Tag: game preview

Preview: Michigan at Rutgers

Rush Offense vs. Rutgers Rush Defense
Michigan is #50 nationally with 185 yards/game on the ground, and they’re #35 with 5.15 yards/carry. However, the rushing output against power conference teams (Notre Dame, Utah, and Minnesota) have been relatively paltry, where Michigan has had 99 attempts for 301 yards, barely above 3.0 yards/carry. The leading rusher is Derrick Green (397 yards, 5.7 yards/carry, 3 touchdowns), but De’Veon Smith sparked a scoring drive last week and broke several tackled on the drive, including the 10-yard touchdown run. The offensive line is still in flux, because right guard Graham Glasgow has been battling injury and played left guard last week due to Erik Magnuson’s leg injury; Glasgow’s replacement on the right side was Kyle Kalis. The interior is supposed to be the “strength” of the offensive line, while tackles Mason Cole and Ben Braden have struggled mightily. Rutgers is #49 against the run, giving up just 135 yards/game. They also give up 3.98 yards/carry, good enough for #64 nationally. Redshirt sophomore middle linebacker Steve Longa (6’1″, 225 lbs.) leads the team with 37 tackles, and second is fifth year senior cornerback Gareef Glashen (5’10”, 180 lbs.). Unfortunately for Michigan, Rutgers makes a lot of plays in the backfield (tied for #9 overall with 37 TFLs). Redshirt senior defensive end David Milewski (6’4″, 235 lbs.), junior defensive tackle Darius Hamilton (6’4″, 260 lbs.), and redshirt freshman end Kemoko Turay (6’6″, 220 lbs.) have combined for 17 tackles for loss. They are not big, but they are quick, which might be worse for Michigan.
Advantage: Rutgers

Hit the jump for the rest of the preview.

Pass Offense vs. Rutgers Pass Defense
Michigan’s passing offense has been struggling mightily. Sophomore quarterback Shane Morris started last week’s game, but he got concussed (did you hear about that obscure event?) and will be replaced by the guy who should have been playing all along, Devin Gardner. Gardner is completing 63% of his passes for 733 yards, 7.5 yards/attempt, 5 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Those numbers are not great, but they’re better than Morris’s (36%, 3.3, 0, 3). Yikes. Michigan’s top receiver is junior Devin Funchess (24 catches, 321 yards, 3 touchdowns), but he has been slowed by an ankle injury since week two. No other player has been able to morph into a deep threat, so the offense has largely turned into a dink-and-dunk formula with a couple possession receivers in Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson. Michigan has given up 10 sacks (tied for #85 overall) and any kind of blitzing will leave Braden, Cole, and the various running backs utterly confused. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, Rutgers is tied for #1 in sacks with 21. Turay leads the crew with 5, while Hamilton (3.5), Milewski (3), and fifth year senior strong safety Lorenzo Waters (2) follow closely behind. Glashen is their top corner with 29 tackles, 6 pass breakups, and 1 pick. This will probably not well for Michigan, because Rutgers will be all over Gardner in the backfield.
Advantage: Rutgers


Rush Defense vs. Rutgers Rush Offense
Michigan has mostly done well against the run, except against run-heavy Minnesota, a game in which Gophers running back David Cobb ran 32 times for 183 yards. The Wolverines are #21 nationally in yards given up (105 yards/game) and #22 in rushing average against (3.01 yards/carry). Linebackers Jake Ryan and Joe Bolden are tied for the team lead with 38 tackles apiece, while Frank Clark (5.5) and Ryan (4.0) lead the team in tackles for loss. The Wolverines have a solid front, but they met their match against an even more solid Minnesota offensive line. Rutgers ranks #58 with 176 yards/game and #70 in yards/carry at 4.24. The Scarlet Knights’ most dynamic running back, Paul James, will miss the game with an ACL injury. That leaves the job up to redshirt sophomore Desmon Peoples (5’8″, 175 lbs.), who has 67 carries for 288 yards and a 4.3 yards/carry average, but zero touchdowns. The Wolverines will also get a significant dose of sophomore Justin Goodwin (6’0″, 205 lbs.), who averages 4.9 yards/carry on 38 attempts. Only one of their offensive linemen is over 300 lbs. The top players on the front line are senior guard Kaleb Johnson (6’4″, 300 lbs.) and fifth year senior center Betim Bujari (6’4″, 295 lbs.), both of whom were named Second Team All-AAC last season. Rutgers likes to run the ball, but I don’t think Michigan will be blocked as easily this week.
Advantage: Michigan


