Michigan Wolverines vs. Notre Dame; Irish Football Rivalry Revisited

The Notre Dame-Michigan rivalry has been one of the best in college football. While both teams have struggled in recent years, the 2009 season game looked suddenly more exciting, with both teams looking vastly improved over last season. After week one against Nevada, you got the feeling Clausen was ready, in his junior year, to be the quarterback capable of leading the Irish back to relevancy in college football. Clausen played well again going, 25 of 42 for 336 yards, with 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions.

The difference in this game was the defense of Notre Dame, which had difficulty stopping freshman quarterback, Tate Forcier, and the Michigan offense. Forcier completed 23/33 passes for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Michigan quarterback didn't look like a freshman against an Irish defense that played exceptional the week before.

Notre Dame's defense was not able to stop the Wolverines offense. In addition, the Irish also made a lot of mistakes, committing three times the penalties in this game, then they did during their first game. It's always difficult going into Michigan to play the Wolverines, but the Irish were feeling good after week one, but they met a Wolverines team that was also confident after their opening season victory.

It's clear this isn't the 3-9 Michigan team from last year. It's early, but Forcier has the makings of a great young quarterback. On the young season, the Michigan QB has passed for 5 touchdowns, with only 1 interception.

This was another exciting Michigan, Notre Dame game, with both offenses playing well. It's nice to see both of these teams looking poised to return to their past success. Notre Dame will look to rebound next against Michigan State, and Michigan and Frocier are matched up against, Eastern Michigan

The college football season is just underway, but it's nice to see two programs, who've showed promise, playing well.

Sources:

http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/mich-m-footbl-sched.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/scoreboards/2009/09/12/40202_viewcast.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/scoreboards/2009/09/12/40202_viewcast.htmltouchdowns.
Eastern Michigan interceptions.