Hello to everyone that reads this blog. I am not sure who actually reads this blog but I assume the majority are longtime friends and family of Brendan Meyer. Just to introduce myself, my name is Mike Roarty and I am a Michigan fan and graduate. He asked me if I would like to write something from the opposing side for this week's showdown between Michigan and Notre Dame. I understand if you close your browsers after reading that last sentence.
Quick story before we get going, I first learned of how obsessed Brendo is with ND in 2009. We went up to Ann Arbor for the Michigan/ND game and Michigan won on Tate's (or Chode as Brendo likes to call him) last second throw. After the game Brendo was beyond livid. I feared that he was going to tear the bar to pieces. Luckily he left without doing anything but that was my first experience with how much he loves Notre Dame. I am sure all of you have similar stories of your own. I have nothing but respect for Brendo's passion and knowledge, which is why I was so excited when he started this blog. Enough with the pleasantries though, let us start the party...
Quick story before we get going, I first learned of how obsessed Brendo is with ND in 2009. We went up to Ann Arbor for the Michigan/ND game and Michigan won on Tate's (or Chode as Brendo likes to call him) last second throw. After the game Brendo was beyond livid. I feared that he was going to tear the bar to pieces. Luckily he left without doing anything but that was my first experience with how much he loves Notre Dame. I am sure all of you have similar stories of your own. I have nothing but respect for Brendo's passion and knowledge, which is why I was so excited when he started this blog. Enough with the pleasantries though, let us start the party...
ND Glory Special Guest Blogger: Mike Roarty
Three rivals
The Michigan/Notre Dame rivalry is deep in tradition as you all know. (If you don't know, read here.) I don't want to rehash any history (I am kidding, I will do that later). Instead, I want to give you and understanding of how Michigan fans look at the Notre Dame rivalry.
Just to be clear, the rivalry with Ohio State is the most important one that we have. Not to get all Hoke on you but it is the most important game on the schedule. It is the foundation not only our program but the Big Ten as well. (It looks like we are headed back that way with PSU going away and Wisconsin falling apart.) I don't bring this up to be negative; I just want to make everyone to understand. (I have a problem. I think about Ohio as much as I do Michigan. They drive me insane.) Since we aren't your biggest rival I assume this doesn't offend anyone.
Notre Dame and Michigan State are our other two other rivals and it there is a split amongst Michigan fans over which rival is second on their hate list. That split is pretty simple, Michigan fans from Michigan hate Sparty more and those from out of state hate Notre Dame more. For example, I am from Pittsburgh and I knew no one growing up who rooted or went to MSU and I knew plenty of Domers for the simple fact that ND is national brand.
It wasn't until I got to Michigan did I find out how heated the rivalry is in the state with MSU. Split households and longtime friends argued around me and I just sat there wondering what the hell they were arguing about.
I always have looked at Notre Dame as our second biggest rival not only because I knew ND fans but because ND broke my heart so many times growing up. '93, '98, '02, '04 and '05 losses all still sting. '04 was the first loss I experienced as a freshman at U of M and I still remember being furious in my dorm room with my buddies. The '05 game was the first time I saw Michigan lose in person for the first time in a decade. I am sure these are some of your favorite memories.
Just to be clear, the rivalry with Ohio State is the most important one that we have. Not to get all Hoke on you but it is the most important game on the schedule. It is the foundation not only our program but the Big Ten as well. (It looks like we are headed back that way with PSU going away and Wisconsin falling apart.) I don't bring this up to be negative; I just want to make everyone to understand. (I have a problem. I think about Ohio as much as I do Michigan. They drive me insane.) Since we aren't your biggest rival I assume this doesn't offend anyone.
Notre Dame and Michigan State are our other two other rivals and it there is a split amongst Michigan fans over which rival is second on their hate list. That split is pretty simple, Michigan fans from Michigan hate Sparty more and those from out of state hate Notre Dame more. For example, I am from Pittsburgh and I knew no one growing up who rooted or went to MSU and I knew plenty of Domers for the simple fact that ND is national brand.
It wasn't until I got to Michigan did I find out how heated the rivalry is in the state with MSU. Split households and longtime friends argued around me and I just sat there wondering what the hell they were arguing about.
I always have looked at Notre Dame as our second biggest rival not only because I knew ND fans but because ND broke my heart so many times growing up. '93, '98, '02, '04 and '05 losses all still sting. '04 was the first loss I experienced as a freshman at U of M and I still remember being furious in my dorm room with my buddies. The '05 game was the first time I saw Michigan lose in person for the first time in a decade. I am sure these are some of your favorite memories.
side note...
