From: brown@cbnewsh.cb.att.com (john.carl.brown)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college
Subject: Meechigan vs. Notre Dame
Keywords: Just the facts, ma'am
Date: 11 Sep 92 16:43:02 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T


  I've seen a lot of predictions of the final score of tomorrow's GAME,
but not a lot of predictions on how the game will be played.  What
follows is just some random thoughts (not facts) on the eve of what
usually is a fun, well-played game between two good programs.

  Michigan Offense vs. Notre Dame Defense:
    Holtz is saying he is playing against "ghosts" and has already
shown his hand in the Northwestern game.  I don't think so.   
ND should expect what they saw last year, and this will be the debut
of both teams' new "attacking" defense.  Expect a balanced attack
by the Wolverines, leaning towards the run, with Powers doing 
most of the running.  One change might be the direction of the run,
with Elliot and Skrepenak gone from the left the strength now appears
to be on the right with returning starters Cocozzo and Doherty.
The main man on the line for Michigan's runs is center Everitt, who
as Bill as pointed out here, seems to be the key to Michigan's success
in running. Everitt is healthy and ready, and just has to avoid
ND's Bercich who broke his jaw last year.  Fullback Legette and new
TE McGee will probably be blockers for the most part for Powers/
Wheatley/Johnson.  Wheatley may see limited action due to a nagging
stomach muscle, but I expect Powers to gain over 100 yards against
the ND line with both Wheatley and Johnson gaining a few as well.
   A new group of receivers will test the ND secondary.  Alexander
is said to be ready after praticing with a brace and should start
with Smith as his backup.  Hopefully, Alexander was practicing holding
on to the ball while he recovered last season.  Turnovers are often
the turning point in these games and Alexander and Johnson are
candidates for coughing one up.  Smith moves into the Yale Van Dyne
spot as the most underappreciated member of the team.  I'd love to
see him tear up the sidelines for a TD but expect to see him on short
yardage plays.  On the other side I believe sophomore Malveaux will
start, giving a potent speed threat opposite Alexander.  The much
maligned ND defense will have their hands full trying to effectively
stop both the run and pass.  They are lucky the Wolverines lack an
effective option threat.  The highly touted freshman receivers
Toomer and Hayes will probably not see action in the offense, Hayes
due to a slight injury.      
   If the attacking style of defense can harass Grbac, ND has a 
shot at limiting the offensive fireworks.  My guess is the improvement
will show but not enough to hold Michigan under 28 points.

  Notre Dame Offense vs. Michigan Defense
    They may as well give Mirer the Heisman now.  Regardless of how
the ND defense performs, Bettis, Dawson, and Smith will give Mirer
enough weapons to show his stuff.  Gotta love a scramblin', throwin',
optionin' quarterback who plays for God's team (tongue-in-cheek about
the God's team thing only -- an aside: I think most of this "God's"
team stuff comes not from Notre Dame itself, Notre Dame alumni, or
other schools -- it comes from the huge embedded base of Catholic
fans who base their allegience on the religious affiliation alone).
Anyway, I played this out on the Super Nintendo Super Play Action 
Football game last night so I know its true -- Notre Dames primary
success in moving the football will come with the option and on
passes to Smith.  The long pass and running up the middle will be
denied.  Michigan's Hutchinson will be the star up front, and
while Bettis will not be held to the 28 yards he had last year,
I don't expect much more than double that.  Safety Brown should
be the main man in the secondary, with Peoples filling in for
the injured Maloney.  I'd expect ND to put Dawson against Peoples
and look to Dawson to get by him, once.  Smith should be the
main threat, if Holtz will let him be. (Actually, Michigan still
uses play books that say a forward pass to a tight end is illegal).
Mirer's running will pick up a least one first down in a clutch
situation.  As with the flip-side, a big key is how well Michigan's
defense is able to get into the ND backfield with their new "attacking"
style.  My guess is they will be more effective than ND's defense
for two reasons:  the higher quality of play they exhibited last
season and the DL coach.  I'm putting faith in Mattison, late of A&M's
wrecking crew. 

  Special Teams
    The nod on place kicking and punting go to ND.  Michigan will go
with an unknown on place kicking -- Elezovic, with only an injury
keeping the true freshman Hamilton from starting.  On the returns,
ND's Miller has potential, should be exciting, but no Rocket-style
returns this year.  Who knows who will return for Michigan, either
Alexander, Smith, or possibly the freshman Toomer.  Again, no big
returns.  On punting, edge to ND for distance, edge to Michigan
for coverage.  I don't anticipate trading punts in this game.
Some memorable field goals have come from this game, but I don't
see it close enought in this one.

  Final Score:  Well, the team that scores the most points has the
highest chance of winning.  I think turnovers will be the key.
The other team is awfully good, so this one was to play to its
fullest potential in every position on every down with everyone
doing his part because this is a TEAM, TEAM, TEAM and there is
no game that will be played this season that is BIGGER THAN THIS ONE.
Ah, what fun.  UM 31 ND 20.

John Carl Brown
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college