Time: 12:00 EST
TV: Big Ten Network
Location: Big House
Weather: Isolated Thunderstorms, high 74
Line: None
I will start the preview with this line:
Don't Sleep on the Minutemen. When I looked at this schedule I thought UMass would be an easy win. Similar to Delaware State last year - It's not going to be that easy. This UMass team can play and is 2-0 and ranked #16 in FCS. They have wins over two quality FCS opponents so far this year in the #3 ranked William and Mary and Holy Cross. They have a senior JUCO transfer at QB and have picked up a number of kills players from Northeastern and Hofstra after their programs folded last year. Greg Robinson should recognize a number of Syracuse transfers that are now starting for the Minutemen.
UMass runs a pro style offense with a power run game. They like to lead with the full back and run between the tackles. Which should run right into the strength of the Michigan strong defensive line and senior linebackers. UMass had to replace all 4 starters on the defensive line but the strength of their defense is their linebackers lead by Tyler Holmes an FCS All American. UMass doesn't have any players that hail from the State of Michigan.
Let's go to the Tale of the Tape:All levels of Michigan vs All Levels of UMass = Michigan
That was easy. Let's hope the game is that easy as well.
What I'm looking for from the Wolverines this week:- Less Denard and more Running Backs: I would like to see Fitz Toussaint and Mike Cox get some snaps. A running back with a 100 yards please.
- Less Denard and More Tate: I am still holding out hope they can redshirt Devin. I know he has played and might have burned his redshirt but it's only been 3 plays and this game will go long way on that plan. If Devin gets a lot of snaps my redshirt theory will die for sure. I think it's very important for Tate to play and play a lot. I have a feeling that Tate will need to win some games for the Wolverines this year during the Big Ten season. He needs the reps.
- Less Mike Martin more Big Will: We all know Mike is a great player. I would like to see more snaps for Big Will because I think we will need him during the year. This is a great team to have him in there against. He is a big body run stopper against a team that likes to run.
- More experience for the DB's: I would like all the freshman DB's to get snaps in this game. The next two weeks is time to get some experience.
Sing Hail to the Victors if.......- Michigan isn't thinking about Big Ten play.
- The defense stops the run and puts a ton of pressure on the QB.
- A running back steps up and gets a 100 yards
- If it's out of reach by the 3rd quarter
- Lots of play from the 2 and 3 deep players
- Michigan makes a field goal
Worry if...................- UMass is App. State
- Michigan is just to vanilla on both sides of the ball which keeps UMass in the game
- Michigan has been watching ESPN and reading the newspapers all week
- It's still close in the second quarter
- Michigan thinks this is a bye week after UConn and ND
I expect Michigan to play hard on Saturday as the coaches have reminded the team about Toledo two years ago and what happened to Virgina Tech last week. I also expect the coaches to remind the players that they have been home for Christmas the last two years because they didn't take care of business in games like this. I want Denard to run only if he has to and more from the Michigan running backs and wide receivers in the passing game. (sure his numbers might take a hit and there might be a few: what happened to Denard stories on Sunday?) UMass should not be able to stop Michigan's offense at any point during the game. No line on game. Michigan 42 UMass 7
Go Blue!
