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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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ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass against the LSU Tigers during the Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. Notre Dame won 21-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass against the LSU Tigers during the Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. Notre Dame won 21-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Keys for Notre Dame

The defensive line will be a key for Notre Dame in the game. A lot of attention is going to Shea Patterson the Michigan quarterback but Notre Dame cannot forget about the ground attack of the Wolverines. Karan Higdon and Chris Evans can do plenty of damage all on their own. It will be up to defensive tackle Jerry Tillery to force the running backs to the outside and close lanes on the inside. The offensive line for Michigan is shaky so if the Irish defensive line can win the battle in the trenches the defense can force Patterson to throw the ball to win.

The Irish lost two starters on their offensive line in the first round of the NFL draft. Those are huge holes to fill for the Irish that rely so heavily on their running game to be effective. There is a lot of high-end talent on the defensive side of the ball for the Wolverines. If the Irish can do its best to neutralize the defensive line and establish running lanes they can put points on the board and win the game.

Brandon Wimbush is the final key to the game for the Fighting Irish. His level of success will decide the game. He must be more effective in the air, especially this week. Wimbush does not need to throw for 500 yards to win the game but he must keep the Michigan defense honest. If he is struggling to throw the ball and Michigan can key on the run it will be too much firepower to overcome. If Wimbush can come out and complete some big passes early on and make the Wolverines respect the passing game, it will help to open running room.

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