Can Everett Golson and The Fighting Irish make it three in a row?

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Michigan State Spartans Preview

In a battle of the undefeated, the #20 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-0) squares off against The #10 Michigan State Spartans (2-0) Saturday at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI at 8pm. It will be broadcast on ABC.

Last week at home, Notre Dame finished off fierce instate rival Purdue Boilmakers in a squeaker 20-17. The Spartans crushed the lowly Central Michigan Chippewas 41-7.  The ranked schools faced off last season in week three in a game which saw the blue and gold win 31-13 behind Running Back Cierre Woods’ two touchdowns and an epic Robert Atkinson III 89-yard kick-off return for a score.

Saturday’s game will mark the 76th meeting of the two schools in a rivalry dating back to 1897. Notre Dame won that inaugural game 34-6 and holds a 46-28-1 record in the overall series. Each year the victor is awarded the coveted Megaphone Trophy, colored blue (Notre Dame) and green (Michigan State).

Michigan State Coach Mark Dantonio and Irish play-caller Brian Kelly have a long-standing relationship themselves. Dantanio coached the Cincinnati Bearcats from 2004-06 prior to Kelly’s three-year tenure (2007-09) there.

Without further ado Ladies and gents I present to you your week three Notre Dame Fighting Irish preview…

Notre Dame Offense
This season the Fighting Irish have yet another quarterback dilemma on their hands. Not one subpar one this time (Hello Jimmy Clausen) but rather two very good ones in Sophomore Tommy Rees who engineered a game-winning comeback last week against Purdue and newcomer Everett Golson (33-of-49, 433 YDs and 2TDs). Kelly will look to Golson on Saturday to lead the team to a third straight Notre Dame victory. But nothing is set in stone according to the Notre Dame coach.

“We know Tommy and Andrew (Hendrix) give us some really good assets at that position if they are called upon and we need them.”

Running back Cierre Wood is back and rejoins fellow back Theo Riddick (165 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries) in the Fighting Irish rushing attack. 

The receiving corps of All-American TE Tyler Eiffert (concussion) and WR Devarious Daniels (ankle sprain) exited last week’s game with injuries. Notre Dame will need WR Antavian Edison (2 touchdowns) to continue his hot streak and a solid performance from Eifert (eight catches, 120 YDs, 1TD) who will be a tough cover for the MSU backfield. With three catches on Saturday Eifert could further cement his legacy at Notre Dame by becoming only the third Tight End in with 100 career receptions. 

The blue and gold offensive line was a glaring weakness yielding five sacks (the same amount after nine games in 2011) and supporting a poor 52-yard rushing effort against Purdue. This unit must play 100% better against one of the country’s top defensive lines on Saturday.

Notre Dame Defense   
The goal for the Fighting Irish defense will be to stop Michigan State dymano Running back Le’ron Bell. Last year the squad held the 6’2” 244 pound back to 27 yards on seven carries. The Irish pass rush led by superstar Linebacker Manti T’eo (18 tackles) will be the strongest faced by MSU QB Maxwell this season. It remains to be seen if the bruised sternum and the loss of T’eo’s grandmother and close female friend will effect his performance.

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Nster.com