Staff Predictions: #8 Notre Dame at #20 Michigan

The Irish Maven staff makes their predictions for Notre Dame at Michigan.

Angela Driskell

No. 8 Notre Dame (5-1) heads to Ann Arbor tomorrow night to take on the No. 20 Michigan Wolverines.

We spent the week breaking down the matchup, now it’s time for the Irish Maven staff to make their predictions for this matchup.

Bryan Driskell, Publisher

Prediction: Notre Dame 30, Michigan 17 (If the rain is bad I'm going Notre Dame 17-6)

There are certainly things that make me concerned about this matchup. Michigan has been excellent at home under Jim Harbaugh (28-4), and Notre Dame is just 4-11 in true road games against ranked opponents under Brian Kelly. Current weather reports are calling for a cold, wet and windy night. All of that makes me nervous about this game.

But when I look at the numbers and study the film, there is no doubt that Notre Dame is the better football team. We don't know if Notre Dame will play like it, but my prediction is based off who the better team is. It is an opportunity for Notre Dame to prove it truly is no longer the inconsistent team we saw from 2010 to 2016. They are truly one of the best teams in the country, and the best teams in the country win games like this.

Notre Dame must strike early and often to quiet the crowd, and the Irish front four needs to dominate the game. If Notre Dame does both, and if the Irish offensive line can play to its potential this will be an Irish win.

X-Factor: Khalid Kareem, DE - Notre Dame absolutely must dominate up front, and I believe either Kareem or Julian Okwara are poised for monsters games; maybe both. I'm going with Kareem because he has a chance to not only impact the pass game, but he can also have a major role in shutting down the Michigan ground game.

Sean Cameron, Staff Contributor

Prediction: Notre Dame 34, Michigan 14

Notre Dame's defensive front proves too much for the Wolverine's and Shea Patterson over the course of four quarters. The trio of Notre Dame safeties prevent the big play and force turnovers from Patterson, who begins to feel the rush and gets careless with the ball. Offensively, the Irish put together their most complete game, attacking the edges of the Wolverine front with the run, and exploiting the seams with a variety of TE's and WR's.

X-Factor: Alohi Gilman, Safety - Gilman has his best game of the season with a pick, a forced fumble, and sound tackling on the UM screens and running plays.

Mark Machiedo, Staff Contributor

Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Michigan 20

Simply put, Notre Dame is the better team. For once I will stick to only that fact when picking the result. 

X-Factor: The Offensive Line - This is their time to truly shine in a big road game.

Brian Smith, Recruiting Contributor

Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Michigan 23

When Notre Dame plays Michigan, turnovers and the running game always play pivotal roles. This year will not be an exception.

Michigan’s offensive line continues to improve, but there’s not likely to be a breakout rushing performance verses Notre Dame’s defense. Being placed in third down and long will cost of the Wolverines. That’s when Notre Dame’s pass rush will do damage.

Offensively, Notre Dame will probably find it difficult against Michigan’s pressure package. The Irish will hit a few big plays, however, with Cole Kmet being the primary beneficiary. The junior tight end will catch at least four passes and score a touchdown. Kmet will also be a key blocker within the running game.

Jafar Armstrong and Tony Jones will help the Irish ground out first downs (running and catching short passes), and the Irish will be more offensively balanced than Michigan.

X Factor: Julian Okwara, DE - Okwara will register two sacks and force a fumble. The senior will be too much for Michigan’s offensive tackles to consistently handle during third down passing plays.