Notre Dame Football: Three bold predictions vs. Michigan
By Chase Eyrich
Book will be pressured
As noted before, this matchup should heavily favor the defense for both teams. Looking at Michigan, their entire scheme for this game will be dictated on how much pressure they can put on the pocket.
What Michigan’s defense does best is exactly what Notre Dame has struggled with at times this season. Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown has received a ton of criticism so far this season, but when his defense is at their best, they have the ability to quickly collapse the pocket. .
Eventually, the edges will either get tired or a gap will be created.
Either way, Brown will try to find different ways to force Book into making quick decisions, which has been something he’s struggled with this season.
If they can’t quite get to Book, their main objective will be to make Book get the ball out of his hands quickly and eliminate Notre Dame’s overall time of possession.
The second thing that Michigan will want to eliminate from Notre Dame’s arsenal will be any success with their running attack.
Tony Jones Jr. has carried the majority of the load so far this season for the Irish, while stepping up for the other injured running backs. The senior has accumulated 557 yards on the ground this season with four 100+ rushing yard games. While Michigan is expecting their pressure to dismiss his ability to make an impact, there’s still a wildcard for Notre Dame.
The Irish — just like every other team in the nation — have no idea what Jafar Armstrong will be able to bring. The back was injured in the first game of the season and made his return last weekend with one carry vs. USC.
Armstrong will at least be suited up, but playing time is still up in the air. If he is 100 percent, then the Irish have back their best weapon at running back. At that point, Michigan’s defense will have to find ways to apply pressure so that Armstrong has no ability to create any kind of rhythm.