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Michigan v. Notre Dame Football Lines & Picks

No. 18 Notre Dame takes on Michigan this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EST at the Big House in a nationally televised affair (ABC). Both teams entered the 2009 season following very disappointing campaigns, but both teams impressed in Week 1. Notre Dame head man Charlie Weis is sitting squarely on the hot seat, but things got a little bit cooler after a 35-0 rout of Nevada in Week 1. But a loss to a Michigan team in rebuilding mode this week and that seat will be hotter than ever. Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez has felt his share of the hot seat as well following an unheard of 3-9 season in Ann Arbor. His name is now the one associated with the the program’s string of 40 straight winning seasons and 33 consecutive bowl appearances coming to an end. All the hard work paid off in Week 1 though, when the Wolverines crushed Western Michigan 31-7. Michigan leads the all-time series 20-15-1 and has won four of the last five meetings at home, but the Irish did win 35-17 in 2008. Football odds makers have listed the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as a 3-point favorite with the total set at 48.

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It appeared Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen was poised for a big season and he got off to a strong start. Clausen completed 15 of 18 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns in the season opener. Sophomore wide receiver Michael Floyd starred with 189 yards and three touchdowns on just four catches, benefiting from extra attention being paid to the dangerous Golden Tate. The Irish got it going on the ground as well with 178 rushing yards on their way to 510 total yards of offense.

A strong offensive performance didn’t come as much of a surprise against a suspect Nevada defense, but shutting out Nevada’s pistol offense did. The Irish held the Wolf Pack to just over 300 yards of offense and only 154 yards through the air. If you like the Fighting Irish to dominate again this week, bet Notre Dame at -3 at Sportsbook.com.

Michigan showed us a glimpse of what Rich Rod’s spread offense can do in its Week 1 win as it racked up 242 rushing yards. Freshman quarterback Denard Robinson impressed me the most. He rushed for 74 yards and one score on 11 touches. Fellow freshman QB Tate Forcier played well also, completing 13 of 20 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Sophomore wide receiver Junior Hemingway figures to be a marked man all season long. He caught five passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns last week.

Defensively, Michigan allowed only 301 yards of offense and just one score. The Wolverine defense was particularly stiff against the run, allowing only 1.6 yards per carry and just 38 for the game. All in all, the Wolverine defense wasn’t really tested, but they will be this week. The secondary will especially have to be up to the challenge against one of the best quarterbacks it will see all season. If you think the Wolverines have what it takes to pull off the small upset, bet Michigan at +3 at Sportsbook.com.

*Note: Jimmy Boyd has five college football picks ready to bury the books Saturday, featuring his 5* NCAAF Blowout of the Month, his 16-0 ATS NCAAF Underdog of the Week, and his Week 2 NCAAF Public Massacre.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

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• 2009 Notre Dame Football Predictions
• Nevada at Notre Dame Football Odds & Predictions
• 2008 Hawaii Bowl Predictions – Hawaii v. Notre Dame Football Odds & Picks

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