AnnArbor.com sports writers Dave Birkett and Michael Rothstein see eye to eye on Saturday's Michigan-Notre Dame game. Who do they have winning? Keep reading to find out.

Michael Rothstein: This has been an interesting week, returning to the old haunts of South Bend and all, but we're about at game time here so let's chat about it. Notre Dame really impressed me offensively last week. Jimmy Clausen, if he had joined a WAC school, might have a couple Heisman Trophies already with the way he's torched Hawaii and Nevada. But Michigan is going to be a tougher test. That said, I like Clausen's chances against a still-unproven Michigan secondary. Michael Floyd and Golden Tate are two of the best wide receivers in the nation. And they open up the middle of the field for Kyle Rudolph, who is the best pass-catching tight end in the country, especially now that Jermaine Gresham from Oklahoma is out for the year. That's going to be the biggest key here. Can Michigan's secondary hold up. You think they can?

Dave Birkett: If Jimmy Clausen played in the WAC, no one would know his name. Or worse, he'd be Timmy Chang. Either way, those family pictures of him in his speedo wouldn't have made it on every message board known to man and we wouldn't be talking about this right here. But he's at Notre Dame and he's flanked by as good a receiving tandem as there is in college football. As for Michigan's secondary, take away two Donovan Warren pass interference penalties and it played well last week. To answer your question, though, no, I don't think we'll see a repeat of that Saturday. This is beating a drum, but I'm worried about Michigan's depth - the back seven played almost the entire first half against WMU - and I'm thinking Notre Dame's offensive line is much improved. For the Wolverines to win, they need to get pressure on Clausen and Tate Forcier needs to keep his mistakes to a minimum. Things won't be as easy for him against Notre Dame's defense.

MR: You're right, Michigan's secondary did play well and I'm starting to warm to Boubacar Cissoko as a starting cornerback with potential. But...this isn't going to be easy for them. What Michigan may do, and this is just from watching the Nevada-Notre Dame game, is try to put a lot of pressure on Notre Dame's defensive line. The unit didn't look particularly sharp against the Wolf Pack, allowing a lot of rushes into the second tier. If Michigan is going to win, Forcier and Robinson, along with the entire stable of running backs, needs to be able to take advantage of any openings they have. I think speed might be an issue there, which could bode well for Carlos Brown and perhaps a meaningful appearance from fast freshman Vincent Smith. If I'm Michigan, though, my biggest concern on offense is the health of Junior Hemingway. If he can't play, he takes away a big option for Forcier/Robinson.

DB: As much as speed, I think Michigan's advantage lies in tempo. With that no-huddle offense, the Wolverines can control the pace of the game if they can control the ball. They actually did an OK job of that last year, they just didn't take care of the ball too well. I feel pretty confident in saying Michigan won't commit six turnovers again, but Jon Tenuta likes to bring pressure so you know he'll get after the freshmen quarterbacks. The formula for a Michigan win is pretty simple: Shut down Notre Dame's passing game, get good play from Forcier and Robinson, and take care of the ball. It's executing it that could be a problem.

MR: That formula sounds nice and all...except it's not going to happen. Those two things are huge, and I just don't see it. There's no way both freshmen quarterbacks can play another game pretty much major-error free. If they do, they've got a shot. But I just don't see it. Plus, back to the secondary for a second, if Tate or Floyd have single coverage at any point, it could get ugly on that play. I think Michigan keeps it close, I really do. But, Notre Dame will score a late touchdown after a Wolverines' offensive miscue to beat Michigan, 31-21.

DB: We're of pretty like mind on this one, Mike. It wouldn't shock me if Michigan wins, but I'm not expecting it. I think both Floyd and Tate have good days against Michigan's thin secondary, and I don't think the Wolverines are complete enough on offense yet to keep up. Notre Dame's not great, but the Irish are good enough to win in a tough environment, 24-17.