Preview: Michigan vs. SMU

Preview: Michigan vs. SMU


September 14, 2018

This has been another ridiculously busy week, so here’s an abbreviated preview for tomorrow’s game.

MICHIGAN RUSHING OFFENSE

Rushing Offense: #65 (183 yards/game), #39 (5.38 yards/attempt)
Leading rushers: 
RB Karan Higdon (228 yards, 6.71 YPC, 2 TD), RB Chris Evans (87 yards, 7.3 YPC, 2 TD), RB Tru Wilson (54 yards, 9.0 YPC)

Hit the jump for the rest of the preview.

SMU RUSHING DEFENSE

Rushing Defense: #77 (150.5 yards allowed/game), #55 (3.58 yards allowed/attempt)
Leading tacklers: S Patrick Nelson (19 tackles), S Rodney Clemons (16 tackles), LB Delano Robinson (15 tackles)
Leading tacklers for loss: S Patrick Nelson (4.5 tackles for loss), LB Kyran Mitchell (2.5 TFLs)

MICHIGAN PASSING OFFENSE

Passing Offense: #96 (196 yards/game), #49 (150.28 PER)
Leading passer: QB Shea Patterson (68.1% completions, 352 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT)
Leading receivers: WR Nico Collins (4 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD), WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (10/69/1), WR Grant Perry (5/48/0)

SMU PASSING DEFENSE

Passing Defense: #112 (307.5 yards allowed/game), #104 (149.83 PER defense)
Leading sacker: S Patrick Nelson (1.5 sacks)
Leading pass defender: LB Shane Hailey (1 INT for 8 yards)

MICHIGAN RUSHING DEFENSE

Rushing Defense: #49 (127.5 yards allowed/game), #29 (2.93 yards allowed/attempt)
Leading tacklers: LB Devin Bush (16 tackles), DE Rashan Gary (13 tackles), LB Josh Ross (12 tackles)
Leading tacklers for loss: DE Chase Winovich (3.5 tackles for loss), five tied with 1.5 TFLs

SMU RUSHING OFFENSE

Rushing Offense: #127 (67.5 yards/game), #123 (2.60 yards/attempt)
Leading rushers: RB Braeden West (104 yards, 5.47 YPC, 2 TD), RB Xavier Jones (25 yards, 2.8 YPC), RB Ke’Mon Freeman (25 yards, 2.5 YPC)

MICHIGAN PASSING DEFENSE

Passing Defense: #13 (127.5 yards allowed/game), #10 (87.0 PER defense)
Leading sacker: LB Devin Bush (1.5 sacks), DE Rashan Gary (1.0 sacks), LB Jordan Anthony (1.0 sacks)
Leading pass defender: CB Brandon Watson (1 INT for 19 yards), CB Lavert Hill (3 pass breakups)

SMU PASSING OFFENSE

Passing Offense: #103 (181.5 yards/game), #118 (103.3 PER)
Leading passer: QB Ben Hicks (48.4% completions, 363 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT)
Leading receivers: WR James Proche (8/127/1), RB Braeden West (5/100/1), Reggie Roberson Jr. (6/75/0)

LAST TIME THEY PLAYED . . . 

  • Michigan beat SMU in their only previous meeting on September 28, 1963 by a score of 27-16
  • Michigan RB Jack Clancy ran 7 times for 64 yards, and RB Dick Rindfuss ran 4 times for 58 yards and 1 TD
  • Michigan QB Forest Evashevski was 7/10 for 104 yards and 1 TD
  • After beginning his career as a FB, Michigan OG Joe O’Donnell’s lone career carry was a 50-yard touchdown on a fake punt

PREDICTIONS

  • Shea Patterson throws for 3 touchdowns
  • Donovan Peoples-Jone has 100+ yards and 1 touchdown receiving
  • Michigan knocks Ben Hicks out of the game
  • Michigan 38, SMU 10

8 comments

  1. Comments: 522
    Joined: 8/12/2015
    DonAZ
    Sep 14, 2018 at 6:41 AM

    I think the 38 – 10 prediction is way too conservative. I sense this is going to be another 49 or 56 point production out of Michigan. And I would not be surprised to see Michigan notch a shutout in this.

    • Comments: 400
      Joined: 12/24/2016
      INTJohn
      Sep 14, 2018 at 7:18 AM

      Yeah, I’m with you on this. Should be a major league stats pad game with backups freshmen & walk ons in the 2nd haf………

    • Comments: 400
      Joined: 12/24/2016
      INTJohn
      Sep 14, 2018 at 7:20 AM

      Main thing is get through it with no injuries.

  2. Comments: 82
    Joined: 1/10/2017
    Julio
    Sep 14, 2018 at 7:12 AM

    Joe O’Donnell wound up playing in the NFL and settling in nearby Milan afterward:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_O%27Donnell_(American_football)

    Unrelated: Is there going to be a Giles Jackson write-up? Just curious …..

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      Sep 14, 2018 at 8:03 AM

      Yes. Unfortunately, when these kids have the audacity to make the most important decision of their young lives DURING THE WEEK DURING THE FOOTBALL SEASON, I have very little (a.k.a. no) time to document it.

      Kids these days…

  3. Comments: 1863
    Joined: 1/19/2016
    je93
    Sep 14, 2018 at 9:07 AM

    Let’s hope for a decisive win that allows even more time to work on offensive kinks, and rotation of depth

  4. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    Sep 14, 2018 at 10:46 AM

    Thanks for the preview. Go Blue.

  5. Comments: 117
    Joined: 9/28/2015
    PapaBear
    Sep 14, 2018 at 4:02 PM

    Still solid work, Thunder. Thanks!

    Gentlemen, who is better…. Western or SMU?

You must belogged in to post a comment.