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TheMichiganDaily, www.michigandaily.com

What to Watch For: Rudock 
seeks INT-free performance

Wolverines face tall 

receivers, potent 
passing attack 
against Cougars

By MAX COHEN

Managing Sports Editor

The last two weekends have 

not provided much of a test for 
the Michigan football team, as 
the Wolverines easily pushed 
aside Oregon State and UNLV 
in their first two home games 
of the season. Things will likely 
be different this weekend when 
No. 23 Brigham Young comes to 
town.

Last week, the Cougars stayed 

close with then-No. 10 UCLA, 
losing by one point. The Bruins 
scored late in the fourth quarter 
to take the lead for good, and BYU 
failed to respond.

Here’s what to watch for as 

Michigan looks to make one last 
statement in non-conference play.

1. Is this the week Jake Rudock 
turns things around?

The 
fifth-year 
senior 

quarterback has thrown five 
interceptions in the season’s first 
three games, the same number 
he threw all of last season with 
Iowa. Despite the rough statistics, 
nobody in Michigan’s program 
seems to be concerned about 
Rudock, at least publicly.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh 

said Monday that Rudock is 
the 
team’s 
best 
quarterback, 

“and not by a small margin,” 
quelling any doubt that he was 
second-guessing his decision to 
make Rudock the team’s starter. 
Instead, Harbaugh, Rudock and 
some of Michigan’s receivers have 
said that some of the struggles 
will fade over time as Rudock and 
the receivers continue to get on 
the same page.

Saturday’s game might leave no 

room for the turnovers that the 
Wolverines could afford in their 
previous two games. Michigan 
may also have to convert on some 
of the deep balls that have eluded 

receivers’ grasps so far.

2. 
How 
can 
Michigan’s 

secondary match up with big 
wide receivers?

The Wolverines have not faced 

a pass-happy offense like BYU’s so 
far this season. So far, Michigan’s 
secondary has limited big plays 
through the air, but that will be 
put to the test this weekend. The 
Cougars attempted 47 passes 
against UCLA last week.

What will make the challenge 

more difficult is that BYU has 
some 
size 
out 
wide. 
Mitch 

Mathews, the team’s second-
leading 
receiver, 
is 
6-foot-6. 

Nick Kurtz, the Cougars’ fourth-
leading receiver, is 6-foot-5.

Michigan junior cornerback 

Jourdan Lewis, who had four 
pass breakups last week, is just 
5-foot-10. He has insisted that 

facing taller wide receivers will 
not be an issue, that he can make 
up for the height with technique. 
Harbaugh has said the same.

Look to see if their words ring 

true Saturday or if height really 
does matter.

3. Can the defense create 
turnovers?

The Wolverines’ defense has 

been preaching the importance 
of takeaways all week. Michigan 
had 
two 
interceptions 
last 

week against UNLV, but it still 
does not appear to be satisfied. 
The approach of the defensive 
coaching staff is that the team’s 
defenders should be trying to get 
the ball back for the offense on 
every single possession, and that 
has not yet come to fruition.

The Wolverines could have an 

opportunity to create turnovers 

against BYU. The Cougars start 
a true freshman at quarterback 
in Tanner Mangum. Though he 
has displayed a great deal of poise 
early in his career, road games 
always provide a test for young 
players.

If Mangum airs it out 47 times 

like he did last week, Michigan’s 
secondary will no doubt be 
looking for turnovers. Whether 
the Wolverines take advantage is 
another matter entirely. It will be 
another opportunity for them to 
create their desired reputation as 
ball hawks.

4. Will the Wolverines be able 
to run the ball successfully for 
a third straight game?

Michigan has enjoyed great 

success running the ball the 
past two weeks, scampering for 
more than 200 yards in back-

to-back games. Junior running 
back De’Veon Smith led the way 
against Oregon State, and junior 
running back Ty Isaac did the 
same against UNLV.

How exactly carries will be 

distributed this weekend remains 
to be seen. But if the offensive line 
can create holes the way it has the 
past two weeks, it could bode well 
for the team in Big Ten play.

BYU’s rush defense is far from 

daunting. It ranks 74th among 
all Football Bowl Subdivision 
schools, but after the struggles 
the Wolverines have had the 
last few years running the ball, 
another successful week would 
enhance the confidence of the 
offensive line even further.

ALLISON FARRAND/Daily

Fifth-year senior quarterback Jake Rudock has thrown five interceptions in three games this season, but he will look to break his skid Saturday against BYU.

For full game coverage
Check MichiganDaily.com 
throughout Saturday

