Tag: game preview

Preview: Michigan vs. UNLV

Rush Offense vs. UNLV Rush Defense
After a solid performance against Oregon State, Michigan is still only #87 nationally with 151 yards/game on the ground. Meanwhile, the 3.91 yards/carry ranks them #90 in the country. Bruising running back De’Veon Smith leads the team in rushing and has received more than 50% of the carries, and backup Ty Isaac has averaged 4.7 yards/carry so far. The Wolverines have stayed healthy on the offensive line so far, and Michigan’s line may have reinforced its confidence with last week’s dominant effort. On the other side, UNLV is #115 in rushing defense (229 yards allowed/game) and tied for #111 in yards allowed/carry (5.15). Those numbers have come against Northern Illinois and UCLA. The Rebels have pretty good size on the interior with 330 and 310 lb. starting defensive tackles, but they are a little light at weakside end (Mark Finau is 6’3″, 230 lbs.) and strongside linebacker (Matt Lea is 5’10”, 215 lbs.). The leading tackler is strong safety Peni Vea, and weakside linebacker Tau Lotulelei leads his unit with 2.5 tackles for loss. With Michigan’s emphasis on the running game and a running back who can run through his fair share of tackles, it would be very disappointing if the Wolverines don’t win this matchup.
Advantage: Michigan

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Preview: Michigan at Utah

Rush Offense vs. Utah Rush Defense
Michigan returns five offensive linemen with significant starting experience, although a few of them are playing new positions and last year’s starting center left with a year of eligibility remaining. From left to right, we should see sophomore Mason Cole (12 career starts), redshirt junior Ben Braden (12), fifth year senior Graham Glasgow (24), redshirt junior Kyle Kalis (16), and redshirt junior Erik Magnuson (13). That’s 77 combined starts on the line, and while Glasgow played guard last year, he started nine games at center during the 2013 season. New offensive line coach (and offensive coordinator) Tim Drevno should make a positive difference. Michigan’s offensive linemen have talked about running a lot of zone, but it would be a surprise if they don’t work in some traps and powers, let alone an occasional counter. On the other side, Utah’s best defensive unit is their line, but they were more effective at rushing the passer than they were at stopping the run. Junior defensive end Hunter Dimick made 14.5 tackles for loss, and sophomore defensive tackle Lowell Lotuleilei is stout in the middle. Senior linebacker Jared Norris is the star of the back seven after making 116 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks last season. Michigan has to improve its running game, and I think they will with the improved offensive line and a solid stable of running backs.
Advantage: Michigan

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Preview: Michigan at Ohio State

Rush Offense vs. Ohio State Rush Defense
Michigan is #63 in rushing offense (167 yards/game), and they are tied for #43 nationally with 4.74 yards/carry altogether. Quarterback Devin Gardner looked healthier than he has in weeks when he ran for 82 yards against Maryland, and Drake Johnson had 94 yards on just 14 carries. One thing that has contributed to Michigan’s improvement since last year is the health and consistency of the offensive line, a unit that missed Graham Glasgow for the season opener and was dealing with some health issues for Kyle Kalis early in the year. Otherwise, the group has stayed intact enough that last year’s starter at left guard, Erik Magnuson, has donned the #81 jersey and moved to tight end for the time being. Head coach Brady Hoke claimed that the Northwestern game was the line’s best game of the season, and Michigan ran for twice as many yards against Maryland as they did against the Wildcats. Meanwhile, Ohio State is #41 against the run (148 yards/game allowed) while giving up 4.12 yards/carry, which is 59th. The high-scoring Buckeyes have faced just the 38th-fewest carries on the year. The leading tackler is junior strongside linebacker Joshua Perry (6’4″, 250 lbs.), who is seventh in the Big Ten with 9 tackles/game (99 total). The next two guys on the list are the safeties, sophomore Vonn Bell (5’11”, 200 lbs.) and redshirt sophomore Tyvis Powell (6’3″, 205 lbs.). The Buckeyes are tied for 12th nationally with 81 tackles for loss, led by 18 from sophomore defensive end Joey Bosa (6’5″, 285 lbs.), 11.5 from redshirt freshman weakside ‘backer Darron Lee (6’2″, 225 lbs.), and 8.5 from Perry. While Michigan’s offensive line has improved, this is a formidable front coached by Penn State transplant Larry Johnson, one of the best defensive line coaches in the nation.
Advantage: Ohio State

