Michigan vs. Notre Dame Postgame

After the crazy finish in the Big House to the Michigan and Notre Dame game in 2009 (Tate Forcier’s last second TD pass to Greg Matthews), it was tough to think that the 2010 version could provide the same heart-stopping finish.  However, after the game we just witnessed yesterday, I’d be lying if I wasn’t already looking forward to seeing these two teams play the first ever night game at the Big House in 2011.

Denard Robinson just put together arguably the best single game performance ever seen by a player in a Michigan uniform.  I thought last weeks Denard was great, but today he decided to put this team on his back to the tune of 502 total yards (258 yards on the ground, 244 yards through the air) and three touchdowns.  Later this week I’m going to detail Denard’s single game performance against marquee performances of other prominent dual threat quarterbacks from the last decade.  His speed is undoubtedly a complete game changer and I’d be stunned if there was anyone in the Big Ten who is faster.  Michigan was trying to conservatively run out the clock deep in their own territory before half and all of a sudden Denard just busts loose, thanks to some great downfield blocks, and goes 87 yards to the house to totally change the complexion of the game before halftime (S-E-C speed what?).

However, in all honesty, faced with his team down 24-21 and less than four minutes to go I was still worried whether Robinson could make all the throws needed to lead the team down the field for a touchdown scoring drive.  Denard hung tough in the pocket and ran hard through the entire 12-play 72 yard drive and showed poise not normally seen from a guy making his second start in a hostile environment.  The most impressive throw on the drive was the clutch 3rd and 5 throw to Roy Roundtree that all but sealed the game.  Denard was so patient in the pocket and recognized the man-to-man coverage with Roundtree against a safety and fired a bullet across the middle to set himself up for the game winning touchdown run.

Behind Dayne Crist, the Notre Dame offense looked like it’s going to make a lot of defenses look very very bad this year.  Notre Dame has so many talented weapons and Crist absolutely showed me that he has the potential to be a big time quarterback for Notre Dame.  He displayed great arm strength and even some decent athletic ability to move around in the pocket and avoid the rush.  Kyle Rudolph, unfortunately, was the nightmare matchup problem that I was afraid he would be in this game.  Michigan’s secondary had no answer for his size and speed.  Armando Allen also proved that he has the explosiveness to be a game changer at the running back position over the course of the year for the Irish.

For the second straight week, despite giving up over 500 yards, I’m actually pleased with the performance of the defense.  Three take-aways, even with two against backup quarterbacks, is nothing to sneer at.  The defense, outside of the very first drive, and the miscue by Cam Gordon on Rudolph’s 96 yard touchdown reception, played extremely disciplined assignment football.

The much maligned-secondary, minus Gordon’s mental check-out on the Rudolph touchdown and giving up the big play before halftime, did a decent job of holding the Notre Dame passing game in check.  One big issue I do have with Greg Robinson from yesterday’s game was his continued penchant to only send three guys on the rush.  When Michigan did actually load up and bring 5+ guys, they routinely got pressure on Crist and he turned into the inexperienced first-year starter that he is.  With only three rushing, Crist had too much time to keep his eyes down field and wait for a coverage breakdown. 

The Michigan defense had a few breakdowns against the run game but overall they kept a team with multiple good running backs from hurting them too badly on the ground.  Jordan Kovacs bounced back after a rough opening drive to put together an impressive ten tackles to go along with an interception.  Jonas Mouton and Obi Ezeh routinely stepped up into running lanes, like good linebackers should, and snuffed out runs in the backfield.

The Notre Dame defense, despite giving up a huge game to Denard, is much better than it appears.  This is a veteran defense and Mantei Te’o is the real deal.  Te’o was everywhere on the field yesterday and to me looked like he is a shoe-in to play on Sundays with the size, speed, and hitting ability he brings to the table.  He was typically the one man that prevented Denard from breaking runs for even longer gains against the Notre Dame defense.

Despite committing too many penalties, and awful special teams rearing their ugly head again, this was a huge win for Michigan.  This is only Rodriguez’s second road win as the head coach at Michigan and to get one this early in the season against a rival is absolutely a confidence builder for a young team that has the talent to have a successful season.  This Notre Dame team that Michigan beat is going to be an 8-9 win team by the time the season is over and I would not be surprised to see them take care of Michigan State with ease next week.  Brian Kelly is undoubtedly building something formidable in South Bend, but it appears Rich Rod finally has the offense, or should I say quarterback, he needs to succeed.

Anyone who thinks this start is the same business as last years and that we shouldn’t be too excited has not seen the development I’ve seen from our team.  This team is much better than last years version in virtually all phases of the game.  Michigan has beaten a very good UCONN team and just won on the road with a last minute comeback drive at a stadium where they’ve routinely flopped even with some of their best teams.  With three winnable games ahead, I would be shocked if Michigan isn’t 5-0 and ready to unleash Denard on Little Brother October 9th..

Three Up:

1.    Denard – If the season ended today, he would be the Heisman trophy winner.  Through two games he has accounted for more yards (889) then the entire Michigan State offense (880).

2.    Jonas Mouton – The drop he made on his interception, after initially biting on the run action, was the type of play we’ve never seen out of Mouton.  He routinely was in the right spot in the running game and is turning into a very complete linebacker.

3.    Jordan Kovacs – Definitely not the most physically talented guy on the field, but just continues to get the job done.

Three Down:

1.    Cam Gordon – Played well at times, but the mental errors he made were very costly to the defense.

2.    Brendan Gibbons – Does anyone really think we would have tried to kick if Denard hadn’t completed the throw to Roundtree on 3rd and 5 because I sure don’t.

3.    Running Backs – The running backs had 30 yards on 13 carries.  One of these guys will need to step up before Big Ten play to take some pressure off of Denard.