7 things we learned from Notre Dame’s win over Michigan
Notre Dame’s
Notre Dame’s defence dominated Michigan on Saturday night.
And Michigan’s defence largely did the same in return.
So how did Notre Dame’s offence end up scoring three touchdowns to one from Michigan’s? And does the 24-17 Notre Dame victory accurately reflect the margin between these teams?
1. Notre Dame contained a mobile QB better than Michigan did.
Neither team was expected to have great passing from the pocket, due to some unproven receivers. But both Notre Dame’s Brandon Wimbush and Michigan’s Shea Patterson are rather mobile, though Wimbush has better top-end speed, and both have shown they can be dangerous outside of the pocket.
Knowing all that, keeping them in the pocket was going to be key. And Notre Dame was better in this area. Patterson was mostly bottled up. But Wimbush, time after time, was able to break to the outside, either on scrambles, designed runs, or the read game. And whether he was throwing it deep, throwing it away, or turning it up, Wimbush did considerable damage on the edge.
It wasn’t that Wimbush ripped off huge runs when he broke contain — his long was 22. But he had so many positive runs to keep Notre Dame ahead of the chains or to get the Irish back on schedule.
Notre Dame’s defensive line seemed to create slightly more pressure than Michigan’s, and while still keeping contain. Michigan’s defence made lots of plays but did occasionally play out of control. It was almost as if Notre Dame was able to create more pressure while also playing safer, to some extent.
2. Notre Dame’s new offensive line acquitted itself well. Michigan’s, less so.
Notre Dame lost two top-10 draft picks from its offensive line. That sort of production cannot be replaced. But the Irish do recruit the position well. And Michigan’s front, loaded with future professionals, is the toughest test the Irish will face all season. Relative to that standard, Notre Dame’s line did fine.
Michigan’s, behind new offensive line coach Ed Warinner, did not look as good. And one main difference was the rather immediate penetration Notre Dame was able to achieve. It was the type of pressure that ruins plays. And it usually came from the edge. Michigan seems to have had a tougher time replacing the departed Mason Cole than Notre Dame did replacing Mike McGlinchey.
3. Notre Dame’s receivers made great one-on-one plays. Michigan’s did not.
Along with Wimbush having a bit more time to throw in the pocket, and being able to escape the pocket somewhat more, Wimbush’s receivers simply won more plays down the field.
And Wimbush deserves credit for making several throws under pressure, though he did put the ball at risk a time or two.
Also credit Notre Dame for attacking Michigan’s reserve safety, who had been inserted into the game after starter Josh Metellus was ejected for targeting. The pass to Chris Finke went for 43 yards and the score to break the game open at 14-0.
WHAT. A. CATCH. pic.twitter.com/nIbX0Dii7o
— Notre Dame on NBC (@NDonNBC) September 2, 2018