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Michigan Football vs UCF: 3 Predictions for the Wolverines
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Michigan football team will be looking to put together another impressive performance Saturday, this time, the Wolverines will take on Central Florida.
Last week, against the University of Hawaii, the Michigan football team dominated. The Wolverines did just about everything they wanted, except for shutout the Rainbow Warriors in a 63-3 season-opening victory.
Now, what will the Wolverines do for an encore?
Another seemingly easy non-conference opponent awaits. Central Florida will invade the Big House Saturday (kickoff is set for 12 est) and even though the Knights are 1-0, they were still 0-12 a season ago.
Michigan does have some questions of its own. The Wolverines and their fans will certainly be paying close attention to the continued development of quarterback Wilton Speight. And with some key injuries, especially along the defensive line, there will be some youngsters, such as Rashan Gary, counted on to play some key snaps.
17 true freshmen made their collegiate debuts on Saturday. And they are making strides. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/l51OTj9oZQ
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) September 8, 2016
Of course, many fans will be anxious to see the repeat performance of Chris Evans, who was the star of training camp and now has burst onto the scene with an 8-carry, 112-yard performance that included two touchdowns, one from 43 yards out.
Central Florida may provide a stiffer challenge for the Wolverines than the Rainbow Warriors did. Their offense will try to go up-tempo and keep the Michigan defense on the field for 80-90 plays.
Yet, in order to do that, the Knights will need to contain the Wolverines offense, especially its running game and that seems a little unlikely.
Either way, here are three predictions for the Wolverines against UCF.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Evans set for another big week
Evans, a freshman, really is an example of how great players can slip through the recruiting cracks. He isn’t even the top-rated running back for the 2016 Michigan class and yet here he is, in the second week of the season, right in the mix at running back.
Evans was given just eight carries against Hawaii in Week 1, but he made the most of them, taking his eight carries and churning out 112 yards and two scores.
The best thing about Evans is simply his speed. He’s electrifying when he gets the ball in the open field and against a UCF defense that is hardly a juggernaut, expect that to happen quite a bit and when it does …
Chris Evans… GONE. (via @MichiganOnBTN)#GoBlue » https://t.co/rcBanyZLUr
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) September 3, 2016
De’Veon Smith is supposed to be back this week and he may cut into some of Evans’ carries. But the Wolverines and particularly coach Jim Harbaugh loves Evans, as they should, so I would expect him to see the football close to 10 times Saturday.
And 10 touches for Evans, could mean a very, very big day.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Wilton Speight will shine again
In his first start for the Michigan football team, Speight was solid, if not spectacular. His first pass in the game was intercepted, but after that, he completed 10-of-12 passes and tossed three touchdowns.
Of course, when your team can run the ball at will and your defense barely allows opponents to get a first down, it makes your job as the quarterback much easier.
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Yet, for Speight, every game is big as he attempts to build confidence and truly establish himself as the starter with Big Ten play (Penn State vs Michigan Sept. 24) starts in little more than two weeks.
In addition to a solid running game, Speight also has an offensive line that is turning into a very effective group. He also has a group of pass catchers, featuring Jake Butt, Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh that are as good as any in the country. And that doesn’t even include sophomore Grant Perry.
Central Flordia, which shut out South Carolina State, has some talent on defense, but not nearly enough to slow down the Wolverines. But in terms of Speight, I would expect him to only throw the ball around 15 times.
The sophomore will and should be efficient and I believe he will toss two or three more touchdown passes this week as the Wolverines roll to another victory.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Michigan defense will post a shutout
The Michigan football defense absolutely dominated Hawaii. The Rainbow Warriors managed just 232 yards of total offense. Michigan also held Hawaii to less than 100 yards rushing, while also finishing with four sacks and two turnovers.
However, Michigan wasn’t happy at the end, after allowing the Rainbow Warriors to notch a field goal in the second half. The Wolverines were wanting a shutout, so don’t be surprised if they come away with one this week.
Hurting their cause is the possibility that Taco Charlton and Maurice Hurst will be out of the lineup. But if that’s the case, fans may get a longer glimpse of freshman sensation Rashan Gary, who has seen time at both defensive end and defensive tackle.
UCF has a solid quarterback in Justin Holman and the Knights did score 38 points in a win over South Carolina State, but they haven’t seen a defense like the one they will see Saturday.
And after giving up three points in the opener, you can bet Michigan wants to get zero in the worst way.
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