Why Michigan/ Notre Dame is Bigger than USC/ Ohio State

The game of the century of the week this week is in Ann Arbor, not in Columbus. Here’s why the Wolverines and Irish game is the one that matters most:

Competition: Most of the free world believes that USC will run away with this one. We’re in that group. The Trojans return All-American C Kristofer O’Dowd this week and have 3 RB’s better than any on Ohio State’s roster.

Terrell Pryor is good, but he lacks playmakers around him and is probably still a year away from being an elite player. The only hope that the Buckeyes have is to win the turnover battle. 

Flip a coin as to who wins the Notre Dame/ Michigan game. Michigan may have more total talent than the Irish, but Notre Dame has more experienced talent. This should be a shootout with each team finishing in the 30’s.

The losing coach will quickly return to the hot seat. The winner will need to temper expectations as each team faces their toughest challenge later in the year.

Stakes: This one could make or break Rich Rodriguez as Michigan’s coach. The Wolverines young team could gain a lot of momentum with a win here. Next up for the Maize and Blue is Eastern Michigan then Indiana before an Oct. 6 matchup with Michigan State. Enter that game 4-0, and the youngsters should be brimming with confidence. Lose the game and you may find yourself 3-2 after the trip to East Lancing.

For the Irish this game is life or death. Lose this one and you’re shaken heading into the game with Michigan State next week. There’s still the battle with USC down the line as well. The Irish have to win 10 games to get themselves back into a BCS game. 

USC and Ohio State could each lose another game and end up facing one another in a rematch in the Rose Bowl. This isn’t the elimination game that the talking heads are trying to make it out to be. Neither team can play in the BCS title game without going undefeated. Neither has the talent to do that.

Drama: Ohio State wants to win this week. USC expects to win. Both Michigan and Notre Dame have to have this game for their respective fan bases to believe that things are truly heading in the right direction. Nevada and W. Michigan are better than most people think, but they’re still mid-majors. These two programs need a win over a legit team.