WHAT THE WOVERINES NEED TO DO TO BEAT THE IRISH

Its amazing the difference a year makes, isn't it? Last year the Wolves were a solid favorite over the Irish, this year, with largely the same personnel, you have football experts, like Mel Kiper, saying the Wolves aren't in Notre Dame's class.

Count me in as one who said the Irish as overrated, and I still say that. Now, does that mean I think they are not good? No, I take "overrated" literally. Are they a top 5 team in terms of talent. Not even close. There is not a single guy who scares you physically on this team, and I'm including Quinn. (understand what I mean by that...Tom Brady didn't scare people, either at UM...now he does) Notre Dame has next level offensive coaching, good play calling, and a defense that is much more athletic than last year. Here are the keys, as I see it, to UM winning on Saturday:

1) They must match the intensity of the Irish, if I'm not mistaken, this will be the first ND-UM game since '94 where the Irish will be favored (and that is the last time UM won in South Bend). For once, the Wolverines have to come out as if they are the ones with a bone to pick, so to speak, and get physical with Notre Dame

2) Avoid the early mistake. If you look at Penn State today, you realize that this is a young, fragile team with a lot of talent who is going to be really good later in the year and exspecially next year. You also realize that this game today would have been a lot more competitive if the Nittany Lions don't drop two sure interceptions, fumble, drop passes, and make horrible decisions on pitches. Notre Dame will give UM the chance to make big plays, the Wolves have to take it.

3) Expose the Irish secondary. Yes, the Irish have faced a great receiver in Calvin Johnson, and some good receivers today. But, this will be the first time they have faced some good receivers who also have a good QB and, hopefully, willnot be afraid to throw the ball downfield. Last year, I was beside myself watching the Wolves dink and dunk and do everything except force the ball downfiled to Breaston and Avant. Throw the ball downfield and make the Irish prove they can cover Manningham Breaston, and Arrington consistently. Hint: Trust me, they can't.

4) Stick with the running game. Look, Penn State was moving the ball fine until the game got away from them. UM, which clearly panicked last year whenever Hart was not in the game, needs to not worry about the occassions where they might be in 2nd and long...you've got a veteran offensive line, use it. The Irish haven't seen a line like this yet.

5) Bring it on defense. Georgia Tech showed the way to disrupt the short passing game, and its no big secret. The D-line needs to play big and English needs to bring people intermittently. The Wolves can't sit back in the soft "Hermann" zone and wait for them to make a mistake. You have a very athletic defense, and Ga. Tech showed that that will disrupt the Irish. The Wolves have more depth than Ga. Tech.

6) Henne needs to show up. Look, this kid is going to leave UM with all the records. He has only thrown about 9 less TD passes in his third season as glamour boy Quinn has in his fourth. But, you know what? He hasn't beaten ND or Ohio St. nor played particularly well in big games, the '05 Rose Bowl and the 4th quarter against Penn St. excepted. Good decisions. Strong throws. Can't be fumbling snaps, especially on the goal line like last year

7) Carr has to play this one to win, not to "not lose". Carr's vaunted record against top 10 teams, which isn't as good as it was a few years ago, includes a lot of wins where UM was not the favorite...he needs to approach this one like that, and play to win.