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Michigan vs. Notre Dame: Preview, odds, predictions, TV schedule and more

By Derek Grochowski

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly yells in the rain during the Citrus Bowl against LSU at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on January 1, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly yells in the rain during the Citrus Bowl against LSU at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on January 1, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 25: Donovan Peoples-Jones (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 25: Donovan Peoples-Jones (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Keys for Michigan

Heading into the game Saturday the Michigan Wolverines will need to do a few things right in order to take home a win. The easiest place to start is on defense. Once again defensive coordinator Don Brown has his side of the ball looking like a powerhouse. There is supreme talent in all three levels. On the defensive line, Rashan Gary is a stud. The linebackers are led by Devin Bush who is one of the best in the country and the secondary is anchored by Lavert Hill one of the top corners in the Big Ten.

The talent is there but the Wolverines need to make it count on Saturday. Last season four of the Wolverines five losses came when they gave up more than 150 rushing yards. Shutting down the run will be key this week. Brandon Wimbush is not lethal throwing the ball but he is on the ground add in a talented running back like Dexter Williams coming out of the backfield and the Wolverines will have their hands full.

Moving to the other side of the ball Shea Patterson will be the key for Michigan’s offense for the entire season, not just this week. There is a lot of hype surrounding the Ole Miss transfer. Patterson will be without one of his key weapons. Tarik Black will miss an unknown length of time with a right leg injury. The passing attack was the downfall of the Wolverines offense last season it will need to be sharp in week one to beat the Irish.

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