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Notre Dame Football vs. Michigan Gameday Primer

By Mason Plummer

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Jafar Armstrong #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish carries the ball against Brandon Watson #28 and Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Jafar Armstrong #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish carries the ball against Brandon Watson #28 and Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 01: Jafar Armstrong #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish carries the ball in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Key Offensive Player for Michigan: Shea Patterson, QB

You knew it was going to be Shea. Who else could it be?

Patterson has been one of the more polarizing QBs in recent Michigan history and fans opinions on him are very split. Patterson was hailed to be the savior of the Michigan offense after transferring from Ole Miss in 2017, but has been far from that. Many fans have even called for backup QB Dylan McCaffrey to start after Patterson’s rough play this season.

All in all, Patterson can be a very good QB when he has time to get the ball to his receivers and he is accurate. However, he has not been able to do either of those things this season. To be honest, I would be much more worried about tonight’s matchup if Harbaugh announced that McCaffrey was the starter. Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis’ offense and Shea Patterson just do not mix, while it did look much better with McCaffrey at the helm.

Regardless of all of this, Patterson is the starter and will start tonight against Notre Dame. If the Irish can get in his face and cause him to be rushed as it did in last years matchup, Notre Dame could win this game handily. If Patterson has time to deliver the ball and can be accurate in the cold and rain, he could keep the Wolverines in this game.

Key Offensive Player for Notre Dame: Jafar Armstrong, RB

Armstrong was one of the most hyped Notre Dame running backs in recent history coming into this season and has hardly seen the field due to injury. The WR turned RB burst onto the scene last season in a backup role to Dexter Williams and proved himself at the RB position with 72 carries for 383 yards and seven TDs on the ground, along with 14 receptions for 159 yards through the air.

The junior RB’s versatility can take the Notre Dame offense to the next level. One has to wonder how much of an impact a fully-healthy Jafar Armstrong may have had against Georgia, Notre Dame’s only loss currently. The Irish went into that game with two healthy RBs, and you have to imagine an electric player like Armstrong could have broken free and made a few key plays to help Notre Dame win that game.

Tonight, we should get to see the No.1 Notre Dame back in full action and that should be music to the ears of each and every Notre Dame fan.

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