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) /

UM needs to get more takeaways

After a rough start to the season, Michigan football has played spectacularly on defense. The Wolverines are 15th in the FBS in yards allowed and Michigan is surrendering just 255 per game.

Notre Dame got two quick touchdowns against UM in the season opener but after giving up 21 points in the first two quarters of the season, Michigan has allowed just six points in six quarters of play since. It has also gotten a lot of three-and-outs.

One thing that has been missing though is turnovers. Michigan forced just one each against Notre Dame and Western Michigan. Brandon Watson picked off a pass against the Irish and last week, Noah Furbush came away with an interception.

It’s not a terribly bad number but if this defense wants to be truly great, it needs to force more takeaways. SMU quarterback Ben Hicks had just one interception in two games and the Mustangs as a team has just two turnovers, which means it won’t be easy. A clean game is also the only chance SMU has at keeping it competitive, so if UM wants to make this a one-sided affair some takeaways are in order.

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