Michigan-Notre Dame Preview

Michigan and Notre Dame fans don’t agree on much, but there’s one thing that everyone can agree on going into Saturday’s game in South Bend.

Michigan has speed.

On Tuesday’s conference call, Legends Poll member Terry Donahue told his colleagues to watch out for the Wolverines.

“I think Michigan has found the answer to some of its woes,” Donahue said. “All of us on the call remember Michigan as one of the great programs in the country historically, year in and year out. Obviously they fell from that over the last couple of years.

“But the one thing that Michigan did Saturday is they had real, real speed at quarterback in Robinson. This guy is probably 4.4 (in the 40 yard-dash) running the ball.”

Sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson put on a spread offense clinic in Michigan’s opener against Connecticut in Ann Arbor. He rushed for a school-record 197 yards and a touchdown, adding another score and 186 yards through the air.

“He created a dimension on the football field that is going to be a real factor for Michigan,” said Donahue. “I look for Michigan to be a much better football team and be very different in terms of their offensive production.”

While Notre Dame didn’t set any school records in their opener with Purdue, the Irish gave a solid performance for new head coach Brian Kelly.

“I think Notre Dame looked a little different in their opening ballgame,” Donahue said. “I thought that they were very impressive in terms of the progress that their football team has made. They seemed to be quicker to me. They seemed to be flying around on defense. I sensed kind of a new breed of enthusiasm, which happens when new coaches come in sometimes.”

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