FootballSaturday, October 28, 2017
8

if O’Korn’s struggles persist. 

While the blame doesn’t fall 
solely on O’Korn’s shoulders, 
the 
Wolverines’ 
passing 

game 
has 
been 
practically 

nonexistent of late. And though 
the running game has stepped 
up to help close the gap, a one-
dimensional 
offense 
doesn’t 

equate to a winning formula.

Even if this season isn’t 

pronounced over yet, Michigan 
should start looking to its future, 
especially with the amount of 
talent it will be returning next 
season. Peters is a major part of 
that youth movement.

With Michigan still favored 

to win, it wouldn’t hurt to see 
what 
the 
Wolverines 
might 

have to look forward to at the 
quarterback position.

2. Will the defense be able 

to reclaim the top spot in the 
nation?

In a battle of heavyweights, 

the 
Nittany 
Lions’ 
offense 

knocked 
Michigan’s 
then-

top-ranked defense out cold. 

After giving up 42 points and 
506 yards last Saturday, the 
Wolverines’ defense dropped to 
the fifth spot in the country.

Against Rutgers, Michigan 

will be eager to return to its 
prior form. Not only did the 
Wolverines post a shutout in 
Piscataway last season, but they 
have some experience with the 
type of offensive threat the 
Scarlet Knights pose. And it has 
nothing to do with Penn State 
running back Saquon Barkley.

Through the use of a run-

heavy 
approach 
on 
offense, 

Michigan 
has 
indirectly 

prepared its defense to take 
on Rutgers’ ground game. The 
Scarlet 
Knights 
are 
ranked 

62nd 
nationally 
in 
rushing 

offense with an average of 167.7 
yards per game and a total of 15 
touchdowns. For perspective, 
the 
Wolverines’ 
three-back 

rotation ranks 55th with 173.3 
yards per game and 11 scores.

If 
Michigan 
can 
take 

advantage of that edge, it may 

be able to return to its desired 
position as the best unit in the 
nation.

3. Can the special teams 

unit break out big plays?

So 
far 
this 
year, 
the 

Wolverines’ 
special 
teams 

unit has teased big-play ability 
without 
many 
dividends 
— 

aside 
from 
a 
79-yard 
punt 

return touchdown by freshman 
receiver 
Donovan 
Peoples-

Jones in the third game of the 
season.

With 
freshman 
defensive 

back Ambry Thomas now set 
as Michigan’s kickoff returner, 
the two Detroit natives have 
a chance to show off their 
speed and cutting ability on a 
consistent basis. While both 
have 
provided 
solid 
yards 

after the catch, special teams 
coordinator 
Chris 
Partridge 

emphasized that the Wolverines 
are pushing them to be more 
explosive.

As 
Partridge 
explained 

this 
week, 
that 
will 
also 

take a concerted effort from 
the 
blockers. 
He 
has 
been 

encouraging the unit to step it 
up a level and make more plays, 
especially 
given 
how 
close 

many of the team’s games have 
been this season.

Chances are, Rutgers will 

be sending a lot of punts in the 
direction of Peoples-Jones, but 
even if things go awry and the 
Scarlet Knights kick off more 
than expected, Thomas will be 
there as well.

4. 
How 
will 
Michigan 

respond to being back in the 
Big House?

It has been awhile since the 

Wolverines played at Michigan 
Stadium, and it didn’t go very 
well the last time.

After 
two 
consecutive 

games on the road, the contest 
against Rutgers will mark three 
weeks since the Wolverines’ 
devastating loss to Michigan 
State. 
With 
a 
homecoming 

crowd 
awaiting 
its 
return, 

Michigan will look to rid itself 

of those nightmares.

And after the reception they 

received in front of an all-time-
record crowd at Beaver Stadium, 
playing in front of their home 
fans again will be a welcome 
sight for the Wolverines.

‘M’ returns home for the first time since the loss to Michigan State

AMELIA CACCHIONE/Daily

Junior receiver Grant Perry and the passing game have underperformed recently, and the offense has suffered as a result. The running game has done its part to cover for it, but the passing game needs to step up. 

Rutgers at 
Michigan

Matchup: Rutgers 2-2 
Big Ten, 3-4 overall; 
Michigan 2-2, 5-2

When: Saturday 
12 P.M. 

Where: Michigan 
Stadium

TV/Radio: 

BTN

