Preview: Michigan vs. Rutgers

Tag: Rutgers


24Sep 2021
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Preview: Michigan vs. Rutgers

Rutgers WR Bo Melton (Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics)

RUSH OFFENSE vs. RUTGERS RUSH DEFENSE
Michigan is the #1 rushing team in the country, averaging 350 yards per game on 7.15 yards per carry (#4). The two most relevant players are Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins, who are almost identical in attempts this year: 48 and 49, respectively. Corum is the more explosive one (8.5 yards/carry, 7 touchdowns) while Haskins (5.7 yards/carry, 4 touchdowns) is the Steady Eddie. The unsung heroes of that rushing offense, of course, are the offensive linemen, who are blasting people up front. That group is led by center Andrew Vastardis. Rutgers is #49 in rushing defense (113 yards allowed/game) and #46 in yards allowed per carry (3.39). Those numbers are bolstered by the quality of opponent so far, which has included Temple, Syracuse, and Delaware.
Advantage: Michigan

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23Nov 2020
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Snapshots: Pin and pull, but why no reads?

As with many of these snapshot plays, I’m limited with my time – and these take a while – so I apologize for not going into more depth. To discuss this post, head on over to touchthebanner.blogspot.com.

In the second quarter with the Wolverines down 7-0 to Rutgers, Michigan had a 2nd-and-1 play with Blake Corum in the backfield in 11 personnel (1 running back, 1 tight end).

Pre-snap, the setup looks like this:

Power read, a play Michigan would not could not run.

That’s Corum to the right of the QB, and it sets up perfectly (at least in my mind) for power read. One unblocked playside defender is the field safety at 10 yards, and if the receivers block, Corum has to make a guy miss in the open field. The other unblocked playside defender is the end, because the call would put him in conflict, forcing him to either chase Corum or keep an eye on the 6’5″, 243 lb. QB with the 4.62 forty.

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23Nov 2020
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Michigan vs. Rutgers Awards

Giles Jackson (image via Wolverines Wire)

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Cade McNamara. I wasn’t quite ready after the Wisconsin game, but now I’m ready. Quarterback Cade McNamara should be the starter going forward. He went 27/36 for 260 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, and he also ran in 1 touchdown. This happened after starter Joe Milton was 5/12 for 89 yards.

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20Nov 2020
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Preview: Michigan at Rutgers

Isaih Pacheco

To discuss this post or share your own prediction about how the game will go, please head on over to touchthebanner.blogspot.com while I work out the issue with comments not working here.

RUSH OFFENSE vs. RUTGERS RUSH DEFENSE
Michigan is now #106 in rush offense (117 yards/game) and #55 in yards per carry (4.59). As bad/mediocre as that sounds, it’s worse than that, because Michigan ran all over Minnesota in the opener and has done nothing since. No word has trickled out about whether Michigan’s starting offensive tackles will return this weekend from injury, but I expect very little unless at least right tackle Jalen Mayfield returns. Last week Michigan gave leading rusher Hassan Haskins (7.8 yards/carry) just one touch, so I have no idea what’s going on with the running back rotation. Rutgers is #70 in rushing defense (175 yards allowed/game) but #46 in yards allowed per carry (4.0). They’re led in tackles by senior linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi (6’1″, 234 lbs.) with 50, while senior Tyshon Fogg (6’1″, 232) is second with 39. Fatukasi (6.5) and defensive tackle Julius Turner (6’0″, 265) lead the team with 6.5 and 4.5 tackles for loss, respectively. Turner is undersized, but I like his quickness. Former Michigan defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour (6’1″, 296) has notched 14 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss so far this year.
Advantage: Rutgers

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1Oct 2019
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Michigan vs. Rutgers Awards

I just really like this picture (image via MGoBlue)

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Donovan Peoples-Jones. Peoples-Jones played quite a bit on Saturday, but I just want to take this opportunity to express how important Peoples-Jones is to this offense. I really think his absence from the field hampered Michigan during the first few weeks of the season. The team was missing its best receiver and the only reliable punt returner. His 4 catches for 62 yards didn’t set the world on fire, but he offers a different element to the team than anyone else can provide.

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