Oregon State vs. Michigan: Complete Game Preview
The Michigan Wolverines will be looking for their first win of the 2015 campaign against the Oregon State Beavers on Saturday, Sept. 12.
Jim Harbaugh's coaching debut didn't go as planned last Thursday. Quarterback Jake Rudock tossed three interceptions, the running game stalled and Michigan ultimately fell to Utah 24-17.
Oregon State, which also has a first-year coach in Gary Andersen, opened the season against a lower-division program in Weber State. The Beavers knocked off the visiting Football Championship Division school 26-7.
As of this writing, per OddsShark.com, Michigan—which holds a 4-0 record in the series—is favored by 15.5 points. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET, and ABC will broadcast the matchup.
Oregon State Keys to Victory
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Find Some Big Plays
True freshman quarterback Seth Collins is starting his first career road game at the Big House in front of more than 100,000 people. That could get interesting.
What's the best way to silence raucous fans? Place a little doubt in their minds by completing a long pass or ripping off a big run.
Michigan provides a massive test for Collins, a dual-threat quarterback who amassed 152 rushing yards in his debut. Collins also found Jordan Villamin for a 44-yard touchdown. The Wolverines, on the other hand, bent but didn't break and never allowed a gain of more than 20 yards.
Collins and Oregon State must find a way to break the defense.
Shut Down Jake Butt
Although Rudock is still building chemistry with a few Michigan receivers, he's definitely on the same page with tight end Jake Butt.
The junior tallied eight receptions—six of which resulted in a first down or touchdown—for 93 yards and a score. Butt was a critical part in the Wolverines showing even a semblance of an offense early on.
So if Oregon State doesn't allow the tight end to become a major factor, Rudock must turn to someone else. Other than Amara Darboh, Michigan has no proven target.
Eliminating Butt doesn't automatically equate to a victory, but it's a step in the right direction for the Beavers.
Michigan Keys to Victory
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Win the Battle Up Front
For better or worse, Harbaugh stuck to his game plan for 52 minutes. The fiery coach seemed to be sending a message that he trusted the offensive line and wouldn't abandon Michigan's identity even in clutch moments.
Unfortunately, while the pass protection was respectable, the run blocking was far from it. The Wolverines consistently failed to reach the second level, and the offense's best inside run arguably was a toss that De'Veon Smith ultimately cut back toward the middle.
Oregon State's defense is filled with new players, and Michigan should have the physical advantage to dominate the trenches.
But talk is merely talk. The offensive line needs to prove Harbaugh's trust isn't misplaced.
Don't Let Seth Collins Run
The Wolverines know the 6'3" quarterback can run, but how much can Collins throw?
He only recorded 18 attempts against Weber State, completing 10 passes for a total of 92 yards and two touchdowns. Collins connected with six different receivers, most notably Villamin, Storm Barrs-Woods and Victor Bolden.
If Michigan builds a multi-possession lead, the Beavers will rely on Collins' arm to bring the team back on the scoreboard.
Presumably, the Wolverines will have a plan to contain Collins, which might include an emphasis on making him throw. Now, they have to execute it.
Oregon State Players to Watch
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Storm Barrs-Woods, Running Back
Barring an unforeseen development, Collins cannot carry the team. Oregon State needs Storm Barrs-Woods to take some pressure off the freshman.
But it's highly unlikely he'll make a tremendous difference on the ground. After all, the Wolverines surrendered a meager 3.1 yards per rush to Utah's Heisman hopeful Devontae Booker.
Barrs-Woods—who registered 26 catches as a junior—is a threat out of the backfield, which should come in handy against Michigan's stout front seven.
The offensive line will likely struggle throughout the contest, so Barrs-Woods must be prepared to impact the game in another way.
Rommel Mageo, Linebacker
The Beavers lost key contributors all over the defense, so they need every player with even a little starting experience to step up.
Rommel Mageo made seven starts in 2013 but spent a strong majority of the 2014 campaign as a backup. This year, though, the junior is the leader of the linebackers.
Fortunately for the Beavers, he was all over the field last weekend. Mageo recorded seven solo tackles, four assisted stops, one sack, one forced fumble and a pass breakup.
Michigan's chief goal on offense will be to attack the middle of the Beavers defense, and that's where Mageo calls his home.
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Michigan Players to Watch
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Jake Rudock, Quarterback
How will the senior quarterback respond after a disappointing debut?
Miscommunication led to Rudock's first interception, a poor pass caused his second and a head-shaking decision resulted in the game-sealing pick-six. Rudock played decently overall, but committing three turnovers didn't help.
He'll have a chance to perform in a more friendly environment Saturday—unless Rudock throws an interception early. Perhaps an undertone might arise from the Michigan fans clamoring for junior gunslinger Shane Morris.
Or, Rudock will put together an efficient home debut, and the quarterback sort-of-controversy will be settled for at least another week.
Joe Bolden, Linebacker
The senior had a nose for the football last week, but the 13 total tackles didn't tell the whole story. Joe Bolden, like several teammates, missed a handful of other opportunities to finish a play.
"It wasn't the start we wanted defensively and I think I can speak for the team we didn't perform like we wanted to," he said, per Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press. "No one said it would be easy and nothing ever is."
Oregon State displays a similar offense to Utah—a shotgun-heavy system that utilizes pre-snap motion and read-option calls—so Bolden will again be around the ball with regularity.
Bolden needs to consistently produce against Oregon State. The box score offers a shiny accolade, but the tape doesn't always match it. He can make that happen this weekend.
What They're Saying
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Oregon State
According to Gina Mizell of the Oregonian, Andersen is looking at the matchup as a benchmark for his squad's physicality. Andersen said:
"We're gonna sit here a week from right now, and we're gonna be able to say, 'We know how physical that team was, and can we stand up to that physicality?' That's gonna be a really, really, really interesting question with this young team to see."
Michigan
Per Snyder, Harbaugh revealed he doesn't forget about losses; rather, they stick with him until the team earns a victory. Harbaugh said:
"Some people go with the 'It takes 24 hours to get over a game, 48 hours.' Everybody is a little different. Some people walk right out of the locker room and are over it. I'm not one of those guys. It stays with me, and I treat it as it stays with my team, it will stay with us. There's a bad taste in my mouth to lose a football game.
There's only one mouthwash for that: winning a football game. I'm going to make darn sure I focus on that.
"
Prediction
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Though Michigan wanted to establish the run in the opener, that plan didn't work out. It will, however, pay off on Saturday.
The Wolverines jump out to a quick 10-point lead before the offenses trade scores, then Michigan takes a two-possession lead in the fourth quarter.
A late touchdown brings Oregon State back within striking distance, but the Beavers don't have enough time to finish a comeback. The Wolverines drain the clock thanks to the running game.
Most importantly for Harbaugh, he gets the bad taste out of his mouth and jogs into the locker room feeling the emotional high of his first victory as the head coach of the Michigan program.
Prediction: Michigan 24, Oregon State 16
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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