The Michigan Wolverines and USC Trojans are set to resume what has been a spectacular (however abridged) rivalry on Saturday on the Huge Home in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The Trojans have rolled to a 2-0 report on the season with a giant win over LSU of their coffers. For its half, Michigan was decimated in its largest recreation of the season towards Texas and adopted it up with an underwhelming 28-18 win over Arkansas State final weekend.
Michigan has higher expertise than it has
proven and matches up properly with the Trojans at most positions besides
for an important of all — quarterback.
Listed here are 5 last-minute predictions for Saturday’s large recreation, which can mark the debut of Michigan’s Alex Orji as beginning quarterback, with Miller Moss taking snaps for the Trojans:
5. Michigan will keep near USC
The Wolverines fell behind Texas 24-3 at halftime, dooming any hopes of a comeback after intermission with untested beginning QB Davis Warren on the helm of OC Kirk Campbell’s offense.
The Wolverines determine to play issues nearer to the vest with Orji at quarterback, pinching the offensive line inward and utilizing extra tight ends to create a writhing mass of humanity on the line of scrimmage.
Count on plenty of runs and bootleg motion with Orji behind middle and a ball-control offense that can preserve the sport tight earlier than halftime whereas Moss and his gifted steady of talent gamers are saved off the sphere.
4. USC’s offensive line will battle at occasions
Coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns had the proper recreation plan for the Wolverines after Michigan held Fresno State to only 10 factors in Week 1.
Texas didn’t throw at Week 1 hero Will Johnson, as a substitute torching new 2024-2025 beginning cornerback Jyaire Hill and different inexperienced Michigan DBs for giant chunks of yardage.
Michigan’s stout line of defense was nullified with fast passes that took benefit of Hill’s inexperience.
Count on changes from Michigan DC Wink Martindale which can enable the Wolverines line of defense to stymie the Trojans offensive line, which was tossed round at occasions by LSU’s entrance in Week 1.
3. Michigan’s operating recreation will enhance
Final Saturday, Michigan racked up 301 dashing yards towards Arkansas State utilizing Kalel Mullings because the hammer (ala Blake Corum from final yr) and Donovan Edwards because the “lightning” complement participant.
This association fits each gamers properly and Orji ought to make it powerful for USC to key in on both operating again together with his power and dashing skill.
Count on Michigan to return to smash-mouth soccer this week, with rising middle Greg Crippen a focus within the offensive assault.
2. USC’s passing offense will hit on quite a few large performs
Michigan has a doubtlessly good-to-very good protection however Martindale, for all his intelligence and creativity, looks as if a fish out of water to this point on the main faculty stage to this point.
The Wolverines badly miss the regular play of security Rod Moore, who quietly developed into among the finest ball-hawking defensive backs in faculty soccer final season.
Backfield mate Makari Paige picked up the slack final week however Michigan’s secondary nonetheless has a number of inconsistent gamers who may develop into fodder for USC’s receivers if Moss is given sufficient time within the pocket to throw the soccer down the sphere on Saturday.
1. USC will win an in depth recreation
It is tempting to take USC and the factors (-4.5 on DraftKings) on this recreation however Michigan is aware of how vital this contest is for a profitable season and can play centered and hard.
Michigan’s dashing offense and the presence of Orji will preserve this recreation shut.
In the long run, although, essential turnovers and/or missed alternatives by Orji, coupled with an excessive amount of steadiness and powerful QB play on offense from the Trojans, will rule the day.
USC wins, 24-20, in an in depth one in Ann Arbor.