Pass Defense vs. Rutgers Pass Offense
The Wolverines are #21 nationally with giving up 178 yards/game through the air, but they’re #58 in passer rating against. Teams have not been overly productive, but they have been efficient. Furthermore, Michigan has failed to force takeaways. The lone takeaway in the secondary came from cornerback Jourdan Lewis, and the only other interception came from defensive tackle Willie Henry. Despite some pretty solid coverage, plays just aren’t being made on the ball. It doesn’t help that Michigan is just #56 nationally in sacks with 10 overall, with nobody having more than Brennen Beyer’s 2. Frank Clark is Michigan’s best pass rusher, but quarterbacks have been getting rid of the ball just before he gets home. Rutgers is #62 with just under 241 yards/game through the air, but they’re #14 in passer efficiency rating. Senior quarterback Gary Nova (6’2″, 220 lbs.) completes 64% of his passes, and while he has thrown 7 picks, he has 10 touchdowns and averages 10.8 yards/attempt. Junior wide receiver Leonte Carroo (6’1″, 205 lbs.) is a dangerous catch-and-run guy and has 25 catches for 475 yards and 5 touchdowns, including a state line of 7, 140, and 3 in last week’s win over Tulane. The only other player with double digit receptions is sophomore Janarion Grant (5’11”, 175 lbs.), but there are three guys on the roster averaging 18+ yards/catch. The offensive line has allowed just 6 sacks this season, which is good enough to tie for #34 in the nation. Carroo is dangerous, but Michigan should be able to slow down a big-play passing attack.
Advantage: Rutgers


Roster Notes

• Players who were offered by Michigan include S Johnathan Aiken, CB Nadir Barnwell, WR Leonte Carroo, OT J.J. Denman, RB Savon Huggins, and OG Chris Muller
• Players from the state of Michigan include LB L.J. Liston and QB Giovanni Rescigno
• Rescigno was Shane Morris’s backup at Warren (MI) De La Salle

Last Time They Played . . . 

• Never. 

Predictions

• Michigan’s offensive line struggles mightily with a quick defensive line.
• Devin Gardner gets knocked out of the game, paving the way for Russell Bellomy.
• Michigan’s defense plays fairly well until the fourth quarter.
• Rutgers 24, Michigan 10

Preview: Michigan vs. Minnesota

Rush Offense vs. Minnesota Rush Defense
Michigan is #39 in the country with 211 rushing yards/game and tied for #26 with 5.6 yards/carry. Starting running back Derrick Green (391 yards, 6.1 yards/carry, 3 touchdowns) seems to have taken a pretty strong lead in the running back race, but he comes with faults – indecision, spotty vision, and the like. De’Veon Smith (194 yards, 6.9 yards/carry, 2 touchdowns) is the short yardage back who doesn’t often get short yardage carries, and Justice Hayes (86 yards, 6.1 yards/carry) is the third down back who gets 3rd-and-long draws just about every time there’s a 3rd-and-long. Michigan has run the ball passably this season, but they lack a home run threat or the physical identity they seek. Minnesota is #51 against the run by giving up 132 yards/game on the ground, and they’re #57 in yardage allowed/carry. Senior linebacker Damien Wilson (6’2″, 240 lbs.) is the stud with 44 tackles (tied for #8 nationally), 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a pick. Fifth year senior Cameron Botticelli (6’5″, 290 lbs.) takes over for Ra’Shede Hageman as the Gophers’ most productive interior lineman and has 12 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss. The linebackers are all a shade under 240 lbs., and the defensive tackles are roughly 290 lbs., but they are a little light at defensive end, where the starters are a shade over 250 lbs. Derrick Green may find the sledding to be tough against such stout linebackers.
Advantage: Michigan


Pass Offense vs. Minnesota Pass Defense
Your guess is as good as mine here. Fifth year senior Devin Gardner got yanked last week after another rough performance, and his replacement, sophomore Shane Morris, was equally inept. Michigan keeps delaying naming a starting quarterback, and it will supposedly be a “game-time decision.” One theory suggests that head coach Brady Hoke is dragging his feet only because they’re going to make a change. Another theory is that Minnesota has to spend time preparing for both quarterbacks, so it could just as feasibly be Gardner who takes the first snap. Neither direction would surprise me. Michigan is tied for third-worst at throwing interceptions (8) so far this year, and they’re #97 in passer rating. Gardner is the most experienced and has actually had stretches of success in college. Morris has a career 0-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Ugh. Michigan’s best receiver, Devin Funchess, is 6’5″, 230 lbs. of gimpy ankle, and nobody else has stepped up as a go-to guy in his partial absence. Meanwhile, Minnesota is #85 against the pass (252 yards/game) but #24 in passer rating against. It helps that three of their opponents have been Eastern Illinois, Middle Tennessee State, and San Jose State. The pass rush is led by Wilson, sophomore defensive end Hendrick Ekpe (6’5″, 251 lbs.), and redshirt junior defensive tackle Robert Ndondo-Lay (6’5″, 250 lbs.). The Gophers have picked off 7 passes altogether, including 2 from redshirt junior Briean Boddy-Calhoun (5’11”, 190 lbs.). The secondary is filled with third- and fourth-year players, plus sophomore Jalen Myrick, who had a 31-yard pick-six against MTSU.
Advantage: Minnesota