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Pass Offense vs. Ohio State Pass Defense
Michigan is #115 nationally with 163 yards/game through the air, and their passer efficiency rating is #119. Quarterback Devin Gardner has thrown just 8 touchdowns while throwing 14 interceptions this season, including 0 scores and 3 picks in the past two games. When these two teams meet, it will have been 28 days since Gardner’s last scoring pass. Leading receiver Devin Funchess has been lackadaisical for the last couple months, and his 11.4 yards/catch is unimpressive; he drops too many passes, he doesn’t break tackles, and the offense rarely takes advantage of the fact that he is 6’5″ and 230 lbs. Redshirt sophomore Amara Darboh has been the more reliable target. Over the last five games, Darboh (21 catches, 284 yards, 1 touchdown in that span) has outperformed Funchess (26 catches, 233 yards, 1 score). Darboh has his own weaknesses in speed and route running, but he catches the ball if Gardner can get it there. The Wolverines are tied for #55 in giving up 21 sacks this season, an acceptable number after last year’s dismal performance, but the line will be tested against the Buckeyes. Ohio State is tied for 17th with 32 sacks, led by Bosa (11.5). Linebackers Lee and Perry have 4.5 and 3.0 sacks, respectively, while defensive tackles Michael Bennett (6’2″, 288 lbs.) and Adolphus Washington (6’4″, 288 lbs.) have 5.5 between them. On the back end, Ohio State gives up 183 yards/game through the air, which is #15 nationally, and their passer efficiency rating allowed is 8th-best. They also have 17 interceptions, which is #6 in the country. Bell, Powell, and senior cornerback Doran Grant (5’11”, 193 lbs.) each have 3 picks; Lee and redshirt freshman corner Eli Apple (6’1″, 195 lbs.) have 2 each. This is a tough matchup because of Ohio State’s decent size and speed in the secondary; they aren’t the best tacklers, but none of Michigan’s receivers can create after the catch, so that doesn’t play into the Wolverines’ strengths. This is a tough matchup for Michigan.
Advantage: Ohio State

Rush Defense vs. Ohio State Rush Offense
Michigan is #9 defensively by giving up 107 yards/game on the ground, and the 2.94 yards/carry they give up is #7. Middle linebacker Jake Ryan makes 9.45 tackles/game (104 total) to rank #2 in the conference, while weakside linebacker is second on the team with 93 stops. Arguably Michigan’s best defensive tackle, Willie Henry has played sparingly the past few weeks after a hand injury. Nose tackle Ryan Glasgow has done well. Michigan missed defensive end Frank Clark against Maryland after he was kicked off the team. Junior Mario Ojemudia (5 tackles for loss, 1 tackle for loss) was decent in his stead, but he’s lighter and less seasoned. Ohio State’s spread formations may make it difficult for the Wolverines to keep junior linebacker James Ross III on the field, but he’s a better bet to stop Ohio State’s effective running game than nickel corner Blake Countess. The Buckeyes are #14 nationally with 260 yards/game on the ground and #12 with a 5.6 yards/carry average. A mostly new set of offensive linemen and the loss of Carlos Hyde have seen that yards/carry figure drop 1.2 yards from last year’s nation-leading 6.8 clip, but that’s still some good production. Sophomore lead back Ezekiel Elliott (6’0″, 225 lbs.) has already eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark and averages 5.9 yards/carry, while redshirt freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett (6’1″, 225 lbs.) averages 5.4 and will probably get to 1,000 yards by the end of bowl season. Freshman Curtis Samuel (5’11”, 190 lbs.) is Elliott’s backup and averages 6.9 yards/carry on 51 attempts. The Buckeyes have four new starters on the offensive line this season, and a couple guys on the two-deep used to be defensive linemen. The only returning starter is left tackle Taylor Decker (6’7″, 315 lbs.), a senior who bumped from right tackle to the left side. On the interior, Ohio State plays a junior, a redshirt sophomore, and a redshirt freshman. Despite a pretty good run defense for Michigan, the presence of Barrett will make this especially difficult.
Advantage: Ohio State

