Miami Of Ohio Preview

Time: 3:30 EST

Location:  Big House

Weather: Chilly 60/43

TV: BTN

Line:  Michigan -33.5

What is the best way to move on from an embarrassing loss?  Get back on the field and win a football game.  Michigan will have that chance on Saturday at 3:30 against a team that hasn't won a football game in nearly a year.   Yes, Miami of Ohio is 0-18 in their last 18 games.  


Chuck Martin former ND OC and head coach of Grand Valley State is now the head coach of Miami, which is known as the cradle of coaches.   Miami will look a lot like what Michigan saw last week, minus the 4 and 5 star players.  Their QB is even ND transfer Tommy Hendrix.  I'm surprised David Brandon isn't marketing this game as Michigan vs. ND JV. 


This is one of those "unique" scheduling challenges when you schedule so far in advance as Miami has been a good football program for many years.  Michigan has just caught them in re-building mode.


Tale of The Tape:
Let down vs. Blow Out = Better not be an Akron replay

Last year, Michigan blew out CMU and beat ND at home under the lights and then it seemed all the wheels fell off the bus.  With Michigan struggling to be some bad teams.   This year better not be the same thing.  Akron is a much better team then Miami and that shouldn't be the case, but our "eyes" won't lie and we better see a week 1 type of performance against this team.


This is one of those weeks where it will be very interesting to see how the Wolverines come out of the tunnel.  This team was never making the playoffs but the expectations was at least be competitive in the Big Ten.


My expectation of injured players:
Peppers plays
Funchess doesn't
Taylor doesn't
Smith doesn't
Morgan out for sure


What changes might we see?
More changes on the offensive line
A ton of DB's will play
More James Ross
I expect Shane Morris to play at least a quarter - maybe more if Devin is banged up
More Justice Hayes in downs 1 and 2


Who might have a big game?
Green over a 100 yards
Amara Darboh has a break out game over 100 yards receiving
Kyle Kalis will lock up a guard spot
Norfleet breaks a long touchdown on a return or bubble screen
Frank Clark gets two sacks


This game should be over early and if it isn't, there will be a ton of talk if Brady Hoke has lost the locker room completely.  Michigan hosts a decent Utah team next weekend, so they better fix their issues on Saturday and get players that need experience more playing time.


Saturday is Military Appreciation Day, thank you to all the veterans and the sacrifice you have made for this country and our freedom!

Michigan 41 Miami 6

Go Blue!