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2:38 - Michigan kicking off - touchback.  Michigan is showing some measure of quiet confidence - Notre Dame on the other hand is yelling and screaming and jumping around.

2:41 - Matt Millen runs a commentary booth better than he runs a football team...probably explains why he's in the booth.

2:42 - Notre Dame is driving, a few big plays first and 10 on the 25 of Michigan

2:45 - Notre Dame is going to settle for a field goal....missed wide right from 28 yards - the Big House is up for grabs....Michigan takes over!!

2:47 - Michigan goes picked up a first down, but couldn't get moving Mesko is set to punt from the 34.

The Michigan defense looks pretty small in comparison to the ND O-linemen, but they look quick.  A blitz on third and 2 forces a 3 and out for Notre Dame

Greg Matthews just made a fantastic catch for 40 yards, looked like he may have pushed off initially, but replays showed it was a clean catch.  First down Michigan, holding on the very next play, first and long from right around midfield

Michigan continuing to move, first down on the ND 26 - offense looks composed and competent.  The pace of the offense seems to have ND's defense back on it's heels.

First Down Michigan - Brandon Minor to the ND 2 yard line.

TOUCHDOWN Michigan - Brandon Minor 2 yard run - Michigan converted some big third downs on that drive and marched down the field for a 9 play 79 yard touchdown drive PAT GOOD 7-0 Michigan

Notre Dame had a couple of big plays right off the bat and have the ball first and 10 at the UM 45

TOUCHDOWN Irish - 40 yards from Claussen to Armondo Allen on a screen pass.  Michigan got caught in a blitz - Allen walked into the endzone.  Timeout prior to the extra point

The play is being reviewed..coaches challenge on the previous play and the play is overturned after it was determined Allen stepped out at the 22 yard line.

The challenged was initiated from the booth, not Rodriguez - and it was as close as it gets.  I'm not even convinced he stepped out.

Claussen throws a 3rd down pass into the band - second field goal attempt for ND - kick good from 34 yards

Darryl Stonum kickoff return for a TOUCHDOWN 14-3 Michigan!!

End of the first quarter

Notre Dame driving down to the Michigan 4 yard line - looking to answer the kickoff return with a long sustained drive.  Floyd and Tate both with big catches on the drive.

TOUCHDOWN Irish - Jimmy Claussen 4 yd pass to Golden Tate PAT GOOD 14-10 Michigan

Michigan goes 3 and out - Mesko punting from the 40 - Notre Dame Fair catch on the 31 yard line.

Notre Dame moving backwards after a holding call and a delay of game 1st and 25 from the 16 yard line

33 yard pass from Claussen to Floyd - First down Irish

Notre Dame's larger offensive line has opened up some running lanes, they're using their size to take advantage.

TOUCHDOWN Irish 11 yard pass from Claussen to Floyd - Michigan defensive backs are having a hard time covering the speed guys on the outside. PAT GOOD 17-14 Irish

Michigan's intensity has seemed to fade a little bit - the last ND score seems to have picked up their spirits a little bit.  Michigan is going to have to respond.

After a defensive penalty, Michigan's drive ends quickly - The Wolverine defense is going to have to step it up - a terrible Mesko punt puts ND on the Michigan side of the field.

Big penalty hurts Notre Dame - 4th down as the Irish bring out the field goal unit for a 42 yard try. - Kick good 20-14 Irish

Denard Robinson comes into the game for Forcier and picks up 12 yards on run off the right side.

Forcier improvises on a 4th and 11 and hits Greg Matthews for a first down with under 30 seconds left.  Timeout Michigan 17 seconds left in the half and Michigan is inside the Notre Dame 30.

Offsetting penalities create a 1st and 10 at the 23 yard line - Notre Dame's final timeout - Michigan has 1 remaining.

Incomplete pass - 5 seconds left in the half Olesnavage hits a 39 yard field goal as time expires to make the score 20-17 Notre Dame.

HALFTIME:

Notre Dame outplayed Michigan for most of the first half - despite the fact they trailed through most of the first quarter.  The Michigan defense has looked inexperienced, Claussen is able to sit in the pocket and find receivers.  If Michigan is going to win this game, they're going to have to shut down the Irish offense.  Claussen needs pressure in his face, he's a skilled quarterback and can sit back and make quality throws when he's not harassed.  When he has to move his feet, he can make mistakes.  Notre Dame's penalties have cost them some points - but Michigan has been able to stay in the game.

