Keys to the game
■ Protect the football: Michigan QB Devin Gardner’s two interceptions in the opener against Central Michigan were two too many. Obviously, they didn’t factor in the final score, but turnovers must be eliminated against Notre Dame. Remember last year’s loss at Notre Dame? Six turnovers did in Michigan.
■ Rattle Rees: Notre Dame QB Tommy Rees has had a turnover-plagued past. He didn’t, however, have any interceptions in the opener against Temple. Michigan’s defensive front will need to make rattling Rees a priority, and that means Frank Clark stepping up and being a disruptive force.
■ Fast start: The Wolverines have the home-field advantage in a night game before a national audience. Getting out to a fast start is key on the road to quiet the crowd, but at home, it’s about getting the fans involved (remember 2011?). But in a more tangible sense, a fast start obviously would give Michigan a slight cushion to run its offense and would make Notre Dame QB Tommy Rees more anxious.
■ Running on full: Backup TB Drake Johnson is out for the season with a knee injury, but lead back Fitz Toussaint got the rust off last weekend Saturday and seemed to feel comfortable in his first game since a broken leg at the end of last season. Perhaps more interesting was the showing from freshman Derrick Green. He averaged 5.3 yards a carry and bumped up the depth chart to backup. Michigan wants to control the clock, so it has to run effectively.
■ Shut down Jones: Now that TE Tyler Eifert is gone (not to mention QB Everett Golson), Notre Dame’s big playmaker is T.J. Jones. Jones had six catches for 138 yards against Temple, the first time he’s had a 100+ game in his career, and he has a unique chemistry with QB Tommy Rees. The two have been roommates for a couple years and work well together.
Know the foe
■ Nix is it: If you know one player on Notre Dame’s defense, make sure you’re aware of senior Louis Nix III, the defensive lineman of the year last season for the Irish. You can’t miss him — he’s 6-foot-3 and 357 pounds — and he will be an enormous test for Michigan’s young interior offensive line.
■ And Tuitt, too: OK, if you know two players on Notre Dame’s defense, make sure that aside from Louis Nix III, you’re also aware of junior DE Stephon Tuitt. Michigan LT Taylor Lewan surely is more than aware of Tuitt, and their matchup will be a game within the game.
■ Rees is ready: Notre Dame QB Tommy Rees has posted decent numbers against Michigan. In 2012, he was 8-for-11 for 115 yards and a rushing TD. In 2011, he threw completed nearly 70 percent of his 26 attempts for 315 yards and three TDs. Against Temple last week, he hit 67 percent of his throws and did not have an INT.
Intangibles
■ Home-field comfort: Michigan hasn’t lost a home game (15-0) the last two seasons under coach Brady Hoke (he’s the first Wolverinies coach since Fielding Yost in 1901-02 to do so). Michigan has won six of the last seven at Michigan Stadium against Notre Dame, including the last three.
■ No lightning twice: In last year’s matchup at Notre Dame, Michigan threw five interceptions on the final five passes of the first half. That can’t happen again, right?
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