Preview: Michigan vs. UConn

Preview: Michigan vs. UConn


September 3, 2010


Rush Offense vs. UConn Rush Defense
When Rich Rodriguez was in the Big East, his teams ran all over UConn. Rodriguez knows how to run against a Randy Edsall-coached team, and that should serve him well. Not only will Michigan start the fleet-footed Denard Robinson, but the Wolverines have a solid offensive line and a variety of capable running backs. The Huskies do boast two very good senior linebackers in Lawrence Wilson and Greg Lloyd, but Lloyd is coming off a serious knee injury and probably won’t be up to 100%. Meanwhile, UConn’s defensive line is banged up. This should be a big day for Michigan on the ground.
Advantage: Michigan

Pass Offense vs. UConn Pass Defense
I don’t expect Michigan to go to the air as much as last year, not with Denard Robinson at the helm. Robinson’s passing ability has reportedly improved in the last year, but it had nowhere to go but up. Additionally, Michigan should be able to churn out yards on the ground, which makes the pass merely a distraction. We’ll surely see some short passes on play action, and I think Roy Roundtree and Darryl Stonum will both be targeted deep once or twice. That should keep the defense honest, and at least one big play should occur through the air. However, all bets are off when Forcier enters the game. He had an excellent game in the opener against Western Michigan in 2009, and he’s healthy right now. Michigan should be able to take advantage of a weak secondary without too many turnovers, although I’m guessing they’ll pick off a bad decision or two.
Advantage: Michigan

Rush Defense vs. UConn Rush Offense
Things begin to get iffy for Michigan on defense. UConn has run the ball well in the recent past, and junior Jordan Todman had 14 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards in 2009. Four of UConn’s starting offensive linemen return, and that doesn’t bode well for a Michigan front that includes a converted fullback starting at middle linebacker (Mark Moundros) and a freshman outside linebacker (Carvin Johnson). Michigan’s defensive line should be stout against UConn’s power run game, but the linebackers will probably make some frustrating mistakes. The defensive backfield is young and I have questions about the tackling ability of all four guys on the back end, excluding Jordan Kovacs – who is slow but a good tackler.
Advantage: Connecticut

Pass Defense vs. UConn Pass Offense
Zach Frazer originally committed to Notre Dame, but he couldn’t hack it there. He transferred to Connecticut, and maybe he can’t hack it there, either. If every UConn opponent’s defense is like Michigan’s, though, he’ll have a very solid season. The defensive backfield is very green and – yeah, I’ll say it – not very talented. Michigan has certainly suffered from bad luck regarding injuries and personality problems at those positions, but the coaching and recruiting have to be questioned, too. Regardless, the Wolverines will be playing two former receivers (James Rogers, Cameron Gordon), a former walk-on (Jordan Kovacs), and a guy who should probably be playing safety (J.T. Floyd). Ugh. There will be missed tackles and blown assignments. Tomorrow will be frustrating.
Advantage: Connecticut

Final Predictions

Denard Robinson will rush for 80+ yards.

One Michigan running back will run for 100+ yards.

Robinson will make at least two turnovers.

UConn will have a 40+ yard pass and a 40+ yard run.

Despite the “change” in terminology, Michigan’s defense will look much the same as in 2009.

Final score: Michigan 38, Connecticut 31

10 comments

  1. Comments: 21395
    Anonymous
    Sep 03, 2010 at 6:33 PM

    Good write-up.

    Minor nitpick: Why is Michigan's Rush Defense pitted against U-Conn's Rush Defense? Surely you mean U-Conn's Rush Offense.

  2. Comments: 21395
    Anonymous
    Sep 03, 2010 at 7:55 PM

    Sorta feel bad for Molk. The #1 spot but no writeup? He got shafted!

  3. Comments: 21395
    MH20
    Sep 03, 2010 at 8:50 PM

    Anonymous 3:55 – Hey, the day ain't over yet!

  4. Comments: 21395
    Sep 04, 2010 at 1:57 AM

    I agree with everything posted. This is strange…

  5. Comments: 21395
    Sep 04, 2010 at 3:18 AM

    @ Anonymous 2:33 p.m.

    Oops.

  6. Comments: 21395
    Sep 04, 2010 at 3:19 AM

    @ Anonymous 3:55 p.m. and MH20

    Sorry. Had a game tonight and school has started. I haven't had time to do the Molk write-up yet.

  7. Comments: 21395
    Anonymous
    Sep 05, 2010 at 12:00 AM

    Great predictions magnus. You were close on only one of those, and the one you did predict Denard shattered that.

  8. Comments: 21395
    Sep 05, 2010 at 12:39 AM

    @ Anonymous 8:00 p.m.

    Wow, you really hurt my feelings. Nobody should take those predictions seriously. They're just for fun. How many people do you think ACTUALLY predicted the score or even had Michigan giving up less than 20 points? I was right about #1, wrong about #2 and #3, half-right about #4, and half-right about #5.

    But anyway, thanks for coming to my site!

  9. Comments: 21395
    Anonymous
    Sep 05, 2010 at 12:45 AM

    You owe Denard Robinson a personal apology on your site.

  10. Comments: 21395
    Sep 05, 2010 at 12:48 AM

    @ Anonymous 8:45 p.m.

    An apology for what? Because he tore up a bad Big East defense and I thought he'd make two turnovers? Hmmm…

    Hey, I'm glad we won. I'm glad he played well. But I'm not going to apologize for that stuff when 15% of his passes ended up in the other team's hands in 2009. I'll fully believe in his passing abilities when he throws the ball well against a team that isn't about 88th in the country against the pass (UConn in 2009).

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