Pass Defense vs. Ohio State Pass Offense
Michigan is 24th in the country as they give up 195 yards/game through the air, but the passer efficiency rating against them is in the middle of the pack at #64. The Wolverines are #29 with 29 sacks this season, led by senior defensive end Brennen Beyer with 5.5. Interestingly, Michigan’s top six sack totals are from defensive linemen, and 24 of the sacks have come from the line; starting inside linebackers Jake Ryan and Joe Bolden have 2 sacks each, but they don’t blitz often. Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison counts on his line to get there on organic pass rushes and occasional loop stunts. Meanwhile, in the secondary, Michigan is #117 – tied with South Florida and Old Dominion – with 5 interceptions. Those 5 include 2 from cornerback Jourdan Lewis, 2 from defensive tackles, and 1 from linebacker Jake Ryan. Even worse, Michigan is tied for #120 – with Wyoming and Old Dominion – with 30 passes defensed. The fact is that the Wolverines don’t have tight coverage and generally struggle to make plays on the ball, with Lewis being the most consistent player in those aspects. Meanwhile, Ohio State is #49 with 252 yards/game passing, but they’re #3 in passer efficiency. Barrett completes nearly 65% of his passes and has thrown for 33 touchdowns (plus 10 interceptions) in his first season of college football. Senior Devin Smith (6’1″, 197 lbs.) and redshirt sophomore Michael Thomas (6’3″, 203 lbs.) lead the team with 8 touchdowns apiece and just over 600 yards apiece. Redshirt freshman receiver Jalin Marshall (5’11”, 205 lbs.) broke out with 3 touchdown catches last week against Indiana and has 4 scores in the last two weeks. The top four wideouts each average more than 14 yards/catch, and tight ends Jeff Heuerman (6’5″, 255 lbs.) and Nick Vannett (6’6″, 260 lbs.) have 29 catches for 354 yards and 5 touchdowns among them. Pick your poison. The offensive line has allowed 23 sacks, which is tied for #69 nationally. Unless Barrett chokes in his first big rivalry game, this could be ugly for Michigan.
Advantage: Ohio State

Roster Notes

• Ohio State players with Michigan offers included CB Eli Apple, OT Darryl Baldwin, DT Michael Bennett, LB Kyle Berger, LB Devan Bogard, LB Dante Booker, CB Cameron Burrows, CB Gareon Conley, OT Taylor Decker, OG Kyle Dodson, RB Bri’onte Dunn, LB Curtis Grant, CB Doran Grant, OG Joel Hale, TE Jeff Heuerman, DT Michael Hill, S Malik Hooker, QB Cardale Jones, OG Jamarco Jones, OG Demetrius Knox, CB Marshon Lattimore, OT Evan Lisle, QB Braxton Miller, DE Steve Miller, OG Billy Price, CB Armani Reeves, DT Chris Rock, DT Tommy Schutt, WR Devin Smith, S Erick Smith, DT Noah Spence, S Ron Tanner, OT Kyle Trout, TE Nick Vannett, DT Adolphus Washington, CB Damon Webb, LB Camren Williams
• DT Chris Rock went to Michigan for his freshman year, sat out his sophomore year, and then walked on to OSU’s program
• CB Gareon Conley was committed to Michigan at one time
• Michigan OG Kyle Kalis was once committed to Ohio State
• Surprisingly, of the yardage OSU gained in last year’s game, 0 passing yards return (Braxton Miller is injured), 0 rushing yards return (Miller is injured, and everyone else graduated), and 112 receiving yards are back

Last Time They Played . . . 

