Michigan Football: 3 keys for Wolverines against Northern Illinois

3. Limit Unforced Errors

Everything I said earlier is relevant, but don’t worry your little heart over it. If there’s any chance whatsoever that Michigan blows it, then it’s going to be because the Wolverines shoot themselves in the foot.

The Wolverines are clearly more talented and are a better-coached team and it’s not close.

Don’t fumble. Don’t throw errant passes. Fair catch punts that are well covered. Manage the clock and take advantage of opportunities given. Those are the basics in every game and especially true to avoid major upsets against lower-level competition like Northern Illinois.

We already know about Michigan’s run game as evidenced against Western Michigan and then Washington last week. That’ll be a major key in enforcing their will against the Huskies and limiting any scenario that would require the Wolverine offense to be in a position they don’t need nor want to be in — playing from behind.

On defense, making sure the linebacker rotation of Josh Ross, Junior Colson, and Nikhai Hill-Green are lined up and maintain gap integrity. That’s been one of the lone issues with this new-look defense.

If the Huskies have any chance of winning at all, it’s going to have to get into a shoot-out. As long as Mike McDonald and the defensive staff keep the mistakes at a minimum the defense should shut down any potential attack.

Obviously, this game shouldn’t be close. But we have seen crazier things happen *cough cough Appalachian State*, and keeping these 3 keys to victory in mind will be vital to a positive outcome on Saturday.