As if the task wasn't going to be hard enough for the Michigan football team on Saturday, head coach Kyle Whittingham decided to poke the bear.
Whittingham commented on how Dan Lanning is a great recruiter because he can out-recruit anyone thanks to having $50 million at his disposal.
Of all the comments Whittingham has made as Michigan football head coach, it's among the most embarrassing. Michigan doesn't need to call out teams for their spending. The Wolverines have a $12 million quarterback they couldn't figure out how to develop, as well as a $40 million roster that's 5-4.
The comments are crazy, unless you think Whittingham wants to get fired. That's how far the discourse has fallen. Analysts, not just fans, are openly wondering if Whittingham is trying to get himself fired at the end of the season.
Whittingham's hire is the worst in the Power-4 in recent memory. There are three games left. Michigan needs a win to reach bowl eligibility, but the Ducks are the first of three consecutive ranked opponents. Here are three bold predictions.
Defense holds Oregon to 20 points or less
Michigan's defense didn't allow a touchdown last week. The Wolverines also didn't give up a regulation touchdown to Indiana and also lost.
Michigan has lost four games this season, and in none of those games has the opponent scored more than 20 points. The Wolverines have allowed an average of 17 points per game in their losses.
I expect Oregon to win the game, but that doesn't mean that it's going to be pretty, and even on the road, the defense will rise to the occasion, as long as it can.
Eventually, Oregon will get some points, likely due to some turnovers or poor field position as a result of the offense, which has been a recurring theme all season for Jay Hill's unit.
Savion Hiter goes over 100 yards
Michigan still doesn't have a 100-yard rusher this season. Oregon's defense is stout against the run. Iowa and Oklahoma are, too, and Michigan did some of its best work on the ground in those games. The QB has to be involved in the running game, even if that means bringing Bryce Underwood off the bench.
With Jim Harding calling the plays, he should have a better understanding of the runs that are going to work. He knows what his guys can block. Michigan's running game has gone from too complex to too simple. We'll see if Harding can find the right balance.
Jake Guarnera is determined that nobody on the Michigan football team is going to quit. Oregon's defense allows 3.7 yards per rushing attempt and 124 yards per game. That said, Savion Hiter has had some good moments. He's going to hit a long run or two eventually.
My prediction is one finally happens on Saturday.
Michigan covers the spread
The pass rush is going to play a huge role in this. If Dom Nichols and John Henry Daley are playing, Michigan should be able to pressure Dylan Raiola. If Michigan can stop Oregon's ground game, they should pressure Raiola, who has had some clunkers this season.
The missed field goal on the opening drive as a killer last weeklend. It crushed Michigan's momentum. It's hard to see how Tommy Carr will be that effective throwing the ball. Yet, it feels like getting a turnover or two from Raiola isn't that far-fetched.
Michigan will actually make some field goals and keep the game close, although Oregon will make more plays in the passing game, allowing them to survive 20-13 as Michigan turns this game ugly.
Add us as a preferred source on Google