The Michigan Notre Dame rivalry has been around since 1887, but there will be a first for the rivalry this Saturday when both teams will be playing at the Big House lit up for the first night game in the history of Michigan Football. Both Michigan and Notre Dame are in rebuilding phases not re-loading like many might like to think. Michigan is recovering from the whole Rich Rod ordeal and Notre Dame has been on a down swing ever since Brady Quinn was no longer the QB; However, last year Notre Dame snagged one hell of a football coach in Brain Kelly who is experienced in building teams up such as Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, and Cincinnati.
This game will be the first true test for Brady Hoke and his Michigan Wolverines. Brady Hoke nor Brian Kelly were pleased with their team’s performance last Saturday. Horrible weather affected both teams with Michigan defeating Western Michigan 34-10 and Notre Dame getting upset by South Florida 20-23. Michigan looked sloppy at first by letting Western Michigan drive on them for the first couple series. But the point in which you knew Michigan was about to take control was when the first turn over of the game went for a touchdown in favor of the Wolverines. This would be the first turnover for a touchdown for Michigan since 2009. After that Michigan started to dominate until the game was called due to weather in the 3rd.
On the other hand Notre Dame struggled in the first half and at one point Notre Dame was down 16-0. Irish head coach Brian Kelly then made a bold move by taking his starting QB Dayne Crist out and replacing him with Tommy Rees.
The upcoming game under the lights of The Big House should be a great game even if you are not a fan of either of these teams. On one side you have Michigan, with an explosive QB in Denard Robinson and their return to good ol’ power football. The other side you have Notre Dame being led by a great coach in Brain Kelly who will return Notre Dame back into a contender. I believe that Michigan will come out on top in a close game coming down to the last couple of drives. Michigan and Notre Dame is equally matched up this year, but with Michigan coming of the win against Western Michigan and Norte Dame losing to South Florida, Michigan is coming into this with confidence from the win last week.
