Tag: game preview

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl Preview: Running Backs

John Hubert (#33) is essentially Kansas State’s only running back.

MICHIGAN
Starters: Late in the season, freshman Derrick Green (5’11”, 240 lbs.) essentially took over the starting role and bowled his way to 265 yards and 2 touchdowns on 82 carries, a 3.2-yard average. Green looks to be the guy, but really, any of three players could garner the bulk of the attempts. He has some giddyup, but mostly, he’s a between-the-tackles runner who won’t make many people miss. The other likely option is fifth year senior Fitzgerald Toussaint (5’10”, 200 lbs.), a scatback type who has been slowed a tiny bit since a broken ankle suffered in 2012. He’s started most of the games this year and has 183 carries for 646 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, plus 17 catches for 203 yards. Toussaint has the best big-play ability of the backs and seems to have taken on more of the third down back type snaps late in the season. The starting fullback is redshirt sophomore Joe Kerridge (6’0″, 238 lbs.), who has 1 carry and 5 catches on the season, mostly playing the role of a lead blocker.
Backups: Freshman De’Veon Smith (5’11”, 224 lbs.) is the main backup after the first two guys, and he’s a ball of churning legs who runs like I imagine a stegosaurus might: slowly but dangerously for anyone trying to bring him down. He has just 22 carries on the year for 110 yards, but his best game came in the regular season finale against Ohio State (7 carries, 57 yards). Redshirt sophomore Justice Hayes (5’10”, 192 lbs.) is mostly a third down back and has spent some time at slot receiver; he has just 1 carry for 7 yards on the year, plus 3 catches for 18 yards. I do not expect to see him much. Sophomore fullback Sione Houma (6’0″, 231 lbs.) has 1 catch for 9 yards and fills in occasionally for Kerridge.

KANSAS STATE
Starter: Fifth year senior John Hubert (5’7″, 191 lbs.) gets the vast majority of the running back carries and will likely surpass 1,000 yards in the bowl game; he currently has 182 carries for 968 yards and 9 touchdowns. He runs with a fair amount of power and quickness and has gone over 900 yards for three consecutive years. Look for Hubert to try to take advantage of cutback lanes out of the pistol, and he’s quick enough to get on the edge with some option looks. The Wolverines are solid against the run, but Hubert presents a challenge and is coming off a 220-yard performance against Kansas. Redshirt freshman Glenn Gronkowski (6’3″, 234 lbs.) is the younger brother of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and the starting fullback. He’s rarely used in the running game, but he has 4 catches for 148 yards and 3 touchdowns; his scores have gone for 67, 50, and 29 yards, so he can be dangerous out of the backfield.
Backups: Senior Robert Rose (5’4″, 176 lbs. and no, that’s not a typo) is the only notable backup, but he has 22 carries for 102 yards and 2 touchdowns. Co-starting quarterback Daniel Sams (profiled yesterday) is essentially Hubert’s partner in crime in the backfield.

THE TAKEAWAY
Michigan’s running backs have yet to put fear into anyone this season, and despite a slight improvement in the running game over the past couple contests, the likelihood is small that Michigan blows the doors off KSU on the ground. Of course, much of that is the result of a young, underperforming offensive line. Meanwhile, Hubert has had more room to run than Michigan’s guys, and he has a skill of elusiveness that . . . uh . . . eludes Michigan’s trio of runners. We have seen the Wolverines come out with some innovative game plans in recent years (2008 against Florida, 2013 against South Carolina), but offensive coordinator Al Borges has limited options with what his line can block and what his backs can do. The Wolverines will probably do what they’ve been doing over the past couple games (lots of inside zones, bubble screen draws), and the Wildcats will also probably try to do what they do best and run inside zones and some powers with Hubert and Sams.


ADVANTAGE: Kansas State

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl Preview: Quarterbacks

Jake Waters (#15) and Daniel Sams (#4)

