According to Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press, ESPN analyst and Ohio State alum Kirk Herbstreit believes that Michigan’s win over Notre Dame on Saturday could define the rest of the Wolverine’s season. Furthermore their 2-0 start could lead to an 8 or 9 win season this year.
“I remember talking a few weeks ago about how big the Notre Dame game was for them,” Herbstreit, who called the game for ESPN, said during a conference call today. “The reason I thought that was if they were able to get by Notre Dame, you look at their schedule: They have Eastern Michigan, San Diego State, Minnesota and at Northwestern. There’s a really strong possibility this team is 5-0 going to Evanston and, if they win there, they’re 6-0.”
Herbstreit was very impressed by Denard Robinson’s performance which included 338 passing yards, 108 rushing yards and the winning touchdown throw with two seconds left.
“I think he and (offensive coordinator) Al Borges are feeling each other out,” Herbstreit said. “I think Al Borges … inherited maybe the most electrifying player in the country, and I think he’s trying to appreciate that and learn some of the nuances and trying to take advantage of (Robinson’s) abilities. If you look at the first half to what happened in the second half, it was just Denard becoming Denard.”
Furthermore, Herbstreit can see a difference in the U-M program…
“I just have a different vibe about Michigan again that I think Brady Hoke brings to the table,” Herbstreit said. “When people talk about a guy being a Michigan Man, I think, unless you’re familiar with the Michigan program, you might roll your eyes and not really understand it, but when you’re around, you get it. … I think this will be, on paper, probably the least talented team they have on both sides of the ball, because of the way they’re going to recruit, especially on defense, they’re going to a whole different level.”
Now Michigan is definitely on the upside of things here but it what seems to be overlooked here by Herbstreit is that Notre Dame lost this game more so than Michigan won it. Herbstreit was awestruck by Robinson yet Robinson also threw 3 interceptions in this game and completed about 44% of his passes.
Eight wins may not be out of the questions however anymore than that seems like a stretch considering where the program is at this point.
Ref: Detroit Free Press
