Michigan football will open Big Ten play on Saturday against Rutgers and here are three things to watch for the Wolverines.
After three non-conference opponents that didn’t do much to test Michigan football, the Wolverines will get their first real challenge of the season on Saturday against Rutgers.
I know some scoff at the idea that Rutgers is a test, but Greg Schiano has the Scarlet Knights playing a winning brand of football right now.
Rutgers (3-0, 1-0) has the top-ranked rushing offense in the Big Ten, as well as a defense that has allowed just 10 points per game. For the record, Rutgers has played two Power-5 opponents. Virginia Tech and Northwestern have been bad, but Rutgers also took care of business.
The Wolverines are a 24-point favorite. Michigan football hasn’t covered the spread in the first three games but didn’t win any of its games by fewer than 25 points.
So looking ahead to Saturday’s Big Ten opener, here are three things to watch for Michigan football vs. Rutgers.
Can Michigan stop Kyle Monangai?
Kyle Monangai is a dynamic player and one of the top rushers in all of college football right now with 357 yards through three games. He’s averaging 6.2 yards per attempt. Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt also has over 150 yards rushing, but make no mistake, Monangai is the straw that stirs the drink that is the Rutgers offense.
As a team, Rutgers is rushing for 210 yards per game and actually has the top-ranked rushing attack in the Big Ten. The problem for the Scarlet Knights is that the Wolverines have been outstanding against the run allowing just 81 yards and 2.6 per attempt.
If Michigan’s run defense can keep Monangai in check, and limit the Scarlet Knights to under 100 yards rushing, the path to covering the spread is much easier. But if Monangai is able to churn out another 100-yard game on Saturday, then this could go down to the wire.
The play of J.J. McCarthy
Michigan football quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be under the microscope on Saturday after a career-high three interceptions last week against Bowling Green.
Despite the fact that McCarthy was off the charts in the first three weeks, I still expect Rutgers, which has a stellar run defense in its own right, allowing just 69.7 yards per game, as well as just 2.5 yards per attempt, to force McCarthy to beat them.
The Scarlet Knight are going to load the box — similar to what East Carolina and others have done so far this season. For one, Michgan hasn’t been as good at running the ball.
Blake Corum went over 100 yards and some changes along the offensive line could help, but we haven’t really heard if Myles Hinton will start again this week or not. LaDarius Henderson played well at left tackle, which allowed Karsen Barnhart to slide over to right tackle.
That was my predicted starting five in fall camp and we’ll see if that proves to be true. But McCarthy is going to have to play well which might not be that easy either. Rutgers is allowing 203 yards per game but just 52 percent completion percentage.
The Scarlet Knights have also allowed just three touchdown passes compared to picking off five passes, so if McCarthy is sloppy, this team is good enough to take advantage of it.
What’s the impact of Jim Harbaugh?
This will be the first game back on the sidelines for head coach Jim Harbaugh and if you think that’s not going to make a difference for the Wolverines — you’re wrong.
There’s a reason why Harbaugh is paid what he’s paid. He’s a great head coach and he absolutely is part of the success factor on Saturdays. Whether it’s motivation, adjustments, or other factors, Harbaugh’s suspension lasted for non-conference games for a reason.
Michigan knew the schedule was going to be tougher. Rutgers isn’t a pushover and the Wolverines have had competitive games with the Scarlet Knights in each of the past three seasons, including the last time Schiano and company came to the Big House.
I’m just thinking that we haven’t seen anything close to Michigan’s best this season. We might not on Saturday but the Wolverines will be a lot closer with their head coach back on the field.