Michigan Football: 3 Reasons Wolverines will beat Northern Illinois
By Josh LaFond
The Michigan football team has started their 2021 season off on the right foot, going 2-0 out of the gate. The schedule sets up well and while there are things to work on, the matchup against the Huskies is the needed tune-up at the right time.
In his seventh year roaming the sidelines of Michigan Stadium, Jim Harbaugh appears resurgent. Starting off the season 2-0 with quality wins over MAC favorite Western Michigan, and preseason PAC-12 favorite Washington, the Wolverines look like they’re back. And this weeks’ matchup against Northern Illinois couldn’t come at a better time.
With a dominating ground attack, and a suffocating defense that has surrendered a total of 24 points through the first two games, this is a game that Michigan football should win decisively. Not only that, but this is one that they should be in control of from the opening kick.
Here are three reasons why Michigan football will do just that.
1. Talent Gap
According to the 247 Sports talent composite, Michigan football ranks the 15th most talented nationally. By contrast, Northern Illinois comes in at 114th. Nearly 100 teams separate them. Is that the end all be all? Of course not.
But what it does do is illustrate the depth of talent on one side and the severe lack of it on the other. Now, of course, talent isn’t everything, but it does account for something. When it comes down to it, time and time again talent wins games.
When it comes to talent compared head to head, position by position Michigan wins every battle. This is the least surprising thing you’ve read I’m sure considering the Wolverines are a blue blood program and the Huskies are a MAC bottom feeder.
However, this is a point that we can’t understate enough. The talent gap on the field will be evident on Saturday, and that’s why it’s our first reason why Michigan will win this game.