Behind Enemy Lines: How Notre Dame is viewing match-up with MSU

On Saturday night on primetime, Michigan State football will square off against one of college football's best teams as they take on No. 3 Notre Dame on the road in South Bend . There are some interesting wrinkles to this game, as new MSU head coach Pat Fitzgerald has never lost a game in South Bend as a player or coach.

Heading into the game, we asked Michael Chen, lead writer of our sister site Fighting Irish Wire , his thoughts on the match-up to learn about how Notre Dame may be approaching the game. You can see that Q&A below:

1. What should MSU fans know about this year's Notre Dame team?

This team is one of the best, if not the best, of the Marcus Freeman era. Like every team, there are some questions, but the elite defense will keep them in every game. Playmakers on every level, DT Francis Brewu , LB Kyngstonn Viliamau-Asa (who just returned from injury and almost led the team in tackles vs. Rice ) and safety Adon Shuler , give DC Chris Ash plenty of options. The offense relies heavily on the line, one of the best in the country, protecting CJ Carr . The run game is a work in progress, but there is talent there to make it work.

2. How do you think Notre Dame fans are viewing the matchup with MSU?

If this wasn't Pat Fitzgerald's first season in East Lansing, I'd say they'd be a bit more worried. He's a proven coach with an impressive track record in elevating Northwestern. Anytime Notre Dame faces a non-Purdue Big Ten team, there's some hesitation about if the Irish are good enough. Those times have changed, and if you don't have a number next to your name, fans aren't as worried as they have been in the past.

3. If MSU were to somehow pull off the upset, what do you think that game would have to look like?

If an upset were to happen, it would have to be due to shutting down Notre Dame's passing game. Carr has looked elite so far, he was PFF's top graded quarterback during Week 2, and with how average the run game has looked, this would be the path for an upset. It's easier said than done, as OC Mike Denbrock is one of the best in the country and the offensive line has potential to be dominant.

4. Any thoughts on Pat Fitzgerald returning to South Bend? He is 2-0 in South Bend as a player and coach, does that matter to anyone there?

I think those wins are so far away that it really doesn't matter much. We all know he's a good to great coach, as his stint with the Wildcats was their most successful run in the history of their program. Again, if this was three, four years into his tenure, the story would be different. However, with it being his first season, I think Notre Dame takes advantage of personnel that might not fit scheme yet.

5. What's your prediction for this game?

Like Notre Dame's opener, I think this will be a game through the half, then with a much better coaching staff, will take off in the final 30 minutes. Freeman's staff is one of the best in the country, and it already has paid dividends in the first two games. This was the first year of his tenure that he didn't have to replace either during the offseason, and I think that shows big time on Saturday night.

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