After a rough loss last weekend, the Michigan Wolverines are back at home and hoping to bounce back against a 5-1 Washington team. Michigan is the favorite with the Huskies making the cross-country trip, and if Michigan loses this one, it can kiss its College Football Playoff hopes goodbye.
Here’s what Michigan needs to do to improve to 5-2.
Get off to a fast start
One weakness of this Washington offense is it tends to get off to slow starts. The Huskies average just 4.2 points per game in the first quarter, a mark that’s
3.3 points behind Michigan and is tied for 86th among 136 teams. Washington was shutout in the first half against Ohio State and Maryland, and trailed 13-10 at halftime to a mediocre Rutgers team last week.
This isn’t merely a Washington problem — with the expanded Big Ten, teams traveling across the country have a history of starting games slow. This game starts at 9 a.m. body time for Washington.
A big play at the start of this game would certainly help swing momentum in Michigan’s favor. Maybe run a trick play to Donaven McCulley or throw a deep shot to freshman Andrew Marsh. Getting an early lead would be huge against a Washington offense that could light up a depleted Michigan secondary.
Get back to basics in the run game to break through a top run defense
Last week was Michigan’s worst performance on the ground all season, and if Justice Haynes is able to suit up, it’s unlikely he will be at full strength. Whether it’s him or Jordan Marshall, the run game needs to get back on track against the Huskies.
Chunk plays on the ground were nonexistent last week, and they need to return this week. Washington’s run defense ranks seventh in college football, but the Wolverines did run for 175 yards against a Wisconsin defense that was ranked No. 1 at the time.
Michigan has to run the ball better, period. Don’t get cute, keep it simple, and pound the rock to tire out this Washington defense. Not to mention, there’s rain in the forecast for Saturday, so Michigan may have to defer to the run game by default.
Try to make Williams a one-dimensional quarterback
On the Pick ‘Em podcast, my editor and co-host Von Lozon has been singing the praises of Washington quarterback Demond Williams, who has quietly been one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten. He had a stellar performance against Rutgers, throwing for 402 yards, running for 136 yards and accounting for four touchdowns.
This Michigan secondary got embarrassed at USC last week, and I’m expecting them to give up their fair share of plays again in this one. But Michigan has to make sure Williams doesn’t beat them with his legs.
I don’t think Michigan can win this game if Williams runs for more than 100 yards. The Wolverines need to have a spy on him, and they HAVE to tackle better when he scrambles out of the pocket. Making him one-dimensional is pivotal to Michigan’s success.
What else does Michigan need to do to win this one? Let us know in the comments.
