The mega guide to week 2: Michigan vs. Notre Dame

Posted on Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 11:30 a.m.

The mega guide to week 2: Michigan vs. Notre Dame

By Pete Bigelow

WHO: Notre Dame (1-0) at Michigan (1-0)

WHERE: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor

WHEN: 3:30 p.m., Saturday

ODDS: Notre Dame is favored by three points, according to sportsbook.com

BROADCAST INFORMATION: ABC-TV; WTKA-1050 AM

RUNDOWN: The last time the Fighting Irish visited Ann Arbor, the result wasn't pretty.

Reeling after two demoralizing losses of its own to start the '07 season, Michigan trounced Notre Dame, 38-0, at the Big House. Last year, Notre Dame returned the favor in South Bend, forcing six turnovers and walloping the Wolverines, 35-17.

The consensus for this year's edition of the storied rivalry? It's expected to be a much closer game.

We've been previewing the game all week, and will continue to do so right up until we begin our live chat at kickoff. Here's a recap of what we've done so far on Michigan-Notre Dame, along with some other links to statistics, Big Ten highlights and more.

TODAY

Join us for the aforementioned live chat during the game. We'll be kicking it off about 15 minutes before kickoff and providing analysis and commentary throughout the game.Â
AnnArbor.com beat reporters Dave Birkett and Michael Rothstein break down the matchup in today's edition of "For Argument's Sake." In it, they offer their predictions on today's game.
Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson are the freshmen who have gotten all the hype. On the other side of the football, freshman defensive end Craig Roh hopes to make just as big an impact, Birkett writes.Â
The matchup between Notre Dame's dynamic receivers and Michigan's suspect secondary will be the key to the game, Rothstein and Birkett say in their weekly pre-game video chat.

FRIDAY

Former Michigan player and current Notre Dame assistant Corwin Brown has compiled a solid resume so far, and one day will make a heck of a head coach in college football, writes Michael Rothstein.
In his weekly edition of "Why I Love College Sports," Rothstein checks in with actor Steven Pasquale, who's a big Notre Dame fan, in addition to his role on "Rescue Me."Â
How is Stevie Brown's move from safety to linebacker working out? Jeff Arnold sits down for this Q&A with one of Michigan's most intriguing players.
You know about Notre Dame's standout wide receivers. The attention they garner just might leave the field open for tight end Kyle Rudolph.Â
Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Robinson is ready to match wits again with a familiar rival, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis.

THURSDAY

In the most recent injury update, Junior Hemingway is listed as "doubtful for the game. If he plays, he'll be looking to prove he's ready for a premier role in Michigan's offense, Jeff Arnold writes.Â
Statistically speaking, Brandon Graham's no-tackle, one-assist game against Western didn't raise any eyebrows. But Rich Rodriguez thought the Michigan DE played a heck of a game. Dave Birkett breaks down Graham's next opponent: highly regarded tackle Sam Young.
For an inside eye on the Irish, Rothstein chats with Brian Hamilton, who covers Notre Dame for the Chicago Tribune.
Who's going to be the standout player during Saturday's game? Vote in our poll.
Each Thursday at noon, Birkett holds a live chat with die-hard Michigan fans. Here's a recap of his most recent discussion.

WEDNESDAY

For the family of Michigan lineman John Ferrara, the Sept. 11 attacks always remain in the forefront of their minds. His father, Tony, was an NYPD patrolman that day. The family shared their story with Mike Rothstein.
Another Sept. 11 connection: Notre Dame center Eric Olsen, Ferrara's friend growing up in Staten Island, also had a father serving in Ground Zero during and after the attacks.
Back to football: Jimmy Clausen was a rattled freshman at Michigan Stadium two years ago. It took two years, but it seems he's finally comfortable at the helm of the Notre Dame offense, opines Rothstein.
Competition might be the most fierce at wide receiver for the Wolverines. See how they fared in this video from Wednesday's practice.
Catch a glimpse of new U-M defensive coordinator Greg Robinson in the midst of teaching in another practice video.
Notes from practice lead off with an update on Brandon Minor's health, and also explore the benefits of Stevie Brown's new position for the secondary. There's also video of Rich Rodriguez's post-practice chat with reporters.
In one of his "Birk's Eye View" anaylsis pieces, Dave Birkett says that this is the time for the Wolverines to make a statement against Notre Dame.
Running back Carlos Brown once considered leaving Michigan due to lack of playing time. His patience has finally paid off, writes Jeff Arnold.

TUESDAY

Notre Dame receiver Jonas Gray is headed home. He's a Pontiac native who knows about half the Michigan team. Read here to see who he's already talking trash with.
When Syracuse upset the Fighting Irish last year, Greg Robinson was the Orange coach. Robinson has a long history battling with coach Charlie Weis.
There will be no public bet this year between Michigan alum Tom Brady and Weis, his mentor while they worked together with the New England Patriots.Â
Turnovers wrecked Michigan's chances against Notre Dame last year. Sure-handed Michigan receiver Greg Mathews will get the first crack at returning punts this weekend, specifically because of his ability to catch the ball.Â
More than 200 items of Michigan football memorabilia are part of an auction that benefits a good cause.Â
Say good-bye to last year's 3-9 season. The new 1-0 Wolverines have already earned votes -- although not a ranking -- in this year's national polls.
AnnArbor.com is issuing a challenge: We want to find and profile the best tailgate at the Michigan-Notre Dame game. Think your grill's got game? Let us know.
Rich Rodriguez is rooting for Ohio State this week -- sort of -- he says on the weekly Big Ten Conference call.
Once again, Charlie Weis is calling the offensive plays for Notre Dame. It's an on-again-off-again-on-again role for the embattled coach, writes Michael Rothstein.
You saw Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson's moves last week against Western. Nontheless, here's the reasons Rodriguez wants them running less, according to Dave Birkett.

