I tend to think this game will come down to the QB's. And I don't think either team should have much faith in either starting QB.
Georgia defense above all else is designed to suffocate and shut down the run. Georgia run defense is ranked 2nd in the P5, and Michigan is a run-first team, and their rushing offense is ranked 2nd in the P5. This is strength vs strength, no question about that. Cade or JJ will have to make some plays in the passing game. I'm far more confident in JJ's ability to make accurate big-time throws down the field than I am Cade, but Cade is the starter and will get majority of the snaps.
Michigan defense is a more NFL style, bend-don't-break, designed not to give up the big passing plays down the field, tighten up in the red-zone, and to be able to get pressure sending only 4 rushers. They don't blitz often and they have the highest pressure rate in the P5 when rushing 4. Their starting DE's have a combined 25 sacks, highest in the P5 by a good margin- and the only book-end duo in the P5 with each guy having double digit sacks.
Michigan run defense is ranked 10th in the P5, Georgia rushing offense is ranked 18th in the P5. If there is a weakness on the Michigan defense, it's probably LB. The CB position and DT position were huge question marks heading into the season, but both have rounded into form and exceeded expectations. DT Mazi Smith was a top 100 recruit, and DT Chris Hinton was a 5*- and both took massive leaps this season. CB Vincent Gray has had a massive redemption arch- and has transformed into a real player. DJ Turner has been a revelation since sneaking into the starting line-up due to the starter Gemon Green injuring his shoulder. Turner has been their best CB and has seized that job from Green and Green ain't ever getting it back. The Nickel CB is former 5* Dax Hill- who is probably the best athlete on the team and one of the top few pure athletes in the country.
ILB is a bit of a concern. Veteran MLB Josh Ross is an excellent run stuffer and pretty solid as a blitzer when they actually send him on a blitz, but he's a major liability in pass coverage. Michigan's other ILB's are a pair of freshman, Nikhai Hill-Green and Junior Colson. Both much more fluid/athletic better closing speed than Ross, but they both can get over-aggressive with their speed and caught on misdirection and both have frequently been caught blowing zone coverages. Georgia TE vs these guys scares me. If I'm Mike McDonald I might say hey Daxton Hill- you've got the TE Bowers 24/7.
Have a feeling that special teams are going to play a big role in this one. Michigan has awesome special teams units this year. Excellent punter & kicker. Great coverage teams. Great return game. And they are also excellent at blocking punts- they are tied at 2nd in the nation in most blocked punts.
Can't wait for this game. It's going to be an epic battle. Have a feeling it's going to come down to the wire and a big play by one of the QB's or special teams unit is going to be the turning point in who wins.
