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Michigan Football vs Rutgers: 3 Predictions for the Wolverines
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan football will hit the road for the first time this Saturday against Rutgers. Here are three predictions for the Wolverines ahead of their game against the Scarlet Knights.
It’s a little bit strange to be playing the first road game of the season in the sixth game, but that’s what Michigan football faces as it travels to Rutgers this Saturday.
Through five games, the Wolverines have lived up to the hype. They are 5-0 and the only team good enough to grab the lead against UM was Colorado.
In short, Michigan football has been as good as advertised in 2016. Now, the Wolverines just have to avoid a letdown. This week, that may be difficult, especially considering the Scarlet Knights (2-3) are nothing to write home about.
Last season, Michigan dominated Rutgers in Ann Arbor, 49-16. Yet, this game is in Piscataway, which wasn’t kind of UM back in 2014, when the Brady-Hoke led Wolverines fell 26-24.
Looking back, that cold night in 2014 was probably the beginning of the end for Hoke. His Michigan team lost on the road to a Rutgers squad it should have beaten. Simple as that.
This time around, the Wolverines, despite being heavy favorites, can’t take Rutgers lightly. Anytime you play on the road in the Big Ten, it can be a challenge. And for the Scarlet Knights, beating someone like Michigan would be akin to winning the Super Bowl.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh will certainly have the Wolverines prepared, but sometimes the football takes weird bounces; sometimes crazy things happen.
Yet, Michigan football hasn’t overlooked anyone in 2016, so it’s unlikely it starts Saturday night. On that note, here are three predictions for the Wolverines as they get set to battle Rutgers.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan will exploit Rutgers’ run defense
For some reason, Michigan football’s running game doesn’t seem to get the credit it deserves. Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t been out of this world, but 209 yards per game is more than acceptable.
Currently, the Wolverines rank fifth in the Big Ten in rushing offense. And while UM isn’t dominant on the ground, it should be able to exploit Rutgers’ run defense, which is the worst in the conference, allowing 227 yards per game.
De’Veon Smith has been the key runner for Michigan this season, rushing 56 times for 325 yards and two touchdowns. Smith should have a big game. But so should freshman Chris Evans.
Evans has 37 carries for 247 yards and is averaging 6.7 yards per carry, compared to 5.8 for Smith. The pair has scored a total of four touchdowns and against the Scarlet Knights, don’t be surprised if both find the end zone and eclipse 100 yards or get close.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan will clamp down on Rutgers passing game
If there was one thing that we learned from Michigan’s win over Rutgers, it’s that with Jourdan Lewis healthy, the Wolverines secondary rivals any in the Big Ten, maybe the country.
The Wolverines lead the conference in pass defense, surrendering just 135 yards per game. That, coupled with the fact that Rutgers struggles to throw the ball, means the Scarlet Knights could finish Saturday’s game with marginal passing yardage.
Coming in, Rutgers is averaging just 140 yards per game through the air, worst in the Big Ten. Starting quarterback Chris Laviano is also completing just 46 percent of his passes and has just five touchdowns compared to six picks.
While Lewis made the highlight-reel interception last week against Wisconsin, part of the reason the secondary has been so good has been the play of Channing Stribling.
Stribling had two interceptions last week against Wisconsin and has three total on the season. He also has 10 tackles and five passes defensed.
Rutgers might be able to generate some offense, but it’d be surprising if they came up with much production through the air.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jabrill Peppers will do something special
I guess predicting that Peppers, one of the best players in college football, will do something special isn’t much of a prediction, but so be it.
Peppers does something amazing in just about every game for Michigan football, but Saturday, I’d expect an especially spectacular effort.
That’s because Peppers is from New Jersey, so when he takes the field at Rutgers, it will be a bit of a homecoming for the Heisman hopeful.
There may be no player in the country that rivals what Peppers can do on offense, defense and special teams.
Whether he finally gets his first career interception or returns a punt or kickoff for a touchdown, Peppers will make some kind of big play for Michigan football, one we will certainly be talking about for days to come.
And as long as nothing crazy happens, we should be talking about a Michigan football team that is 6-0.
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