3 Observations
So much good will built from a 27-5 mark the past two-and-a-half years quickly erode after another prime-time soiling of the bed on the road.
Notre Dame might have not received the memo that it had only one, not two, bye weeks this October.
Fresh off an Oct. 19 bye following a hard-fought 30-27 victory versus archrival USC, the No. 8-ranked Fighting Irish appeared to take off a second straight Saturday during the 45-14 pasting at No. 19 Michigan.
The Wolverines dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides while out-rushing Notre Dame 303-47 in rainy conditions (437-180 in total yardage) and asserting control after a couple of missed opportunities early by head coach Brian Kelly’s troops.
Michigan built a 17-0 lead by halftime, and most distressing was there was not a modicum of evidence the Wolverines even wanting to pass (four attempts for 22 total yards total in the first half, eight tosses for 30 yards through three quarters). This wasn't Navy running a triple-option. It was fundamental we're-coming-at-you-and-you-can't-do- anything-about-it football from the 1950s — from a team that was merely average with the ground attack during its 5-2 start.
After Notre Dame closed to within 17-7 in the third quarter, the Maize and Blue answered with 28 straight points to end its eight-game losing streak versus opponents ranked in the top 10.
