3 keys for Michigan football against Bowling Green

Michigan football will host Bowling Green on Saturday night and here are three keys to a Wolverines win against the Falcons. 

Michigan football is a heavy favorite for the third straight game to open the 2023 season. This time, the Wolverines are a 40.5-point favorite over Bowling Green.

The Wolverines didn’t cover the spread in the first two games, although they were close. Michigan football has been dominant, winning the first two games by a combined score of 65-10.

Michigan’s starting defense hasn’t surrendered a point yet this season. Starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy is completing 87 percent of his passes and doesn’t have an interception.

Bowling Green was 6-7 last season and went to a bowl game. So far, the Falcons are 1-1, and here are three keys to a Wolverines win.

Don’t focus too much on the run

You get the feeling that Michigan football will be looking to establish its running game. Things have been sluggish so far, even though Blake Corum is averaging more than six yards per attempt.

Donovan Edwards hasn’t gotten going yet and while it would be nice for the running game to get going this week, Michigan can’t forget about McCarthy and the passing game.

It’s fine to be more conservative but if defenses are giving the Wolverines a more friendly situation to pass the ball, then let McCarthy throw it all damn day.

Michigan football should be able to run the ball whenever it wants, regardless of how many people are in the box. That’s what Jim Harbaugh said Georgia is able to do. Michigan hasn’t so far this season.

That should change on Saturday but don’t emphasize the running game so much that it plays into the hands of the defense if it stuffs the box again.