Michigan @ No. 16 Notre Dame (-3.5) TV: NBC 7:30pm Saturday
Daniel: These two teams are taking an indefinite break in the rivalry after this season, so this will be the final chance for bragging rights for awhile. Both teams took care of business against overmatched opponents in the opener. Both quarterbacks looked good as well. Devin Gardner threw three touchdowns for Michigan and Everett Golson looked good in his first game since 2012, throwing for nearly 300 yards and two touchdowns in Notre Dame’s win over Rice.. Whichever QB plays better will give his team a great chance in what should be a close matchup. I’ll predict that it’s Golson who gets the job done. Winner: Notre Dame 34-28
Houston: Everett Golson is back at quarterback for Notre Dame and that spells trouble for Michigan this week in South Bend. Golson accounted for 336 yards of offense and five touchdowns in week one against Rice after being suspended for the 2013 season due to “poor academic judgement.” Notre Dame’s offense looked crisp, churning out 576 total yards, 6 touchdowns and zero turnovers in their route of Rice. Michigan ran for nearly 10 yards per carry against Appalachian State in a revenge game from their 2007 loss to the Mountaineers and looks to be riding into this weekend with some confidence. I think this game is tight for three quarters, but expect the home team to pull out some late game heroics – and maybe a little luck – to win this one. Winner: Notre Dame 31-27.
Reed: Michigan is 19-2 at home under head coach Brady Hoke but just 7-11 in games played away from Ann Arbor. With Everett Golson back at QB for the Irish, Michigan is in real trouble in this one. Notre Dame has the talent and coaching edge plus home field advantage. Look for them to win, cover and take back bragging rights as the series heads for a break. Winner: Notre Dame 31-24
Blake: These two teams don’t like each other at all and that makes for the best games to watch. Unfortunately this rivalry is set to take a hiatus for a few years after this season. Last season the Wolverines beat the Irish 41-30 in the Big House and Devin Gardner threw four touchdowns. Neither team was challenged in their opening game as Michigan beat Appalachian State 52-14 and Notre Dame beat Rice 48-17. Everett Golson is back for the Irish after his year away from the football team. Golson threw two touchdowns and ran for three scores last week and he’ll prove to be the difference. The Irish avenge last season’s loss and remove themselves from the rivalry on top. Winner: Notre Dame 27-24
