Michigan Wolverines vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Complete Game Preview
Michigan (2-3) desperately needs a victory to stop a slide that began last November. The team’s free fall has put coach Brady Hoke's future in doubt.
But problems on the field were dwarfed by a media firestorm that erupted regarding the handling of quarterback Shane Morris.
Morris was the target of a vicious hit versus Minnesota and had to lean on an offensive lineman to stay upright before returning to the huddle. The television commentators and many in the stadium thought that Morris suffered a concussion.
Hoke has faced numerous questions about whether he should have pulled Morris from the game. Michigan’s poor game performance and negative publicity in the wake of Morris' injury have put the program under intense national scrutiny.
From the University of Michigan Wolverine Football game notes: "Michigan faces its first conference road game of the season this week at Rutgers. The game is the first meeting between the two oldest non-Ivy League football programs in the country. Rutgers fielded its first team in 1869, and Michigan first competed in 1879."
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2014
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Place: High Point Solutions Stadium (52,454), Piscataway, New Jersey
Series vs. Rutgers: First meeting ever
Television: BTN
Radio: Michigan Sports Network, Sirius (113), XM (195)
Spread: Rutgers by 3.5 via Odds Shark
Live Stats: MGoBlue.com GameTracker
Video Preview
1 of 7As Michigan travels to play Rutgers, the heat is on Brady Hoke.
Michigan Keys to Victory
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Find an Offense
Michigan’s offense has been stuck in neutral since the season opener. The only way this season turns around is if offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier can find some combination of plays to generate some points. It’s time to dig deep into the playbook and start pulling out any kind of trick plays to keep the Rutgers defense off balance. It’s a desperate move, but Michigan is desperate to make some positive news on the field.
Ignore the Distractions
The team needs to ignore the maelstrom that’s swirling around concerning the fate of Brady Hoke and athletic director David Brandon. The only thing the players can do is play the game as well as they can.
Get the Running Game Going
The running game is crucial to Michigan’s chances of turning this season around. The offensive line needs to finish blocks and stop missing assignments for Derrick Green and De’Veon Smith to start gaining yards.
Rutgers Keys to Victory
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Start Quick
Rutgers is a big first-half team, averaging 21 points a game before halftime. With Michigan reeling from a week of distractions and its tendency to play poorly on the road, a big few big plays might be enough to knock the Wolverines out early.
Capitalize on Turnovers
Rutgers has 41 points off turnovers this season, and the Michigan offense is a turnover machine. Play tough defense and somebody (usually a Michigan quarterback) will cough the ball up.
Special Teams
The Michigan offense has struggled to put together long drives all season long. If Rutgers can force Michigan to go the length of the field, there’s a good chance it will stall before scoring.
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Michigan Players to Watch
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Running Back De’Veon Smith
Derrick Green (six carries for six yards) was MIA last week, but De’Veon Smith (nine carries for 57 yards and one touchdown) was able to find creases behind Michigan’s misfiring offensive line. Smith will need to get the running game on track for Michigan to get its offense in gear.
Quarterback Devin Gardner
The fifth-year senior has been through the ringer this season behind an offensive line that’s not much better than last season's. He was replaced as starter for the Minnesota game, but with Morris’ poor performance and injuries, he’ll likely return under center versus Rutgers. Gardner is a high-risk and high-reward player, but there hasn’t been much reward this season.
Wide Receiver Devin Funchess
Both Shane Morris and Devin Gardner have been unable to utilize Funchess much the last few games. He needs to handle the ball in any capacity the Michigan coaching staff can conceive—maybe even returning kicks.
Rutgers Players to Watch
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Quarterback Gary Nova
Nova (71-of-111 for 1197 yards, seven interceptions, 10 touchdowns) is the key to the Rutgers offense. An accurate dropback passer (64 percent completion rate), he’ll pick the Michigan secondary apart if he has enough time to throw.
Wide Receiver Leonte Carroo
Carroo (25 receptions for 475 yards and five touchdowns) is poised for a breakout game versus Michigan. He’ll be Gary Nova’s favorite target.
Defensive End Kemoko Turay
Rutgers leads the Big Ten with 21 sacks this season and are tied for first nationally. A big reason is defensive end Kemoko Turay, who leads the Big Ten with 5.0 sacks and is in prime position to add to that total versus the Wolverines.
What They’re Saying
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Michigan
Michigan athletic director David Brandon, via MGoBlue.com early Tuesday morning: "As of Sunday, Shane was diagnosed with a probable, mild concussion, and a high ankle sprain."
Michigan head coach Brady Hoke, via Steve Kornacki of MGoBlue.com: "It's a great opportunity to go on the road, it's a Big Ten game, and most of the people in the stadium are going to be cheering against us. But there will be a good contingent of Maize and Blue fans who are from the New York area, the East Coast Wolverines, who will be there for us. And we're excited to go."
Rutgers
Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood, via Tom Luicci of ScarletKnights.com:
"Whatever is going on in Ann Arbor, we don’t have any control over that. That is not our situation. We have to control what we can control, which is our preparation. If we control our preparation, then we’ll come out Saturday night and we'll play well. And that’s really what we need to be focused on.
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Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood, via Stephen Edelson of MyCentralJersey.com: "That’s one of the exciting things about being in the Big Ten is some of the most storied programs in college football are now going to get an opportunity to play at the birthplace of college football."
Rutgers safety Lorenzo Waters, via Edelson of MyCentralJersey.com: "I’m definitely familiar with the tradition of the Big Ten … it’s a big deal, Michigan. But at the same time we think Rutgers is a big deal, too. That’s what we’re trying to get people to understand."
Prediction
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Rutgers 24 Michigan 20
Rutgers notches its first Big Ten win over Michigan as the Wolverines struggle on the road, intensifying pressure on coach Brady Hoke.
Phil Callihan is a featured writer for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations obtained firsthand.
Follow @PSCallihan
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