Michigan Football: 5 Predictions for Wolverines against Rutgers

Daylen Baldwin has a big day

Earlier I said that I thought Cornelius Johnson had a good chance of catching a touchdown pass on Saturday and that’s true but I think Daylen Baldwin could be Michigan’s leading receiver.

Rutgers knows all about Johnson. Greg Schiano and his staff will be ready and you have to figure he will see plenty of bracket coverage. Surely, they don’t want to give up an 87-yard touchdown.

Johnson is 6-foot-3 and I hope to see him targeted in the red zone, but I like Baldwin to emerge this week. After sitting out against Washington due to injury, he caught three passes (vs NIU) in addition to the touchdown he caught in Week 1 from J.J. McCarthy.

Baldwin has shown an ability to make things happen after the catch and he’s the best option, in my opinion, to fill the Ronnie Bell role, particularly on third down.

The Wolverines need someone to step forward as a reliable No. 2 behind Johnson and I think Baldwin starts to become that for McNamara and shows it by leading Michigan football in yards and receptions against the Scarlet Knights.

Prediction

Michigan football should have respect for Rutgers. This is a solid team that’s 6-6 in its last 12 games. Schiano will have his club ready to go and if the Wolverines aren’t sharp, aren’t prepared, and turn the football over, this is easily a game they could lose.

Rutgers doesn’t turn the ball over much and it’s one of the least penalized teams in college football. Michigan won’t win just by showing up.

However, the Wolverines have more depth and talent in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The most talented players in this game: Aidan Hutchinson, Daxton Hill, and Corum, all play for the Wolverines too.

Final score: Michigan 31, Rutgers 10