Rutgers vs. Michigan: Complete Game Preview
The 16th-ranked Michigan Wolverines will host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a Big Ten battle on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Big House.
Rutgers (3-5, 1-4 Big Ten) must try to recover from a pair of beatdowns, including a 48-10 thrashing at the hands of Wisconsin—which isn't exactly an offensive juggernaut.
Michigan (6-2, 3-1) needs a victory to keep its slim division title hopes alive, while there's a small revenge factor for the team. Last season, the Scarlet Knights managed a 26-24 win in the first-ever matchup between the programs.
According to Odds Shark, Michigan is a 22.5-point favorite. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET, and Big Ten Network will broadcast the matchup.
Rutgers Keys to Victory
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Survive on Offense
Rutgers is already a limited offensive team, but the unit showed just how inept it is without star receiver Leonte Carroo.
Chris Laviano and Hayden Rettig combined to finish 6-of-20 for 82 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception against Wisconsin. The running game gained 83 yards on 38 attempts.
This early in the week, Carroo's status for Saturday won't be described as anything more than day-to-day or "we'll see where he's at."
If he's back for Michigan, then the Scarlet Knights have a fighting chance. If Carroo can't go, Rutgers is bound for another disheartening day.
Stop the Run
Yes, Alex, I'll take "Easier Said Than Done" for $500, please.
While the Maize and Blue have struggled on the ground lately, the Scarlet Knights offer a tremendous chance to get back on track. They can't afford to let that happen.
However, Rutgers has ceded an average of 221 yards and 3.6 touchdowns to opposing Big Ten rush offenses. Wisconsin just racked up 209 yards and five scores, and Michigan is as dedicated to the run as the Badgers.
Yeah. Easier said than done.
Michigan Keys to Victory
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Establish the Running Game Early
At this point, the Michigan offensive line is what it is: average.
The early-season trend of weekly progression has run directly into a wall—just like the running backs do on a majority of their carries. Put simply, there's no push up front, so there's no lane, either.
Nevertheless, Rutgers offers a potential confidence-booster due to its shaky front seven. Since the Wolverines need their rushing attack against Penn State and Ohio State, there's no better time than Saturday to get back on track.
Finish the Chances
Luck was undoubtedly on Minnesota's side last Saturday. However, Michigan directly contributed a useful bit of that good fortune, too.
Dymonte Thomas perfectly broke on a poor pass, but the ball glanced off his fingertips and into the waiting arms of a Gophers receiver. Jabrill Peppers beautifully read a screen pass but dropped what would've been an easy pick-six.
The Scarlet Knights aren't going to win straight up; they'll need a little luck. It's up to the Wolverines to not provide any assistance.
Rutgers Players to Watch
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Leonte Carroo, Wide Receiver
Rutgers doesn't have a second playmaker on the outside, so it's blatantly obvious when Carroo isn't on the field.
He's missed three games, and the offense twice fell short of four yards per play. The only time it topped that mark was opposite Kansas. Congratulations on beating a team that's probably finishing 0-12.
Carroo has created some off-field issues, but his presence between the lines is unmistakable. The senior wideout has tallied 24 receptions for 527 yards and nine touchdowns.
Steve Longa, Linebacker
Though Quentin Gause and Kaiwan Lewis will constantly be around the ball, Steve Longa will probably lead the defense in tackles. After all, he already has 91 this season.
"He's in a spot in our defense that we need somebody who can get people on the ground and make tackles," Rutgers coach Kyle Flood said, per ESPN.com's Josh Moyer, "so he gets a lot of opportunities and he makes the most of them."
Longa can't stop Michigan by himself, but the junior linebacker can do his part in limiting explosive runs.
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Michigan Players to Watch
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Jake Rudock, Quarterback
If the expected game plan goes as hoped, Jake Rudock won't play a significant role in the outcome. Then again, will he play?
Rudock left the outing against Minnesota due to a rib injury that initially looked much worse than that. Instead of sliding to end a scramble, the senior quarterback tried to power through a tackle and ended up getting folded between two defenders.
According to Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press, head coach Jim Harbaugh said he thinks Rudock will be ready but doesn't know for sure.
Rudock is a suitable, not dominant, quarterback when healthy. How about when he's hurt?
Desmond Morgan, Linebacker
After stringing together strong outings for most of the year, Desmond Morgan had the worst performance of his senior campaign last Saturday. He managed just five assisted tackles.
Now, he wasn't alone. The defense struggled overall. Per Scout.com's Josh Henschke, Morgan said there's "no question we made a tremendous amount of mistakes in that game."
Morgan is a leader of the Wolverines defense, and how he responds will be a key to the unit's success.
What They're Saying
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Rutgers
According to Dan Duggan of NJ Advance Media, Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood is sticking with Laviano behind center because he gives the team its best chance to win.
"Chris will be our starting quarterback this week, and he'll be our starting quarterback because we feel like he gives us the best opportunity to be 1-0," Flood said.
Michigan
Snyder noted Harbaugh commended Peppers for his "very explosive performance" on offense, defense and special teams against Minnesota:
"Very close to kicking out of a shoestring tackle on offense to score a long touchdown — the one he picked up the first down at midfield. He scored a touchdown for us. ... Thought he made a good decision, had a halfback pass dialed up, and he kept it. In the punt return game, he was one away from that one going the distance. He's explosive — a great player.
"
Prediction
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Michigan is going to win. The biggest question is the margin of victory.
Should Carroo play, he's talented enough to get the better of standout cornerback Jourdan Lewis and key a scoring drive or two. However, one or two scores won't be enough to beat the Wolverines.
It won't necessarily be a convincing victory, though. Michigan's running game doesn't assemble the dominant performance this matchup could offer, but the defense responds from its worst game of the year and limits the Scarlet Knights.
The Wolverines take a commanding lead into the fourth quarter and improve to 7-2, while Rutgers falls to 3-6.
Prediction: Michigan 27, Rutgers 6
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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