14 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, September 7, 2001
MATCH UPS
Continued from Page 12
MICHIGAN PASS OFFENSE VS. WASHINGTON PASS
DEFENSE: Last year, Michigan might have had a clear
advantage in this category, thanks to a couple of guys
named Henson and Terrell. But this year, the Wolver-
ines are trying to rebuild their passing game with a new
starting quarterback (John Navarre), a new go-to receiv-
er (Marquise Walker), and four new starting linemen.
Against Miami (Ohio), Michigan's passing game
showed flashes of brilliance, but it also showed flashes
of ineptitude. Navarre connected with Walker on one
deep ball, but most of his passes were short or mid-
range throws. Navarre's stats looked decent - 19-for-
32, 205 yards, one TD - but the passing game is
clearly not the juggernaut it was last year, at least not
yet.
Washington returns seven starters on defense, and the
Huskies could have a brutal pass rush, thanks to Trip-
plett and Ellis. The Huskies lost safety Hakim Akbar to
the NFL Draft, but they have a potential rising star in
cornerback Sam Cunningham.
This is where the Husky Stadium crowd will have its
biggest effect. Unless Michigan shows marked improve-
ment from last weekend, the Huskies' pass rush --
aided by the crowd noise - will throttle the Wolver-
ines' passing attack.
Edge: Washington
WASHINGTON RUSH OFFENSE VS. MICHIGAN RUSH
DEFENSE: Michigan's run defense was porous at times
against Miami (Ohio). RedHawks tailback Luke
Clemens ran right through the front seven on multiple
occasions, gaining 33 yards on one play. To make mat-
ters worse, starting outside linebackers Eric Brackins
and Larry Foote both left the game with injuries. Even
if they both play against Washington, they probably
won't be 100 percent.
Michigan will need Brackins, Foote and anyone else
they can find to shut down Washington's superb tail-
back tandem of senior Willie Hurst and sophomore Rich
Alexis, who are as good as any pair of running backs in
the country. Alexis, who ran for over 700 yards and
nine touchdowns last year as a freshman, has the look of
a superstar. Both running backs have power and speed
to burn.
If Michigan had trouble containing Clemens, wait
until the Wolverines get a load of Washington's tail-
backs. Even if Brackins and Foote are at full speed, it
could be a long day for the Wolverines.
Edge: Washington
WASHINGTON PASS OFFENSE VS. MICHIGAN PASS
DEFENSE: Washington is never known for a prolific pass
offense, and without Marques Tuiasosopo, it could be a
real struggle this year. Sophomore Cody Pickett
assumes the reins, and though he is talented, Saturday's
game will be his first career start. As a result, there is a
good chance the he will have some early jitter. Not
helping his cause is the fact that Washington, like
Michigan, is breaking in four new offensive linemen.
But, there are a few things working in Pickett's favor.
For starters, Washington has a lot of talent amongst its
receiving corps. Todd Elstrom is the leading returning
receiver, and he is joined by converted tailback Paul
Arnold and heralded freshman Reggie Williams, who
should see some playing time on Saturday.
The Huskies also have perhaps the best tight end in*
the nation, 6-7 junior Jerramy Stevens. Michigan's
tallest linebacker is 6-3 Larry Stevens (no relation), and
its tallest defensive back is true freshman Ernest Shazor,
.who stands 6-4 but didn't play against Miami (Ohio).
Unless Michigan can come up with a creative defen-
sive scheme, Jerramy Stevens could run wild, giving.
Pickett a valuable security blanket.
Maybe the biggest factor in Pickett's favor is Michi-
gan's pass coverage. The Wolverines pulled in three
interceptions against Miami (Ohio) but still have a lot to
prove after last season's generally horrid showing.
If Michigan can get an interception early on when
Pickett is still battling his nerves, the Wolverines could
have the upper hand. But if Pickett can stay calm and
avoid silly rmistakes, he should be fine.
Edge: Washington
SPECIAL TEAMS: By Lloyd Carr's own admission,
Mithigan's kicking game was awful against Miami
(Ohio). Problems with long-snapping affected Hayden
Epstein's punting, but Epstein has nobody to blame but
himself for his wobbly kickoffs which died at the 10-
yard line. Punt returner Julius Curry didn't do much
more than fall on the ball, and Michigan hasn't had a
kickoff return for a touchdown in a decade.
Washington kicker John Anderson is regarded as one
of the better kickers in the country, and punter Ryan
Fleming is entering his third year as a starter. The
Huskies weren't spectacular in their return game last
year and are searching for a new kick returner, but that
still puts them no worse than Michigan.
As poor as Michigan's special teams were against
Miami (Ohio), they will have a tough time improving
greatly amidst a foreign, extremely hostile environment
in Seattle.
Edge: Washington
INTANGIBLES: Rick Neuheisel and Lloyd Carr are two
of the top coaches in the country, so that's a wash. Both
teams are inexperienced at multiple key positions, so
that's also a draw. Michigan has a game under its belt,
but Michigan also has no current game films of Wash-
ington to study, so that can be considered a draw.
The one real benefit that Washington has is that the
Huskies are hosting this game. Given Washington's
track record at the "House of Pain," home field will def-
initely be an advantage tomorrow
Edge: Washington
PREDICTION: Judging by their rankings (for what they
are worth), these teams are relatively, evenly matched.
Michigan has already played a game, but the Wolver-
ines showed enough flaws -particularly in run defense
and tackling - that Washington should be optimistic
about its chances.
Navarre has faced loud crowds before, but he strug-
gled mightily at UCLA and Illinois last season. Since
surrounding talent isn't nearly as seasoned now as it
was then, it's hard to see him suddenly playing the
game of his life in Seattle. Michigan's defense also
doesn't appear capable of picking up the slack, based on
its play against Miami (Ohio) and the injuries to Brack-
ins and Foote.
If Pickett comes out nervous and turns the ball over a
few times, Michigan has a chance. But if he plays to his
team's strengths - Jerramy Stevens and the running
,game -the Huskies should win.
Washington 27, Michigan 17
a.
MARJORIE MARSHALL/Daily
Although it won't be simple, the Wolverines - led by head coach Lloyd Carr - look to remain undefeated by beating the
Washington Huskies in Seattle tomorrow. Michigan holds a 64 lead in the all-time series between the two.
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