If you’re a Michigan football fan, there’s a chance you’re not as well-informed as you’d like to be. Whether you’re interested in the current roster, or just in how the game is played, it’s important to be aware of the facts.
Blake Corum
A Michigan running back has logged more than 25 carries in two of the team’s last three games. In fact, Blake Corum has accounted for almost 20 percent of the team’s total yards from scrimmage.
While Corum’s stats have been a bit less impressive than his teammates, he has proven to be an effective workhorse in Michigan’s offense. He’s also helped the Wolverines win the College Football Playoff.
Corum had one of the best days in college football history on Saturday. He scored four touchdowns in a 49-13 win over Connecticut, racking up 155 rushing yards and four receptions for 62 yards.
It was a pity that the day didn’t last longer. Not only did Corum not play the rest of the first half, but he also suffered a knee injury in the process.
Corum’s injury has been a mystery, but the results could have significant implications for the team’s playoff hopes. And if he’s unable to return in time for next week’s game against Illinois, it could rob the Buckeyes of another shot at the big prize.
In any case, the most important stats for the game are not those related to a player’s ability to carry the ball. The Michigan offense has racked up eight touchdowns and no interceptions in the win over Connecticut.
There’s no doubt that Corum has been a vital piece in Michigan’s offense, but his role on the field has been limited in recent weeks. With a team that’s improved since its eight-game losing streak against Ohio State last season, it’s safe to assume that Corum’s workload will be based on how effective he’s been against the Buckeyes.
Of course, Michigan fans would like to see Corum back in the fold in 2019. But whether or not he’ll be back against Ohio State this weekend remains to be seen.
J.J. McCarthy
It was JJ McCarthy’s performance against Ohio State that made him the Michigan football star, but it wasn’t a one-off. Since then, the quarterback has taken a big leap forward and is considered a possible candidate for National Championship.
He is a gun-slinging, play-making quarterback who has shown a knack for throwing deep. The next step is to improve on last year’s performance.
Last year, he completed 70 percent of his passes. He also had one interception. But he didn’t have many down-and-out moments. When he did, the ball often found its way to open receivers.
In fact, he had a great season. He threw three touchdown passes in the second half, including an over-the-shoulder pass to Daylin Baldwin that was 69 yards long. As a true freshman, he backed up Cade McNamara.
After a few off seasons, he was the favorite to win the starting job. However, it wasn’t until the team’s first two games that the coaches deemed McCarthy the better choice.
He also showed leadership. He led the Michigan team to its first outright Big Ten championship since 2003. And he helped his teammates earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is still uncertain whether he will start JJ McCarthy this season. He says the quarterback’s performance against Hawaii was the “most impressive of the season” and said he would be “astounded” if he didn’t start.
The former Ohio State star is a big part of the reason the Wolverines have an 12-0 record. He threw for four touchdowns, ran for another, and accounted for 338 all-purpose yards.
The quarterback is considered a high-risk prospect by some. But, he has proven he can handle the pressure and the responsibilities of a college starting job.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers is in for a tough day of football against Michigan. The Wolverines are 6-0 and have a chance to win the Big Ten for the second straight season. This is a chance for Michigan to move up the college football rankings and get a CFP spot.
Michigan has won eight straight against Rutgers and are favored in this game. They will be playing under the lights in SHI Stadium on Saturday night.
Michigan State has won back-to-back games after beating Illinois last week. The Spartans also have a 3-4 record in the Big Ten Conference. However, they had to face several players suspended or injured.
Michigan entered the game with the best rushing offense in the conference. However, they didn’t get creative in the red zone.
The Rutgers defense was serviceable. But, it didn’t help them when they made a costly turnover.
Michigan State recovered an onside kick. They then took over on the Rutgers’ 25-yard line. After a few first downs, they marched 79 yards on just nine plays. During the drive, they had a fourth-down decision on their own side of the field. On that play, wide receiver Keon Coleman was penalized for a screen pass.
In the third quarter, Rutgers got the ball at their own 25-yard line. On the following drive, they were successful. It was a 16-play, 75-yard drive.
Gavin Wimsatt had a great game. He completed 20 of 34 passes for 234 yards. His touchdown pass was to Aaron Young.
He had three interceptions. One was a return for a score.
With a little over a minute left, Rutgers got the ball inside the Michigan red zone. They drove 69 yards in nine plays.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Whether you like them or not, the Iowa Hawkeyes will be heading to Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday to take on the Michigan Wolverines. This game will be televised on FOX.
The Hawkeyes come into this game with a 3-1 record and the #1 defense in the country. But the offense has struggled. They are ranked 110th in passing yards and have eight turnovers.
The Iowa offense has not scored a touchdown in the first half of a game this season. Their offensive line has struggled to open up holes. On top of that, they are missing a variety of weapons at wide receiver.
Luckily, they have two safeties and a stingy defense. However, they must get the football to the playmakers. In order to do that, they need to find the open receivers downfield.
Thankfully, the Iowa offensive line has improved in the last two games. Their tackles have been solid against the run. That’s helped their pass protection. As a result, they have only allowed two touchdowns in four games.
Iowa is also missing their top skill player, Keagan Johnson. They have a decent trio of running backs in Tyler Goodson, Mekhi Sargent, and Kaleb Johnson.
If they can stay on top of the run game, they should have no trouble putting points on the scoreboard. But they must be able to get to the quarterback. Otherwise, the passing game will struggle.
Meanwhile, the defensive line is their biggest concern. They have already allowed three sacks this year. It’s a big deal, especially since Iowa hasn’t been particularly great on the run.
Iowa will need to find the scoring touch this week against the Michigan Wolverines. They must avoid drive-extending penalties and find the open receivers.
MSU rivalry
The Michigan-Michigan State rivalry is not just one of the oldest rivalries in college football, it’s also arguably one of the most underrated. That’s because the game itself isn’t really the best thing about the MSU-Michigan rivalry. Instead, it’s all the things that happen before and after the game that have a significant impact on the outcome.
In a nutshell, the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry has been a dogfight for the past quarter century. During this time, the rivalry has evolved from being a cultural battle into a battle of words, and the rivalry has even gotten physical.
While the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry is an exciting one, the rivalry has gone a bit over the top. For example, there have been numerous scuffles before and after the game, and a lot of racial slurs.
However, the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry still has a place in the big leagues, and fans should enjoy watching it. There’s no need to make the game too serious.
In fact, you should probably be a little cautious about what you hear. There is a lot of vitriol out there, and it’s not always justified. Whether it’s a racial slur or a bad break, you should be careful.
One of the most recognizable elements of the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry – besides the Paul Bunyan trophy – is the rivalry’s name. It has been dubbed the wine and cheese crowd, a Woodstock ’69 type of thing, and a number of other names.
When it comes to the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry, there are several things to look for, and it’s probably best to stick to the facts. Although the games have become a bit silly, they still represent a significant challenge for the Spartans, and it’s up to the fans to respect the rivalry as it has been for the last few decades.https://www.youtube.com/embed/fK1XibpikE4
