Top OOC Games of 2007: #8 Notre Dame at Michigan

#8 Notre Dame at Michigan The game between the Fighting Irish, on September 15, is smack dab in the middle of contests between Oregon and Penn State for the Wolverines. On the plus side, all three games will be played in the Big House. The Irish will travel to Ann Arbor a week after playing Penn State in Happy Valley. Last season in South Bend, the Wolverines embarrassed the Irish 47-21. And looking at the directions these two teams are heading, it could be expect that the Irish could get beat that bad again this season. Notre Dame must replace Brady Quinn, Jeff Samardzija, Darius Walker, and Rhema McKnight. That could be all well and good if the Irish had a solid defense to fall back on, but they don't. This is going to be a tough year for Irish fans, as they break in a new QB, RB, and receivers. Defensively their top returning starter is safety Tom Zbikowski, and he really cannot play any worse than he did last year. The Wolverines return all of their skilled players on offense, but they lost a lot in their front seven to the NFL. Henne, Hart, and Manningham should have a field day again with the Irish's porous secondary. Michigan has hopes of a National Title while Notre Dame still has its pride. Don't think they will not remember what happened to them last season on their home field. The Irish may have the potential talent to stay with the Wolverines, but they do not have the leadership and polished skill that the Wolverines possess. This game will not be a blowout as it could seem, but Michigan should win comfortably.