Friday, August 30, 2019

Preview: Middle Tennesee State

Time: 7:30 EST
Location: Big House
TV: BTN
Stream: BTN To Go/Fox Sports
Weather:  70/10% of rain
Line : Michigan -34.5

Football is finally back and Michigan fans feel like they have been waiting two years since Michigan dropped the OSU game and the Peach Scrimmage.   This off season included the Dak Hill commit and re-commit, two Michigan coaches going to Columbus, Chris Evans academic issues, the Mike Danna transfer, and a number of former Wolverines looking for more playing time through the transfer portal.   Now the focus can be back where it should be and that's playing football in the Big House.

Middle Tennessee State plays in Conference USA with some familiar names like Marshall, Florida Atlantic, Rice, and UAB.   They played in the CUSA Championship game last year after going 7-1 in conference but lost to UAB who they secured a victory over the week prior.

MTSU also played 3 Power 5 games last year and lost them all:  Vandy 35-7, Georgia 49-7, and Kentucky 34-23.   The issue is the Blue Raiders were a much better team last year.   As they have lost a 4 year starter at QB, 3 starters on the offensive line, their best DE, and 3 top CB's.

Tale of the Tape

Michigan Everything over MTSU Everything

The Wolverines have a clear advantage in coaching and talent at every position.  Finally, the Wolverines have a tune up game and not playing Alabama or Florida in Dallas or traveling to ND or Utah.  I'm in favor of playing a MAC, CUSA, or American conference opponent in the Big House to start every season.   Play a big game in week two.

Yell Josh Gattis for President if...…………….
  • Michigan's offense looks like a 7 on 7 practice
  • WR's are buck naked open 
  • Michigan RB's have over 200 yards on the ground 
  • Shea plays 2.5 quarters and Dylan Plays 1.5 
  • Dline gets pressure 
  • No injuries 
Yell, what the hell is happening here? if...…………….
  • If Minnesota shows up in Michigan jerseys 
  • Michigan struggles with the new offense 
  • RB position is still in question
  • Don Brown has some weird OSU/Peach Schnapps hangover
  • Players have that night game malaise

When Michigan is almost a 35 point favorite its sort of strange to predict a final score.  (But you can and win Braylon's new Book!).   This game is less about the Blue Raiders and more about the Wolverines and how they can bounce back from the disastrous ending to the season last year.   I love that Michigan can play a bunch of freshman and not lose their redshirts and hope we see folks like Dax Hill and Zach Charbonnet play like future superstars.   I'm just excited to see the Wolverines play another football game.   The Blue raiders have a good kicker and I see him making a few long ones to ruin the shutout.  

Michigan 56 MTSU 6

2 comments:

Goose said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Goose said...

Well I was underwhelmed. Hoping it was just first game rust, but not really impressed by speed in space. Seemed to me with all the blitzing middle Tennessee was doing M's speedy more athletic receivers should have been open for chuck plays. Unfortunately the only time they were was when a defender fell down. I was however encouraged by zach charbonet. Got the win & was never In danger of taking a loss. On to army