Notre Dame will play a football game against Western Michigan for the first time in 90 years on Saturday. The Broncos are 2-3 on the season and 1-1 in the Mid-American Conference. Michigan State is the only common opponent between these teams, and the Spartans defeated WMU by 38-14 in the season opener. The 3-3 Irish expect to continue their winning ways in October, although Coach Brian Kelly is determined to keep his team focused despite being heavily favored.

The goals for this game are simple. Notre Dame wants to continue to improve offensively and achieve a comfortable margin by halftime. The defense will face a high number of passes this week and will try to create turnovers with pressure. The team as a whole wants to avoid injuries and utilize all the players who suit up. The lone area that the Irish do not want to practice this week is punting.

The Broncos will not necessarily be a pushover, but Coach Bill Cubit is rebuilding a team that lost several key players from last season. Alex Carder takes over at quarterback for the record-setting Tim Hiller. Aaron Winchester replaces another departed star, Brandon West, at tailback. There are also new players on the offensive line and a new 4-2-5 defensive scheme that was implemented this season in an attempt to address a porous pass defense.

The Irish have outstanding lost tight end Kyle Rudolph for the season. Mike Ragone and Tyler Eifert, both of whom are coming back from early season injury, will try to fill the void. Tackle Taylor Dever may also get another week off to rest a leg injury, but the rest of the team appears to be ready.

NOTRE DAME’S OFFENSE VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN’S DEFENSE

The Broncos have improved their pass rush and overall pass defense this season, but a consequence of the 4-2-5 alignment is a greater susceptibility to the run. It will be interesting to see if the Irish take advantage of the opportunity to balance the run/pass ratio as they did with great success in the early going last week against Pitt. Armando Allen will gain 100 yards if he is given the ball 20 times, but this may also be the week that Cierre Wood breaks a few long gains.

When the Irish elect to throw the ball, Western Michigan may again find itself at a disadvantage. Their best overall defender, end Woody Legrier, will likely miss the game after getting knocked unconscious last week at Ball State. To make matters worse, two members of the secondary are scheduled to return to action this week after a suspension for fighting on the field during a game – with each other. Doug Wiggins and Damond Smith argued over a blown coverage, and they may continue to ride the pine in favor of Raheam Buxton and Demetrius Pettway.

Despite these personnel issues, the Broncos do have some quality players. Cornerback Lewis Toler has three interceptions and senior safeties Jamail Berry and Mario Armstrong are among the leading tacklers. Linebacker Mitch Zajac is the team’s run stuffer while running mate Dez Jones is an effective blitzer. Up front, end Paul Hazel leads the team in sacks. The most impressive defensive statistic is 15 forced turnovers in five games, which is a credit to both the players and the coaches.

Notre Dame must be ready for a sky-high start by WMU, but a couple of well executed first quarter scoring drives should be the dose of reality that is needed to settle the issue. The Broncos have plenty of defensive backs to match up with the Irish receivers, but the group up front is thin and can be worn down by the bigger and more talented Irish front.

WESTERN MICHIGAN’S OFFENSE VS. NOTRE DAME’S DEFENSE

Winchester has not been the answer in the running game to date, averaging only 2.8 yards per carry. Last week, Coach Cubit inserted freshman Tevin Drake into the game at tailback, and he delivered by gaining 63 yards in eight carries. Drake will undoubtedly get another opportunity this week, possibly even as the starter.

Carder has played decently in his first year at the helm. He is also a running threat, and shares the team lead with Winchester in the number of rushes (53). He has passed for 258 yards per game, although he has thrown seven interceptions against ten touchdown passes. Wide receiver Jordan White is the team’s best offensive player. He averages more than 100 yards receiving each week and is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. Juan Nunez has nearly as many catches this season, but is more of a short yardage receiver.

The Broncos are not likely to run the ball on Notre Dame unless Drake turns out to be the next Tony Dorsett. The offensive line has experienced problems, as evidenced by a meager 103 yard per game rushing attack and 15 sacks surrendered. Carder will throw it all over the field, and WMU will try to find ways to get White into single coverage similar to Pittsburgh’s use of Jonathan Baldwin. The Irish can blanket White and still have enough bodies to stop the run.

Cubit will roll the dice if the circumstances allow it. Expect aggressive play calls and some gimmickry, since they are coming into this game with absolutely nothing to lose. The Broncos have gambled 19 times on fourth down this season, a number so high it would make even Charlie Weis blush. They have converted ten.

SPECIAL TEAMS

David Ruffer was a difference maker last week, but the Irish would be content if he confined himself to extra points on Saturday. The kickoff return team may not get many chances in this contest, but the punt returners may have plenty of chances to get it going.

John Potter does the kicking for Western Michigan, but he has had only five field goal attempts this year and none beyond 38 yards. The rest of the special teams are quite unremarkable except that White doubles as the punt return man and is always dangerous.

SUMMARY

This game should be a mismatch. Notre Dame’s defensive front should control the Bronco line and force Carder to the air early and often. White is the only legitimate offensive weapon and should be kept under control by the Irish secondary. When Notre Dame has the ball, it would be best if they establish the run before throwing over the top against the five deep WMU defensive umbrella.

Let’s look at a few key questions which will determine how hard the Irish must work for a victory.

Will WMU be able to continue its success in forcing turnovers?

Can Notre Dame build a comfortable lead by halftime?

Will White attain the level of success achieved by Baldwin against the Irish secondary last week?

Can the Irish rush for 200 yards and gain 450 overall?

Will the Irish offense find its rhythm or continue to sputter at inopportune moments?

Which Irish second teamers will impress the fans and the coaches?

PREDICTION

Notre Dame will be challenged mentally more than physically in this contest. The team cannot afford a flat performance against anyone, nor will Coach Kelly allow it. The team should use this game to improve its offensive execution and build confidence, while the defense will strive to get off the field and rotate young players into the lineup early and often. If the Irish are going to play a directional school, they should be able to convince their followers that they are indeed headed in the right direction.

NOTRE DAME 41  WESTERN MICHIGAN 14