Rush Defense vs. Minnesota Rush Offense

Michigan is #8 in rush defense (80 yards allowed/game) and #9 in average yards allowed (2.5 yards/carry). The defensive linemen and linebackers do not make a ton of plays in the backfield, but they are stout at the point of attack and they tackle well. Starting linebackers Jake Ryan and Joe Bolden lead the team with 33 and 28 tackles, respectively. Redshirt sophomore nose tackle Ryan Glasgow (6’4″, 296 lbs.) has started to assert himself as a clogger in the middle, and classmate Willie Henry (6’2″, 306 lbs.) has been forceful as a 3-tech defensive tackle and even as a defensive end in some looks. The Wolverines are #40 in tackles for loss, led by Frank Clark (4.5) and Jake Ryan (4.0). On the other side of the ball, Minnesota is #30 in rushing (236 yards/game) and #38 in rushing average (5.1 yards/carry). Senior David Cobb (5’11”, 220 lbs.) carries the load (92 carries, 539 yards, 5.9 yards/carry, 4 touchdowns) and can run through some tackles, but he’s not a burner. The primary backup is Berkley Edwards (5’9″, 190 lbs.), who has just 12 carries in the last three games. The most dangerous runner other than Cobb is possible starting quarterback Chris Streveler (6’2″, 219 lbs.), who would be filling in for injured redshirt sophomore Mitch Leidner (6’4″, 237 lbs.). Streveler carried the ball 18 times for 161 yards and a touchdown last week. The Gophers’ offensive line averages 312 lbs. and the team is designed to run the ball. The left side of the line was honorable mention all-conference last season, right tackle Ben Lauer was a Freshman All-American, and there are a few Academic All-Big Ten performers. This is a ball control outfit that could wear down Michigan’s defense if the Wolverines’ offense can’t sustain some drives.
Advantage: Michigan


Pass Defense vs. Minnesota Pass Offense
Michigan is #28 against the pass (181 yards allowed/game) and #61 in passer rating against, but the only bad performance was against Notre Dame in a 31-0 loss. Otherwise, Michigan has been putting pressure on the quarterback – without necessarily getting there for sacks – and covering fairly well. Michigan is #61 in sacks, and defensive end Brennen Beyer is the only player with multiple quarterback takedowns. On the back end, sophomore corner Jourdan Lewis is the only one with a pick; Michigan’s only other interception came from defensive tackle Willie Henry, who returned it for a touchdown last week against Utah. Some sources are saying that Leidner will start, and he’s the better passer of the two quarterbacks. He has completed just over 48% of his passes for 362 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. If Streveler is behind center, he’s 4/11 for 37 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. The receiving corps isn’t anything special, particularly if redshirt sophomore tight end Maxx Williams (6’4″, 250 lbs.) remains sidelined with an injury. Sophomore Donovahn Jones (6’3″, 200 lbs.) has 6 catches for 92 yards and 1 touchdown, but he has been blanked the past two weeks. Junior K.J. Maye had 2 catches for 65 yards but did not record a catch in Minnesota’s other three games. Overall, Minnesota is #124 in passing (119 yards/game) and #122 in passer rating.
Advantage: Michigan


Roster Notes

• C Brian Bobek is a transfer from Ohio State
• RB Berkley Edwards is the son of Stan Edwards and brother of Braylon Edwards, both of whom played for Michigan
• Twin linemen Kyle and Luke McAvoy are the younger brothers of former Michigan lineman Tim McAvoy
• Players who were offered by Michigan include RB Jeff Jones and OT Jonah Pirsig
• The two native Michiganders on Minnesota’s roster are Edwards and Port Huron LB Dominic Schultz
• H-backs/tight ends coach Rob Reeves attended Saline High School and went to college at Grand Valley State University

Last Time They Played . . . 

