#NDInsider Twitter Chatter: Notre Dame-Michigan
Twitter can be a fun (or depressing) and brutally honest (or unreasonable) place during Notre Dame football games. That's why we open up this space for the #NDInsider Twitter Chatter following games.
During the game, readers are encouraged to send their thoughts and observations with the #NDInsider hashtag to be considered for our postgame fan recap. They joined us with their 280-character takes during the game.
A new season offered a new chance for me to make poor predictions. I got off to a fantastic start by forecasting a Michigan victory.
*Is this thing on?*
It's time to open up a new #NDInsider Twitter Chatter for the 2018 season. Send us your in-game quips, complaints, compliments and GIFs with the #NDInsider hashtag, and we'll collect them for a postgame recap on https://t.co/18X48WVtrVpic.twitter.com/7RZQ5YtpKp
— Tyler James (@TJamesNDI) September 1, 2018
As always, let's get started with predictions. I'm taking Michigan 24, #NotreDame 20. What say you? Send it in with the #NDInsider hashtag.
— Tyler James (@TJamesNDI) September 1, 2018
I'm already 0-1 on predictions for the weekend. The crowd in #NotreDame Stadium is wearing much more green than I anticipated. I took under 75 percent earlier this week on Pod of Gold. #NDInsiderpic.twitter.com/xp3ICOSpU5
— Tyler James (@TJamesNDI) September 1, 2018
It didn't take long for my prediction to look silly. Notre Dame pounced on Michigan early. Jafar Armstrong scored the first touchdown on a 13-yard run just 1:25 into the game. Wide receiver Chris Finke extended the lead to 14-0 with a leaping, 43-yard touchdown catch over a Michigan defender.
FINK OR MOSS??? #NDInsider
— Nick Gonzalez (@nickg1421) September 2, 2018
My score prediction is going out the window. Pure happiness. #NDInsider
— Stephanie Winters (@stephie_winters) September 2, 2018
Dream start by the Irish . Can they keep it up? #NDInsider
— yo murphy (@rofeal1) September 2, 2018
The hot start continued for Notre Dame when Armstrong scored his second touchdown of the game to give the Irish a 21-3 lead. Then Michigan immediately responded with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Ambry Thomas.
#NDInsider why do they refuse to try touchbacks. Why
— AJG (@AJ_Gelson) September 2, 2018
Why can’t we figure out how to cover kicks better?!? Rough night for special teams. #ndinsider
— Joe Dunn (@joedunndc) September 2, 2018
The Irish took a 21-10 lead into the locker room after a first half with more scoring than anticipated. Other than the late special teams blunder, Notre Dame couldn't have asked for a much better start.
Irish look great in every phase but special teams. Clearly better than Michigan to this point. But ND has shown an inability to put teams away for YEARS. I hope this year is different. #NDInsider
— yo murphy (@rofeal1) September 2, 2018
Great passing by Wimbush, Great play by D
Kickoff team needs to wake up.
Keep the foot on the gas and drive home the W#NDInsider
— Th3Bill (@Th3Bill) September 2, 2018
Special teams looks like hot garbage #NDInsider but couldn’t have asked for much better half than that. Go Irish #Irish
— Will Hendrick (@William_Forest) September 2, 2018
Great playcalling both sides of the ball. Making Michigan play perfectly. Improvement? Special teams. #ndinsider
— Justin (@therealputnam) September 2, 2018
The fact that on offense they really haven’t done anything. One special team breakdown is the only thing that has kept this close. Need to shit them down on this first possession of 2nd half. #NDinsider.
