This is my preview of the Notre Dame-Michigan showdown in Ann Arbor.  Enjoy

1) Team Information

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

First Game: 1887
All-time Record: 821-269-42
Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium
Capacity: 80,795
Bowl Record: 13-15
Heismans: 7 (Most Recent: 1987 Tim Brown)

Michigan Wolverines

First game: 1879
All-Time Record: 860-284-36
Stadium: Michigan Stadium
Capacity: 107,501
Bowl Record: 18-20
Heismans: 3 (1997 Charles Woodson)

2) Series Background

Michigan leads the series 19-14-1.  This is one of the only series that Notre Dame does not lead.  Both teams are the most winningest D1A programs in history.  They also have the most true national championships.  Lloyd Carr is 4-4 against Notre Dame.  Notre Dame is 6-6 at the Big House.

3) Lineups

Notre Dame

QB: 7 Jimmy Clausen
RB: 5 Armando Allen
WR: 19 George West
WR: 11 David Grimes
WR: 82 Robby Parris
TE: 89 John Carlson
OT: 72 Paul Duncan
OG: 77 Mike Turkovich
C: 78 John Carlson
OG: 51 Dan Wenger
OT: 74 Sam Young

DE: 94 Justin Brown
NT: 96 Pat Kuntz
DE: 98 Trevor Laws
OLB: 54 Anthony Vernaglia
ILB: 40 Maurice Crum
ILB: 52 Joe Brockington
OLB: 90 John Ryan
CB: 2 Darrin Walls
CB: 20 Terrail Lambert
FS: 27 David Bruton
SS: 9 Tom Zbikowski

Michigan

QB: 15 Ryan Mallett
RB: 20 Mike Hart
WR: 86 Mario Manningham
WR: 16 Adrian Arrington
WR: 13 Greg Matthews
TE: 83 Mike Massey
OT: 77 Jake Long
OG: 57 Adam Kraus
C: 65 Justin Boren
OG: 70 Jeremy Ciulla
OT: 52 Stephen Schilling

DE: 90 Tim Jamison
DT: 67 Terrence Taylor
DT: 97 Will Johnson
DE: 92 Greg Banks
OLB: 2 Shawn Crable
MLB: 49 John Thompson
OLB: 37 Chris Graham
CB: 14 Morgan Trent
CB: 6 Donovan Warren
FS: 31 Brandent Englemon
SS: 22 Jamar Adams

4) Prediction

Notre Dame 17 Michigan 10-I have heard some Michigan fans getting a little cocky.  I'm definitely not cocky.  Neither Michigan nor Notre Dame fans should be cocky.  Both teams are disgraces to Bo Schembechler and Knute Rockne respectively.  Both will just sneak into a bowl game.  Notre Dame, however, has the edge due to Michigan's defense.  They are returning almost no starters, and Notre Dame has found the perfect target to run against.  If Notre Dame needed any team to get the offense started with, Michigan was their team.  If Oregon and Appalachian State can put up over 30, Notre Dame should be able to reach 17.  Michigan's offense will be without Chad Henne, who might be the most experienced QB in the nation.  The teams look about even, but the Irish might have the edge when you compare the weaknesses (no strengths) of each team.