YTD: 4-1, +6.00
4* Michigan -6.5: Talk about value. Had UM done what was expected against App. St, they’d be laying close to 2 TD’s here.
Oregon will inevitably put some points on the board here, as their offense poses the same problem that has haunted the Wolverines’ in years past – speed, primarily at the QB position. This has been a problem for UM’s defense dating back to the ’04 season when Vince Young tortured them to the tune of 192 yards on the ground and 4 scores in the Rose Bowl. Previous seasons have also seen the likes of OSU’s Troy Smith, MSU’s Drew Stanton and last week App. State’s Armanti Edwards torture UM’s defense with their athleticism and mobility. I fully expect Oregon and speedy QB Dennis Dixon to have success running the ball early on. However, once UM’s defense adjusts and puts 8 men in the box to counter OU’s rushing attack, forcing Dixon to beat them through the air, I see the Duck’s offense becoming far less effective, as Dixon lacks the ability and accuracy throwing the ball that the aforementioned QB’s possess.
On the other side of the ball, I don’t anticipate UM having any difficulty moving the ball against the Ducks’ defense. Lost in last week’s debacle was the fact that Mike Hart rushed for 188 yards and 3 scores, all while missing almost 2 Q’s of action while nursing a thigh injury. Against an Oregon D’ fresh off allowing 310 rushing yards to Houston, expect a determined Hart, the heart of this Michigan squad, to get the ball early and often.
UM hasn’t lost consecutive games at the Big House in the same season since ’94. With a largely senior-laden team that will come out looking to redeem itself and salvage their season after such a disappointing and embarrassing loss, I anticipate Michigan bouncing back in a big way Saturday afternoon.
Will add more plays throughout the week.
4* Michigan -6.5: Talk about value. Had UM done what was expected against App. St, they’d be laying close to 2 TD’s here.
Oregon will inevitably put some points on the board here, as their offense poses the same problem that has haunted the Wolverines’ in years past – speed, primarily at the QB position. This has been a problem for UM’s defense dating back to the ’04 season when Vince Young tortured them to the tune of 192 yards on the ground and 4 scores in the Rose Bowl. Previous seasons have also seen the likes of OSU’s Troy Smith, MSU’s Drew Stanton and last week App. State’s Armanti Edwards torture UM’s defense with their athleticism and mobility. I fully expect Oregon and speedy QB Dennis Dixon to have success running the ball early on. However, once UM’s defense adjusts and puts 8 men in the box to counter OU’s rushing attack, forcing Dixon to beat them through the air, I see the Duck’s offense becoming far less effective, as Dixon lacks the ability and accuracy throwing the ball that the aforementioned QB’s possess.
On the other side of the ball, I don’t anticipate UM having any difficulty moving the ball against the Ducks’ defense. Lost in last week’s debacle was the fact that Mike Hart rushed for 188 yards and 3 scores, all while missing almost 2 Q’s of action while nursing a thigh injury. Against an Oregon D’ fresh off allowing 310 rushing yards to Houston, expect a determined Hart, the heart of this Michigan squad, to get the ball early and often.
UM hasn’t lost consecutive games at the Big House in the same season since ’94. With a largely senior-laden team that will come out looking to redeem itself and salvage their season after such a disappointing and embarrassing loss, I anticipate Michigan bouncing back in a big way Saturday afternoon.
Will add more plays throughout the week.
