GAME NOTES: Two of the nation's most storied programs get together in South Bend for a top-25 matchup, as the 11th-ranked Michigan Wolverines take on the second-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Wolverines have the most wins in Division I-A history with 851. Two of those victories have come in 2006, with Michigan topping both Vanderbilt (27-7) and Central Michigan (41-17) to date. The Irish also have a pair of victories to start the season, winning a close contest at Georgia Tech (14-10), followed by last week's rout of nationally- ranked Penn State (41-17). With those wins, Notre Dame has now recorded 813 combined victories, ranking second all-time behind only Michigan, which has played nine more seasons than the Irish. These two teams have combined for 20 national titles (11 for Notre Dame and nine for Michigan). Michigan owns a winning record against Notre Dame (18-14-1), but it was the Irish that got the victory last season in Ann Arbor, 17-10.

The Wolverine offense is fueled by a steady rushing attack that has picked up 249.0 yards per game in the early going, on nearly five yards per carry. The bulk of that production has come from junior tailback Mike Hart, who has eclipsed the century mark in both games thus far, leading the team in rushing with 262 yards and three TDs, on 5.2 yards per carry. Sophomore Kevin Grady is a viable second option on the ground, adding 4.5 yards per carry and recording the other two rushing scores on the season. While the rushing attack has flourished, the passing game has struggled to keep up. Quarterback Chad Henne is not exactly a gunslinger, completing just over 50 percent of his passes, for 248 yards (134 per game) and two TDs. He does play a disciplined game though, having not thrown an interception in 55 straight attempts dating back to last year. Talented wideout Steve Breaston (six catches, for 93 yards) has yet to erupt this season, but the 6-1 senior is clearly a playmaker downfield that Henne must find a way to get the ball to. The UM offensive line is one of the biggest in the country (306 pounds per man average) and has only given up two sacks this season. Winning the battle in the trenches will be vital to Michigan's chances in this game.

The offense may be a bit one-dimensional at this time, but the Michigan defense is getting it done in every phase of the game. The team is allowing just 12.0 ppg, while effectively shutting down both the run (29.0 ypg) and the pass (158.0 ypg). The team is fourth nationally in rush defense, limiting foes to a mere 1.2 yards per carry. That number will be put to the test this week from a solid ND ground assault. Michigan has recorded five turnovers in the first two games and has really brought a great deal of pressure on opposing QBs, collecting 10 sacks. Senior linebacker David Harris leads the defensive charge with a team-high 10 total tackles. Senior ends Rondell Biggs (8.0 tackles, 5.0 TFLs) and LaMarr Woodley (8.0 tackles, 5.0 TFLs) have been unstoppable thus far coming off the edges, combining for seven of the team's 10 sacks this season. This is a seasoned defensive unit with seven seniors in the starting lineup. There isn't much that will surprise this squad, although the Irish will likely cause some moments of concern.

All-American Brady Quinn and the Irish offense failed to live up to expectations in Atlanta in the season-opener, but got back on track against what was supposed to be one of the nation's better defenses last weekend, as Notre Dame rolled up nearly 400 yards of total offense on Penn State (397). Quinn was responsible for 287 yards, completing 25-of-36 passes, including three TDs. Tailback Darius Walker struggled on the ground (56 yards), but led the team with seven catches, totaling 72 yards and one TD. Tight end John Carlson and All-American wideout Jeff Samardzija grabbed six balls each, totaling 154 yards, with Samardzija registering his first TD of the season. Rhema McKnight completed a deep receiving corps in the game with five catches, for 59 yards and a score. With the offensive outburst against the Nittany Lions, Notre Dame is now averaging 390.5 yards per game, with a good mix of the run (124 ypg) and the pass (266.5). Quinn has completed 64.9 percent of his passes thus far, for 533 yards and three scores. Head coach Charlie Weis will certainly have some wrinkles in the offense for a stout Michigan defense this week, but will once again rely on disciplined play. Notre Dame has not committed a turnover in the first two games and will need to play mistake-free football again this week to get win number three.

The real story of the season thus far for Notre Dame is the improved play on the defensive side of the ball. Although the team is still employing a "bend but don't break" mentality, the unit isn't bending as much as it did a year ago. Opponents are averaging 13.5 ppg against the team this season and have struggled against ND's pass defense in particular (182.5 ypg). It certainly helps to have one of the nation's best safety tandems lurking downfield in All- American Tom Zbikowski and Ndukwe Chinedum. Zbikowski is a threat to turn an ordinary play into a TD, just like last week's fumble return to put the game out of reach against Penn State. The big question for this defense was how the linebackers would respond to losing a pair of solid performers in Cory Mays and Brandon Hoyte. Well, Maurice Crum has answered the bell, leading the team in both tackles (20) and TFLs (5.0). Zbikowski is second with 15 tackles, while Chinedum isn't far behind him (11 tackles, two TFLs, one sack). Both safeties are capable of bone-jarring hits and must be accounted for, especially in passing situations. Up front, the player to watch is rush end Victor Abiamiri, who posted his first sack last week against Penn State.

Notre Dame is likely to put eight men in the box and force Henne to the air, where he has yet to prove himself. If the Irish can effectively contain Hart, Michigan could be in real trouble. Quinn certainly isn't intimidated by a formidable defense like Michigan's, and Weis will put his star in a position to make plays this weekend.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Notre Dame 23, Michigan 17