The Associated Press
MICHIGAN (1-0) at No. 16 NOTRE DAME (1-0), 7:30 p.m. (NBC)
Line: Notre Dame by 4
Series Record: Michigan leads 24-16-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Bragging rights for the foreseeable future with no more games scheduled. Also, the title of college football’s winningest program. Notre Dame held that distinction for years, but lost it in 2003. The Irish regained it last season when Michigan lost its bowl game and Notre Dame won. The Wolverines would regain it with a victory Saturday. Notre Dame’s winning percentage is 73.32, Michigan’s is 73.26.
KEY MATCHUP
Michigan wide receiver Devin Funchess vs. Notre Dame secondary. The 6-5, 230-pound Funchess, who switched from tight end, will give the Fighting Irish matchup problems because the tallest player in Nortre Dame’s secondary is 6-1 safety Max Redfield. The Irish gave up five big plays against Rice, three that Brian Kelly attributed to communication problems in the secondary.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Michigan: QB Devin Gardner. Michigan quarterbacks have put up big numbers against the Irish recently. From Tate Forcier in 2009 to Gardner last season. He threw four touchdown passes and ran for another in a 41-30 victory
Notre Dame: Everett Golson. He struggled against the Wolverines, completing just 3 of 8 passes for 30 yards with two interceptions before being yanked in the second quarter two years ago as the Irish won 13-6. The Irish likely need Golson to look more like he did last week, when he completed 14 of 22 passes, including two long TDs, and became just the third Irish quarterback to run for three TDs in a game.
FACTS & FIGURES
Michigan is 6-8 in road games under third-year coach Brady Hoke, going a combined 0-4 at rivals Ohio State, Michigan State and Notre Dame. The Wolverines are 0-10 against ranked teams on the road since beating No. 2 ranked Note Dame 47-21 in 2006. … Michigan has won four of the last five vs. the Irish. … Notre Dame is 4-0 in night home games against Michigan.
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