Much like the past two games, Michigan should be able to run at will and shut down their offense. I definitely want to see some 10+ yard throws if the weather is decent and the OLine can hold up.
this is my biggest worry with this game as well. They need to get Brandon Peters ready to play Wisconsin and Ohio State. They haven't been able to really do that. Probably won't do it in this game either. The offensive play-calling has been so awful and the pass blocking has been so bad when they do dial up pass plays down the field.
The offense is just a complete mess. Has been all year. Chris Evans had a really nice showing, but he's still not a real RB to me. He's a guy that should be given the ball in many different ways and should bounce back between RB and slot receiver. Just get him the ball in space and let him do what he does best and that's make people miss. Karran Higdon is by far the best pure between the tackles runner out of the RB trio- but he's also by far the worst pass protector. He's missed more pass pro assignments and half-assed and whiffed so many blocks it has to make Harbaugh's head spin. Can Michigan get a Mike Hart or Zeke Elliot level blocking RB? Just once. Forget running the ball, two of the best pass blocking college backs I've ever seen right there.
For the life of me I can't understand why a WR can't emerge out of DPJ, McDoom, or Crawford. Those are probably 3 of the 5 fastest/most athletic guys on their entire team. And all 3 of them are still athlete and not refined receiver. That kind of hints to me like maybe there is a coaching problem at the position. You get one of them to emerge this offense goes to another level. Every offense needs a deep threat with speed to burn that can take a top off a defense and terrify a defense- but that is something that a boring ass stoneage 1980's offense like this needs more than just about anything. Can't get the running room for the backs when the defense loads up the box. The most frustrating thing about seeing the passing game not being able to connect down the field is that guys like DPJ, McDoom, and Crawford have the physical talent. All three of them can run. You can put their top end speed up their with any receiver in the conference. None of them are developing.
As far as the OL goes, it's a work in progress. I did notice the 6-4, 316 pound true frosh Cesar Ruiz playing really well at RG in replace of the injured Mike Onwenu. He was absolutely devastating as a run blocker. Also made the mental error of not picking up a looping DT in pass protection and leaving the guy unblocked and Peters took a kill shot. Ruiz got pulled for a series after that but went back in. I'd love to see Ruiz playing next to Onwenu. That could be a devastating run blocking combination some day. Tackle is going to be a huge ? in 2018, but Bredeson at LG, Ruiz at C, and Onwenu at RG could be as devastating a run blocking trio in the middle as Michigan has seen in a long time.
