Michigan Wolverines vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks Complete Game Preview

Prior to last week’s matchup versus Notre Dame, head coach Brady Hoke said that the game was a measuring stick. After being demolished 31-0, there wasn’t very much to measure. The shutout snapped Michigan’s NCAA record of scoring in 365 consecutive games, going back nearly 30 years, and was yet another disappointing road loss to a key rival under Hoke's tenure.

Hoke is holding firm to his goal of winning the Big Ten title. But his team has a lot of work to do to prepare for division rivals Michigan State and Ohio State for a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game.

This game is a gut check for Michigan. Last year the Wolverines struggled to beat lowly Akron 28-24 after beating the Irish. Now, Hoke faces the task of keeping his team motivated after an embarrassing loss.

Miami coach Chuck Martin was previously Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator, and he’s well-acquainted with how his previous team exploited Michigan’s defense. Michigan will need to come out sharp to get its season back on track.

Date: Saturday, September 13, 2014

Time: 3:30 p.m. EDT

Place: Michigan Stadium (109,901), Ann Arbor, Michigan

Series vs. Miami (Ohio): Michigan leads series 5-0

Television: Big Ten Network

Radio: Michigan Sports Network, Sirius (113), XM (195)

Spread: Michigan by 31.5, via Odds Shark

Live Stats: MGoBlue.com GameTracker

Last Meeting vs. Miami (Ohio) 2008: Michigan 16, Miami (Ohio) 6

Michigan held Miami (Ohio) without a touchdown, repelling two drives inside the U-M 10-yard line, while the offense scored a pair of quick-strike touchdowns to begin the first and fourth quarters, helping the Wolverines earn a 16-6 decision on Sept. 6, 2008 at Michigan Stadium. A 50-yard pass on the first play of the game from freshman starting quarterback Steven Threet to wide receiver Martavious Odoms set up Threet’s nine-yard touchdown run. In the fourth, quarterback Nick Sheridan led Michigan on an 87-yard drive, capped by Brandon Minor’s 15-yard touchdown run.

*Information according to University of Michigan Wolverine Football game notes.

Video: Hoke on the Hot Seat

After last week's brutal loss to Notre Dame, Brady Hoke is under fire.

Michigan Keys to Victory

USA TODAY Sports

Forget Notre Dame


Michigan needs to remember the old football adage, “Don’t let a team beat you twice.” The only thing that can make the loss to Notre Dame worse is for the Wolverines to come out flat versus the RedHawks. Michigan needs to administer a thrashing to help the team, and its fans, forget last week.

Work the New Offense

Last week when things got tough for quarterback Devin Gardener, he reverted to his bad habits from last season. Doug Nussmeier needs to keep working to implement his offense. If Gardner doesn't have the discipline to stick with the plan, then he needs to sit. It’s not about rolling up huge statistics versus Miami—it’s about deploying more of the offense so the team can improve as the season goes on.

Make Special Teams Special

Michigan needs to get something happening on special teams. That means making field goals, getting good returns and bringing pressure to opposing kickers. If the Wolverines are going to compete with the best teams in the Big Ten, special teams will need to be a bigger (positive) factor.

Miami (Ohio) Keys to Victory

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Pressuring Gardner is the key

Catch Michigan Moping

The RedHawks need to come out gunning for Michigan from the opening kickoff. Last season, Michigan played lethargic versus Akron and very nearly lost the game. The Wolverines may be looking at Miami’s record (0-2) and counting on an easy rout. It’s time for Miami to open up the playbook.

Crash the Offensive Line

Michigan’s offensive line took some shots last week. The position group is still unsettled, and Miami would be advised to bring pressure up the center gaps and target true freshman tackle Mason Cole with defensive stunts. If they can put Gardner under pressure, he’ll likely throw some interceptions.

Go Deep

The injuries to nickelback Jabrill Peppers and defensive back Raymon Taylor have left the secondary vulnerable. Miami needs to attack downfield and try for some big plays.

Michigan Players to Watch

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Quarterback Devin Gardner

Devin Gardner needs to prove that he’s the best quarterback to help Michigan compete for the Big Ten title. After last week’s meltdown versus Notre Dame, he needs to avoid interceptions and be an efficient manager under Nussmeier’s new offensive scheme.

He can help the running game by finding Devin Funchess and practicing better ball security when (and if) he needs to carry the ball himself. Nussmeier blamed Gardner’s mistakes on him still learning the new system—if he doesn’t show significant progress, then it might be time to start breaking in a quarterback with more eligibility ahead of him.

Defensive Back Blake Countess

Blake Countess needs to prove he’s worthy of the No. 2 jersey. Last game versus Notre Dame, he was beaten by Notre Dame receivers to put the game out of reach. It’s a good bet that Miami will come after the secondary again, and Countess needs to step up.

Running Backs Derrick Green and De’veon Smith

The duo of Green and Smith need to combine for another big game similar to their performance versus Appalachian State. A consistent running game is key to getting Nussmeier’s offense on track and getting the offensive line reps to find a rhythm that they lacked all last season.

Miami (Ohio) Players to Watch

USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Hendrix at Notre Dame

Quarterback Andrew Hendrix

Hendrix (49-of-101 for 677 yards, 4 interceptions, 4 touchdowns) is averaging 338 yards of passing per game. He's playing behind an offensive line that struggled last year but returns eight players with starting experience this season. If his offensive line can give him time, Hendrix will be able to attack Michigan downfield. Hendrix has seen Michigan before, graduated from Notre Dame and is using his last year of eligibility at Miami.

Linebacker Kent Kern

Kent Kern is the team's leading tackler (23 total tackles, 15 solo including 2 sacks) from the middle linebacker position—he’s Miami’s Jake Ryan. Expect him to move around and rush the quarterback on occasion. Michigan will need to block him to run the ball successfully.

Wide Receiver David Frazier

Frazier is Hendrix’s favorite target (13 receptions for 215 yards). Look for him to try to get downfield for a favorable matchup with Michigan’s depleted secondary.

What They're Saying

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Michigan

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Our goal is still there. Our goal, we’ve stated a thousand times, is to win the Big Ten championship, so that’s out there.

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Michigan head coach Brady Hoke, via press conference

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If they’re truly fans, they’ll believe in these kids and what they’ve done and the hard work they’ve put in. If they’re not, they won’t.

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Michigan head coach Brady Hoke, via press conference

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We’ve got to worry about Miami, Ohio and, more important, we’ve got to worry about Michigan.

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Michigan head coach Brady Hoke, via press conference

Miami (Ohio)

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Looking forward to Michigan, awesome opponent, national calibre players and an incredible environment.

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Miami (Ohio) coach Chuck Martin, via Miami RedHawk football website

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They [Michigan] play as hard as anyone in the country, they play hard all the time…they are a competitive group that has a lot of pride.

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Miami (Ohio) coach Chuck Martin, via Miami RedHawk football website

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Here’s what’s in it for you if you come to Miami: I’m going to kick your ass every day. If you don’t want that, then that’s fine. I’m good. Not many people are selling you a good ass-kicking these days.

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Miami (Ohio) coach Chuck Martin, via The Miami Student

Prediction

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Michigan 45, Miami (Ohio) 10

Michigan will win, but it needs to do so by running Nussmeier’s new offensive scheme. If the team allows Devin Gardner to revert back to last year’s bad habits, then another 7-6 record could be in the offing.