MICHIGAN
Starter: Redshirt junior Devin Gardner (6’4″, 210 lbs.) started all twelve games for Michigan this year and had a roller coaster of a season. He put up pretty solid overall statistics (60% completions, 2960 yards, 21 touchdowns, 11 interceptions), but the early part of the year was marred with interceptions and fumbles against some mediocre teams. Gardner is a very mobile quarterback in the mold of the San Francisco 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick, but he has been slowed by injuries suffered behind a poor offensive line. He has the physical ability to make any throw and to outrun most defenders (483 yards and 11 scores on the ground), but the confidence to make those plays waned after he threw 10 interceptions in the first six games. The ball security improved during the second half of the year, and he turned in a dazzling performance against Ohio State in the regular season finale (32/45, 451 yards, 4 touchdowns).
Backups: Freshman Shane Morris (6’3″, 201 lbs.) played sparingly this year, attempting just 9 passes; he completed 5, threw for 65 yards, and had 1 interception. In one late-game series against Michigan State, he literally fell on his face while trying to scramble for a first down. Morris is strictly a pocket passer who has a strong tendency to throw only to his left. Redshirt freshman Brian Cleary (6’3″, 209 lbs.) has barely played at all and is a walk-on.

KANSAS STATEStarters: The Wildcats have a two-platoon system at quarterback, with redshirt junior JakeWaters (138/233, 59% completions, 2198 yards, 15 touchdowns, 9 interceptions) being the thrower and redshirt sophomore Daniel Sams being the runner (38/52, 73% completions, 452 yards, 4 touchdowns, 4 interceptions. Sams has 784 yards and a 5.3-yard average, along with 11 touchdowns; Waters isn’t bad on the hoof with 270 yards, 2.6 yards/carry, and 6 touchdowns. Sams (6’2″, 207 lbs.) is a spindly-legged runner who runs a little like Devin Gardner, but he’s more unrefined as a passer and can get spooked fairly easily, which isn’t a terrible thing if you can take off and run. When he’s in the game, look for single wing type of plays that are designed quarterback runs, with guards pulling and fullbacks leading up through. A Big Ten corollary might be former Purdue quarterback/running back Justin Siller. Waters (6’1″, 210 lbs.) is a junior college transfer who was the National Junior College Athletic Association Player of the Year last season at Iowa Western. He has a quick release and a strong arm, but he’s not the most accurate guy and can force some throws. He can run a little bit inside, but he’s not the type of guy to threaten the edge.
Backups: No other quarterback has attempted a pass this year.

THE TAKEAWAY
Gardner is a better quarterback than Waters or Sams, but the Wildcats have a pretty effective combination. When Gardner is on his game like he was against Ohio State, he’s virtually unstoppable because he can run and throw; when he’s scared of the pass rush, he gets tentative, pulls his eyes down, and plays tight. His play is largely dependent on whether Michigan can establish a running game and protect him. Waters is coming off a poor three-game stretch where he completed 50% of his passes for 7 touchdowns and 4 picks against TCU, Oklahoma, and Kansas; Sams barely played against the latter two, but had 109 yards rushing against the Horned Frogs. Michigan has done just enough against the two-headed quarterback system of Northwestern over the past couple years to eke out a couple wins. Sams at quarterback is pretty much a telegraphed run, so we’ll see if the Wolverines can handle the Wildcats up front.

ADVANTAGE: Michigan

Preview: Michigan vs. Ohio State

Rush Offense vs. Ohio Sate Rush Defense
Michigan is now 101st in yards/game with 129 and #114 with just 3.16 yards/carry. It’s ugly. Michigan’s interior offensive line is getting abused on a weekly basis, and there’s no help in sight. Long-time starter Fitzgerald Toussaint is averaging 3.4 yards/carry, while freshman Derrick Green has taken the bulk of the carries for the past couple weeks and is still averaging only 3.1 yards/carry. Quarterback Devin Gardner is Michigan’s big-play threat in the running game, but he looks battered and a step slower than he did in the first half of the year. The Wolverines have allowed 102 tackles for loss so far this year, second-worst in the nation to Idaho. Ohio State is #6 in the country and giving up just 95 yards/game on the ground, along with a 2.89 yards/carry average, which is good for #3 in the country. Their leading tackler is junior weakside linebacker Ryan Shazier (6’2″, 230 lbs.) with 109 stops, followed by redshirt senior free safety C.J. Barnett (6’1″, 204 lbs.) with 61. Yes, the leading tackler has 48 more tackles than the next guy. The entire front four was recruited by Michigan coming out of high school – freshman strongside end Joey Bosa (6’5″, 275 lbs.), junior defensive tackle Michael Bennett (6’3″, 285 lbs.), junior nose tackle Joel Hale (6’4″, 310 lbs.), and sophomore weakside end Noah Spence (6’4″, 252 lbs.). Shazier leads the team with a whopping 20.5 tackles for loss, while Spence, Bennett, and Bosa have 12.5, 10, and 9, respectively, and the Buckeyes rank #26 in the country with 75 tackles for loss as a team. The front four are going to overwhelm Michigan’s offensive line, and Shazier is going to be free to roam.
Advantage: Ohio State

