Notre Dame @ Michigan St. - Saturday, 2:30pm Central time (9:30pm in Germany, where I currently am)
Michigan St. is favored by 9 points for a reason - they own the Irish, and matchup very well against the Irish weakness, the defensive line/run defense. Michigan St.'s new coach Mark D'Antonio is old school - run the football. Last weekend, All American Running Back Javon Ringer ran 48 times for 270 yards! against Florida Atlantic, albeit in the rain. They don't run a spread, but rather have a 300 point lineman in all 5 spots and line up in traditional fullback sets like the power i. The Irish are going to likely need to keep Ringer under 200 yards to have a chance, barring lots of turnovers or a lack of scoring somehow. Hoyer is a more than adequate passer as well, as Michigan St. typically has underrated but very talented college WRs (Derrick Mason, Plaxico Burress, Charles Rodgers, last year's 1st WR taken Devin Thomas).
Prediction #1 - Javon Ringer will have 155 yards rushing
Prediction #2 - QB Hoyer will have 150 yards passing
Obviously I am predicting a big offensive day for the Spartans, a very balanced attack. DAntonio will go the air more as the Irish load the box to stop the run. The Spartans are easily the best offensive team that we have played, and are far superior on offense to the Wolverines.
Michigan St's defense however, has much to be desired. Their run offense does shorten the game and give their defense a good rest. Michigan St's defense is giving up 350 yards total offense per game, compared to the Wolverines 280. In addition, the Spartans are giving up 4.5 yards per rush, compared the Wolverines 1.8. Michigan St lost a close battle to Cal, but has played Eastern Michigan and Florida Atlantic the past two weeks.
The Irish should have a good day on the ground and in the air against the Michigan St defense, assuming Clausen and the offensive line continue improving. The only variable here is how the Irish will respond to their first road test in a hostile environment like East Lansing, where bitterness of being #2 in Michigan and a hatred of the Irish combine with alcohol to form some nasty situations (trust me, the Pope knows).
Prediction #3 - The Irish will have 175 yards team rushing - Armando Allen with 75, Hughes with 50, Alridge with 50, a balanced attack.
Prediction #4 - The Irish will have 175 yards passing
Prediction #5 - Clausen will throw two interceptions, one tipped and one bad pass
This will be a good football game, perhaps one of the best of the year. Both teams will have a balanced offense, and this game will be high scoring. I would expect this game to be near the 30s for each team. The best player on the field (Ringer) and the home crowd give the Spartans the final score and a close, hard fought victory. Irish cover, but lose:
Michigan St. Spartans - 31 Notre Dame Fightin' Irish - 28
I hope I'm wrong
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