• Devin Gardner played most of the second half with a broken foot but still went 32/45 for 451 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions; he also ran for 25 yards and 1 score
• Jeremy Gallon caught 9 passes for 175 yards and 1 touchdown
• A brawl caused the ejection of Michigan LB Royce Jenkins-Stone, Ohio State OG Marcus Hall, and Ohio State RB Dontre Wilson
• Ohio State RB Carlos Hyde ran for 226 yards and 1 score, and QB Braxton Miller ran for 153 yards and 1 score
• Michigan outgained Ohio State, 603-526
• Gardner’s potential game-winning two-point conversion was intercepted after Devin Funchess caught a touchdown pass with 32 seconds remaining
• Ohio State 42, Michigan 41

Predictions

• There’s not a whole lot of hope for Michigan unless Barrett completely chokes in his first rivalry game, which is highly unlikely
• Michigan keeps it close for the first half but the wheels come off in the second half
• Ohio State 35, Michigan 9

Preview: Michigan vs. Maryland

Taylor Burton is Miss Maryland 2014

Rush Offense vs. Maryland Rush Defense
Despite a preference for running, Michigan is #78 nationally with 154 yards/game on the ground. They average 4.51 yards/carry, good enough for #57. The offensive line is improving, and head coach Brady Hoke claimed that the Northwestern game was their best performance of the season. The leading rusher is De’Veon Smith (487 yards, 5.1 yards/carry, 6 touchdowns), who finally overtook Derrick Green, a player that has been out since the Rutgers game. Smith looked good when he was decisive and hitting the hole hard against Northwestern, and he looked bad when he was trying to dance in the backfield. Drake Johnson (6.2 yards/carry, 2 touchdowns) has seen an uptick in his carries over the past couple weeks, but a fumble against Northwestern sent him into the doghouse. Maryland is #99 in rushing defense and gives up 198 yards/game, but their 4.32 yards/carry mark against them is #69. Junior strong safety/cornerback Sean Davis (6’1″, 190 lbs.) is their leading tackler with 94 stops, and senior inside linebacker Cole Farrand (6’3″, 245 lbs.) is second with 91. Sophomore outside linebacker Yannick Ngakoue (6’2″, 250 lbs.) leads the team with 12.5 tackles for loss, and undersized fifth year senior defensive tackle Andre Monroe (6’0″, 265 lbs.) is just behind him with 11. The only defensive lineman in the two-deep that is bigger than 275 lbs. is senior Darius Kilgo, the backup nose tackle in the Terrapins’ 3-4 look. This should be a manageable front to handle, talent-wise, and Michigan has some experience going against 3-4 defenses from the season opener against Appalachian State.
Advantage: Michigan

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Pass Offense vs. Maryland Pass Defense
Michigan is #114 in passing yardage with 169 yards/game, and they’re 115th in passer efficiency. The passing offense is essentially broken. Quarterback Devin Gardner completes just over 61% of his passes but has thrown 13 interceptions with only 8 touchdowns. The leading receiver is Devin Funchess (50 catches, 595 yards, 4 touchdowns), who averages pedestrian 11.9 yards/catch. Amara Darboh (30 catches, 403 yards, 2 touchdowns) has turned into a favorite, and tight end Jake Butt (13 catches, 148 yards, 1 touchdown) is an underused threat. Michigan has allowed 19 sacks, which is 51st in the country. Maryland is tied for 28th in getting to the quarterback with 27 sacks altogether, led by Monroe (8 sacks) and Ngakoue (5.5). They also are 33rd in passer efficiency rating defense. Even so, the Terps are 86th in passing yardage allowed (239 yards/game). Sophomore cornerback William Likely has 5 interceptions, which he has returned for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns (against Syracuse and Iowa). Since I don’t do a separate special teams section, I’ll mention here that Likely averages over 32 yards/return on kickoffs and almost 11 yards/return on punts, including a score. Likely is dangerous, and Michigan is bad in this phase.
Advantage: Maryland