Notre Dame dominated the Michigan defense, but only lead by 3 points.  Both teams are much improved from last year and at this point, this game is up for grabs.  This is a big game for both teams, especially Notre Dame.  Some analysists (unfortunately one of them coached them for years) have predicted Notre Dame to win the National Title.  A loss here would most certainly dash any hopes for a BCS game.  Notre Dame has an extremely weak schedule, as they have the last couple years, so anything short of perfection with that schedule should knock them out of contention.

Michigan is looking to get back to prominence after a very disappointing 08 campaign.  Knocking off Notre Dame today would give them a win against a top 25 team and give them a great deal of confidence going into the Big Ten season.  The Big Ten seems to be pretty wide open - Michigan State lost to Central Michigan today, Ohio State looked less than impressive against Navy and face USC tonight, Iowa had to block 2 field goals to beat Northern Iowa in week 1, Wisconsin squeaked out a win against Fresno State in overtime.

Notre Dame looks a little bit more comfortable on the field, they seem to be a little bit more comfortable in their system - while Michigan is scrapping and fighting to stay within striking distance.  Look for Denard Robinson to get a few more snaps in the second half and look for Claussen to continue to throw the ball deep to Tate and Floyd - at least until Michigan proves they can stop it. If Michigan can't make the necessary adjustments, Notre Dame should hang on for the win.  

It was an exciting first half and the second half should be just as entertaining.  Time for some pizza during halftime - Go Blue!

Second half kickoff to Michigan

Forcier looks good to start the second half - a couple of first down and Brandon Minor looks like he's getting started again.

Minor driving Michigan down the field - a fumbled snap - 3rd and 2 from the 2 yard line. Michigan stalls out on the 5 yard line - Olesnavage lines up for a 27 yard field goal to tie the game...and missed wide left.

Notre Dame fumble - recovered by Michigan's Jonas Mouton

Brandon Minor is rolling again - First and goal Michigan on the 7...

3rd and goal on the ND 3...TOUCHDOWN MICHIGAN 3 yard pass from Forcier to Koger...PAT GOOD 24-20 Michigan

EDITORS NOTE:  I'm using this game as a warm up for Sunday Nights Chicago Bears @ Green Bay game - I will not be finishing this game up , this live blog will end at 5:00pm CST.  I will return after the game for some post game analysis.  Thanks for hanging out with me this afternoon!

Michigan's Defense has made some adjustments - holding Notre Dame to a 3 and out after a 52 yard kick off return.

That's going to do it for me - check back later and GO BLUE!!!

 POST GAME ANALYSIS:
Michigan was able to pull out the win in a wild game, the win was great for Rich Rodriguez and may be one of the final nails in the coffin for Charlie Weis.  Weis may be in trouble, not only because ND lost, but because of the way he mismanaged the game in the closing minutes.  Michigan should never got the ball back to score, but Tate Forcier made the most of the opportunity he was given, and despite blowing an 11 point lead late, his composure and poise was enough to pull out a huge win.

Charlie Weis has often been called an offensive "genius", but during his tenure at Notre Dame he's been anything but.  His willingness to get away from an effective running game in order to show how good he is, well it was his undoing today.  Jimmy Claussen was pretty good and Michigan had their hands full with Allen, Tate, and Floyd all day long, but more than the mistakes, miscues, and turnovers - it was the coaching that ultimately ended Notre Dame's bid for BCS bowl and National Title.

The allegations that haunted Rich Rodriguez prior to week one seem distant, and controversy swirling around Charlie Weis is sure to intensify.  As Michigan makes it's way back to prominence, Notre Dame remains mired in mediocrity and their inability to win the meaningful game hasn't helped at all.  As I mentioned at halftime, it's only week 2, but this was a huge game for both teams.  Michigan has Eastern Michigan and Indiana next on the schedule, so a 4-0 start wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility.  Notre Dame has to regroup and try to salvage what they can from this year.  Their offense was hitting on all cylinders, and we'll just have to wait and see how much Charlie's "genius" has an effect on what ND does the rest of the year.