While the Miami RedHawks are a competent Mid-American Conference football team, they're no Utah.
That's a good thing for the University of Michigan.
After faltering at home against the Utes, who are ranked No. 22 in The Associated Press poll, the Wolverines will seek the season's first victory and some redemption against the RedHawks (0-1).
Michigan's offense, which produced 203 yards in the opener, will try to get things going. The team's defense, which followed a dormant first half with a dominant second, will see if it can ramp up the pressure for a full game. And the entire team will attempt to grab a much-needed dose of confidence before visiting South Bend, Ind., next week for a date with Notre Dame.
Michigan on offense
Expect the two-quarterback system again today, with Steven Threet starting over Nick Sheridan, who started last week. Regardless of who goes first, both should play.
Neither distinguished himself against the Utes when the pair combined to complete half their passes for 167 yards. In contrast to the team's running game, however, the passing attack was a success. The Wolverines netted 36 yards on the ground, and the top rusher - junior Brandon Minor - managed just 21 yards. Coach Rich Rodriguez blamed the running game woes on a variety of factors, including a young offensive line complete with four new starters.
For the Wolverines to fare better this week, they'll have to make marked improvement, mostly because Miami's defenders are no pushovers. Although they surrendered 34 points last week, the RedHawks can blame their problems, in part, on the skill of Commodores' quarterback Chris Nickson, who rushed for 166 yards.
Michigan has no such threat from its QB position, which means the Wolverines must find other ways to pierce a defense that was the MAC's best last season and returns nine starters. Defensive end Joe Coniglio is the team's top pass-rushing lineman, and strong safety Robbie Wilson leads the secondary. But it's the linebacking trio of Clayton Mullins, Joey Hudson and Caleb Bostic, that presents the biggest challenge to the Wolverines. Last season, they combined for 345 tackles, and Mullins was named the league's defensive MVP.
Miami on offense
The RedHawks' veteran quarterback, Daniel Raudabaugh, suffered through a rocky season opener, completing 46.3 percent of his passes for 244 yards with a single touchdown and three interceptions. Raudabaugh is no model of efficiency (he had a 54.7 completion percentage with equal numbers of touchdowns and interceptions in 2007), but he's capable of better. Miami has four receivers who caught 25 or more passes last season, giving the QB plenty of targets.
Eugene Harris and Dustin Woods had four receptions apiece against the Commodores, but tight end Jake O'Connell was perhaps the most impressive performer. The ex-wideout averaged 20.3 yards on three catches.
Although Michigan's pass defense surrendered 305 yards to Utah, virtually all the damage occurred in the first half. Technical adjustments by the coaches, plus a vastly improved pass rush in the second half put a swift end to the airborne advances. Six Michigan players had a hand in six sacks, led by tackle Will Johnson with a sack and a half, and end Tim Jamison with two.
On the ground, Michigan allowed virtually nothing to the Utes, and Miami has yet to prove it can run the football effectively, either. Starting back Thomas Merriweather - who gained 143 yards last season - led the RedHawks with 59 yards a week ago.
Keep an eye on
- Michigan's running backs: The talent is there; now it's time for at least one of the five backs to produce.
- Threet and Sheridan: Rodriguez may not want to stick with a two-QB setup the entire season. If either player shines today, he may become the go-to guy at Notre Dame.
- The return game: Michigan had some nifty special team plays against Utah, but did nothing notable on returns. Maybe someone - Brandon Harrison? - breaks through.
The bottom line
The Wolverines have never lost to a MAC team in 23 tries. It won't be easy, but Michigan should get a tight nonconference victory this afternoon.
That's a good thing for the University of Michigan.
After faltering at home against the Utes, who are ranked No. 22 in The Associated Press poll, the Wolverines will seek the season's first victory and some redemption against the RedHawks (0-1).
Michigan's offense, which produced 203 yards in the opener, will try to get things going. The team's defense, which followed a dormant first half with a dominant second, will see if it can ramp up the pressure for a full game. And the entire team will attempt to grab a much-needed dose of confidence before visiting South Bend, Ind., next week for a date with Notre Dame.
Michigan on offense
Expect the two-quarterback system again today, with Steven Threet starting over Nick Sheridan, who started last week. Regardless of who goes first, both should play.
Neither distinguished himself against the Utes when the pair combined to complete half their passes for 167 yards. In contrast to the team's running game, however, the passing attack was a success. The Wolverines netted 36 yards on the ground, and the top rusher - junior Brandon Minor - managed just 21 yards. Coach Rich Rodriguez blamed the running game woes on a variety of factors, including a young offensive line complete with four new starters.
For the Wolverines to fare better this week, they'll have to make marked improvement, mostly because Miami's defenders are no pushovers. Although they surrendered 34 points last week, the RedHawks can blame their problems, in part, on the skill of Commodores' quarterback Chris Nickson, who rushed for 166 yards.
Michigan has no such threat from its QB position, which means the Wolverines must find other ways to pierce a defense that was the MAC's best last season and returns nine starters. Defensive end Joe Coniglio is the team's top pass-rushing lineman, and strong safety Robbie Wilson leads the secondary. But it's the linebacking trio of Clayton Mullins, Joey Hudson and Caleb Bostic, that presents the biggest challenge to the Wolverines. Last season, they combined for 345 tackles, and Mullins was named the league's defensive MVP.
Miami on offense
The RedHawks' veteran quarterback, Daniel Raudabaugh, suffered through a rocky season opener, completing 46.3 percent of his passes for 244 yards with a single touchdown and three interceptions. Raudabaugh is no model of efficiency (he had a 54.7 completion percentage with equal numbers of touchdowns and interceptions in 2007), but he's capable of better. Miami has four receivers who caught 25 or more passes last season, giving the QB plenty of targets.
Eugene Harris and Dustin Woods had four receptions apiece against the Commodores, but tight end Jake O'Connell was perhaps the most impressive performer. The ex-wideout averaged 20.3 yards on three catches.
Although Michigan's pass defense surrendered 305 yards to Utah, virtually all the damage occurred in the first half. Technical adjustments by the coaches, plus a vastly improved pass rush in the second half put a swift end to the airborne advances. Six Michigan players had a hand in six sacks, led by tackle Will Johnson with a sack and a half, and end Tim Jamison with two.
On the ground, Michigan allowed virtually nothing to the Utes, and Miami has yet to prove it can run the football effectively, either. Starting back Thomas Merriweather - who gained 143 yards last season - led the RedHawks with 59 yards a week ago.
Keep an eye on
- Michigan's running backs: The talent is there; now it's time for at least one of the five backs to produce.
- Threet and Sheridan: Rodriguez may not want to stick with a two-QB setup the entire season. If either player shines today, he may become the go-to guy at Notre Dame.
- The return game: Michigan had some nifty special team plays against Utah, but did nothing notable on returns. Maybe someone - Brandon Harrison? - breaks through.
The bottom line
The Wolverines have never lost to a MAC team in 23 tries. It won't be easy, but Michigan should get a tight nonconference victory this afternoon.
