Gopher Football
Minnesota Backfield vs. Michigan Linebackers:
The Gopher backfield hopes to get back on track after a very rough outing last week at Penn State. Laurence Maroney was held to his lowest total of the year (48 yards on 16 carries), as was the entire Gopher ground game (113 yards on 32 carries). Gary Russell actually had more rushing yards than Maroney did (53 yards on 8 carries), so that performance further cemented Russell’s standing as Maroney’s backup, and may result in him getting even more carries this week. Gopher quarterback Bryan Cupito had a decent game last week (16-6 for 176 yards), but because the running game wasn’t clicking the offense as a whole really couldn’t get into a groove.
This week, Michigan is going to look to do more of the same. They don’t have the overall speed of the Penn State defense, but they are equally as talented. Michigan runs a 3-4 defense, so chances are we’ll hear a lot about the linebackers during the game on Saturday. The leading tackler in this group is junior Prescott Burgess, but the big guy to watch for at linebacker will be junior LaMarr Woodley. He isn’t close to being Michigan’s leading tackler, but he is the team leader in tackles for loss with 7. Woodley will usually line up on the end of the line, but he has the speed to get back into pass coverage as well. But because he is so good as getting into the backfield, how well the Gophers do in defending Woodley will have a lot to do with how much the offense is able to rebound.
Summary:
This could be another tough matchup for the Gopher backfield. Last year Michigan did a pretty good job at bottling up the Gopher running game, outside of one big run. Michigan may be even more talented at linebacker this year than they were a year ago, so it could be tough going again for Maroney. Look for Bryan Cupito to try to complete some short, high percentage passes early so the offense can avoid the funk it was never could get out of last week at Penn State.
Advantage: Michigan
Minnesota Offensive Line vs. Michigan Defensive Line:
It’s beginning to sound like a broken record, but the Minnesota offensive line is another in a large group of positions that had a season worst game last week. On too many occasions the line did not get out quick enough to block the Penn State defenders swarming to the running back. This week may present an even tougher challenge for the Gopher line, as Michigan will be relentless in their pursuit.
If Minnesota tries to run up the gut, the Wolverines have a wealth of size and experience that should bode well against the Gophers more finesse blocking. Nose tackle Gabe Watson has regained favor with the coaches, and at 6’4″ 330 pounds he will be tough for the Gophers to contain. It doesn’t get any easier with the other two guys, fifth year senior Pat Massey (6’8″ 285 pounds) and 6’6″ 311 pound freshman Alan Branch. The line must also be sure to locate LaMarr Woodley, since he can line up from a few different spots.
Summary:
This will be another challenge for the Gopher offense. Michigan will present Minnesota with the best defensive line they seen, and possibly the best one they’ll see all year. Michigan has a huge size advantage over Minnesota, and it will take an exception performance by everyone on the Gopher line to keep the Wolverines in check. Without the offensive line being able to get out into space and start taking out defenders, the Gopher running game can become average in a hurry.
Advantage: Michigan
Minnesota Receivers vs. Michigan Defensive Backs:
It’s not all doom and gloom for Minnesota on offense, as I think the Gopher receivers actually match up against Michigan’s secondary fairly well. Jakari Wallace had somewhat of a breakout game last week. We did see Jakari some last year, but this year he hasn’t been utilized as much. But as the game last week wore on, the coaches saw that Wallace was one of the few players for the Gophers who could match the speed of the Penn State defense. He responded with 5 receptions for 63 yards, and a couple of great kick returns to go with it. Besides Wallace, we all know what the rest of the Gopher receivers can do, at least when they hang on to the ball.
The Wolverines have a pair of good corners in Grant Mason and Leon Hall. Hall is a returning second team All-Big Ten performer, and leads Michigan this year with 4 pass breakups. Even though he is the Wolverines best cover guy, it will be interesting to see if the 5’11″ Hall goes up against Ernie Wheelwright and his 6’5″ frame the majority of the time. One big key for Michigan may be the play of free safety Willis Barringer. Last year in this game, Wolverine free safety Ernest Shazor had a huge day. He was in the Gopher backfield all day reeking havoc with the running game on his way to recording 14 tackles. I don’t expect Barringer to have that big of a day, but if the Wolverines want to try and duplicate last years success game plan they might decide to turn him loose.
Summary:
I see this as a bigger match up than a lot of people would expect. I really don’t think Minnesota’s running game is going to be good enough to carry the offense, so I think it’s going to be key for the Gopher wide receivers to step up and have a big game. That mainly means getting open on short routes and than hanging on to the ball when it’s thrown their way. I think the receivers needs to take advantage of their size and physicalness in this contest to get position and give Cupito a good target to throw to. If the passing game can find a nice rhythm it will at the very least give the Gophers another way to move the ball.
Advantage: Even
Overall Summary:
The Gopher offense is hoping to get back on track against a Michigan defense that is equally as talented as the one they struggled with last week at Penn State. After rushing for over 400 yards against Michigan in 2003, the Gopher did not have consistent success running the ball last year against the Wolverines, so it will be interesting to see if the Gophers can counter punch and respond with a strong rushing performance once again. As I mentioned above, I do expect Michigan to continue to have success at keeping the Gopher running game at least partially bottled up, so I think it will be up to the passing game to keep the field open. History is not on the Gopher side for this happening though so it will take a good effort by all eleven starters to get back on track.
Overall Advantage: Michigan
Final Thoughts
This could either be a really good or really bad game for Minnesota. The past two years Minnesota has come out very poorly after their first loss. A difference this year is the first loss was a blowout instead of a heartbreaker, so maybe we’ll see the team respond differently. The other factor will be the psyche of Michigan. After looking lethargic against Notre Dame and Wisconsin, the Wolverines came back with a very emotional win against a bitter rival last week at Michigan State. Will Michigan have a let down? Or will they be confident and ready to go? Which teams coach will do a better job preparing their team could be the X factor in this game. Assuming both teams come back on an even level, I think Michigan just has too much talent for Minnesota. Their offense will likely be very tough to stop, and their defense will be just good enough to keep Minnesota from running wild. It will take a very good effort, and mistake free football game for Minnesota to win this one.
Prediction: Michigan 38 ““ Minnesota 23
Previous article: Michigan Offense vs. Minnesota Defense
Talk about the match-up on the Gopher Football Message Board.