Michigan Notre Dame Game

Hello, Everyone...the time is here, for one of the biggest games of the season...Michigan vs. Notre Dame this Saturday on NBC 3pm Eastern/2pm Central. This is big. Both programs are struggling. Both Programs want to un-struggle and regain their legendary status again. Well now they have a chance in the classic Rivalry.

Check out this artcile on ESPN to say it best for ya...

Irish-Wolverines hype feels right for a change
Who knew that turning a pistol into a popgun would shake down the thunder? Who would've imagined that bucking some in-state Broncos would lead to such a hailing of victors valiant? With more than 1,700 wins combined and the top two winning percentages in history, Notre Dame and Michigan pegged the anticipation meter by beating Nevada and Western Michigan.

Jimmy Clausen looked like a superstar versus Nevada.
You know what? Silly as it seems, that feels just right. It wasn't so much that the Irish and Wolverines won; it was how they won. Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen was razor-sharp and looked like the leader of a precise offensive attack unit -- not just a scattershot collection of a pretty good passer and receivers.

Michigan looked, well, the way West Virginia used to look. Isn't that why it hired Rich Rodriguez in the first place? The Wolverines have one quarterback who won't tie his shoes and turns broken plays into the best highlight of the first week, and a starter who is buckled up head to toe in Rich Rod's spread option. Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier were the missing links.

Now, the buildup surrounding this game mostly befits the foes' glorious status in college football.

That is until one team's hope turns to despair again Saturday. That's the nature of a rivalry game. It's supposed to break your heart when you lose. Both coaches need to win, although I think Charlie Weis needs it a smidgen more than Rodriguez. I know Rodriguez has controversy swirling around him. But if the Irish lose to a Michigan team guided by two freshman quarterbacks in Rodriguez's second year, I suspect the grumbling will be a little more than just audible from South Bend.

Unlike recent editions that have been marred by blowouts and sloppy play, I expect Saturday's game to be high on the entertainment scale. The past three meetings have been decided by an average of four touchdowns. The Irish and Wolverines are due to play a classic or at least a near classic. Why not Saturday?

I know the Irish shut down a dangerous dual-threat quarterback in the Wolf Pack's Colin Kaepernick last week, but I think Michigan's first win did wonders for its confidence. I still expect to see Michigan move the ball against the Irish. That's a huge key to me. How well will the Wolverines control the ball against the Irish? If they don't, they'll have trouble.

This game represents Clausen's next step in his battle to live up to expectations. If he truly deserves mention alongside Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy this season, he must win this game for his team. Period. I have a time-proven theory about quarterbacks: When you throw more touchdown passes than incompletions, you're playing great. Four touchdowns and three incompletions against Nevada means Clausen was awesome. Complex, isn't it?

Michigan might be without CB Boubacar Cissoko, who had an interception in the opener. Going down the depth chart isn't a comforting way to deal with Michael Floyd and Golden Tate. So watch the pass rush. If Michigan puts heat on Clausen, it'll have a shot at the biggest win of the Rodriguez era. If not, Clausen could lay another plank in the foundation for his, dare I say it, Heisman candidacy. Lou Holtz brought up the topic during the Final Verdict segment of "College Football Final" last week, and the judge issued a continuance. Clausen has the early look of a guy ready for a special season. We'll see during the next couple of weeks

Check out these vids...and watch the game -DP