Notes from weekly Michigan press conference - Sept. 6

• BREAKING NEWS: Denard Robinson will start at quarterback Saturday at Notre Dame. Stunner, I know. Coach Rodriguez said Denard is a humble guy and won't let the national attention he's receiving change who he is. Still, it's gotta be fairly overwhelming. 
• I'll repeat what I wrote on here following Saturday's game. I wasn't expecting Denard to put up the numbers he did, but I figured he was capable of it. I also figure he's capable of struggling against a defensive game plan designed to make him uncomfortable and limit his running options. Michigan's offensive coaches should be anticipating what Notre Dame plans to do and develop a counter punch.
• Rodriguez wasn't too interested in talking about Tate Forcier's sideline body language in Saturday's game, or his proclamation that "I'm out" following the game. Just a guess: Rodriguez is numb to this type of behavior. He has seen it and heard it all before from Forcier, and until Forcier cleans out his locker, Rodriguez won't spend much time thinking about it.
• It is not true that the Forcier family mantra is, "When the going gets tough, transfer." But should Tate leave, he'd be the third Forcier brother (of three) to transfer from the program he signed with.
• Don't expect Carvin Johnson (sprained knee) or Roy Roundtree (internal bleeding) to play Saturday at Notre Dame. Rodriguez said Johnson is "very, very doubtful" while Roundtree is merely "doubtful." 
• Rodriguez hopes Junior Hemingway and Fitz Toussaint will be able to practice this week and ultimately play Saturday. Toussaint is a physical runner, something UM lacks a bit with the Shaw-Smith combo.
• Rodriguez wishes he had played more guys on offense Saturday. I didn't think to ask, and probably would have been scolded had I, but does he wish he had played Forcier? Doubt it. 
• Neither team recorded a sack Saturday. Not sure this is a huge deal for Michigan, although you'd like to see one or two. With three down linemen, none of which are a dominant pass rusher, you're not going to see a ton of sacks. What's important is they apply some pressure, with the assistance of rover Craig Roh, particularly on third down. QBs had all day to throw on third down against UM last year. 
• Similarly, UM's offensive line didn't have tremendous success Saturday. Shaw and Smith were both under four yards per carry. Robinson is so fast and so shifty, that he doesn't use his blocks a great deal, so I'm not sure his line deserves a great deal of credit for his day. Rodriguez said a couple of linemen underperformed significantly.
• Some reporter who I have never seen before opened the press conference by congratulating Rich on the win over Connecticut. Cute. 
• Obi Ezeh said he has a lot to prove after a sub par 2009 season. I'd say all linebackers have something to prove.