Eastern Michigan at Michigan

As we all know, Michigan had a very disappointing year a season ago, but Rich Rodriguez has been known for some big turnarounds when he reaches his second season. After taking out a powerful Notre Dame last week, optimism is running high. Often these are good fade situations for a big favorite off an important win. But not in this case. I think Michigan is motivated and will deliver once again here. The biggest change at Michigan is where they thought they'd be hurting and that is at the QB position. The difference is a phenom named Tate Forcier. Forcier was highly touted out of high school where he completed over 70% of his passes, but stepping up the way he did as a freshman and leading his team for a game-winning score against a national powerhouse shows they have a gem. Forcier picked apart a good Notre Dame defense going 23-33 and 240 yards. The only question to be answered in this one is not if Michigan can cover the big number against a lowly cross-town rival, but will they show up after a big emotional win? After last season's humiliation, this team has a BCS Bowl mindset and won't be taking the week off. A peek at the last four years says a letdown is not coming as Michigan is a perfect 4-0 after Notre Dame including upset wins vs. Wisconsin and Penn State over that span. Do you think those are games they had to show up for because they were big games? Then how about four years ago when after Notre Dame they were a prohibitive four TD favorite against, guess who? Eastern Michigan. The final score was Michigan 55 - E. Michigan 0. Enough said. Michigan rolls here.