Pass Offense vs. Ohio State Pass Defense
Michigan has been tumbling in their pass efficiency, now ranking #46 in the nation (138.5) in that category, along with #63 at 234 yards passing/game. Gardner completes just 58.7% of his passes and has thrown 17 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Wide receiver Jeremy Gallon has surpassed a thousand yards and now sits at 71 catches for 1,109 yards and 8 touchdowns. Tight end/wide receiver hybrid Devin Funchess is a 6’5″, 235 lb. mismatch nightmare who has 43 catches for 686 yards and 5 scores, although Michigan rarely goes to him in the red zone. Gardner has been sacked 32 times, good enough for #112 in the country. Ohio State is #81 in passing defense, giving up 238 yards/game through the air with a 122.7 passer rating allowed (#50). They have made 13 interceptions, which is #34 in the nation, and the leading interceptors are cornerbacks redshirt junior Bradley Roby (5’11”, 192 lbs.) and junior Doran Grant (5’11”, 191 lbs.), both of whom have 3 picks and 1 touchdown. Spence leads the team with 7 sacks, while Shazier is just behind with 6.5; overall, the Buckeyes are #2 in that category with 36 on the year. Last year backup defensive tackle Adolphus Washington beat All-America left tackle Taylor Lewan for a sack, so one can only imagine what this front will do to Michigan’s line this year. Michigan’s receivers can beat OSU’s secondary if Gardner has time, but that’s a tall order.
Advantage: Ohio State

Rush Defense vs. Ohio State Rush Offense
The Wolverines give up just 116 yards/game, good enough for #14 in the country, and the 3.23 yards/carry allowed is #15. It’s a very solid crew. The problem last week against Iowa arose when third-leading tackler Desmond Morgan (69), the middle linebacker, left in the first quarter with an injury, only to be followed out of the game by leading tackler James Ross (81), the weakside linebacker. Weakside end Frank Clark leads the team with 12.5 tackles for loss, and both strongside linebacker and utility defensive lineman Jibreel Black have 7.5 on the year. The Buckeyes have an experienced offensive line with fifth year senior Jack Mewhort (6’6″, 308 lbs.), senior Andrew Norwell (6’6″, 316 lbs.), fifth year senior Corey Linsley (6’3″, 297 lbs.), fifth year senior Marcus Hall (6’5″, 315 lbs.), and sophomore Taylor Decker (6’7″, 315 lbs.) from left to right. That’s a significant size advantage compared to Michigan’s undersized defensive front. Ohio State gains 315 yards/game on the ground (#6 nationally) and averages 6.91 yards/carry (#1). They’re led by senior Carlos Hyde (6’0″, 235 lbs.;1,064 yards, 13 touchdowns), junior quarterback Braxton Miller (6’2″, 215 lbs.; 738 yards, 5 touchdowns), and redshirt senior Jordan Hall (5’9″, 191 lbs.; 519 yards, 8 touchdowns). Every offensive player who has notched a carry this season averages 5.32 yards per carry or higher. This is strength against strength but . . .
Advantage: Ohio State

Pass Defense vs. Ohio State Pass Offense
Michigan is the #80 pass defense in the nation in giving up 237 yards/game through the air, but they’re #32 in passer efficiency rating allowed (118.17). Blake Countess grabbed his fifth interception of the year last week, and Raymon Taylor pulled in his fourth; those two have combined for the most interceptions by a cornerback duo since Charles Woodson (8) and Andre Weathers (2) combined for 10 picks in 1997. Overall, Michigan is #13 nationally in that category with 16 picks. The Wolverines are 69th with 21 quarterback takedowns, led by Clark and Cameron Gordon with 5 and 4, respectively. Ohio State throws for 216 yards/game, which is 77th in the nation. Miller and fifth year senior backup Kenny Guiton (6’3″, 208 lbs.) have combined for a 164.92 passer rating, though, which is #8. They don’t need to throw the ball as much when they run it so well. Miller has 19 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, while Guiton has 12 and 2. I mention both because Guiton is a very capable passer who started some games while Miller was hurt and still plays in certain packages because of his abilities; Guiton could probably start for most other Big Ten teams. The Buckeyes spread out the ball well, although defenses have adjusted to junior Devin Smith (6’1″, 198 lbs.; 40 catches, 591 yards, 7 touchdowns) as a big play threat. Senior Corey Brown (6’0″, 190 lbs.) leads the team with 49 receptions for 596 yards and 9 scores. Junior tight end Jeff Heuerman (6’6″, 252 lbs.), the son of a former Michigan basketball player, has 22 catches for 314 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Buckeyes have allowed just 13 sacks this year, good enough for #11 in the country. The Wolverines have improved their passing defense in recent weeks and might be able to prevent big plays, but Miller’s scrambling ability and the lack of a pass rush should allow the Buckeyes to march the ball down the field.
Advantage: Ohio State

