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5 Things Michigan Football must do to beat TCU

By Cameron Stokes

Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Olusegun Oluwatimi (55) lines up against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half of the Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.Michiganbig 120322 Kd 4312
Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Olusegun Oluwatimi (55) lines up against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half of the Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.Michiganbig 120322 Kd 4312 /
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The Fiesta Bowl date with TCU is just around the corner for Michigan football, as the team has their last few bowl practices.

If Michigan football beats TCU, they will appear in their first national championship game in 25 years, which is pretty ironic to think about.

The Horned Frogs are more than a respectable opponent though. They have playmakers at every level on offense and defense, and Michigan will need to play a good, clean game to win.

Down below, I offer five things Michigan football needs to do to beat TCU and advance to the national championship game.

Contain TCU QB Max Duggan

We all know that the quarterback is the most important position on the football field, right? Well, for Michigan football’s game plan, that is definitely true for TCU.

TCU’s entire great season has fallen on the shoulders of their quarterback Max Duggan, more than any other playoff QB.

Duggan has led TCU to countless one-score victories, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, seemingly every single game of the season.

Duggan can throw the football and loves throwing the deep ball, but what makes him the most dangerous is his legs.

He is a really mobile QB, and the last time we saw him use his legs, he was tearing up Kansas State’s defense, with over 100 yards rushing in the final few minutes to will his team back from a deficit to force OT.

The Wolverines cannot allow that to happen to them, at any point in the game, unless they are up by enough points where it doesn’t matter.

Michigan has seen their fair share of mobile QBs this season, quarterbacks like Taulia Tagovailoa, Sean Clifford, and Peyton Thorne, so it’s not like any of this will be new for the defense.

They’ve seen these mobile QBs time and time again, and for the most part, have kept them in check (except for that one long run by Clifford earlier this year).

Duggan will surely use his legs to put Michigan’s defense into conflict when a play breaks down and it will be up to Michigan’s defense to keep their rush lanes, and for the linebackers to stay home.

I don’t know if a spy will be necessary, but I wouldn’t be against that idea, because Michigan needs to find some way to neutralize Duggan’s legs.

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