Michigan football will close out non-conference play on Saturday against Bowling Green and here are five bold predictions for the Wolverines.
The third and final non-conference game for Michigan football is on Saturday night and once again, it will be a Group of Five opponent.
This time, it will be Bowling Green of the MAC. The Falcons are 1-1 and have a familiar name at quarterback in Connor Bazelak. The former Missouri starting quarterback played for Indiana last season and actually started the game against Michigan football — a win for the Wolverines.
Bowling Green is ranked 62nd in scoring offense with 31 points per game as well as 75th in scoring defense with 24.5 points per game allowed.
As the oddsmakers believe, this shouldn’t be a competitive game. Michigan football is a 40.5-point favorite and the only question is probably whether the Wolverines will cover the spread after failing to do so in each of the first two weeks.
There have been questions about the running game and Donovan Edwards, who is averaging just 2.6 yards per carry. Things could be improved too, especially in a few areas.
For Michigan football, the keys to winning on Saturday are pretty simple and a big part of that is not overlooking the Falcons, which U-M didn’t do in Week 1 or Week 2.
With all this in mind, here are five bold predictions for Michigan football against Bowling Green in Week 3 of the college football season.
A three-touchdown day for J.J. McCarthy
J.J. McCarthy is definitely putting his name into the Heisman Trophy conversation. The numbers will need to continue against better opponents, but he’s looked as good as any quarterback in college football through two weeks.
That won’t change against Bowling Green. The Falcons are only giving up 196 passing yards per game, but that’s because teams are gaining over 160 on the ground. McCarthy’s top trio of Roman Wilson, Cornelius Johnson, and Colston Loveland will be tough to stop.
Plus, I see Tyler Morris having a breakout game. At any rate, McCarthy will throw for two touchdowns and rush for a touchdown in the red zone too.
More rushing yards than passing yards this week
Michigan’s running game hasn’t hit its stride yet, although I thought the blocking looked better last week. Even though the numbers weren’t quite as good as the week before, I thought Blake Corum looked better too.
The offensive line and backs both need to be better. There could be a little better blocking, but the backs need to do a better job of seeing the holes and not pressing for long runs.
Take what the defense gives you. Tight ends and receivers need to block well too on the outside to spring big plays and the tight ends were the unsung heroes of the running game the past two seasons.
However, the ground game will be a focus and either Corum or Edwards will hit 100 yards. Both will get an explosive run and Michigan will have more rushing yards than passing yards this week.
Another first-half shutout
Bowling Green will probably get some points on the board in the second half just like UNLV and East Carolina were able to do, but I don’t see anything happening in the first half.
Basically, no team has scored with Michigan’s starting defense on the field and I don’t see Bowling Green changing that.
Bazelak does have talent and there are some talented receivers on this roster such as tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and Odieu Hiliare. Taron Keith is a running back with 123 yards receiving, as well as 73 rushing yards.
Keith’s 103 total yards per game make him a guy that Michigan needs to focus on. But I don’t see the running game being effective and frankly, I don’t see more than a couple of garbage time scores for Bowling Green, if the Falcons even get that.
Takeaways come in bunches
We are still wondering if Will Johnson will play tomorrow, although after playing limited snaps against UNLV, it would seem like he would be ready for more.
Makari Paige also returned to practice this week and there is still hope for Rod Moore. There is no reason to risk these guys, but it’s not a coincidence that Michigan has just one takeaway in two games.
Moore and Johnson combined for eight interceptions last season. I predicted them to combine for at least 10 in 2023. That might be harder if they don’t get healthy soon and I’d love to see them get some meaningful snaps before Big Ten play.
Bowling Green can throw the ball, but the Falcons are averaging 2.5 giveaways per game. This Michigan defense is fast, it’s going to hit the quarterback and if the secondary is healthy, or even if it’s not, we’ll see multiple takeaways on Saturday.
Tyler Morris catches a touchdown
Michigan wide receiver Tyler Morris is another guy that has been battling injuries. Yet, he returned to the lineup last week against UNLV and hauled in three receptions for 40 yards wearing the No. 8, Ronnie Bell’s old number.
As the season goes on, I expect Morris to remind us more of Ronnie Bell. McCarthy and Morris were once high school teammates, so they have a strong connection already and that will lead to Morris’ first career touchdown for the Wolverines on Saturday night.
The Falcons will be more focused on Wilson, Johnson, and Loveland, plus the running game, so it will allow Morris some 1-on-1 chances that will lead to a big play or two.
Michigan football vs. Bowling Green prediction
The running game will be more efficient for Michigan this week. It will also take center stage, which could cause the clock to run a little faster.
Still, the Wolverines will run away with this and Bowling Green won’t score until the second half when the game is out of reach.
Michigan 45, Bowling Green 10