Notre Dame vs Michigan State

There are many ways to measure how good a college football team is. One of them is how they play against unranked or less-talented opponents. A good coach won't let his team get so excited by a big victory on the road that they come home and lay an egg against an inferior team.

That is the situation for the Fighting Irish this week. Now we will see how good they are. And we will see if Coach Weis can keep his team even-keeled. As good as the Irish have played the first 2 games of the season, it won't mean much if they lose to Michigan State on Saturday.

From the Notre Dame official football site:

Notre Dame head football coach Charlie Weis did not spend much time celebrating his team's headline-grabbing upset at No. 3 Michigan last weekend. While on the team bus heading back to campus, Weis reached into his bag, pulled out his media guide and took a look at the series history between Notre Dame and Michigan State.
Weis' check of the series history would be the key to his motivation for the Irish this week. The Spartans have won more games in Notre Dame Stadium (11) than any other Irish opponent. The Spartans have also won four consecutive games in `The House that Rockne Built,' becoming just the second Irish opponent to accomplish that feat (Purdue won five in a row from 1954-62).

I think Charlie Weis will have his team ready to play. He always did in New England. This Irish team looks more level-headed than any since the Lou Holtz era. They play with emotion, but emotion isn't what makes them good. This team executes and has confidence in themselves, the game plan, and the coaches.

I would be very surprised if Notre Dame lost this game. In fact, I will be surprised if it's even close.

Notre Dame 38, Michigan State 20