Article Data Imported from Previous NDL SiteWeek 2: Michigan at Notre Dame
Article By:
(Hart) @ (TKpeterson)
What a way to kickoff week 2 in the NDL! Really? The 2 winningest programs in the history of college football meet up in the most recognizable stadium in the united states.
The Wolverines and Coach Hart are excited about a new style and attitude in Ann Arbor. This season Michigan will look to spread the field out more then ever, let Michael Shaw and Co. run wild and let Tate Forcier make the right decisions. Forcier will have a talented group of wideouts to throw to all season long...Martavious Odems will be Forciers goto guy in tough situations, but also watch out for Darryl Stonum...stonum is a Jr. that has the speed to streatch the field or go across the middle to make the in traffic catch. Michigan only returns 2 starters on the O-Line and this is a major concern for Coach Hart. This offense will go as the line does. They might be able to get past Notre Dame with this patch-work line..but the Big 10 will be a much more challenge.
The defense is loaded with talent and returning starters..7 to be exact. Senior Obi Ezeh will be the anchor of this team in the MLB position and will lead a very experienced unit. If the linebackers are the strength of this team..then the defensive backs must have Hart worried in the evenings. As of now U-Ms secondary doesnt have a weapon to fear. Until that player emerges, there will be skeptics.
Coach TKpeterson takes over the most distinguished job in the NDL....The golden domers of Notre Dame!
From a schemem standpoint, the Irish are starting from scratch, and without quarterback Jimmy Clausen. The offense is in the midst of a significant transition from a pro style offense to a spread attack. This all starts with wideout Micheal Floyd, TE Kyle Rudolph and running back Armando Allen. Allen has the ability to be a break-out player for Notre Dame in season 19 of the NDL, but he needs help.....Help? well the offensive line returns 1 starter and will also start true Fr. Zach Martin at LT.
Other then Floyd the wideouts are also young and untested...Fr. Tai-ler Jones has the makings to be the next Golden Tate, but that might be a couple of seasons down the road.
The Irish are lacking wideouts....a experienced line and imagine all of that and have to goto a first year starter at quarterback....David Crist has a major league arm, but his machanics are still raw and unpolished for the schedule he will face in the NDL.
Notre Dames defense will have to be able to hold oppenents under 20 if the Irish want to be successful this year...Coach Peterson is returning 7 starters and 6 of his front 7, so the Irish look strong enough to be able to shut down most running attacks and Michigan will be a early huge test. ILB Manti TeO is only a Sophmore..but looks like a veteran leader on the field, Manti has the skills to cover wideouts or make a needed tackle in the backfield. The Irish secondary is just as, if not weaker then Michigans in this game. Sr. Gary Gray is the only returning starter at CB and FS Harrison Smith has to replace Kyle McCarthy at safety.
Notre Dames greatest asset is its head coach..Coach Peterson is a winner where-ever he has been..but this season he has a major reconstruction on his hands, although ND is far from devoid of talent. Id say 7 or 8 victories is not out of reach for this team..but they must play together and stay away from upsets.
Michigan 33
Notre Dame 21
Coach Harts experience will be too much for the Irish..Hart knows this team inside and out..Forcier and Robinson will play major roles in this game...not with their arms, but with their legs.
This is unusual write up for game of the week..but with no games played I did more of a season outlook for the 2 teams..Both should be major players in the race to the title in the NDL...but a loss here for either program will be a major setback and disappointment.
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