• Minnesota TE Maxx Williams gave the Wolverines trouble with 5 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, and QB Mitch Leidner ran the ball 18 times for 66 yards
• Fitzgerald Toussaint (2), Derrick Green (1), and Devin Gardner (1) each ran for at least one touchdown
• Devin Funchess caught 7 passes for 151 yards and 1 touchdown
• Blake Countess returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown
• Michigan 42, Minnesota 13

Predictions

• Derrick Green goes over 100 yards rushing
• Shane Morris starts at quarterback
• Devin Gardner relieves Shane Morris at quarterback
• Michigan’s run defense stifles Minnesota’s offense
• Michigan 20, Minnesota 10

Preview: Michigan vs. Utah

Rush Offense vs. Utah Rush Defense
Michigan has taken a step forward this season and comes into this game #30 in rushing (242 yards/game) and tied for #14 in yards per carry (6.26). Of course, the best performances have come against Appalachian State and Miami, but most teams have played a patsy or two by now. Leading the pack is sophomore Derrick Green (332 yards, 6.6 yards/carry, 3 touchdowns), who put the rushing game on his back last weekend. Backup De’Veon Smith (189, 7.9, 2) has also been effective at times, but has some athletic limitations. The offensive line has improved with the return of Graham Glasgow, who has taken over the right guard position from Kyle Kalis. Utah is #39 against the run and #22 in rushing average against (2.79 yards/carry), but they have yet to play a quality opponent in their two games. The Utes’ leading tacklers are senior safety Eric Rowe, redshirt junior linebacker Jared Norris (6’2″, 237 lbs.), and senior defensive end Nate Orchard (6’4″, 255 lbs.). Walk-on defensive tackle Clint Shepard (6’2″, 276 lbs.) has made some plays in the backfield, but is obviously undersized. The Utes run a base 4-2-5 defense that might leave them a little undersized against a decent sized offensive line and a couple running backs who are 220+ pounds.
Advantage: Michigan

Hit the jump for the remainder of the preview.

Pass Offense vs. Utah Pass Defense
Head coach Brady Hoke has not publicly announced whether top receiver Devin Funchess will return to action after missing the Miami-OH game with an ankle injury suffered against Notre Dame. Michigan is #101 in passing yardage per game (194.3) but #59 in passer rating. Quarterback Devin Gardner was great against Appalachian State, pretty good against Notre Dame until he started pressing when the team fell behind, and solid against Miami-OH. Gardner gets happy feet when people get in his grill, but he’s effective when protected well and makes pretty good decisions on the edges. Starting tight end Jake Butt has returned from a torn ACL and was effective during a short stint against Miami-OH, and Gardner’s other favorite target is redshirt sophomore Amara Darboh (9 catches, 137 yards, 1 touchdown). The Wolverines have allowed just 5 sacks so far this year, although that’s partly due to some weak opponents and Gardner’s running ability. That’s still too many, but pass protection has improved since last year. Utah is #57 in passing yardage allowed (221 yards/game) and #61 in passer rating against. The Utes are tied for #8 nationally with 11 sacks, led by Orchard and redshirt sophomore defensive end Hunter Dimick (6’3″, 266 lbs.) with 2.5 each. Backup linebacker Pita Taumoepenu has added 1.5 quarterback takedowns. They have failed to make any interceptions so far, and converted wide receiver Dominique Hatfield (5’10”, 170 lbs.) leads the team with 2 pass breakups from his cornerback position. The nickel cornerback is Justin Thomas (5’8″, 178 lbs.). The best potential match for Michigan’s good-sized wideouts is converted safety Eric Rowe (6’1″, 201 lbs.), who’s in his first year at the position. Fifth year senior Brian Blechen (6’2″, 210 lbs.) is a hybrid strong safety/outside linebacker who’s more effective against the run and has only made 4 tackles this year; he was honorable mention all-conference in 2012 but missed last year due to injury. The defensive backs won’t be an issue for Michigan, but the pass rush might.
Advantage: Utah


