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3 Questions Michigan Football must answer against Rutgers

By Chris Peterson

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 14: Joe Milton #5 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to get a first half pass of while being tackled by Leo Chenal #45 of the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 14: Joe Milton #5 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to get a first half pass of while being tackled by Leo Chenal #45 of the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press /

Michigan football is taking on Rutgers Saturday night and heading into a critical matchup for the program, here are three questions U-M must answer.

The 2020 Michigan football season has not gone as expected. That’s something that no one can debate.

Following the first win over Minnesota, Michigan football looked like a contender. But as we know, that was a mirage and the wheels came off quickly. Now, after three consecutive losses, the Wolverines will head to Rutgers with the same record as the Scarlet Knights.

A loss to Rutgers was the beginning of the end for Brady Hoke back in 2014, and it would be tough to overcome for Jim Harbaugh. Even though U-M is 1-3, if the program can turn things around and build on some of the recruiting momentum it has, even in 2022, Jim is probably keeping him job.

A loss Saturday night would be a new low, but there is still a lot we need to figure out about this team going into this matchup and we will start our three questions with the QB.

Who is the quarterback?

This question pertains to the game Saturday, but also going forward, who is the quarterback going to be? In terms of the 2021 season, a lot  of Michigan football fans are probably hoping it will be J.J. McCarthy.

Yet, the five-star commit isn’t available until next season and after dazzling everyone in the first game against Minnesota, Joe Milton has come back to earth and had a tough night against Wisconsin with two quick interceptions.

Harbaugh was probably right to pull him. Sometimes, a kid just needs to clear his head and with the team’s inability to run the ball, all the pressure has fallen on Milton and the passing game.

The competition has been open this week between Milton and Cade McNamara who tossed a touchdown against Wisconsin but I’d expect Milton to start again.

In four games though, he is completing just 58.7 percent of his passes and has four touchdowns to go along with four interceptions. He hasn’t run the ball as well as we thought he would either.

I wonder if this game might be like the 2017 game against Rutgers. John O’Korn got the start that week and struggled, giving way to Brandon Peters who won the game and was the starter after that point.

If Milton gets the start and struggles, he should have a short leash. Michigan can’t afford to lose this game and that means giving McNamara a shot. If that happens and he performs well, might as well hand him the reigns because he at least provided a spark against Wisconsin.

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