Michigan vs Notre Dame Preview

this Saturday's game at Notre Dame Stadium is the biggest must-win Michigan faces since capturing a national title in 1997.

"We want to make a statement to show everybody that we're not the team from last year," Michigan junior tackle Alan Branch said. "We're a different team. We're the 127th Michigan team, and we're ready to go. We're not last year."

Last year, the Wolverines lost to Notre Dame. And the year before that, too. Not a streak to be on the wrong side of when it comes to the ravenous fans of Wolverine Nation.

But that's only part of the concern in Ann Arbor. After six straight seasons with three or more losses, including a dismal 7-5 record in 2005, Michigan has slipped a bit in the national scene. Basically, Michigan earns its perennially high preseason ranking based solely on reputation.

"In a game like this, one of the fun things about it is all the hype," Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr said. "All the tension. I mean, it'll be non-stop, and that's part of the fun of it, but it's also a part that you have to deal with."

Winning alleviates all that tension quicker than a 20-minute deep-tissue massage from a licensed spa girl. Beat Notre Dame, ranked No. 2 in the AP poll and No. 3 in the USA Today poll, and Wolverine Nation softens its claws. A loss to the Fighting Irish (2-0) and their Heisman front-running quarterback Brady Quinn and Ann Arbor may be forced to secede from the rest of the state.

Michigan is 0-2 against the spread this season and 8-15 ATS in its last 23 games. The two teams are totaling 61.5 points per game on offense in 2006. The defenses have been stingy: Michigan gives up 12 points, Notre Dame 13.5. Yet, Notre Dame has eclipsed the over in five of its last seven.

Carr has lost his six previous road openers for Michigan, a stat not lost on the Carr salesmen who want him out of town. It doesn't help matters that he is also 1-4 against Ohio State since Jim Tressel became the Buckeyes’ coach. And not since 1999 have Carr's Wolverines finished in the top five at season's end.

The way high-profile sports works in Media Land is simple: If the team struggles, it's the coach's fault and that coach's ability must be called into question in the papers, radio shows and on web sites.

At the Big Ten Conference's media day last month, Carr put his naysayers on the "Pay No Mind" list by insisting he won't be pushed around by those who write subversive about him.

Although, Carr did replace his offensive and defensive coordinators in the offseason. Ron English was promoted to the top defensive spot and Mike DeBord, formerly the head coach at Central Michigan, came about as offensive coordninator, a position he held with the Wolverines from 1997-99.

The changes seem to be working so far this season with dominating wins against Vanderbilt and Central Michigan. Of course, Michigan is supposed to mop the Big House with those teams. And they did.

Junior Mike Hart is shouldering the load at running back again after last season was cut short by injury. In 50 carries, Hart has gained 265 yards and scored three touchdowns. Kevin Grady will spell Hart in the backfield for No. 11 Michigan, which is 18-14-1 all-time against Notre Dame.

Junior quarterback Chad Henne has the experience necessary to win a big game on the road. He will need to find a way to get the ball to top receivers Steve Breaston and Mario Manningham before Irish safety/madman Tom Zbikowski gets in the way.

None of them matter, though, if the Michigan defense can't stop Quinn and the Notre Dame offense.

Watching Quinn pick apart the Penn State defense on Saturday in the two-minute drill to end the first half could not have sat well with the maize-and-blue faithful. Quinn was 5-for-5 passing for 58 yards and gained 11 yards on two carries, all in the span of 1:17. The drive ended - surprise! - with a touchdown pass from Quinn to Rhema McKnight as the Irish rolled to a 41-17 triumph.

"I think Notre Dame is going to score points," Carr said. "They're too good not to. So we've got to play our best game in terms of field position, special teams, but we've got our work cut out for us on defense because they've got two outstanding receivers in Rhema McKnight and Jeff Samardzija. Darius Walker is in my judgment a great football player . . . I like Notre Dame obviously."

Just as long as Notre Dame scores less points. Maybe then Michigan will re-earn its cred.

TOP PHOTO: Chad Henne will have to try to keep up with Brady Quinn in Ann Arbor on Saturday. (AI Wire photo)

Note: All NCAA football lines subject to change.

More Bodog.com Press...