What To Expect Week 2

Check any media outlet you want, Saturday's match up got a lot more interesting following the coming out parties for Notre Dame and Michigan. Notre Dame was dominant in every way on Saturday, winning 35-0 over Nevada.

Those Wolverines didn't look to shabby either, putting controversy out of their minds for at least a few hours. Michigan was able to push Western Michigan around in the "Little House" by a score of 31-7. Though the pundits won't mention the lack of returning talent, the win turned some heads.

Now with one week in the books, people are vaulting both teams into the "their back mode". While neither team will find themselves in the top 17, let alone "back", one team will leave the field Saturday 2-0 and on their way up the rankings.

Look, both of these teams had great weeks but you have to look at the facts of them both.

• Notre Dame faced a team that was returning a quarterback that has done something only 4 other players have ever done, by rushing for over 1,000 and passing for over 2,000 yards in one season. The two little ones that played for Michigan looked good, but so does Colin Kaepernick most weeks.
• Notre Dame's defense pitched their first shut-out since 2002, and the first ever under Charlie. Only the 3rd time Hall of Famer Chris Ault has been shut out while at Nevada.
  
• They were able to run for over 150 yards against a team that has been stout against the run in previous years.
  
• Not to mention the fact that Jimmy Clausen was on fire and Michael Floyd was unstoppable with 4 catches for 189. Oh and 3 of those receptions were for touchdowns. Albeit a secondary that ranked last in the nation last year against the past.
  

Alright, so Michigan fans want to start blabbing about what their "new and improved team" did against Western Michigan. Yeah you had some bright spots, sure.

• Freshman quarterback Tate Forcie threw for three touchdowns in his debut, and felt like the big stage was far from daunting. Fellow Freshman Denard "Shoelace" Robinson was able to show his ground skills, as he was able to break out a 43 yard touchdown scamper at one point in the first half.
• The defense was able to hold a talented Western Michigan team (which is debatable) to only 7 points. Most yards and points coming against the second defense later in the game.
• Wide out Junior Hemingway brought in over 100 yards along with 2 td's, against a weak secondary.
  

When you take a step back and look at this game, there are reasons to favor both. But when you take those blinders off, Michigan fans and Notre Dame haters, Notre Dame should win this game. Notre Dame has the edge in the quarterback battle, as Clausen is a veteran and also has the benefit of possibly the best recieving corp in the nation. The O-line of Notre Dame is much more battle-tested, as well as the secondary. The defense of Notre Dame led by Jon Tenuta is going to be bringing blitzes to confuse the young quarterbacks, and they are focusing on the idea of not giving them room to move and escape. Not to mention that you can treat ol' Shoelace there as a wildcat formation.

Notre Dame has more talent, more veterans, and more of a reason to win. Will they? I dunno, but they should.