Featured Columnist

Michigan-Western Michigan: Battle of I-94 Preview

Scribe Written on September 04, 2009

ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 6: Defensive end Brandon Graham #55 of the Michigan Wolverines raises his arms during the game against the Miami of Ohio Red Hawks on September 6, 2008 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Wolverines defeated the Red Hawks 16-6. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Matt and Zac Snyder of Bleacher Report and mittensportsreport.com break down this week's University of Michigan football matchup.

When Michigan has the ball...

Michigan's passing attack vs. Western's defensive backs

Zac says: This match-up is the battle of inexperience. Michigan will play two true freshmen at quarterback, while Western Michigan looks to replace Louis Delmas and E.J. Biggers in their defensive backfield.

Michigan returns some experience at receiver with Greg Matthews outside and Martavious Odoms in the slot. If Michigan signal callers can find the open man, it could spell trouble for Western. Advantage: Michigan

Matt says: Quarterback play is where you'll likely find the biggest difference between this year's and last year's Michigan squad. While Steven Threet and Nick Sheridan weren't ideal for Rich Rodriguez' spread offense (I'm not counting on much from Sheridan this season), Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson are perfect fits.

The threat of speed from the Wolverine quarterbacks should keep the Western Michigan defense honest. I expect some open space for the relatively experienced Michigan receivers in a Bronco secondary that lost two key members to the NFL draft. Advantage: Michigan

Michigan's running game vs. Western's front seven

Zac says: Michigan's best chance to show just how much they have improved since last year comes in running the ball. Quarterback Denard Robinson brings the kind of ground threat that Steven Threet and Nick Sheridan could not provide last year.

Running back Brandon Minor is questionable for game one but Carlos Brown, Michael Shaw, Vincent Smith, and Kevin Grady are ready to showcase their talents. The Michigan offensive line improved in each game last season and figures to take a major step forward in year two. Advantage: Michigan

Matt says: The running game should prove to be one of the great strengths of the Maize and Blue this season. Even if Minor is unable to play, Carlos Brown et al. should prove to be more than capable to handle the load against Western Michigan. The Broncos defense only returns three starters so look for the Wolverine backs (and quarterbacks) to expose the inexperience. Advantage: Michigan

Single Page

This article is also featured on The Mitten Sports Report

(0)

4 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading more comments...

posted just now

Loading...
Nobody has liked this comment yet

Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

<form action="/accounts/create_from_facebook_comment" class="new_facebook_user" id="new_facebook_user" method="post">	<input id="facebook_user_facebook_id" name="facebook_user[facebook_id]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_proxied_email" name="facebook_user[proxied_email]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_profile_pic" name="facebook_user[profile_pic]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_profile_url" name="facebook_user[profile_url]" type="hidden" />
	<ul>
		<div id="facebook_questions">
			<li class="fb-question" id="facebook_full_name_container">
				<p class="question">
					<label for="facebook_user_use_full_name">Use your full name <strong class="full_name"></strong> on Bleacher Report?</label>
					<br />
				</p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[use_full_name]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_use_full_name" name="facebook_user[use_full_name]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_full_name">Yes</label>
				</p>
				<div class="input full-name-edit" style="display:none">
					<p>Edit your name for Bleacher Report:</p>
					<div class="fb-first-name">
						<label for="facebook_user_first_name">First Name <em>(required)</em></label>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_first_name" name="facebook_user[first_name]" size="30" type="text" />
						
					</div>
	
					<div class="fb-last-name">
						<label for="facebook_user_last_name">Last Name <em>(required)</em></label>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_last_name" name="facebook_user[last_name]" size="30" type="text" />
						
					</div>
				</div>
			</li>
			<li class="fb-question">
				<p class="question">
					<img src="/images/default-user-icon-medium.png" class="profile_pic" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_profile_pic">Do you want to use your Facebook profile picture on Bleacher Report?</label>
				</p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[use_profile_pic]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_use_profile_pic" name="facebook_user[use_profile_pic]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_profile_pic">Yes</label>
					
				</p>
			</li>
			<li>
				<a id="facebook_connect_submit"><img src="/images/shared/submit.png" /></a>
			</li>
		</div>
	</ul>
</form>

434
reads

4
comments

0
likes

written on September 04, 2009 Preview/Prediction