Notre Dame probably shouldn't be 0-2 heading into its matchup with No. 15 Michigan State on Saturday. As lousy as the Irish have looked, the truth is that they've lost two games they should have won.
Obviously, turnovers have a lot to do with that. As good as Notre Dame may or may not be, no team is going to win two games in which it commits a grand total of 10 turnovers. That's just unheard of.
You also have to figure that it's a fluke. Despite the fact they've done it two games in a row, the odds of the Irish committing another five turnovers against the Spartans are slim to none.
If the Irish are able to hold on to the ball, beating Michigan State should actually be pretty easy. All they have to do is play their game.
That starts with playing tremendous defense. This is something that the numbers suggest the Irish haven't necessarily done in their first two games, but this is a case in which the numbers don't tell the whole story.
Against South Florida, the one thing that jumps out at you is that the Irish allowed the Bulls to gain just 254 total yards. The Irish also allowed just one offensive touchdown and were able to hold the Bulls to just two third-down conversions in 14 tries.
Notre Dame's defense was obviously less stout against Michigan, but it's worth noting that almost all of the bad stuff came in the second half. The Wolverines just didn't have an answer for the Irish defense in the first half. And despite the fact Denard Robinson did account for four touchdowns in the second half, the Irish did pick him off twice.
So if you ask me, the signs of a good defense are certainly there for Notre Dame. If the defense plays up to its full potential, the Irish can beat anyone.
But, once again, only if the offense can hold on to the football. This is one of the young season's running gags, but I think you do have to give credit where it is deserved. Tommy Rees has over 600 yards passing in just six quarters of action, Cierre Wood has already rushed for 238 yards and Michael Floyd already has 25 catches for 313 yards.
Clearly, this is an offense with potential to rack up lots of yards and lots of points if it can avoid turning the ball over. Michigan State would be wise to take note of that.
Long story short, there is a really good team somewhere in South Bend. It just hasn't shown up yet. My guess is that it will on Saturday, and that Michigan State will be its first sacrifice.
Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Michigan State 24
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