little voice tells you that the next few months will be magical. It tells you that everything you've been doing, all of the smack you've been talking, and all the legacy and tradition you've been peddling for all these years is about to pay off again. You say 10-3, you mean 13-0. You talk about the tough schedule, and the hellish road slate that includes Notre Dame, Penn State, and Ohio State...you say 1-2, maybe 2-1 for those games...but you dwell on dreams of empty opponent's stadiums and chanting "it's great to be a Michigan Wolverine" smiling with teary eyes as it echoes off of Touchdown Jesus, Beaver Stadium's upper deck, and the Value City scoreboard.

So, you think Michigan will be playing in Arizona on January 8th? Let's look at the past 10 years of college football and the common components of the National Champions. Does Michigan have the six pieces to be number 1?

6. Survive a Scare: Fall deeply behind an inferior team, mount a heroic comeback to win. Stave off an upset, beating an inferior team by a touchdown or less. Nearly every one of the last 10 National Championship teams survived a scare. A few examples:

• 1996 Florida defeats Vanderbilt 28-21. Vandy would end the season with a 2-9 record.


• 1997 Nebraska defeats Missouri 45-38 on the "kicked pass heard 'round the world".


• 1999 Florida State edges Clemson 17-14 in another edition of the Bowden Bowl. Clemson finished the season 6-6.


• 2002 Ohio State just gets by Cincinnatti (7-7) 23-19, Wisconsin (8-6) 19-14, Purdue (7-6) 10-6 and Illinois (5-7) 23-16. Have I mentioned that this is the shittiest National Championship team ever?


• 2004 USC beats Stanford 31-28. Stanford would post a 4-7 record.


• 2005 Texas beats Oklahoma State 47-28 after trailing 28-9 in the second quarter. Oklahoma State finished the season 4-7.

5. Go Undefeated

• Of the last ten champions, only 2003 LSU/USC and 1996 Florida have had a loss.

4. Have a player in New York for the Heisman presentation.

• He need not win it, though 3 of the last 10 champs had Heisman winners (Wuerfful '96, Woodson '97, Leinart '04). Another four teams had a player in the top three, and one with a player finishing in the top ten.

3. Be on the cover of Sports Illustrated before you win the National Championship.

• Seven of the ten made the cover before grabbing a trophy... only the 98 Volunteers, 99 Seminoles, and '01 Hurricanes missed it...of course, all saw cover shots after winning it.

2. Don't be a pre-season #1

• Only two teams, '99 Florida State and '04 USC, have gone wire-to-wire to win it all.


• Four of the ten were not even in the pre-season top ten.

1. Swagger

• National Champions talk smack, shimmy, celebrate sacks, and hit hard. And on a rare occasion (plug those ears Bo) they even earn an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

As for the 2006 Wolverines:

• #6: I'd like to bypass this one...but it is unavoidable. A fourth quarter deficit against Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Michigan State is inevitable.


• #5: Looking good so far, but I've got a feeling that parity will allow a one loss team to make it to 'Zona this year.


• #4: Mike Hart is on the radar


• #3: If things go well, it could happen this week


• #2: Check


• #1: It's percolating right now. They need a big win to start rolling with it.

Case of the Mundys: Too Much Monday Night Football Edition

There's a game just starting right now at 10:30pm. Looks like a little overkill for the folks at ESPN in this opening weekend. But it's nice to have Brad Nessler in the background as I sit down to write this week's injury report. A little housekeeping first...

The game time for our next home game has been set. The Big Ten opener against Wisconsin will kickoff at noon EST, and will be nationally televised on ESPN. The tailgate theme for this game will be Tex Mex, which opens up the menu to a plethora of delicious delights, highlighted by rumors of a BBQ beef brisket from Fry Daddy Frank. I'm thinking of going with baby backs...but there's a lot of business to take care of before then. Feel free to chime in the comment thread on this post to tell us what you are bringing. We can adorn the tailgate with country cowboy deco, wear cowboy hats, and I'd appreciate it if someone could bring a mechanical bull. Oh, and a hot chick from Texas to ride it in chaps.

In typical pre-game media hype fashion, Notre Dame has moved back up to #2 in the AP poll and #3 in the USA Today Poll. Previews will come in droves this week, but I'd like to start by pointing out my lack of confidence in a positive outcome Saturday afternoon. It's perhaps my first taste of what everyone else seems to be already chewing on. I don't want to go to South Bend, where the pageantry and tradition matches the Big House, and where the Fighting Irish have owned us since 1994. It's the first road game of the season, and we haven't won the first road game of the season since a 1999 win at Syracuse. As everyone likes to point out, we've played a couple of patsies, and Notre Dame has played a couple of household names. They've got the genius Fat Bastard, we've got the hot seat.

Yes I know it's cliché, when in reality the most important game is the next one, but on Saturday we will reach a crossroads. The historical perspective and reputation of our coach, our team, and our legacy will be on the line... I just hope the team isn't cowering under the pressure the way that I am. Someone is returning to glory on Saturday, and I wish I could do more than just hope that it's Michigan.

Enough of that, on to the injuries...

• Antonio Bass: knee, out for season


• Mike Kolodziej: undisclosed, out for season


• Chris Graham: missed CMU with thigh injury, will return for ND


• Eugene Germany: missed CMU with undisclosed injury, will return for ND


• Tyler Ecker: was in street clothes for 2nd half of CMU, no word on if he will be back for ND


• Carlos Brown: strep throat, saw limited action against CMU, should be ready to run the Antonio Bass set against ND

That's all for tonight, you stay classy Columbus.