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| Amber Ainsworth/The Michigan Journal |
The #18 Michigan Wolverines take on the #13 Northwestern
Wildcats this Saturday at the Big House at 3:30. What is expected to be a tough
defensive battle is going to a true test for both of these Top 25 teams. As
usual, here is my breakdown and prediction.
Offense:
The Wolverine offense has come on of late. In what was a worse performance than the
scoreboard showed in Utah, to not-so-impressive performances against two
cupcake opponents in Oregon State and Maryland the offense has turned a corner beginning
with BYU. While the Maryland performance wasn’t one for the ages consider the
weather conditions (very very windy) and missing their starting running back
DeVeon Smith. On the bright side, Smith is expected to play this week, and was
actually expected to play last week as well but it was a last minute decision
to keep him in Ann Arbor because he wasn’t really needed.
Points won’t come easy, and likely won’t come often for the
Wolverines this week. Northwestern ranks fifth in the NCAA in total defense, only
allowing 247 yards per game, however the Wildcats rank 26th in rush
defense, allowing 117 yard per game, Michigan’s strong suit. If the Wolverines
can crank out a lot of success running the football, they will control this
game and wear down the Wildcat defense. It will be tough, and it will require a
lot of hard work and grit in the trenches, but it is possible. The key to
success is the run blocking. The run blocking for Michigan has been so-so. The
pass blocking has looked good, while the run blocking has been good at times
and bad at times. The front five will need to keep the Wildcats front five at
bay.
I would not be surprised to see the Wolverines open up the
passing playbook a bit as well. Northwestern is likely going to focus on
stopping Smith, Johnson, and the Wolverine rushing attack, leaving some spots
open for the passing game to make some noise. While I don’t foresee Rudock
throwing the deep ball on multiple occasions, or at all unless needed I do
think he will use a lot of screen passes. Amara Darboh, Jehu Chesson, and Drake
Johnson are very dangerous in the screen passing game and the Wolverines need
to get the ball in any of these guys’ hands in open space. I would also like to
see a freshman step up. Grant Perry is who I would like to see have a strong
performance in a big time game.
For Northwestern, it is mostly the same for the Wolverine offense.
It will not be easy to score… Nobody has is two consecutive games actually.
Northwester quarterback Clayton Thorson has thrown for 711 yards so far this
season with four touchdowns and three interceptions. He has also ran for 165
yards and four touchdowns. The Wolverines had no problem with Tanner Mangum of
BYU, who could hurt you with both his arm and legs. The Wolverines came after
Mangum from every which way, and smothered him from start to finish. Thorson is
going to need some of the best protection he has had all season to keep his jersey
clean Saturday. Top running back Justin Jackson has 636 yards and only one
touchdown on the season. Nothing special from the Wildcat offense which like
Michigan, is led by their very tough defense. I don’t expect much from the Northwestern
offense. If they do score, it won’t be much.
Defense:
Like said above, the Wolverine defense smothered Mangum
early and often, and didn’t allow the BYU offense to score, and kept them right
around 100 yards of offense. The Northwestern offense is not quite as talented
as the BYU offense, which is why the Wolverines will stuff them again and again
on Saturday. It will not surprise me one bit if the Michigan defense is able to
hold Northwester right around the 100 yard mark, which would be the third time
this season. I firmly believe the Wolverines have a very good chance at
shutting out the Wildcats this week. The strongest part of the Northwestern
offense is the passing game. Channign Stribling should return to the lineup
this weekend, and the rest of the secondary keeping wide receivers on a leash,
stopping the passing game shouldn’t be a problem. If Thorson is given time to
throw, there will not be anyone open. His line will not be able to give him
enough time to let someone get open.
The loss of Mario Ojemudia is a key loss for the Wolverines,
but defensive line may be the deepest position on that side of the football for
the Wolverines. Watch for an assortment of players to step up and make big
plays.
Northwestern also trots out a very impressive defense, led
by the ability to stop the passing game. The Wolverines don’t offer an elite
passing game, but the running game does the talking for them. Northwester will
need to focus on hitting Smith in the backfield with multiple defenders. Smith runs
with power and precision, and if the tackle is not textbook he can slip right
out of it. The Wolverine offensive line is far from where it needs to be
despite it being better than last year and the Wildcats will surely take
advantage of that. Northwestern will likely benefit from a forced turnover in
the game, an intercepted pass.
The biggest key overall for this game, and in all
seriousness is the special teams play. Field position will mean LITERALLY
EVERYTHING. The scoring will be so few and far between due to these very strong
defenses, that if a team is able to start with good field position they will
likely strike, and who knows if the other team can counter with a score. Blake
O’Neill has been excellent this season, and if the Australian punter keeps it
up this week the Wolverines surely won’t have any problems.
Prediction:
Michigan 13,
Northwestern 0.
Yes, it is going to happen. The Wolverines will shut out its
THIRD STRAIGHT opponent this week, and get a big statement win with momentum
headed into the home clash with Michigan State next week.
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