Roster Notes

• Players who held Michigan offers include CB Eli Apple, OT Darryl Baldwin, TE Marcus Baugh, DE Michael Bennett, S Devan Bogard, DE Joey Bosa, S Corey Brown, CB Cameron Burrows, CB Gareon Conley, OT Taylor Decker, OT Kyle Dodson, RB Bri’onte Dunn, LB Curtis Grant, CB Doran Grant, DT Joel Hale, RB Jordan Hall, OG Marcus Hall, TE Jeff Heuerman, DT Michael Hill, QB Cardale Jones, OT Evan Lisle, QB Braxton Miller, DE Steve Miller, OG Billy Price, CB Armani Reeves, DE Chris Rock, DT Tommy Schutt, WR Devin Smith, DE Noah Spence, S Ron Tanner, S Jayme Thompson, TE Nick Vannett, DE Adolphus Washington, and LB Camren Williams
• DE Chris Rock signed with Michigan in 2011 and redshirted that year before quitting the team and walking on at Ohio State prior to the 2013 season.
• CB Gareon Conley was once committed to Michigan.
• Graduate assistant Bryant Haines was a Butkus Award finalist under Brady Hoke when Hoke was head coach at Ball State.
• The only Michigan native on Ohio State’s roster is freshman walk-on OG Ben Moffitt from Shelby Township (MI) Eisenhower.

Visitors
Here’s a link to the lengthy visitors list for this weekend.


Predictions

• We see Shane Morris at QB for an extended time, which will not go well.
• Carlos Hyde runs over Michigan’s defense for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Michigan’s quarterbacks get sacked 6 times and throw 2 picks.
• Devin Funchess has a big game.
• Ohio State 31, Michigan 17

Last Time They Played . . . 

• Devin Gardner went 11/20 for 171 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception
• Roy Roundtree had a 75-yard touchdown catch
• Denard Robinson ran 10 times for 122 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown
• Ohio State 26, Michigan 21

Preview: Michigan at Iowa

Rush Offense vs. Iowa Rush Defense
Michigan is #96 in the country with 135.7 yards/game as a team, and last week’s “improvement” included 139 yards rushing, although that was a step up from the -48 and -21 yards put on the board in the previous two weeks. Despite the improvement last week, the rumor is that Kyle Kalis will be re-inserted at right guard, Erik Magnuson will move to left guard, and true freshman Kyle Bosch will be watching from the sideline. Starter Fitzgerald Toussaint should return from a concussion he suffered against Nebraska, but backups Derrick Green (19 carries, 79 yards) and De’Veon Smith (8 carries, 41 yards) both performed fairly well in their most extensive duties yet this year. Meanwhile, Iowa is #25 in giving up 130 yards/game on the ground and #29 with just 3.72 yards allowed/carry. Senior middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens (6’1″, 233 lbs.) leads the team with 87 tackles, but fellow senior linebackers Christian Kirksey (6’2″, 235 lbs.) and James Morris (6’2″, 240 lbs.) are both right behind with 80 tackles each. Hitchens also leads the team with 10 tackles for loss, with Morris just behind at 9. The Hawkeyes have good size on the defensive line with the ends averaging 270 and junior nose tackle Carl Davis sitting at 6’5″, 315 lbs. Junior 3-tech defensive tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat (6’3″, 290 lbs.) is the penetrator on the defensive line with 7 tackles for loss. Michigan took a step forward last week against Northwestern, but Iowa is always sound when it comes to assignments, so this should again be a difficult day for the Wolverines on the ground.
Advantage: Iowa