Rush Defense vs. Utah Rush Offense
Michigan is #10 in the country against the run, allowing just 80 yards/game. That’s even more impressive considering that they have struggled to sack the quarterback. Teams are averaging just 2.64 yards/carry against them, which is 17th nationally. Junior linebacker Joe Bolden (22) and fifth year senior linebacker Jake Ryan (20) lead the team in tackles, and the next guy on the list is backup safety Dymonte Thomas with 10. While the Wolverines don’t give much ground, they don’t make a ton of plays in the backfield, either. They’re tied for #85 in tackles for loss, and they have struggled to get penetration into the backfield. Meanwhile, Utah is #25 in the country with 248 yards/game on the ground. Despite being a fast-paced team, the offensive line averages about 311 lbs., which would give Rich Rodriguez a heart attack. Starting running back Bubba Poole (6’1″, 197 lbs.) averages 5.1 yards/carry, but he has one fewer attempt (19) than backup Devontae Booker (5’11”, 203 lbs.), who averages 7.3 yards/carry. The quarterback is 6’7″, 233 lb. junior Travis Wilson, who runs with decent speed and some power. The Utes also have another threat in backup/change-of-pace quarterback Kendal Thompson (6’2″, 192 lbs.). Michigan held up well against some good running backs at Notre Dame, so I think they can do the same on Saturday.
Advantage: Michigan


Pass Defense vs. Utah Pass Offense
Michigan is #23 nationally and giving up just 173 yards/game, and they’re #53 in passer rating against. The pass rush has been pretty weak this year, partly because quarterbacks have been able to get rid of the ball quickly. The team’s “top” pass rusher, defensive end Frank Clark, has zero sacks and two of the four team sacks have been by backup defensive linemen against Appalachian State. Strongside end Brennen Beyer is the top sack artist with 2 so far, and one of those happened because of a botched snap by Notre Dame. Michigan has a strong competition going at cornerback between sophomore Jourdan Lewis – who has the team’s only pick – and Blake Countess and Jabrill Peppers and Raymon Taylor. Michigan will need to blitz to get to the quarterback, which is risky because of Utah’s tempo and their receivers’ playmaking ability. Fifth year senior Dres Anderson (6’2″, 190 lbs.) is the star with 7 receptions, 195 yards (27.9 yards/catch), and 2 touchdowns. Redshirt junior Dawan Scott (6’3″, 208 lbs.) is the possession guy. Fifth year senior Westlee Tonga (6’4″, 244 lbs.) has 6 catches, 85 yards, and 1 touchdown in two games. Quarterback Wilson is completing 63% of his passes for 6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, and he averages 11.7 yards/attempt, which is #2 in the country. Thompson has just 17 passing attempts, but he averages a respectable 9.2 yards/attempt. It’s a multi-pronged attack that will challenge Michigan from a tempo standpoint, which was an issue against a team like Indiana last year.
Advantage: Utah


Roster Notes

• Utah players offered by Michigan include OT Jackson Barton and DE Moana Ofahengaue.
• Utah has a defensive tackle named Beaver Ho Ching, a cornerback named Boobie Hobbs, and an offensive guard named Junior Salt.
• Utah LB Uaea Masina is the older brother of 2015 Michigan LB target Osa Masina.
• Right guard Isaac Asiata is the cousin of Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata.
• Utah’s head coach is Kyle Whittingham. His son, Alex Whittingham, is a walk-on linebacker. Kyle’s brother, Fred Whittingham Jr., is the Director of Player Personnel. Their nephew is Jason Whittingham, a linebacker on the team. Kyle and Fred’s father, Fred Whittingham Sr., was an assistant coach at Utah in the 1990s.
• Running backs coach Dennis Erickson is the former head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, the Seattle Seahawks, and the San Francisco 49ers, among others.
• Wide receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield used to be a wideout at Purdue.

Last Time They Played . . .

• In the 2008 season, home, and Rich Rodriguez opener, Utah beat Michigan by a score of 25-23
• Matt Asiata had 13 carries for 77 yards, plus 1 catch for 39 yards against the Wolverines. Paul Kruger led the Utes with 9 tackles 2.5 tackles for loss, and .5 sacks
• Utah quarterback Brian Johnson was 21/33 for 305 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception
• Brandon Minor had 4 carries for 21 yards while Sam McGuffie ran 8 times for 8 yards
• Martavious Odoms caught 5 passes for just 7 yards
• Junior Hemingway caught a 33-yard touchdown pass and then redshirted
• Michigan notched 6 sacks, including 2 by Tim Jamison

Predictions

• Michigan gets exposed a little bit against tempo.
• The Wolverines run the ball well but Utah forces Devin Gardner into getting happy feet.
• Frank Clark gets his first sack of the year
• Derrick Green fumbles for the first time
• I am not feeling good about this one
• Utah 31, Michigan 27

Preview: Michigan vs. Miami-OH

I don’t understand this picture.