— Frank Isenthal (@missing_franks) September 2, 2018
Wimbush. Secondary. Mack. Armstrong. Play calling. #NDInsider
— Michael Scaletta (@mikes1160) September 2, 2018
Only thing to improve is special teams. #NDInsider
— Billy Beckman (@bigbeck9) September 2, 2018
We need to get the running game going! #NDInsider
— TG (@FlashTG5) September 2, 2018
#NDInsider ND receivers fighting for balls in the air. 1 broke up a pick another a TD
— Geisha Man (@Geisha5083) September 2, 2018
Liking the play calling on both sides. They must improve the kickoffs and coverage #NDInsider
— bsaran (@bpsaran) September 2, 2018
Special teams is a TOTAL DISASTER! 1st kickoff goes out of bounds, 2nd is poorly covered AND has a late hit OB. 3rd speaks for itself. #NDInsider
— Patrick N Florida (@patricknflorida) September 2, 2018
Like: play of defense, Tillery, and Wimbush don’t like: special teams play, watching any play where Jones Jr is asked to pass protect #NDInsider
— Jeff Shubert (@jmshubert) September 2, 2018
The scoring slowed in the second half with both defenses taking control of the game. Justin Yoon extended Notre Dame's lead to 24-10 with a 48-yard field goal.
Michigan made a late rally with a Karan Higdon touchdown run with 2:18 remaining in the game. But quarterback Shea Patterson fumbled on Michigan's final drive, and the Irish sealed a 24-17 victory.
YASSSSSS IRISH WIN!!!!!! Putting us on the edge of our seat, per usual. 1-0. Great game and start to the season. #NDInsider
— Stephanie Winters (@stephie_winters) September 2, 2018
D is legit good. Special Teams stepped up 2nd half
O needs to get better in a hurry...especially the OL. 2nd half was pathetic#NDInsider
— Th3Bill (@Th3Bill) September 2, 2018
Defense is legit #NDInsider
— Caleb Hanson (@hansoncaleb) September 2, 2018
#NDInsider offense disappeared after scripted plays ran out. Wimbush on field for only one of the 3 TDS. Defense looked good. Play calling in 2nd half atrocious. When is Ian Book going to get the chance to make this team special? Kelly played not to lose, should’ve been blowout
— Jon lunardini (@PrimeTimePuma) September 2, 2018
Big win for the Irish! Michigan
Offense was not prepared for
Tonight’s game. Harbaugh 28-12
record as head coach of Michigan! #ndinsider#khakis#whataboutNDdefense
— Bob Rafferty (@Raff1575) September 2, 2018
ok #notredame defense...y'all looking legit tonight...Thank you for holding us down #MichiganVsNotreDame#NDInsider
— Cocosnapslife (@cdn515) September 2, 2018
Wimbush looked great. 2nd half struggles due to tackles getting burned every play. #NDInsider
— Justin (@therealputnam) September 2, 2018
I'm holding out on my decision on whether Wimbush has improved this year, he held his own this game, but I do know that Ian is breathing on his neck #NDInsider#NotreDame#NotreDameFootball
— Cocosnapslife (@cdn515) September 2, 2018
Can we please put the Book is better than Wimbush talk to bed #NDInsider
— @jacksnj (@JacksnJ) September 2, 2018
Happy with the win and defense. Worried about o-line and Wimbush just throwing it up and hoping for a completion on occasion. Have some good options at RB. #NDInsider
— NDPhinsFan (@uDontEvenKnoMe) September 2, 2018
Notre Dame defensive line is for real. Some of the play-calling was a head-scratcher. Wimbush looked more sure of himself. A good start to the season and they passed a critical early test #NDInsider
— Mr. Sarcasm (@sarcasm4_u) September 2, 2018
ND needs a true running back. This season is over because of that I think. #NDInsider
— The madhungarian (@madhungarian247) September 2, 2018
Play of the game: Wimbush under center for QB sneak on 4th & 1. Go Irish! #NDInsider
— Drew Veal (@DrewVeal) September 2, 2018
Wimbush throws off his back leg more than he needs to. #NDInsider
— ☘ (@ndfbHQ) September 2, 2018
Oline has to protect QB better. Wimbush was beaten up all night. #NDInsider
— CDP, Ed.D. (@cdpulse1) September 2, 2018