Michigan Football: 3 keys for Wolverines against Northern Illinois
By Josh LaFond
2. Turn the Passing Game Loose
The NIU Huskies are bringing in a bottom-half defense that just surrendered 50 points to a mediocre Wyoming team at home. They are prime for another 50-burger being hung on them come Saturday.
Yes, the running game is great, we saw that last week. But for this team to really go places the passing game needs to start rolling, and the best opportunity for that to happen to date is against the Huskies on Saturday.
The Northern Illinois defense is prime and ready to get exposed in the passing game, and Michigan has the weapons to take advantage.
Unleash the passing game that the rushing attack has set up. Use your speed in space with guys like AJ Henning, Cornelius Johnson, Daylen Baldwin, and others who are a physical and talent mismatch against every defender Northern Illinois has. If they do, this game won’t be close.
Can Cade McNamara be the guy long-term? Or is JJ McCarthy the answer to Michigan’s woes?
We will find out some point later this season, but what the Wolverines need before they enter the Big Ten schedule starting next week is for the passing game to click. Use Northern Illinois for the launchpad that they are and let this offense soar.