My favorite memory of the rivalry took place a year late in 2006 when Michigan beat ND 47-21. This was the first and only time I have been to South Bend for a game. It was fun to get revenge and your fans are really friendly. I think they could tell I was Catholic that is why they were being so nice. Anyway...
It will be interesting to see how ND's merger with the ACC will affect the rivalry. If we start to rotate each other off the schedule it might move MSU up to number two on every Wolverine fan's list. Who knows though, the rivalry has survived with many hiatuses before.
It will be interesting to see how ND's merger with the ACC will affect the rivalry. If we start to rotate each other off the schedule it might move MSU up to number two on every Wolverine fan's list. Who knows though, the rivalry has survived with many hiatuses before.
The actual game
John Kryk's book, Natural Enemies
EnAh yes, there is a game this week. I know all of you ND fans are excited after your big win over Sparty on Saturday night. This is a big week for each team as they each head into a bye next week. For Michigan a win means a four year win streak and a boost in confidence heading into a terrible Big Ten. A win for ND means an undefeated September for the first time in a decade and hopes for a double digit win season and a BCS berth. As usual, one fan base will feel a lot more comfortable and one will be tearing itself apart for two weeks on the message boards.
Advantage Irish: ND O Line vs Michigan Front Seven:
Michigan clearly misses D lineman Mike Marting and Ryan Van Bergen. So far their replacements have struggles versus Alabama and Air Force. (Don’t schedule Bama btw, not fun.) The ND O line is a veteran group and did a good job last week versus a stout MSU D. If ND controls the line of scrimmage and runs for 200+ yards you guys will be in good shape. Michigan must make Golson throw to win. We should find out pretty quickly in the game who has the edge here. (Work your magic Mattison.)
Advantage Wolverines: Denard vs ND Secondary (and Your Psyche):
ND’s front seven on defense is legit. Everyone saw this last week. Your secondary though is injured and lacks depth. Now, no one will confuse Denard with Tom Brady but the Michigan passing game is starting to show life with Gardner, Gallon and frosh TE Funchess. (The Funchize) The other factor is whether or not Denard is in your heads after the last two years. (This and this were nice. Real nice.) Will he continue to give you fits or will he get shut down like the first three quarters like last year? My main point is how comfortable will you feel if he has the ball in his hands with three minutes to go down by 3 points?
Advantage Irish: ND O Line vs Michigan Front Seven:
Michigan clearly misses D lineman Mike Marting and Ryan Van Bergen. So far their replacements have struggles versus Alabama and Air Force. (Don’t schedule Bama btw, not fun.) The ND O line is a veteran group and did a good job last week versus a stout MSU D. If ND controls the line of scrimmage and runs for 200+ yards you guys will be in good shape. Michigan must make Golson throw to win. We should find out pretty quickly in the game who has the edge here. (Work your magic Mattison.)
Advantage Wolverines: Denard vs ND Secondary (and Your Psyche):
ND’s front seven on defense is legit. Everyone saw this last week. Your secondary though is injured and lacks depth. Now, no one will confuse Denard with Tom Brady but the Michigan passing game is starting to show life with Gardner, Gallon and frosh TE Funchess. (The Funchize) The other factor is whether or not Denard is in your heads after the last two years. (This and this were nice. Real nice.) Will he continue to give you fits or will he get shut down like the first three quarters like last year? My main point is how comfortable will you feel if he has the ball in his hands with three minutes to go down by 3 points?
Outcome
The biggest advantage the Irish have is this game is in Rocke’s house. If Michigan gets down double digits like it did last year it won’t have the home crowd to lean on to help it get back in. This is also a bigger game for ND for the simple fact with so many more tough opponents left on the schedule your margin for error gets real slim if you drop this one and want to get to 10 wins. For Michigan this is a way to start fresh after the Bama debacle and right the ship for Big Ten season.
What do I expect to happen? If this series has taught me anything is to just buckle your seat belt and get ready from some craziness. I think ND has the lead in the 4th quarter and Denard breaks your heart one more time. Michigan 27-24. (What, did you think I was going to pick ND?) Have fun on Saturday everyone. Share you comments!
Go Blue,
MichRoar
What do I expect to happen? If this series has taught me anything is to just buckle your seat belt and get ready from some craziness. I think ND has the lead in the 4th quarter and Denard breaks your heart one more time. Michigan 27-24. (What, did you think I was going to pick ND?) Have fun on Saturday everyone. Share you comments!
Go Blue,
MichRoar
RSS Feed