Looking ahead to MTSU
“This year’s team looks like it could take a sizable dip in the win total with 14 starters gone from the group that got to the C-USA title game.”
This should be a fun game to watch if you are a Michigan fan and a good tune up for Army.
Speaking of Army, (https://collegefootballnews.com/2019/05/army-football-preview-prediction-players-2019)
https://www.college-sports-journal....previews-middle-tennessee-state-blue-raiders/
https://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/middle-tennessee/91165
August 16th, 2019 at 3:34 AM ^
I feel like a wuss for saying this, but that Army game really does scare me.
August 16th, 2019 at 4:15 AM ^
As a service academy graduate at Air Force, and have watched many games of the three academy football teams against other big schools, my read goes like this...
Army will jump up and punch Michigan in the mouth at the beginning of the game and could last into the second quarter. Michigan will start to keep pace as the first half is coming to a close.
The second half will be a different story as the realization of playing a top ten team will creep into the minds of the Army players. Michigan will start walking away in the third and end up running away in the fourth.
Army will be a very disciplined team, obviously. Michigan MUST match that discipline by sticking to assignments, not going cowboy and by not underestimating Army.
August 16th, 2019 at 7:10 AM ^
I suspect Michigan-Army 2019 will look a lot like Michigan-Wisconsin 2018 but Army will score less and Michigan will score more.
Against Oklahoma last year, with OT, Army was only 3 of 9 with 2 INTS in passing attempts.
I highly doubt Army will have much success against the Michigan D with a pure rushing attack.
Michigan 50 Army 9 seems reasonable.
August 16th, 2019 at 7:23 AM ^
I am thinking 35-14 Michigan. Army's defense will not be able to stop Michigan. Army's offense will be their defense. Black Knight's time-of-possession will be the only thing that slow's up Michigan from scoring all day.
August 16th, 2019 at 8:11 AM ^
35-14 seems reasonable. But I don't think Army will outpace Michigan in ToP much, if at all. I just can't see a 1-dimensional offense beating Don Brown like it beat OK last year. Especially when that offense expects to run the ball. Like AF last year, they'll get a couple of big gains, but otherwise will be held to less than 100 yards. They might complete a pass.
August 16th, 2019 at 10:53 PM ^
Michigan might score more than 35.
I'll say 41-12.
August 16th, 2019 at 8:31 AM ^
I'd say what you stated is closer to an upset formula. An underdog team that relies on TOP jumping out to an early lead is best case scenario for Army, and really their only shot at winning this game (outside of some disaster like a 5 turnover game from Michigan). If Michigan jumps out to an early lead and Army has to throw the ball I think they'll be in trouble, and the game could go downhill fast from there.
I know everyone points to the OU game, but OU was terrible on D last year, like outside of P5 range for S&P+. This allowed Army to stay in their ball control mode all game because OU never had more than a 7 point lead. Army had 339 yards on 78 (!!!) attempts, I just don't see them pulling that off unless M's D is much worse than we think. OU had a lot of success on offense (8.9 YPP including OT) but dorfed a few possessions. Their possessions went TD, TD, TD, Punt, Interception, Downs, Downs, Touchdown.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/matchup?gameId=401013066
August 16th, 2019 at 10:00 AM ^
Go Army, beat Navy..... just don't beat us.
August 17th, 2019 at 8:58 PM ^
One thing that crossed my mind today: army has literally zero tape of our offense. Sure. They can look at bama last year or Penn State before that, but how much of Gattis' fingerprint was on those offenses?
Meanwhile we know EXACTLY what Army will do on defense and Don brown has had 8 months to prepare
August 16th, 2019 at 5:48 AM ^
Army has a whole lot more reasons to be concerned about playing the GD Michigan Wolverines than we do about playing them.
August 16th, 2019 at 6:38 AM ^
How do you think Army feels about coming to the Big House to play us?
August 16th, 2019 at 8:22 AM ^
Army will not beat Michigan nor will they particularly put a scare into them. Don Brown will be prepared for their offense as he was when we handled Air Force two years ago 29-13, their defense will be unable to stop our O enough to be noteworthy, and Michigan will score early and often to put them behind the 8 ball and unable to grind down the field on 15 minute drives.
Know how I know? Let's take a gander at the Big 12's Team Defense rankings last year...
I'll link the image to the page but if that's too small to read that would be Oklahoma DEAD LAST in the Big 12. The "we-technically-play-defense" Big 12. Giving up almost 200 more yards per game than our defense did last year. Relax.
August 16th, 2019 at 11:22 AM ^
I’m not as worried about the outcome as I had been previously; I didn’t realize how much of a disconnect there was between Army’s record and their advanced stats. They look like kind of a paper tiger.
What worries me though are injuries. Hopefully we jump out to an early lead and can burn the clock to minimize the opportunities for our guys’ knees to be cut blocked into Bolivia...
August 16th, 2019 at 11:37 AM ^
Why?
If Michigan cannot beat Army, how the hell do they deserve to be in the CFP?
Moreover, when Army was scheduled, they weren't that great of a team -- it was meant to club baby seals for M and payday for Army.
August 16th, 2019 at 3:36 AM ^
Glad I'm not the only one up at 3:30 in the morning thinking about Michigan Football. Tick tock...
August 16th, 2019 at 3:45 AM ^
i have always been here
August 16th, 2019 at 7:22 AM ^
Thanks. I could not edit after posting. The other link did work at one time.
August 16th, 2019 at 7:52 AM ^
Thanks, Umbig. Like Craptain Crunch's post on insider info on UM defense, you offered lotsa details. That's great.
August 16th, 2019 at 10:51 PM ^
Ohhh, more fretting over Army.