Rush Offense vs. Miami Rush Defense
Michigan ran roughshod over Appalachian State, but they had a little more trouble against Notre Dame (35 carries, 100 yards). Redshirt junior Graham Glasgow returned from suspension to play right guard, and the rest of the line will likely stay the same. Sophomore Derrick Green has some vision issues but leads the team with 195 yards on 28 carries (7.0 yards/carry). Fellow sophomore De’Veon Smith (15 carries, 145 yards, 9.7 yards/carry) can break tackles but lacks breakaway speed, and he is reportedly a little gimpy right now. Miami is #56 against the run after games against Marshall and Eastern Kentucky, giving up 3.7 yards/carry. Leading tackler Kent Kern is a 6’1″, 238 lb. inside linebacker with 23 tackles and 3 tackles for loss. Redshirt sophomore ophomore defensive end J’Terius Jones (6’3″, 245 lbs.) has 11 tackles and 2 tackles for loss. The defensive tackles are 6’5″, 288 lb. Mitchell Winters and 6’2″, 285 lb. Jimmy Rousher, who have combined for 8 tackles and 0 tackles for loss. Coming off a standout rushing performance against Appalachian State and at least a decent showing against Notre Dame, Michigan should be able to handle Miami’s front with a little trouble from Kern.
Advantage: Michigan


Pass Offense vs. Miami Pass Defense
Michigan looked great passing the ball for the first 1.5 games of the season. The second half of last Saturday’s game against Notre Dame was a horror show. So far Devin Gardner is completing 70% of his passes for 362 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Notre Dame threw a barrage of blitzes at him, and Michigan’s offensive line couldn’t handle them. Star wide receiver Devin Funchess has caught 16 passes (out of 35 team completions) for 202 yards and all 3 of the team’s receiving touchdowns. The Wolverines have several other solid options in Jehu Chesson (5 catches, 52 yards), Amara Darboh (3 for 49), and Dennis Norfleet (6 for 46), plus the return of budding tight end Jake Butt from a torn ACL. Miami is tied for #13 nationally with 7 sacks, including 2 each from Kern and Jones. They’re still #76 against the pass (230 yards/game) and #99 in passer rating defense. Their lone interception comes from fifth year senior cornerback Quinten Rollins, who played point guard for the RedHawks for four years before joining the football team in the spring. Rollins led the MAC in steals last season and could be just as dangerous on the football field. Also in the secondary is sophomore cornerback Heath Harding (3 interceptions last season) and nickel corner Lo Wood, a transfer from Notre Dame.


Rush Defense vs. Miami Rush Offense
Michigan gives up a little under 104 yards/game (#36 nationally) and 3.1 yards/carry (#38). The Wolverines had some trouble against Appalachian State in the opener, but Notre Dame did not run the ball well with a talented stable of running backs. Despite the absence of injured run-stopper Desmond Morgan, Michigan’s linebackers improved in week two and the defensive linemen held their ground well. The Wolverines have been running a lot of 4-2-5 nickel looks, and linebackers Joe Bolden (15 tackles) and Jake Ryan (14 tackles) lead the way. Defensive tackles Ryan Glasgow, Ondre Pipkins, and Willie Henry all played pretty well last week. The RedHawks have been a pass-happy football team, so the running game isn’t much of a threat. The leading rushers are sophomore Spencer McInnis (5’9″, 196 lbs.) and junior Spencer Treadwell (5’10”, 208 lbs.), who have combined for 21 carries, 101 yards, and 0 touchdowns in two games. Senior quarterback Andrew Hendrix (6’2″, 221 lbs.) has 36 carries (only 9 of which have been sacks) for just 7 total yards. The offensive line averages 305 lbs., so they are not small, but Michigan should have both a quickness and strength advantage up front.


Pass Defense vs. Miami Pass Offense
Michigan is #36 in passing yardage defense and #68 in passer rating defense. They did a very good job against Appalachian State in week one, but Notre Dame’s offense was clicking last week, and they completed a lot of quick throws. The Wolverines have failed to make any interceptions, and they have 4 pass breakups so far. Senior cornerback Raymon Taylor is questionable for this week with a knee injury suffered against Notre Dame, freshman Jabrill Peppers injured his ankle against Appalachian State, and redshirt junior Blake Countess had a rough week last week. Defensive tackle Chris Wormley and defensive ends Brennen Beyer and Taco Charlton each have a sack, and while Michigan got a decent pass rush last week, they couldn’t get to the quarterback before Everett Golson got the ball off. Meanwhile, Miami is #18 in passing yardage (338 yards/game) but #107 in passer rating, so they throw the ball a lot but not very well. Quarterback Andrew Hendrix – another Notre Dame transfer – has completed 48.5% of his passes for 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. The leading receiver is 6’0″, 180 lb. David Frazier, who has 13 catches for 215 yards (16.5 yards/catch) but zero touchdowns, and second is 6’1″, 204 lb. sophomore Rokeem Williams, who averages 22.7 yards/catch (9 catches, 204 yards). Slot receiver Jared Murphy, at 5’10” and 180 lbs., also averages over 16 yards/catch. Senior tight end Alex Welch, formerly of the Fighting Irish, is a 6’4″, 247 lb. target with 6 catches for 51 yards and a score.


