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Notre Dame Football: Best and Worst Case Scenarios for 2018

By Sonny Martinez

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: Brian Kelly the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gives instructions to his team during the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl against the LSU Tigers at LP Field on December 30, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: Brian Kelly the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gives instructions to his team during the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl against the LSU Tigers at LP Field on December 30, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 16: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines***Brad Robbins #3 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up prior to the start of the game against the Air Force Falcons at Michigan Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 16: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines***Brad Robbins #3 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up prior to the start of the game against the Air Force Falcons at Michigan Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Michigan

Best: First, and possibly the most important for the entire season, is the offensive line. There’s still some experience there, most notably Alex Bars and Sam Mustipher. The Irish will need great line play against the absolutely loaded defensive front of Michigan.

Although McGlinchey and Nelson seem irreplaceable, the best case would be the line has a couple hiccups, but is on track and limits pressure on Wimbush, allowing just enough time to get the ball to his dependable receivers.

Worst: My biggest fear for this game came true a couple weeks ago, as Shea Patterson was cleared for immediate eligibility by the NCAA. Patterson throws for over 250 yards, while RBs Chris Evans and Karan Higdon hammer the ball from in the red zone. The Michigan defensive line takes over, picking on the inexperienced offensive line and hitting Wimbush so often that Brian Kelly considers pressing assault charges. Notre Dame fails to gain much momentum, and Michigan wins a close, low-scoring battle.

This is as good a time as ever to remind you that as of game time, it will have been 1,820 days since Michigan last scored a touchdown against Notre Dame.

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