Preview: Michigan at Wisconsin

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17Nov 2017
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Preview: Michigan at Wisconsin

RUSH OFFENSE vs. WISCONSIN RUSH DEFENSE

Michigan is #30 in rushing offense (208 yards/game), and that ranking comes after 865 yards and 11 touchdowns over the past three games. The Wolverines are tied for #41 in rushing average (4.91 yards/carry) and tied for #34 in rushing touchdowns. A couple of those stats are made more impressive by the fact that Michigan has generally struggled to pass the ball all season. Michigan’s offensive line is #10 in Adjusted Line Yards and #35 in Standard Down Line Yards, so they’re doing okay. Starting running back Karan Higdon (854 yards, 6.62 yards/carry, 10 TDs) left last week’s Maryland game with an ankle injury, but he is expected to return; he has two 200-yard games this season. Meanwhile, right guard Michael Onwenu is also expected back from injury. Wisconsin is #1 nationally in rush defense (81.5 yards allowed/game), and they have allowed fewer than 100 yards to six out of ten opponents so far. The most productive running team against them was Nebraska, who had 110 yards and averaged 4.23 yards/carry. Linebacker Ryan Connelly (6’3″, 228 lbs.) leads the team with 55 tackles, and seven of the top nine tacklers are linebackers in their base 3-4 defense. Six players have between 5.5 and 9.5 tackles for loss, led by senior outside linebacker Garret Dooley (6’3″, 246). The team is tied at #31 with 69 tackles for loss this season. Michigan has run the ball better than some people give them credit for this season, but it’s an offense still finding its way against the #1 run-stuffing defense in the nation.
Advantage: Wisconsin

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15Nov 2017
Blog, homepage 2 comments

Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Devin Funchess

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess is having a bit of a breakout season. On Monday night against the Miami Dolphins, he caught 5 passes for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has set or matched career highs in most major categories with 43 catches for 535 yards and 5 touchdowns in ten games so far. The Panthers won the Monday night game, 45-21.

HONORABLE MENTION

  • Dallas Cowboys DT Richard Ash made 3 tackles in a 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons
  • New England Patriots QB Tom Brady completed 25/34 passes for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 41-16 win over the Denver Broncos
  • Patriots DT Alan Branch made 3 tackles in the same game
  • Los Angeles Rams S Blake Countess made his first career interception (which he returned 19 yards) and 1 pass breakup in a 33-7 win over the Houston Texans
  • Minnesota Vikings LB Ben Gedeon made 2 tackles in a 38-30 win over the Washington Redskins
  • San Francisco 49ers CB Leon Hall made 1 tackle in a 31-21 win over the New York Giants, the first win for the 49ers this season
  • Patriots LB David Harris 4 tackles and 1 pass breakup in the 41-16 win over the Broncos
  • Cowboys CB Jourdan Lewis made 2 tackles and 1 pass breakup in the 27-7 loss to the Falcons
  • Cleveland Browns S Jabrill Peppers made 4 tackles, 2 punt returns for 11 yards, and 1 kickoff return for 13 yards in a 38-24 loss to the Detroit Lions
  • Seattle Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls ran the ball 10 times for 27 yards and had 2 catches for 12 yards in a 22-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals
  • Green Bay Packers LB Jake Ryan made 4 tackles in a 23-16 victory over the Chicago Bears
14Nov 2017
Blog, homepage 11 comments

Michigan vs. Maryland Awards

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Michael Onwenu. Freshman Cesar Ruiz has been playing in place of an injured Onwenu, and while Ruiz has done okay, I think Onwenu has reached a point where he’s a solid right guard. Early in the year, he was struggling with his technique and conditioning, but now that he’s worked his way into game shape, he should be capable of playing an entire contest.

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