Michigan football: What to expect from the SMU Mustangs

After bringing their record to 1-1 last weekend, Michigan football will look to break .500 and gain further momentum prior to Big Ten play.

Week two saw Michigan football defeat the Western Michigan Broncos 49-3 in blowout fashion. Shea Patterson was efficient, the offensive line looked somewhat improved and the game was never in question.

We should see more of the same this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against the SMU Mustangs in the Big House.

Breakdown

SMU comes in losers of their first two games. They dropped their opener to North Texas, 46-23, followed by a loss to No. 15 ranked TCU last weekend, 42-12.

The Mustangs have allowed 922 total yards thus far, 615 of them coming through the air. Many of their yielded touchdowns have come on big plays. They have allowed 44.0 points per game, ranking 124^th out of 130 in the FBS.

Junior quarterback Ben Hicks might be in for a long day Saturday against an elite Wolverines defense. He has passed for 363 yards this season with two touchdowns and an interception. Last weekend against the Horned Frogs defense, he recorded just 111 yards through the air and no touchdowns. His quarterback rating is 5.1 for the season.

Additional Mustang playmakers to look out for include senior running back Braeden West and junior wide receiver James Proche. Coach Sonny Dykes has incorporated the air raid offense, spreading things out and using a no-huddle for most of the game. The Wolverine defense should have no problem adapting and stifling their attack, experiencing similar success that TCU did last weekend.

Defensively, the Mustangs will have issues keeping up with the wide array of playmakers on Michigan. They’ve struggled to slow down opposing quarterbacks through the first two weeks and that should remain the theme for at least one more.

It seems like a broken record, but there are two things to watch for this weekend: the continued progression of Patterson and the offensive line. This is the final tune-up game prior to the Big Ten schedule. The Wolverines can win any game remaining on their schedule but will only go as far as the offensive line and quarterback play allows.

According to coach Ed Warriner, the line is still a work in progress, but has improved week-to-week and is coming off a great week of practice.

If the offensive line is stout and controls the line of scrimmage, Patterson and Co. will be just fine and have plenty of time to display their talent. This weekend’s game is a great opportunity to experiment and try new schemes that can be utilized against Big Ten teams. Maybe we’ll see more of youngsters Jalen Mayfield and James Hudson, too. Time will tell.

Michigan is favored in this one by 35 ½ points.

Prediction

Michigan 41, SMU 3

Analysis

Like last weekend, this game projects to be thoroughly dominated by the Wolverines in all facets. Patterson and the offense should be able to get whatever they want. Expect another game above 60 percent completion percentage, with a couple touchdowns. Maybe he finally connects with big tight end target Zach Gentry for a score. Nico Collins and Donovan Peoples-Jones are sure to remain involved and pose as big threats to the leaky Mustang defense.

Karan Higdon and Chris Evans will inflict plenty of damage in this one, too. Coaches Jim Harbaugh and Pep Hamilton have shown that they want to emphasize and establish the running game, and that’s exactly what they’ll do. Both running backs will break some long runs and find the end zone. Expect to also see sophomore Tru Wilson again.

Defensively, chalk this one up as another single-digit performance. They almost accomplished a shutout last weekend but let up a field goal in the fourth quarter. Don’t be surprised if they set out to accomplish that feat against the Mustangs. The line is too overpowering, the linebackers will wreak havoc on Hicks and the run game and the secondary will control the playmakers across the field.

The Wolverines will improve to 2-1 on the year heading into Big Ten play. Nebraska will be in Ann Arbor for the Big Ten opener in week four.