Rush Defense vs. Maryland Rush Offense
Michigan is one of four Big Ten teams in the top eight nationally in rushing defense, behind Penn State (#1) and Wisconsin (#5), and ahead of Michigan State (#8). The Wolverines are #7 and allow 103 yards/game. The last opponent, Northwestern, ended up with -9 total rushing yards. Jake Ryan (90 tackles, 13 tackles for loss) has grown more comfortable in his middle linebacker position, and weakside linebacker Joe Bolden (79 tackles) has matured somewhat, too. The most improved player this year might be nose tackle Ryan Glasgow, who has 20 tackles and 3 tackles for loss while clogging the middle. Unfortunately, Michigan lost their best defensive lineman when senior Frank Clark was kicked off the team earlier this week for a domestic violence incident. Junior Mario Ojemudia (24 tackles, 7 tackles for loss) slides into Clark’s vacated weakside end spot. Maryland is #113 in rushing (114 yards/game) and led by sixth year senior quarterback C.J. Brown (6’3″, 210 lbs.), who has 375 yards, 5 touchdowns, and a 3.2 yards/carry average, which isn’t bad for a quarterback who takes some sacks. Neither of Maryland’s backs is very effective, with redshirt sophomore Wes Brown (6’0″, 210 lbs.) averaging 3.4 yards and redshirt junior Brandon Ross (5’10”, 205 lbs.) averaging 4.1. Fifth year senior center Sal Conaboy (6’3″, 295 lbs.) is the best lineman, and the rest are not particularly big, experienced, or accomplished.
Advantage: Michigan


Pass Defense vs. Maryland Pass Offense
Michigan is #25 against the pass (198 yards/game) and #68 in passer efficiency rating defense. Clark was the team’s best pass rusher despite being second on the team in sacks behind defensive end Brennen Beyer (5.5 sacks), a guy who lacks some athleticism but wins battles by being relentless. Ojemudia has 3.5 sacks in a backup role, so he may provide a bit of a spark at some points. Defensive tackle Willie Henry can get after the quarterback, too, but he has been playing less lately after an injury he suffered against Rutgers. On the back end, Michigan has just 5 interceptions on the season, which is tied for 111th. Corner Jourdan Lewis is the only defensive back to notch an interception, and fellow corners Blake Countess and Delonte Hollowell have been picked on. Hollowell, in particular, will be targeted if he enters the game as a backup or dime corner. Meanwhile, Maryland is #66 in passing (230 yards/game) and #90 in passer efficiency. Brown completes fewer than 53% of his passes, averages just 6.2 yards/attempt, and has a subpar 11-to-9 touchdown to interception ratio. On top of his issues, they will be missing star receiver Stefon Diggs (lacerated kidney) and backup Juwann Winfree (suspension). Senior Deon Long (6’1″, 180 lbs.) will be the top target and has 38 catches for 450 yards and 1 touchdown. Redshirt junior Marcus Leak (6’0″, 210 lbs.) averages 15.3 yards/catch and has 3 touchdowns, but he has failed to record a catch in three of the last four games and has just 2 catches for 23 yards in that entire span. Ross is a threat out of the backfield, but overall, this should not be an intimidating receiving corps. Maryland has allowed 27 sacks, which is tied for #103 in the country. Long might make some plays, but this should not be a phase that the Terrapins win.
Advantage: Michigan


Roster Notes

• Players recruited by Michigan include RB Wes Brown, QB Shane Cockerille, WR Stefon Diggs, LB Clarence Murphy, LB Yannick Ngakoue, OT Damian Prince, WR Will Ulmer, WR Juwann Winfree
• Wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell was a two-time Pro Bowl receiver, most notably for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last Time They Played . . . 