MONDAY

Speaking of the quarterbacks, Forcier will start his second consecutive game for U-M, but Rodriguez still anticipates using a three-QB rotation.
Injury report: check out the status of starting cornerback Boubacar Cissoko, who the Wolverines really want to depend on against the veteran Irish offense.
Rich Rodriguez talks about the Irish at his Monday press conference. Here's the video.
TIght end Kevin Koger made a one-handed circus catch against Western. Rodriguez has a mesage for him. Here's that video.
We wrote a continually-updated notebook while Rodriguez talked at his press conference Monday, in which the Michigan coach revealed the status of freshman corner Adrian Witty, among other tidbits.Â
After both teams won their season openers, the Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry suddenly has national relevance again, Michael Rothstein believes.

SUNDAY

Rothstein watches the Notre Dame-Nevada opener and offers a scouting report for the Wolverines.Â
Likewise, he's got a review of the Michigan-Western opener, which he watched again Sunday afternoon.
In his "Birk's Eye View" analysis, Dave Birkett looks at what Tate Forcier's scrambling ability brings to the Michigan offense and cleans out his notebook with the good, bad and ugly from Saturday's opener.

STATISTICS AND STUFF

Keep track of Michigan's season statistics at the university's official site, here. For the box score of the first game against Western, click here.Â
It's obviously early in the season, but Michigan leads the Big Ten Conference in a category Rich Rodriguez has been emphasizing throughout the offseason. Find out what it is by checking out the Big Ten statistics.

AROUND THE BIG TEN

There's nothing bigger this week than the matchup of No. 3 Southern Cal against the No. 8 Buckeyes in Columbus. Darren Everson of the Wall Street Journal checks in with a column on USC's biggest advantage - its stagecraft.
The Columbus Dispatch has this rundown of its build-up to the game. The key to Ohio State's success may be junior running back Brandon Saine.Â
For Michigan State, the competition at quarterback continues between Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol. Coach Mark Dantonio has listed them as co-starters, but isn't saying much about it, according to the Lansing State Journal.
Tired of hearing about the Spartans QB competition? MLive.com's Steve Grinczel has his take on the running game, specifically saying that it needs more oomph.
What else? The Big Ten's got Illinois State-Illinois. Western Michigan will try to recover from its Big House beating against Indiana. The annual Iowa-Iowa State game takes place. Minnesota's got an intriguing non-conference opponent in Air Force. Here are quick-hit previews for every conference game.

Comments

theseeker

Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 1:41 p.m.

Radio stations broadcasting Michigan football are listed here: http://www.maizenbluenation.com/2009/09/2009-michigan-football-how-where-and.html The closest one to Ann Arbor appears to be in Detroit, WOMC-FM 104.3

theseeker

Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 1:40 p.m.

Radio stations broadcasting Michigan football are listed here: http://www.maizenbluenation.com/2009/09/2009-michigan-football-how-where-and.html

bigblue

Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 11:13 a.m.

DENARD FORCIER RODRIGUEZ FOR HEISMAN! GO BLUE! all the SMART MICHIGAN fans know that MICHIGAN will win ia a blow-out! but even if MICHIGAN doesn't win, true bigblue fans will still bleed maizenblue!

Pete Bigelow

Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 10:42 a.m.

DJM, You're correct. I've updated the story. Thanks for the catch.

djm12652

Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 10:04 a.m.

Not to be nit picky but in the 'snapshots' above, on Friday...Rothstein's Why I Love Football, line...it states "Rothstein checks in with actor Steven Pasquale, whose a big Notre Dame fan"...I believe it should be who's or who is...c'mon people, you write for a living? Spell check and grammar check?

CybeRolf

Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 7:51 a.m.

Will today's game be broadcast on radio? I assume so, but I will have to guess which stations, since only the TV broadcast is listed. Isn't there an FM station that I can pick up in the stadium? WTKA 1050 doesn't always come in well.

Fri, Sep 11, 2009 : 3:54 p.m.

GO BLUE!!!!!

Babonx

Fri, Sep 11, 2009 : 2:15 p.m.

You gotta change that picture to show some love to UM!

Jon Saalberg

Fri, Sep 11, 2009 : 12:43 p.m.

If UM wins this game, RR haters will be drowned out by the praise squad.

Peggy Lampman

Fri, Sep 11, 2009 : 11:33 a.m.

Great article, Pete. Thanks for the recap giving fans info leading up to tomorrow's big game. This article, in fact, inspired another Go Blue recipe that I'll post in tomorrow's Food & Beverage: "Game-Day Hens Under Brick"! Go Blue!!!!!!