Roster Notes

• Michigan recruited QB Andrew Hendrix, TE Alex Welch, and CB Lo Wood
• Redshirt freshman QB Tom Tupa is the son of former Ohio State and NFL quarterback/punter Tom Tupa
• Redshirt junior RB Spencer Treadwell is the son of Don Treadwell, former head coach at Miami-OH, and the brother of Blake Treadwell, former offensive lineman at Michigan State
• Players from the state of Michigan include OL Collin Buchanan (Southfield), LB Brad Koenig (Ann Arbor Pioneer), RB Spencer McInnis (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s), LB Grant Niemiec (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s), RB Spencer Treadwell (East Lansing)
• Head coach Chuck Martin is the former head coach at Grand Valley State University, as well as the former offensive coordinator at Notre Dame
• Miami’s running backs coach is former Notre Dame running back Autry Denson
• Defensive line coach Corey Brown – no relation to the Ohio State duo of the same name – was a starting defensive tackle for Iowa in the late 1990’s
• Graduate assistant Israel Woolfork is not related to former Michigan defensive back Troy Woolfolk

Last Time They Met . . .

• Michigan is 5-0 all-time against Miami-OH, including a 16-6 win in 2008 under head coach Rich Rodriguez, his first win at Michigan
• Sam McGuffie was Michigan’s leading rusher with 17 carries for 74 yards
• Brandon Minor carried the ball once for a 15-yard touchdown, Steve Threet had a 9-yard touchdown run, and kicker K.C. Lopata hit two field goals
• Nick Sheridan and Steve Threet combined to go 10/18 for 103 yards and 0 passing touchdowns
• Brandon Harrison and John Thompson led the team with 8 tackles each
• Brandon Graham, Terrance Taylor, and Mike Martin each had a sack

Predictions

• Michigan’s defense tries to make a statement. They get 3 sacks and 2 interceptions.
• Michigan runs for 220 yards.
• Shane Morris plays the whole fourth quarter.
• Michigan 38, Miami-OH 10

Preview: Michigan at Notre Dame

Rush vs. Notre Dame Rush Defense
Michigan got off to as good of a start as possible when they ran 36 times for 350 yards (9.72 yards/carry) in week one, albeit against Appalachian State. That YPC puts them #1 in the country going into week two. It’s only one week, but plenty of other schools played patsies in their openers, too. I don’t expect Michigan to be a great running team this year, but that’s a positive sign. Both Derrick Green (15 carries, 170 yards, 1 touchdown) and De’Veon Smith (8, 115, 2) had outstanding games, with Green as more of a home run threat and Smith as the between-the-tackles bruiser. Notre Dame allowed 141 yards on 3.53 yards/carry last week to Rice, which puts the Fighting Irish in the middle of the pack early. Even without defensive end Ishaq Williams (suspended for academic issues), they have a formidable front seven with defensive tackles Sheldon Day and Jarron Jones, plus defensive end Romeo Okwara and outside linebacker Jaylon Smith. The question mark for them comes up the middle with some questionable talent and little experience at inside linebacker. If Michigan can get past the first level – which still might be a tall task – it could be tough for them to slow down the 220-pounders in Green and Smith. But until I see Michigan perform against a solid defense, I’ll say . . .
Advantage: Notre Dame

Pass vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense
Michigan was also outstanding in the passing game, as starter Devin Gardner finished 13/14 for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns before giving way to sophomore Shane Morris (3/5, 37 yards, 1 interception). Junior wide receiver Devin Funchess – who was awarded the #1 jersey prior to the opener – caught 7 of those passes for 95 yards and all 3 touchdowns. While Funchess is the main target, the connections to other receivers – particulary Jehu Chesson, Amara Darboh, and Dennis Norfleet – looked crisp, too. The key for Michigan will be whether their offensive line can block Notre Dame’s defensive line and stymie a likely array of blitzes designed to confuse the young, oft-shuffled line. The Fighting Irish sacked Rice twice in their opener, and they intercepted one pass while breaking up two more in 26 attempts. Their personnel in the secondary has dwindled recently with an MCL injury to starting safety Austin Collinsworth and the academic suspension of cornerback KeiVarae Russell. They’re piecing together a secondary that includes a bunch of young or unproductive players, including cornerbacks Cole Luke and Cody Riggs, safeties Max Redfield and Elijah Shumate, and combo player Matthias Farley. There’s some talent there, but nobody has shown star tendencies. They will have to count on the massive Jones and the quick Day to put pressure on Gardner.
Advantage: Michigan

