Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Michigan Wolverines Predictions and Betting Preview – September 6, 2014

For fans of Michigan and Notre Dame (and college football as a whole), this week’s Michigan vs. Notre Dame game is one that cannot be missed.

Aside from being one of the most anticipated rivalry games of the season, this year’s edition has some added significance because it’ll be the last meeting in this storied rivalry for the foreseeable future. As such, expect both teams to be that little bit more motivated to get one last win before their rivalry goes on hiatus.

For more titanic Week 2 matchups, check out our preview of Stanford vs. USC as well as our picks for the best college football games of Week 2, and read on for the final (for now) installment of this epic college football rivalry.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Michigan Wolverines Prediction and Betting Preview

Where: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame

When: Saturday, September 6, 7:30 PM ET

Line: Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Fighting Irish – view all NCAA Football lines

Betting on the Michigan Wolverines

Michigan cone into this year’s big game against Notre Dame the same way they began last year: coming off a huge Week 1 win. The Wolverines demolished Central Michigan by 50 before bringing down the Irish 41-30 at home last year. That win pushed Michigan to 6-2 SU/ATS in its last eight meetings against Notre Dame.

[sc:NCAA240banner ]This year, they’ll be full of confidence after crushing Appalachian State, 52-14. It was a very promising debut for new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier as his Wolverine offense produced 560 total yards, 350 of which coming from the ground.

Led by an offensive line full of experience despite losing their two starting offensive tackles from a year ago, sophomore running backs Derrick Green and De’Veon Smith combined for 285 of those 350 yards on a mere 23 carries.

Quarterback Devin Gardner also got off to a very efficient start, going 13-for-14 for 173 yards and three touchdowns. All three went to junior Devin Funchess, who had seven catches for 95 yards. Gardner is more than capable of carrying the team on his back and leading them to victory, as he showed in his 376-yard, five-touchdown (four passing and one rushing) performance against the Irish last season.

With Notre Dame’s defensive line in transition after the loss of key linemen and a secondary that could be without its best player (more on that later), this new-look Wolverines offense has a very good chance to hurt the Irish both on the ground and in the air.

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Betting on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Despite having five players, which include top receiver DaVaris Daniels and top corner KeiVarae Russell, suspended due to an ongoing investigation involving academic irregularity, No. 17 Notre Dame had no trouble disposing of Rice, 48-17, in its first assignment of the year.

Quarterback Everett Golson made a tremendous statement upon returning from his own yearlong academic suspension. Golson threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns and added 41 more yards on the ground for three rushing touchdowns. Golson also had a lot of help from the Irish’s running back quartet of Greg Bryant, Tarean Folston Malik Zaire and Cam McDaniel, who logged 240 of the team’s 281 rushing yards.

It’s still unknown whether those five suspended players will finally be able to play against Michigan. If they don’t, Golson and that offense will need to produce more of the same, in part because their defense may give away a few points of their own. Notre Dame already lost five starters in its front seven in the offseason and could face the prospect of losing Russell in the secondary.

But even with some key players missing, Notre Dame is still a tough out, especially on home turf. The Irish are 17-3 in their last 20 home games. However, they’re just 8-11-1 ATS.

Writer’s Prediction

With or without those suspended players, Notre Dame will be a handful at home. Golson has the ability to turn any game on its head, while the Irish defense does enough to hold off the Wolverines. Take Notre Dame to win at home.
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