Pay The New Jersey Kids To Play Football At Rutgers: Michigan Week
Whew! We have escaped the non-conference slate of games undefeated, we’re feeling good and now the real season can commence. First up, ah only 19th ranked Michigan Wolverines. For what it’s worth this is Michigan’s first 3-0 start since 2017, and third in the Jim Harbaugh era as they also started 3-0 in 2016.
While there had been many whispers about Harbaugh’s time in Ann Arbor coming to an end, that was all but nipped when he signed an extension that’ll last until 2025. But it’s college football, buyouts are baked into the sport’s DNA and if he doesn’t improve on that 1-4 bowl record, it may be toodles for even a Michigan man like Jim Harbaugh.
But today, all that matters is giving the Wolverines their first loss of 2021 and shocking the world. We are +750 dogs and the spread has jumped up to -20 in favor of Michigan. How fast we forget that Michigan needed OT to beat the Scarlet Knights not even a whole calendar year ago.
As the conference games are just beginning the stats don’t reveal much. Offensively, Rutgers ranks 8th in the Big Ten in passing yards, 10th in rushing yards, and 2nd in points scored. Michigan ranks 11th, 1st, and 1st, respectively. Defensively, the Scarlet Knights rank second in the conference in yards allowed - although Wisconsin who is first has played only 2 games compared to everyone else’s 3. Rutgers is 2nd in passing yards allowed, 8th in rushing yards allowed, and tied with Michigan for 3rd in points allowed. Michigan ranks 3rd in passing yards and 7th in rushing yards. All in all, fairly comparable teams on paper.
But within all the numbers lies the key for Rutgers to pull the upset: stopping the run. Backfield tandem Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins have accounted for 11 Wolverine scores and are averaging 8.5 and 5.7 yards per carry. In the last meeting, Haskins rushed for over 100 yards while Cade McNamara - officially took the reins from Joe Milton in this game - leading the Wolverines back with 4 touchdowns through the air. The Scarlet Knight defense anchored by Olakunle Fatukasi - 5th in tackles in the Big Ten and 2nd in sacks - need to be stout, any and all takeaways help our cause.
Now here is where I cop some pleas. I haven’t been the biggest Noah Vedral supporter, but Year 2 in the Sean Gleeson offense so far has been off to a good start. He will need to be flawless today, or at least not give the ball away for us to have a chance. Also, the run game will be called upon to help move the ball up and down the field behind Isaih Pacheco and Kyle Monangai.
With all of the issues, COVID brought to the 2020 season, Schiano’s presence was welcomed as Rutgers showed signs of turning the page. This slate of Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan State the next three weeks puts that to the test immediately. Let’s see how we do.
CHOP, Beat Michigan!