Notre Dame Football: Q & A with a Michigan expert
By J.P. Scott
We bounced a couple of questions off Chris Peterson of GBM Wolverine ahead of tonight’s Notre Dame football game against Michigan.
Notre Dame football will take on the Michigan Wolverines tonight in Ann Arbor. I had a chance to bounce some questions off Chris Peterson of GBM Wolverine ahead of tonight’s matchup.
Take a look:
Slap the Sign: Is it safe to say, despite not playing every year, that Notre Dame is Michigan’s No. 3 rival behind Ohio State and Sparty?
Chris Peterson: Yes, I think so. You don’t really see the same hatred towards Notre Dame as you do with Michigan State and Ohio State. Of course, if the teams played more, that might change. It’s still an important rivalry and one of the best in college football. Penn State and Wisconsin are always important games, but not necessarily what I would consider a rivalry. To me, the fact that Michigan and Notre Dame have tended to be good over the years had added to the series and if the Wolverines could upset the Irish, it would be a huge deal.
STS: How big would a win over Notre Dame be for Harbaugh’s reputation, especially given his track record against Michigan’s rivals?
CP: I hinted at the end of the last question, but this would be huge for Harbaugh. I honestly feel it’s a must-win of sorts. The pressure is really starting to mount. It was always there, but it has increased and with many thinking Michigan was the favorite in the Big Ten, the fact that they are basically out of the conference race isn’t playing well.
The only way this season is saved, in my opinion, is if UM wins out, which would include wins over ND, Ohio State and Michigan State — all of which are at home. Before the Wolverines beat Ohio State though, they have to prove to themselves they can beat an elite team and the Irish certainly qualify. A win Saturday would be the biggest of Harbaugh’s tenure at Michigan. A loss would be — well — it wouldn’t be good.
STS: Who is one Michigan player who may be flying under the radar who could break out and possibly be the difference for the Wolverines against the Irish?
CP: I would say freshman running back Zach Charbonnet. He’s not really that under the radar, but I also don’t think people have realized how good this kid can be. He scored two touchdowns last week against Penn State and averaged more than five a carry against a stout defense. He’s the best runner Harbaugh has brought to Michigan, and honestly, I don’t see Michigan winning this game unless he has a productive day. He doesn’t necessarily need a 100-yard day or anything, but the running game has to be respectable, unlike when the two teams met in September of 2018.
STS: Which Notre Dame player or position group scares you the most in terms of the potential problems they could give Michigan?
CP: It’s quarterback Ian Book. I know the defense is solid and the running game looks to be improved, however, the guy that’s the key to beating Michigan is Book.
He’s played well all season, and while the Wolverines run defense has been outstanding, the pass defense is susceptible to big plays in part because of the aggressive way Don Brown, the DC, calls the game. Notre Dame won in 2018 by hitting on some deep balls early and long pass plays are my biggest fear again. They hurt UM last week against Penn State, and if Notre Dame can create some explosive plays that way, it will be trouble.
STS: Give us your final score prediction and tell us how you got there.
CP: This is a really hard game to predict. Michigan hasn’t really beaten a team as good as Notre Dame under Jim Harbaugh, so it’s hard to believe it will actually happen. The one positive is that Michigan plays much better at home and that could potentially cure the slow starts that doomed UM against Wisconsin and Penn State.
dark. Next. Notre Dame-Michigan Game Day Primer
Talent-wise, I think these teams are close and I am going to say that Harbaugh gets his big win, although the confidence level is sort of low. The first quarter will be telling. But Michigan should have a greater sense of urgency.