Rush Defense vs. Notre Dame Rush Offense
Michigan was gashed up the middle several times against Appalachian State, and they did not create stops in the backfield. Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison took some blame for not making adjustments, but also, there’s no need to bring out every run blitz to stop a team that you’re beating by 38 points. It was not an ideal performance by the Wolverines (156 yards allowed on 29 running back carries), but it wasn’t particularly alarming, either. One issue may be that perhaps Michigan’s best inside linebacker, senior Desmond Morgan, will miss the game with a broken arm. Junior Joe Bolden and fifth year senior Jake Ryan – who moved from OLB in the off-season – have not shown that they can stuff the run up the middle. Meanwhile, the Fighting Irish have a nice lightning-and-thunder combination with sophomores Tarean Folston (12 carries, 71 yards) and Greg Bryant (8 carries, 71 yards). Folston is a little bit reminiscent of Fitzgerald Toussaint with his acceleration and jump-cut ability, while Bryant is a little more ponderous but can run through defenders if he squares his shoulders. Notre Dame’s line is nothing special, but they have experience on the interior and some size up front. With Morgan out and a mediocre performance against Appalachian State, I’ll put this category as a notch for . . .
Advantage: Notre Dame


Pass Defense vs. Notre Dame Pass Offense
Michigan has an All-Big Ten corner in Blake Countess, a guy who’s supposedly playing his best ball on the opposite side, a 5-star freshman in the slot, and perhaps their best pure cover corner (Jourdan Lewis) coming off the bench. Redshirt sophomore Jeremy Clark played his first extensive time at deep safety last week, and he did fair. Michigan did not get a great pass rush, despite notching two sacks (by Chris Wormley and Taco Charlton), but Appalachian State ran a lot of short routes. Notre Dame should have some longer developing plays, but they also have a better offensive line. The tackles should be the most vulnerable, so Frank Clark’s pass rush off the edge should be a key. Notre Dame got some big plays in the passing game against a Rice team that had a pretty solid pass defense last year. Last week’s standout was sophomore Williams Fuller (4 catches, 85 yards, 1 touchdown), but five players averaged 17 or more yards a catch, including tight end Ben Koyack (3 catches, 51 yards). Redshirt junior quarterback Everett Golson finished 14/22 for 295 yards and 2 touchdowns. It was a good day, but he will face a stiffer test against Michigan’s sticky secondary.
Advantage: Michigan

Roster Notes

• Michigan offered the following Notre Dame players coming out of high school: OT Alex Bars, OG Hunter Bivin, CB Devin Butler, WR DaVaris Daniels, DT Sheldon Day, OT Steve Elmer, QB Everett Golson, OT Mark Harrell, DT Jay Hayes, WR Corey Holmes, DT Jarron Jones, OT Christian Lombard, TE Tyler Luatua, CB Cole Luke, DE Jacob Matuska, OT Mike McGlinchey, OT Colin McGovern, OG John Montelus, LB Nyles Morgan, OG Sam Mustipher, LB James Onwualu, CB Cody Riggs, DE Isaac Rochell, S Elijah Shumate, LB Jaylon Smith, TE Durham Smythe, CB Nick Watkins, CB Nic Weishar, DE Jhonny Williams
• Players from the state of Michigan include: K Kyle Brindza, OT Steve Elmer, DE Jhonny Williams
• Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly used to be the head coach at Grand Valley State University

Last Year

• Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees was 29/51 for 314 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions
• Michigan held the Fighting Irish under 100 yards rushing (19 carries, 96 yards)
• Devin Gardner had his best career game to that point, finishing 21/33 for 294 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception, plus 13 carries for 82 yards and another score
• Blake Countess had 2 interceptions
• Michigan 41, Notre Dame 30

Predictions

• Devin Funchess goes for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns
• Michigan averages 4.0 yards/carry
• Graham Glasgow plays left guard, moving Erik Magnuson to left tackle
• Michigan struggles to stop the run
• Michigan 34, Notre Dame 31