3 keys to Michigan Football beating Colorado State
By Josh LaFond
We discuss our keys to a Michigan football victory in the Wolverines home opener against the Colorado State Rams.
The Michigan football team looks to start off the season on the right note — defeating arguably the hardest of the Wolverines’ three non-conference foes in week one.
What does Colorado State bring to the table? A pass happy “air-raid” schemed offense that will look to get the ball out early and often.
Led by new head coach Jay Norvell, these Rams (while probably a couple years away from true conference contention) have plenty of talent.
Star linebacker — and likely future draft choice — Tavian Brown leads a rebuilding Ram defense that looks to make a statement on the road in Ann Arbor.
Will Michigan football be able to avoid disaster in week one? Or will Jay Norvell get his first signature win at Colorado State?
Let’s get into our keys to a Wolverine win.
1. Lean on physicality
Gritty, hard nosed, punch you in the mouth football.
That’s what the Michigan Wolverines are known for on both sides of the ball, and that’s what they returned to last year.
The key to beating Colorado State? Lean on that physicality.
As mentioned many times, this is a new look Ram team. New headman Jay Norvell is bringing in a much different scheme than what former head coach Steve Addazio ran.
Norvell runs an air-raid, pass heavy system that uses the run game as the icing on the cake — if even that much, while Addazio preferred a more conventional, pro-style system with the quarterback taking the snap under center, and using the tight ends in the run game more than as a passing threat.
Why does a scheme change matter? And how does leaning on that physicality lead to a Michigan win?
Because the Rams are in major flux right now. They are trying to figure out who they are on both sides of the ball, and for that matter what players they have to count on.
Michigan football knows who they are. As mentioned at the outset, a gritty, hard nosed, punch you in the mouth football team.
The last thing the Wolverines need to do is get “cute” on offense or take plays off on defense. The Michigan brand of football has the makings to be Colorado State’s worst nightmare.
If they get after the quarterback early, establish their run game, and make it clear from jump street that they’re the new bully on the block, then the Rams will fold. And Michigan will walk away 1-0.