GBMWolverine Preview: UMass and University of Michigan

Posted at 8:00am — 9/16/2010

GBMWolverine Preview: UMass and University of Michigan

Not so fast in dismissing this week’s game against a good UMass team as a certain victory. It should be a victory, it probably will be a victory, but the game is not a predetermined result.

An opponent should not be built up to be bigger than the actual presence. Neither should a team be summarily dismissed as a done deal. Within that reference here is a brief look at this Saturday’s game that starts at noon in the Big House.

Alphabet Soup-

Michigan is a FBS school- Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly (and still by many) known as Division 1A. UMass is a FCS school-Football Championship Subdivision, formerly known as Division 1AA.

FCS Success-

Already this year several FCS schools have beat FBS schools, including Virginia Tech getting taken down by James Madison. Big Ten fans will remember that Minnesota also fell to a FCS school last week. The CAA, Colonial Athletic Association, a league that includes UMass and James Madison, is the reigning king of taking out the big boys.

UMass has played about 30 Division 1 games in the last decades and the record stands at 8-21. During the last few years UMass has hung tough (within 10 points) of many D-1 schools. The league has produced some NFL talent. Remember, the Appy State team that became instantly famous produced six eventual NFL selections.

Overview of UMass-

The offense appears to be the unit that will contribute most to UMass’s 2010 success. The Minutemen have two solid backs that may be better than some big school backs. Jonathan Hernandez and John Griffin have put up good numbers. Quarterback Kyle Havens is throwing at a 65% clip with a near off-the chart quarterback rating. Remember last week, GBMWolverine commented that one underrated stat on quarterback and offense success was yard per passing attempt. It was stated that 6.0 is the minimum to run an offense and most coach’s hope for 8 yards per attempt. UMass is at 8.3 per attempt.

So far, UMass is 2-0 due to solid running and smart qb play. Film to view is limited, but the Minutemen run numerous formations and take to the I formation near the goal line. Havens is pretty good at play action. He has several receivers who have shared the wealth in the passing game

Defense has Something Against Shoestrings-

The battle cry for the UMass defense is “Knot the Shoelace.” We will see how that works out Saturday. This philosophy is certainly better than hold the guy under 500 yards.

What Michigan Needs to Do-

Score quickly, do not get cute, get a lead and play some people. UMass may be a team good enough to keep the regulars on the field longer than many suspect. Michigan needs to eliminate big plays on defense, get the running game going, and get some work for reserves to help create depth. And no stinking turnovers, please.

Just know this; Michigan is not playing Delaware State, so the team needs to be business like and get the job done.

Written by GBMWolverine Staff

Go Blue — Wear Maize!