Michigan Football: 3 keys to Wolverines beating SMU

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Jim Harbaugh talks to Karan Higdon #22 of the Michigan Wolverines prior to the start of their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

The passing game needs to keep it going

Through two games, Patterson has been solid and efficient for Michigan football, completing 68 percent of his passes and throwing three touchdown passes. He’s also averaging 7.5 yards per attempt, which is a solid number.

Last week against Western Michigan, Patterson didn’t have to throw much, only 15 times in fact. But he completed 12 of those passes and tossed three touchdowns. This touchdown pass to Nico Collins was actually the first by a Michigan football wide receiver in nearly a year.

This week, against one of the worst pass defenses in the FBS through two weeks, Patterson should put up more big numbers. With it being the last game before conference play, I’d love to see him sling it about 30 times.

A 300-yard game would also be nice. Not that the number matters, it just would be great to see Patterson get guys like Collins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Oliver Martin, Grant Perry, and Zach Gentry going. Plus, the more passes he throws to them, the more comfortable they will be.

SMU is slightly better stopping the run than the pass, so it should be a good day to air it out. Either way though, the Mustangs are allowing 44 points a game, meaning UM should score plenty.

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