Michigan Wolverine Football: Michigan at Northwestern — What May Happen

Oct 18, 2014; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) drops back to pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Posted at 5:25am — 11/8/2014

Michigan Wolverine Football: Michigan at Northwestern — What May Happen

Go Is The Goal, The Only Goal

Northwestern is a prestigious university and a long time/charter member of the Big Ten. The fight song starts off- Go! U Northwestern. Go is the only mode and the only goal for both teams. Football at the University of Chicago, once an absolute premiere national program was so forgotten after being discontinued in 1939 that the government used the abandoned Stagg football field for the secret Manhattan program.

Northwestern is the only private school in the Big Ten. The reputation is elite, the campus is beautiful and big companies seek graduates out. The endowment fund is monstrous. After serving as the doormat of conference football for a couple of decades, the Wildcats have put the mildcat moniker to rest. There have been championships and winning seasons.

Northwestern goes about the pursuit of taking scholastically worthy students and producing a sound athletic program. Expectations are not low, but there is a sense of reality. A drastic change in philosophy, team building, and culture would have to occur before Northwestern could ascend to the top of Men’s and Women’s major sports. Do not look for such an event, Northwestern has a way that has stood the test of time; so does Michigan.

So, once again arguably the best two academic schools (regardless of Urban’s portrayal of Michigan academics) in the conference play in Chicago. The game is set for kickoff at 3:30 Eastern Time. The temperature will not crack much over the 40 degree mark and of course there will be wind; nothing but normal Chicago November weather. There will be brave folks dressed in Maize or Blue and also in purple or white.

Both teams are in severe distress concerning making a bowl game. Michigan has four wins and Northwestern has three. Northwestern must play Notre Dame next week, Michigan likely needs to win against the Wildcats Saturday and then win at home next week against Maryland.

Oct 4, 2014; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald reacts during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY SportsMichigan played better last week; Northwestern had a disaster against Iowa. Things change from week to week; Coach Fitzgerald has made it clear this will be a physical week- from practice to the end of the game. Coach Fitzgerald echoes Coach Hoke’s remarks about lack of consistency and continuing to make the same errors, even after multiple teaching sessions.

Michigan won last year in three overtimes and has been very fortunate against the Wildcats the last few times out of the gate, being rescued by incredible plays and grabbing victory from almost certain defeat.

The health of quarterback Trevor Seimian seems to be improving. Other Wildcats are dinged up pretty good, but will almost certainly play. One that has been classified as sitting is middle linebacker Collin Ellis.

There is no doubt the Northwestern offense will run the inside read and try and hit quick patterns on the flank or by isolating linebackers in man coverage. Look for the deep out or flag pattern Michigan still does not cover well, either giving up too big a space or having a safety arrive late.

The Northwestern receivers have had the dropsies lately, but every week is a fresh opportunity. If Michigan blitzes frequently and abandons the middle, as usual bad things can happen. Northwestern will go deep regardless of score and situation. Michigan’s middle has not been crushed by the running game, with the exception of the strong MSU ground game. Discipline from the front seven on defense will be critical: read, react, contain, and watch the cutbacks! Northwestern offense is near impossible to shut down, but a defense like Michigan’s will concentrate on minimizing damage to field goals. Last year defense from both teams prevailed until near end of the game. This was helped by turnovers or near turnovers.

Nov 1, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Drake Johnson (20) rushes in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsThe Michigan offense will try and pound the ball by simple zone blocking and observe if the backs have enough speed and vision to hit the hole, dip outside, or cutback. Their decisions will be the difference between five yard runs and one or two yard efforts. Michigan knows Northwestern history of hanging on in the second half and will try and be physical enough to repeat this pattern. Northwestern has promised to be physical. So, whoever executes the run game and the short passing game has a leg up. One big play, whether special teams, a missed secondary assignment, or a blitz that gets hammered for a long gain, may provide the final difference.

The Michigan offense will probably use a passing scheme that attempts to limit Devin Gardner’s ability to create simply crazy turnovers. Look for variations of the flank and short games shown last week. It is almost a certainty that Northwestern is bringing the fort against Michigan to blitz Gardner. This provides screen, flank, and open spot opportunities for big plays. We will see if Mattison fires the fort much like he did against Indiana. Indiana was not equipped to hurt Michigan with a smart passing game; Northwestern is, provided the receivers do their task. And run correct patterns and catch the ball on a true late fall day.

Expect a tough game that may be strange, desperate times create conditions of havoc. Will power may be the final ingredient that separates the winner from the loser; it has the last several meetings between two great schools.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu

Go Blue — Wear Maize!