Washington Preview

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Time: 7:30 

Location: Husky Stadium 

Weather: 65 No Rain

TV: NBC (Eagle/Blackledge)

Line: Michigan +1.5

Like I mentioned earlier in the week, this isn't really a National Championship rematch.  Both programs are vastly different from that game played earlier this year.   This is more of a Harbaugh Coaching Tree game.  Jedd Fisch joined Jim early in his time in Ann Arbor as OC and Sherrone finished the job late in Jimmy's time in A2. 

Both teams are a bit lost from their runs in 2023.  Washington is struggling with a new roster and a transfer QB from Mississippi State in Will Rogers. Michigan is struggling with its new QB who is known for more of a runner then a passer.  UW has loses to Washington State and Rutgers already and Michigan lost an ugly game to Texas.  Not the matchup NBC was hoping for. 

I guess this also could be the Giles Jackson Bowl.  Giles started his college football career at Michigan in 2019 and now is in his 6th season.  2024 has been his most productive year with already 34 catches for 401 yards and 1 TD.  

Dear Coach:

Your first road game as a full time head coach and it's a long travel day for the Wolverines.   Then somewhat of a long wait until kickoff on Saturday.  Maybe the time change won't affect the team that much since you will be kicking off at 4:30 local time.   The flight home will be determined on how well your team performs on the field. 

Coach, we all are looking for an even performance for all 4 quarters.  Michigan has played well in the 1st half the last two weeks, but terrible in the 2nd half.  There are too many Michigan stars injured and depth seems to be an issue on defense.  If Johnson and Stewart are available on Saturday I feel much better about Michigan's chances. 

On to the other side of the ball.  Coach, I'm going to speak frankly to you here.  You have failed to find a viable offense for this roster to this point in the season.  You started the season with a QB with no experience who was a passer and turned the ball over too much, then you went to a runner who doesn't seem to run that much.  What are we doing?  The design of the offense is for Team 144 not 145.  You didn't bring in a transfer QB to fit your system and now it looks like you are using Duct Tape to keep the boat a float.    

I realize you have a very difficult job replacing a guy who was a former QB at Michigan and just won a National Championship.  Still, this is not good Coach.  Yes, you are 4-l and the Duct Tape has been holding for now, but will this level of play travel?  We just don't know yet.

Time to find out.  Sometimes getting away from home helps a team refocus.  That needs to be the theme for this trip.  This team needs to play clean football for 4 quarters.  The defense will have to step up on Saturday night and shut down UW completely if Michigan is going to win.  I expect Michigan will do what they have done on offense all year and hope Mullins breaks a long run.  I also expect there will be a ton of field goals kicked as points will be at a premium for both teams.  Giles Jackson will try to have the game of his life, so please make sure a top CB is checking him.  

Lastly, if we have to trade between the game in January or this one, every BHB reader would pick the January game.  Still, Michigan is the better team.  Get the ball into Edwards hands in the passing game, PLEASE! Use both TE's, run Mullins, and take a deep shot to keep the safeties out of the box on every play.  I can't believe we have a Belichick - Wink match-up in college.   Jedd is no dummy and will be ready for the Wolverines defense, I just hope its healthier than it was last week.  Every week is a test and this is another one.  Time to see what this team's got on the road.  Play Clean, Play for 4 quarters, don't be predictable on offense, play dominating defense, make the field goals, and have a great flight home. 

Michigan 18 Washington 14