Ohio had a ton of trouble with Louisville and they are usually competitive in just about every game, but they were wiped off the field. They have a nice trio on offense with Tettleton, Blankenship and WR Donte Foster, but it won't be enough here. Every so often the Mean Green show their Texas power and with an extra day of preparation and 16 starters returning for Dan McCarney's third year I think this is the year they go back to a bowl game.
North Texas trounced Idaho 40-6 which is not saying much, but they found out already that they are deep at RB behind a veteran offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the nation last year. They go up against an Ohio front 7 that has to replace 5 of their starters. That's going to be the difference in this game, because on the road what you have up front and what the other team has up front and it's North Texas advantage in this game. They also have an experienced back 7 including some stars all over the secondary. If Ohio is smart they'll look to run, but I think in the end it will force them into FG's not TD's as North Texas was the best in the Sun Belt a year ago allowing the fewest passing TD's. North Texas has Brelan Chancellor on offense who is getting comparisons to T.Y. Hilton.
Michigan should be pumped up for this game at home and at night makes for a very challenging environment for Notre Dame. I think Michigan is set up much better for success with Devin Garner than they were with Denard Robinson. Robinson was a freakish athlete, but it was obvious when teams had a good front 7 that he could not do what was needed to win. I believe Gardner is different, but more importantly Fitz Toussaint looked like his old self last week and Notre Dame gave up 134 yards on 4.6 ypc to Temple and struggled offensively for really most of the game. I know Tommy Rees put up big numbers but that was against Temple now he goes on the road to Michigan and I don't think it happens. It took 6 forced turnovers last year to get a 13-6 win over Michigan and it was just the story of Notre Dame's season. They just seemed to be in the right place at the right time for most of the year until the national championship. Notre Dame has superior talent up front with Nix and Tuitt but I think Michigan can move the ball on the edges behind All American tackle Taylor Lewan who will be going up against Tuitt for most of the game. Expect a traditional close battle for most of the game but I don't see how Notre Dame can pull off the upset in front of this crowd.