• Michigan is 3-0 historically against Maryland, including the last time they met, which was 1990
• Elvis Grbac went 15/25 for 2 touchdowns and 1 interception
• Jon Vaughn had 22 carries for 89 yards and 2 touchdowns
• Desmond Howard caught 3 passes for 59 yards and 1 touchdown
• Neil Simpson led the team with 10 tackles
• Vada Murray, Martin Davis, and Lance Dottin each had 1 interception
• Michigan won by a score of 45-17

Predictions

• Michigan holds Maryland under 100 yards rushing
• De’Veon Smith goes for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns
• Michigan’s defense actually defends the pass for a change
• Michigan 23, Maryland 17

Preview: Michigan at Northwestern

Anna Faith Carlson: Sure, that shirt looks purple, right?

Rush Offense vs. Northwestern Rush Defense
Michigan is #73 in rushing offense with 155 yards/game and they are tied for #55 with 4.54 yards/carry. Sophomore De’Veon Smith (366 yards, 4.8 yards/carry, 5 touchdowns) is still second on the team behind the injured Derrick Green, but redshirt junior Justice Hayes (169 yards, 4.1 yards/carry) and redshirt sophomore Drake Johnson (163 yards, 7.8 yards/carry) are gaining ground in both yardage and snaps. The offensive line opened some gaping holes last week, but it was against Indiana. Meanwhile, the Northwestern Wildcats are middle of the pack at #66 in rushing defense, giving up 166 yards/game, and #58 in rushing average defense (4.06 yards/carry). They have given up 221+ yards in four games this year, all of them losses; interestingly, they held run-heavy Minnesota to 121 yards and 3.1 yards/carry a couple weeks ago in a close loss. Their leading tackler once again is redshirt senior Chi Chi Ariguzo (6’3″, 235 lbs.) while the two corners and a safety occupy the next three slots on the leader board. Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Greg Kuhar (6’3″, 300 lbs.) is the leading tackler on the defensive line with 27 total. Junior defensive end Dean Lowry (6’6″, 265 lbs.) and Ariguzo lead in tackles for loss with 5.0 and 4.0, respectively. Overall, the Wildcats are tied for #98 nationally with 44 takedowns behind the line. Michigan’s offensive line seems to be improving incrementally, so I would expect this to be a pretty mediocre performance from both teams’ units.
Advantage: Push

Hit the jump for the rest of the preview.

Pass Offense vs. Northwestern Pass Defense
Despite throwing for more than 200 yards for the first time this season against Indiana, Michigan is still #112 in passing this year with 175 yards/game through the air. Michigan is tied with those Hoosiers at #112 in passer efficiency. It has been ugly. Senior quarterback Devin Gardner has matched his 2011 total of 11 interceptions in just nine games, and while he has completed 63% of his passes, he has thrown only 8 touchdowns. The receivers are unable to get separation, and the offensive line doesn’t give Gardner much time to allow deep routes to develop. Michigan is tied for 78th in giving up sacks (19 so far). Junior Devin Funchess leads the team with 572 yards and 4 touchdowns, but he averages under 12 yards/catch and still looks slowed by an early-season ankle injury. Northwestern is #55 in giving up 222 yards/game through the air, and they are #44 in passer efficiency rating defense. They are tied for 38th with 9 interceptions on the season, led by redshirt freshman safety Godwin Igwebuike (6’0″, 190 lbs.) with 3 and redshirt junior corner Nick VanHoose (6’0″, 190 lbs.) with 2. VanHoose has 9 pass breakups, and Lowry – the 6’6″ defensive end – has knocked down 5 passes. The Wildcats struggle to get to the passer, as they are tied for 93rd with 14 sacks, led by Lowry (3.5) and redshirt sophomore Ifeadi Odenigbo (6’3″, 235 lbs.) with 3; the latter, however, has failed to make a tackle in the last four games and has ceded time due to inconsistency. At this point I can’t give Michigan’s passing game the edge on anyone.
Advantage: Northwestern


