Roger Staubach was quarterbacking Navy, John F. Kennedy was the President of the United States and I was starting fourth grade the last time Notre Dame and Michigan met on the football field as unranked teams. While it was unlikely to happen this year, especially with Michigan starting out in the pre-season top-five, both teams find themselves 0-2 and gasping for a win. After today’s game either Michigan or Notre Dame will be 0-3 while the other finds relief in victory. Oddsmakers at online sportsbook Sportsbetting.com favor Michigan by a -9 point chalk with a 44 total . Michigan and Notre Dame kickoff from Michigan Stadium at 3:30 p.m. and will be televised by ABC.
It was expected Notre Dame would experience a year of transition after losing top players such as All-American quarterback Brady Quinn to graduation but Michigan’s story is different. The Wolverines were returning star players throughout the lineup including Heisman Trophy candidates quarterback Chad Henne, running back Mike Hart and consensus All-American offensive tackle Jake Long. . Henne, now sidelined because of injury and Hart, whom has his normal numbers, have all but disappeared from any Heisman talk. All they want is a win while the fans chant, “ Fire Lloyd Carr.”
"I think Michigan bounces back and finds a way to win on Saturday," said College Football Picks expert Reno Goldberg. "It's hard to believe but Notre Dame is the least talented team they will have faced this year. Those guys have a ways to go with that young talent."
Notre Dame will be starting true-freshman quarterback Jimmy Clausen while Michigan freshman Ryan Mallett will be under center for Michigan. Clausen started his first game in Michigan’s loss to Oregon last week while Mallett became the unexpected starter upon Henne’s injury. Mallett played the entire second half vs. Oregon, completing six-of-17 passes for 49 yards, with one interception against the Ducks. He tossed a 21-yard career long pass to Adrian Arrington.
Clausen became the starter late in the Irish game with Georgia Tech when the other two Notre Dame quarterbacks, Demetrius Jones and Evan Sharpley struggled. Clausen remained the starter for Penn State last week and will start today. Coach Charley Weis thinks the Irish have the best chance to win with the heralded California product in the game. Online sports betting giant Bodog.com has installed the Irish as a +8 point road underdog for their game in Michigan Stadium.
Point-Spreads.com award winning handicapper Reno Goldberg is red-hot with his college football picks through week-two going 10-4-0 (7-3 ATS, 3-1 totals) for a sizzling 71% winning average. Reno guarantees at least 7-picks per week in his weekly picks package that can be found right here. Don’t miss out; week three begins Thursday.
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