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