Pass Offense vs. Iowa Pass Defense
Michigan is #39 in passer rating nationally at 142.36. Devin Gardner has cut down on the interceptions and fumbles lately but also has taken 19 sacks in the last three games, seemingly unable to cut down on turnovers and still get rid of the ball. Speaking of sacks, Michigan has allowed 31 this year, good enough to be tied for 114th in the nation. Wide receiver Jeremy Gallon is #11 in the country with 106.2 yards/game through the air, and TE/WR Devin Funchess is #78 with 68.4. The Hawkeyes are tied for 80th with 17 sacks on the year and hold opponents to a 120.34 passer rating, good enough for 40th in the country. Their leading sacker is linebacker James Morris with 4, and nobody else has more than 2.5 (sophomore DE Drew Ott at 6’5″, 265 lbs.). Iowa has made 10 interceptions on the year (#57 nationally), and three players are tied for the team lead with 3 picks each – Morris, senior cornerback B.J. Lowery (5’11”, 193 lbs.), and senior safety Tanner Miller (6’2″, 207 lbs.). Lowery has taken 2 of his interceptions back for touchdowns. The Wolverines have more talent at receiver than the Hawkeyes do in the backfield, but if Gardner can’t handle Iowa’s Cover 2 looks, it will be a long day.
Advantage: Michigan

Rush Defense vs. Iowa Rush Offense
Michigan is #13 in the country, giving up just 111.2 yards/game on the ground; they’re also #10 at just 3.16 yards allowed/carry. This is a very good run defense. Weakside linebacker James Ross moved into the team lead in tackles (75) with a 13-tackle effort against Northwestern, and he’s closely followed by middle linebacker Desmond Morgan (69). The Wolverines have made 56 tackles for loss as a team (#79 nationally), led by weakside end Frank Clark (10), defensive tackle Jibreel Black (7), and strongside linebacker Cam Gordon (6.5). Nose tackle Quinton Washington will probably get a little bit more playing time against Iowa’s offense than he has against the spread offenses of the past couple weeks. The Hawkeyes are #40 in yards/game on the ground with 193.2 and they average 4.5 yards/carry, which is 57th. They’re paced by junior Mark Weisman (6’0″, 236 lbs.), who has 167 carries, 777 yards, 4 touchdowns. Junior Damon Bullock (6’0″, 200 lbs.) and sophomore Jordan Canzeri have combined for 793 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 5.1 yards/carry. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock (6’2″, 205 lbs.) averages 3.8 yards/carry and has 5 rushing touchdowns on the year, so it’s a multi-pronged attack. The offensive line is made up of redhirt junior Brandon Scherff (6’5″, 315 lbs.), redshirt senior Conor Boffeli (6’5″, 295 lbs.), redshirt sophomore Austin Blythe (6’3″, 300 lbs.), redshirt sophomore Jordan Walsh (6’4″, 290 lbs.), and fifth year senior Brett Van Sloten (6’7″, 300 lbs.), from left to right. Iowa always has a solid offensive line, so it will depend upon Michigan’s linebackers to make good reads and flow to the ball, which they do pretty well.
Advantage: Michigan

Pass Defense vs. Iowa Pass Offense
Michigan is 75th in the country at pass yardage allowed with 236.4 yards/game but #28 in passer rating defense at 117.0. Teams generally have a hard time running the ball but have taken advantage of Michigan’s young linebackers and a couple inexperienced cornerbacks. Michigan is 20th nationally with 13 interceptions, led by Blake Countess with 4. The Wolverines are smack dab in the middle of the pack with 20 sacks, paced by Clark (5) and Cam Gordon (4). Iowa is #90 in the country with 204 yards/game through the air and #82 with a passer rating of 124.02. Rudock has completed 59.9% of his passes for 14 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. His backup, C.J. Beathard, is just 5/18 on the year for 124 yards and 1 interception. There’s not one go-to guy like in years past at Iowa; the seven guys with double-digit receptions average between 15.1 and 30.4 yards/game. Redshirt junior wideout Kevonte Martin-Manley (6’2″, 205 lbs.) is the nominal #1 guy with 35 receptions for 304 yards and 3 touchdowns, good for just 8.7 yards/catch. However, he’s dangerous returning punts with an 18.8-yard average and 2 touchdowns on the year. Junior partner Damond Powell (5’11”, 180 lbs.) is the big-play receiver with 12 catches for 291 yards (24.3 yards/catch) and 2 scores. Senior tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (6’7″, 265 lbs.) is a huge target without a whole lot of speed to make plays after the catch; he has 20 receptions for 188 yards and 4 touchdowns. Iowa also does a tremendous job of protecting the quarterback – they’ve allowed just 9 sacks, good for 9th in the country. There shouldn’t be many big plays to be had, but Michigan struggles with allowing short passes, and that’s something Iowa does well.
Advantage: Iowa

