Michigan-Bowling Green Preview: Wolverines Defense Looks to Bounce Back

Time: 12:00
Location: Big House
Line: Michigan - 25.5
TV: ESPN2
Weather: 63 and Sunny

I find there are a lot of similarities between these two teams:

• Both have fairly new head coaches (okay, after three years, I guess we won't be able to use that much longer).
• Both have young QBs.
• Both have young defenses.
• Both teams like to score lots of points.
• One team lost its first two games but had a good win last weekend; the other had two good wins but didn't look so good last weekend.
• The schools are 72 miles apart from each other.
• On Saturday, I will drive by one stadium and sit in the other.

The big difference is talent. Michigan has much more talent on its roster, but these days it really doesn't make a difference—see any FCS school that has played a D-I school close this fall.

What will we see from BG?

Bowling Green likes to run a "West Coast"-style offense with high percentage throws, which means lots of short routes and screens. This offense is made for ball control and first downs. BG's starting QB is out for the game, and their new QB is making his first start. BG's offensive line is young and has been struggling.  

BG is also young on defense, where their DBs and LBs are very young but talented. They got a pick six last week and four total interceptions against Marshall. I didn't see the game, but I expect some of those four picks were poor decisions by the Marshall QB.

What will we see from the Wolverines?

I don't see the BG defense being able to contain the high-powered Michigan offense, so points shouldn't be a problem. Michigan hopes to use a number of new running backs to give them some experience, so look for Michael Cox, Stephen Hopkins, and Fitzgerald Toussaint. 

Michigan's defense is the big question mark going into the game. They played well for the first two games and terribly against UMass. Will we see some new guys at LB? How will Cam Gordon and the CBs play against a passing team? Will they pressure the young BG QB making his first start? Did they learn something from last week?

Tale of the Tape

Michigan offense vs. BG defense =  Michigan

Michigan defense vs. BG offense = Push

Special Teams = Push

Intangibles = Michigan

I expect to see a lot of points in this game. What will Michigan's defense do? If the same unit that showed up last week shows up this week, they will give up some points again. I feel pretty good with BG's offensive line and a new QB making his first start that the Michigan D can be successful. I would like to see Michigan pressure the QB and get a bunch of sacks.

I would also like to see Tate Forcier and Devin Gardner (Please redshirt him, please!! Yes, he could get a medical redshirt if he turns an ankle or something) and a number of new running backs. I want to see the RBs get most of the carries like last week with another 100-yard rusher.

Sing Hail to the Victors if:

• Defense gets stops
• D pressures the QB
• Michigan gets five sacks
• Michigan makes a field goal
• Michigan catches and returns a punt
• Offensive skill players stay healthy
• We see some backups on both sides of the ball
• This game isn't a replay from last week

Start to get that weird feeling in your stomach if:

• The defense didn't learn anything
• Obi Ezeh and Jonas Mouton have a UMass type of Saturday
• Michigan attempts a field goal
• Denard has to play the entire game
• That fish taco you ate on Friday night isn't sitting well

I'm not worried about Michigan scoring points. I would like some linebackers that can read/react quickly and a kicker that can make field goals from 40 yards or less. That would be nice.

I don't want to witness a UMass-style game this week. I want to see Mr. President Jack Kennedy (fourth string QB) take some snaps. That would be a good Saturday. Michigan 48, BGSU 21.

GO BLUE!