Rutgers 13 Michigan 20 - Post Game Thread

[WM Wolverine]

Quite a bit more optimistic about beating the spread after hearing more about Rutgers.

[lineygoblue]

I'm still treading lightly. Not even looking at the Kool Aid. Schiano has had Harbaugh's number before.

Michigan 33
Rutgers 20

[Jeff Buchanan]

Quite a bit more optimistic about beating the spread after hearing more about Rutgers.

Is this what you saw? From mgo FFFF Rutgers Defense:

What does this mean for Michigan?

This feels a lot like last week, where some people were like "hey, NIU beat a Power 5 team, they could be interesting!" and then I sat down to watch the film and concluded "nah", and then the game bore out what I wrote in this column. Similar story to this, where yeah, Rutgers was only a few plays away from being bowl eligible in last season's bizarro pandemic season, and yes they're 3-0 for the first time since 2012, but a review of their offensive film on Wednesday was gruesome and the film today suggests that any team with a half-competent OL and a QB who can hit an open receiver underneath should be able to move the ball consistently on Rutgers.

Very detailed Rutger's defensive player's strengths and weaknesses. Rutgers has consistently been a stunting D with the stand-up Jack's doing that. Syracuse just didn't pick it up and the QB was under constant pressure. The NT was consistently pushing the Syracuse C into the lap of the QB - he had a very rough day and since Syracuse's offensive lives off a dink and dunk passing game that the QB didn't have any time to even do that off quick drops was death for them. They died.

The Rutger's D depends on getting pressure. 4.29 rushers per play is the norm. They also use a disguised S blitz package. They depend on pressure because they play a quarters back end and the CBs are not good. Lots of opportunities for Cade here to take the top off that alignment by talent match-ups.

Sticking with my original prediction of 31-10, M shading it to 40+ points now after seeing the analysis. CJ is going to grab a couple big plays. Baldwin at the opposite WR? That would be nice to see,

[lineygoblue]

I'm hoping you're right, Jeff. I'll be listening while on the way back from CMU.

[WM Wolverine]

Yes JB, FFFF was a big piece leading me to M could (should) win this game by a margin larger than the spread. I do think Schiano will eventually get their defense to be respectable but that might not be this season.

[Cody_Russell]

Good pick Jeff. I have M by 20 and will stick to it. If forced to bet in Vegas right now at the current line, would pick M -20.5.
Ride the hot hand and trust that Corum + Haskins + Edwards deliver. I trust Mike Hart. The difference maker! Go Blue!

Next week in Wisconsin is when M might have trouble, but let's see what happens at noon in the Wisconsin vs ND game.

[iam416]

M is going to rail the fuck out of Schiano.

[AlabamAlum]

Yep. It won’t be close. I expect M people to jump back on the Harbaugh Express and start saying he’s a better coach than Saban soon. And this year, it will be hard to argue.

[iam416]

Correct.

[klondike]

M is going to rail the fuck out of Schiano.

As a UM fan Im guarded as usual but gut feels this is another Harbaugh vs. poor Ash/Rutgers era massacre. Even if Schiano is miles better coach.

[THE_WIZARD_]

I'm still treading lightly. Not even looking at the Kool Aid. Schiano has had Harbaugh's number before.

Michigan 33
Rutgers 20

LineyAlum?

[JRB]

7-0. Michigan drives for half the quarter, and makes no mistake.

[WM Wolverine]

15 rushes, 2 passes... Rutgers bringing safeties up to help their front seven, M is going to want to mix in PA to keep those safeties back

[JRB]

7-3, as Rutgers answers somewhat.

[JRB]

14-3. Haskins again, after the big play to Wilson.