Roster Notes

• Players who held Michigan offers include DT Darian Cooper, OT Andrew Donnal, DT Faith Ekakitie, TE Ray Hamilton, DT Jaleel Johnson, and OG Jordan Walsh
• Players from the state of Michigan include DT Carl Davis (Sterling Heights Stevenson), TE Jake Duzey (Troy Athens), CB Desmond King (Detroit East English Village), S Ruben Lile (Detroit Cass Tech), WR Kevonte Martin-Manley (Birmingham Brother Rice), LB Laron Taylor (Detroit Cass Tech)

Predictions

• Fitzgerald Toussaint gets less than half of the running back carries, but Derrick Green loses his first career fumble.
• Jeremy Gallon goes for 145 yards receiving and 1 touchdown.
• Michigan makes 1 sack and allows 4.
• Michigan 20, Iowa 17

Last Time They Played . . . 

• Michigan beat Iowa in 2012 by a score of 42-17
• Denard Robinson had 13 carries for 98 yards and 2 receptions for 24 yards as a running back in his first game back after hurting his elbow.
• Jeremy Gallon had 5 catches for 133 yards.
• Fitzgerald Toussaint’s ankle exploded.

Preview: Michigan at Northwestern

I apologize, but it’s been a crazy week and I haven’t had a ton of time to put together a preview. Here’s a drive-by. Hopefully things will have settled down by next Friday to get a good preview of Iowa.

Rush Offense vs. Northwestern Rush Defense
Michigan: #97 at 135.33 yards/game
Michigan: #111 at 3.25 yards/carry
Northwestern: #70 at 168.56 yards allowed/game
Northwestern: #60 at 4.11 yards allowed/carry
Advantage: Northwestern

Pass Offense vs. Northwestern Pass Defense
Michigan: #30 passer rating at 148.62
Michigan: #95 at 12 interceptions thrown
Michigan: #108 with 26 sacks allowed
Northwestern: #33 passer rating defense at 118.83
Northwestern: #1 with 18 interceptions
Northwestern: #56 with 19 sacks
Advantage: Northwestern

Rush Defense vs. Northwestern Rush Offense
Michigan: #13 at 107.67 yards allowed/game
Michigan: #12 at 3.20 yards allowed/carry
Northwestern: #47 at 188.89 yards/game
Northwestern: #62 at 4.46 yards/carry
Advantage: Michigan


Pass Defense vs. Northwestern Pass Offense
Michigan: #31 passer rating defense at 118.15
Michigan: #23 with 12 interceptions
Michigan: #61 with 18 sacks
Northwestern: #63 with 131.29 passer rating
Northwestern: #64 with 9 interceptions thrown
Northwestern: #120 with 32 sacks allowed
Advantage: Michigan


Roster Notes

• Players who held scholarship offers from Michigan include DT Greg Kuhar, DE Ifeadi Odenigbo, OT Eric Olson, WR Kyle Prater.
• Defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz played SE, TE, and LB at Michigan from 1966-1969. He had 14 receptions for 171 yards and 1 touchdown on offense, returned 2 kickoffs for 19 yards, and made 4 tackles in his career. He was also a graduate assistant under Bo Schembechler from 1970-1972.
• Offensive graduate assistant Scott Hamel was a walk-on running back at Michigan from 2004-2005.
• Freshman RB Godwin Igwebuike was Michigan freshman TE Jake Butt’s high school teammate last year.
• Sophomore WR Cameron Dickerson’s brother is Garrett Dickerson, a 2014 TE/DE target from New Jersey

Predictions

• Michigan comes out with guns blazing on offense, allowing Devin Funchess and Jeremy Gallon each to go over 100 yards receiving.
• Devin Gardner throws 2 interceptions.
• Michigan actually looks ready to defend a dual-threat quarterback for once.
• Cameron Gordon scores a touchdown on a fumble recovery.
• Michigan 28, Northwestern 24

Last Time They Played . . . 

• Michigan won in overtime by a score of 38-31
• Devin Gardner threw for 286 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 pick.
• Roy Roundtree caught a bomb to put Michigan in scoring position.
• Kenny Demens made the game-sealing tackle in overtime.