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| Amber Ainsworth/The Michigan Journal |
The wounds have healed, the last game is in the past and it’s
time to get back to it. The Wolverines are coming off a bye week following a
devastating loss to in state rival Michigan State to face the Minnesota Golden
Gophers on the road. It’s time for the weekly breakdown and prediction.
Offense:
The Wolverine offense has been hot and cold, sort of. It isn’t
explosive like TCU, but they have scored points. Notably 31 on BYU, and 38 on
Northwestern. Rudock has been what we expected, his typical game manager
quarterback style isn’t flashy, but it gets the job done. The running backs
have been good, not out of this world, but they’ve been steady. It’s easier to
have a steady run game when head coach Jim Harbaugh has five running backs he
can use at essentially any point in the game. Drake Johnson is expected to play
this week and if fully healthy could easily add another dimension to the
Wolverine offense, I still believe Johnson is the best back on this roster when
100% healthy. He is an excellent complement to De’Veon Smith, who can be a
bruiser and fight out the short yardage. I would like to see the Wolverines
split time at running back evenly with these two this week, with Johnson
getting more involved in the passing game. Jehu Chesson and Amarah Darboh have
been much better than expected at the wide receiver position, but with Rudock
often times going to his checkdown, they’re mostly dangerous in screen passes
and quick slants, which I expect the Wolverines to do this week to attack the
Gopher defense. The tight ends have contributed well, and Ian Bunting, A.J.
Williams, and Jake Butt all play an integral role in making this offense move
due to the style Rudock plays. I want to see Jake Butt more, as his role has
seemed to diminish of late due to most defenses focusing on him.
Minnesota really doesn’t have much of an established run
game. Rodney Smith has 467 yards and one touchdown this season, the Gophers
leading rusher. He will likely have a very tough time this week in finding gaps
in the Wolverine defense. Mitch Leidner has thrown for a respectable 1,310 yard
this season but has six interceptions to his seven touchdown passes. Leidner
does however have three rushing touchdowns. The Gophers don’t pose much of a
threat at the wide receiver position either, which will make it even tougher on
Leidner and the Gopher offense to move the ball against Michigan. The Gophers
are only average about 20 points per game.
Defense:
Michigan has a strong defense. Yeah, obviously. Not much
else you can really say, they’re good, very good. One of the best defenses in
the country, it doesn’t matter who they’re facing, they will look elite. The
Wolverines will be without linebacker Joe Bolden for the first half, but it
shouldn’t be a huge deal, as the Wolverines have depth and versatility on the defensive
side of the football to make up for it. The Wolverines have been a second half
football team defensively anyways, and it will get even better with Bolden
coming back on the field. Against this below-average offense I expect the
Wolverine defense to force some turnovers. Jabrill Peppers and Jourdan Lewis
will both have interceptions in the game, and Bolden will make an impact upon
his return forcing a fumble on a sack. The Gophers will be lucky if they score.
Minnesota’s defense is not that much better than the
offense. It’s not horrible, but I wouldn’t say it’s good. They’re allowing 23
points per game, which is somewhat respectable. They’re allowing 151 rushing
yards per game which could cause problems for them with the Wolverines strong
rushing attack from multiple players. The key for the Gophers will be to get
off the field, but if they can’t stop the run, then they won’t be able to do
that. With that, the Wolverine defense will get the Gopher defense back on the
field in just a few minutes as well. Minnesota is only allowing 177 passing
yards per game, which is roughly around where Rudock throws, so it doesn’t hurt
the Wolverines much.
Minnesota coach Jerry Kill retired from football Wednesday
morning in an announcement that shocked everyone. People remember Kill has had
health problems, and had multiple epileptic seizures during games. Kill is one
heck of a football coach, and a man who deserves the utmost respect, from any
fan. I was planning on adding something to this post about Kill prior to his
retirement announcement, as he deserves the respect. We here at Maize and Blue
Nation wish all the best for Kill and his family, and hope he has an enjoyable
and healthy retirement. Class act of a coach.
The Gophers will be playing for Kill in this game, and will
be playing with an edge. It’s a night game at home for them, and will be a
great scene. However, Michigan is far more superior from a talent standpoint
and it will not be enough for the Gophers to win the football game, as the
Wolverines will be playing with an edge as well after what happened a few weeks
ago at home.
Final Prediction:
Michigan 26 Minnesota 0.
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