Well, I said it.  I said this game against Michigan could be the most telling of Charlie's career thus far.  Charlie needed to show signs that he is capable of getting production out of this wealth of talent bubbling up from underneath on his roster.  I think it's safe to say the signs were shown.  (Note:  all 35 ND points were scored by sophomores). 

As I watched this game, I kept thinking "I've seen this game before."  It finally hit me.  I was at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala two years ago when Notre Dame hosted Michigan.  Check out the similarities between that game and yesterday's edition.  Reading all the coverage today, I'm amazed that nobody has mentioned this.

2006:
Michigan jumped out to a quick 20 point lead thanks to:
    1.  A dropped ND pass leading to a turnover and a UM touchdown.
    2.  A 69-yard UM TD pass.
    3.  A fumbled kickoff return by ND, leading to a 2-yard UM TD run.

2008:
Notre Dame jumped out to a quick 21 point lead thanks to:
    1.  A dropped UM pass leading to a turnover and a 2-yard ND TD run.
    2.  A fumbled kickoff return by UM, leading to an ND touchdown.
    3.  A 48-yard ND TD pass.


2006:
Michigan puts the icing on the cake in the fourth quarter as ND QB Brady Quinn drops the ball and UM linebacker Lamar Woodley returns the fumble 54 yards for a Michigan TD.

2008:
Notre Dame puts the icing on the cake in the fourth quarter as UM QB Steve Threet drops the ball and ND linebacker Brian Smith returns the fumble 35 yards for a Notre Dame TD.


2006:
Michigan QB Chad Henne finishes 13-22, 3 TDs.
Michigan receiver Mario Manningham has a break-out performance with 4 catches and 137 yards.
Michigan running back Mike Hart averages 4 yards per carry with 1 TD.

2008:
Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen finishes 10-21, 2 TDs.
Notre Dame receiver Golden Tate has a break-out performance with 4 catches and 127 yards.
Notre Dame running back Robert Hughes averages 4.2 yards per carry with 2 TDs.


2006:
After jumping out to an early 20-point lead by taking full advantage of ND turnovers, UM plays conservatively on offense and tightens up on defense - outscoring ND by 6 in the second half.  It was never close - final score 47-21.

2008:
After jumping out to an early 21-point lead by taking full advantage of UM turnovers, ND plays conservatively on offense and tightens up on defense - outscoring UM by 7 in the second half.  It was never close - final score 35-17.

(Note: Many of you know me for my memory of past ND games, but don't be freaked out, I did have to look up a few detailed stats from the '06 game.)

This game was a mirror image of the 2006 game.  And what was the message from our beloved national media after that game in 2006?  "Notre Dame stinks."

So, now that Notre Dame has turned the tables with a dominant win of their own, what is the message from the national media?  Well, of course, it's Michigan... "Notre Dame still stinks!" 

Great job, Pat Forde.  ESPN should be so proud to showcase such unbiased journalistic talent and integrity.  And thanks so much for pointing out that "excellent" ND safety David Bruton was a Willingham recruit.  This point really reflects your in-depth knowledge about the talent of Notre Dame's seniors and 5th-year seniors (Willingham's) compared to the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen (Weis's). 

Pat, you are wasting your talent.  With analysis like this, you should be doing research for Mark May.  Or better yet, perhaps you could offer your balanced and reasoned brilliance by helping Michael Moore with his next documentary.