Rush Defense vs. Northwestern Rush Offense
Michigan is #16 in the country, giving up just 116 yards/game on the ground. They give up just 3.15 yards/carry, which is 13th nationally. The leading tackler is middle linebacker Jake Ryan, who was named the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Week last week; he now has 79 tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss on the season. Second on the team is weakside linebacker Joe Bolden with 72 before a significant dropoff to safety Jarrod Wilson. Defensive end Frank Clark is second on the team with 11 tackles for loss. Northwestern is experienced up front with two redshirt juniors and three seniors starting on the line, including fifth year senior center Brandon Vitabile (6’3″, 310 lbs.), who is on the Rimington Trophy watch list and was honorable mention all-conference last year. However, the Wildcats are #107 in rushing with just under 125 yards/game, and they average a paltry 3.23 yards/carry, which is 115th. True freshman running back Justin Jackson (5’11”, 180 lbs.), a player I wanted Michigan to recruit, has taken the bulk of the workload from senior Treyvon Green (5’10”, 215 lbs.). Jackson has 726 yards and 5 touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards/carry; meanwhile, Green averages 3.4 yards/carry and has yet to score.
Advantage: Michigan


Pass Defense vs. Northwestern Pass Offense
Michigan is #17 in pass defense, allowing 189 yards/game, but they are #80 in passer efficiency defense. Teams that have it together through the air have hurt them, but the Wolverines have handled lesser passing offenses pretty well. Michigan has managed just 3 interceptions this season, 1 of which came from a defensive tackle. Even their pass breakup totals have been poor – Michigan has just 17 pass breakups (#121 nationally) on the year, while opponents have knocked down 39 of Devin Gardner’s throws. Michigan is tied for #43 nationally with 21 sacks, led by senior ends Brennen Beyer (4.5) and Frank Clark (3.0). Northwestern’s offensive line is tied for #103, as they have given up 23 sacks of fifth year senior quarterback Trevor Siemian (6’3″, 210 lbs.), a pure pocket passer. They are #90 with 205 yards/game through the air, and they are #121 in passer efficiency rating. Siemian has completed 56% of his passes for 4 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on 5.5 yards/attempt. The leading receiver is fifth year senior Kyle Prater (6’5″, 225 lbs.), who averages 9.9 yards/catch, and he is followed by H-back-type junior Dan Vitale (6’2″, 225 lbs.), who has 26 catches for 282 yards and 1 score. It is not an intimidating group of receivers.
Advantage: Michigan

Roster Notes

• Players recruited by Michigan include superback Garrett Dickerson, OG Tommy Doles, DT Greg Kuhar, DE Ifeadi Odenigbo, OT Eric Olson, WR Kyle Prater, WR Miles Shuler, and CB Parrker Westphal
• Players from the state of Michigan include Grand Rapids Christian OG Tommy Doles, Grand Blanc WR Tony Jones, DeWitt OT Paul Jorgensen

Last Time They Played . . .

• James Ross III made 13 tackles and 1 tackle for loss
• Trevor Siemian went 19/28 for 153 yards and 1 interception
• Northwestern safety Traveon Henry made 13 tackles and 2 tackles for loss
• Drew Dileo slid into his holder position to set up for Brendan Gibbons’s game-tying 44-yard field goal at the end of regulation
• Michigan won 27-19 in triple-overtime on a 5-yard Devin Gardner touchdown run

Predictions

• Raymon Taylor makes his first interception of the season
• Michigan utilizes tight end Jake Butt for some big catches
• Michigan’s defense shuts down Northwestern
• Despite being 0-3 on the road this year: Michigan 17, Northwestern 14