Notre Dame Football: Key Offensive Matchups vs. Michigan

Irish Running Backs vs Devin Bush (LB)

The inexperience in the backfield for the Irish is well known, even with the off-chance Dexter Williams sees the field. The ability for Tony Jones Jr. and Jafar Armstrong to make Michigan defenders miss and extend plays is going to be huge for Notre Dame. For most of the night, Jones Jr. and Armstrong will be matched up with and trying to avoid junior linebacker Devin Bush.

Bush finished 2017 with 95 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and seven pass breakups. He is the man in the middle for Michigan who has a knack for finding the ball carrier. His smaller frame allows him to cover running backs well and avoid lineman — which will lead to plenty of 1-on-1 opportunities with the Irish backs.

If Notre Dame can create separation with Bush in the passing game and not allow him to cover the field sideline-to-sideline, it could be huge for the offense all night. Screens, swing routes out of the backfield, misdirection plays, and counters could all be great tools in the playbook to keep Bush from having a huge impact all night.