Tag: game preview

Citrus Bowl Preview: Rush Offense vs. Alabama Rush Defense

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Michigan is #81 in rush offense after twelve games with 150 yards per contest. As a team they average 3.98 yards per carry, which is 89th in the nation, but they’re tied at #37 for touchdowns (26). Freshman Zach Charbonnet had double-digit carries in five out of the first eight games, including weeks five through eight; however, redshirt freshman Hassan Haskins has double-digit attempts in six out of the last seven games. Haskins (561 yards, 5.5 YPC, 4 TD) doesn’t have breakaway speed but does a good job of getting downhill and squaring up his shoulders. Charbonnet (642 yards, 4.7 YPC, 11 TD) has shown a good nose for the goal line in short yardage situations. Michigan’s offensive line is healthy going into the bowl game. All five players earned some sort of all-conference designation, and the left side is anchored by seniors Jon Runyan, Jr. and Ben Bredeson. Altogether, they have disappointingly been unable to push around opposing defensive lines not named Illinois or Notre Dame. Right tackle Jalen Mayfield shows flashes of excellence and superb athleticism, but he’s also prone to some mental mistakes.

Hit the jump for more.

Citrus Bowl Preview: Last Time They Played…

Yesterday I posted some roster notes on Alabama (LINK).

For the 2012 season opener, Michigan scheduled a game with Alabama at Jerryworld, a neutral-site location. At that point Alabama had won 2 of the previous 3 national championships, including the previous season’s. Meanwhile, Michigan was coming off of an 11-2 season and a win in the Sugar Bowl over Virginia Tech.

• Alabama was up 21-0 at the end of the 1st quarter and 31-0 in the 2nd quarter before a Denard Robinson TD made it 31-7 at halftime.
• Michigan would go on to lose, 41-14.
• Alabama QB A.J. McCarron finished 11/21 for 199 yards and 2 TD.
• Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon ran 11 times for 111 yards and 1 TD.
• Devin Gardner started at wide receiver (1 catch, 44 yards, 1 TD).
• Jeremy Gallon caught 4 passes for 107 yards.
• After Robinson got injured, #2 quarterback Russell Bellomy came in to go 0/1 with 1 INT.

Michigan is 2-2 all-time against Alabama, with wins coming in 1988 and 2000, as well as losses coming in 1997 and 2012. All previous meetings other than 2012 have taken place in bowl games.

Preview: Michigan Defense vs. Ohio State Offense

You can find the Michigan offense vs. OSU defense posts here (LINK).

Hit the jump for the second half of the preview.

Preview: Michigan Offense vs. Ohio State Defense

The picture above is a reminder that Chase Young should not be participating in this game. He missed two games because he took money as an amateur athlete. Say what you want about what the rules should be, but the rules are what they are and he broke them.

Hit the jump for the preview.

Preview: Michigan at Indiana

As you may have noticed, I have been posting a little more regularly this week. Life is still kind of crazy, but unfortunately, we’re out of the playoffs, so that opens up some time.

RUSH OFFENSE vs. INDIANA RUSH DEFENSE

Michigan is #67 in rushing offense (162 yards/game) and #78 in rushing average (4.08 yards/carry) after a pretty meager week slamming into Michigan State’s front. Leading rusher Zach Charbonnet (589 yards, 11 TD) seems to be on a pitch count, while Hassan Haskins (439 yards, 3 TD) and Tru Wilson (216 yards, 1 TD) have stepped up in recent weeks. Indiana is #46 in rush defense (140 yards allowed/game) on 3.86 yards per carry, which is tied for #45 nationally. Sophomore middle linebacker Micah McFadden (6’2″, 232 lbs.) leads the team in tackles with 46, followed closely by weakside linebacker Reakwon Jones (6’2″, 233) with 43 tackles. Sophomore defensive tackle Demarcus Elliott (6’3″, 328) is a burgeoning star on the inside with 36 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks.
Advantage: Michigan

Hit the jump for more.