ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Michigan football team will try to get back into the win column Saturday, as the Wolverines return to Michigan Stadium and host Washington in a pivotal matchup for both teams' season-long goals.
Ahead of the game, we break down how both teams line up statistically in more than 50 categories, and what those rankings (out of 136 FBS teams) mean for Saturday's matchup.
The basics
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Though neither team is ranked, most computer metrics view this as essentially a top-25 matchup. Washington's only blemish on the season has been a 24-6 home loss to Ohio State, though the Huskies' other games this season — home against Colorado State, UC Davis and Rutgers; road games at Washington State and Maryland — suggest that this team is still relatively untested, especially in traveling on the road.
Still, the Huskies have played largely efficient football, with a balanced offense and a defense that has yet to turn in a dud performance.
Michigan offense vs. Washington defense
(Photo: Zach Shaw, 247Sports)
Either due to margin, matchup or stylistic preference, teams have been decidedly pass-first against Washington's defense. Last week, Rutgers threw for 386 passing yards on 50 attempts against the Huskies, and ran 27 times for just 107 yards.
The caveat to these stats, of course, is that Washington has yet to face a top-60 rushing offense, and Rutgers, Washington State and Maryland are all outside the top 110 nationally in yards per carry per game. Ohio State, No. 62 in rushing yards per game and No. 46 in yards per carry, compiled 149 rushing yards on 4.4 yards per carry.
The Huskies' perimeter coverage, ledby Ephesians Prysock and Alex McLaughlin is strong, but Washington has been susceptible at linebacker in coverage. Additionally, the Huskies have just 12.0 sacks and 25 tackles for loss on the season, as they have struggled to generate consistent havoc on defense.
Washington offense vs. Michigan defense
(Photo: Zach Shaw, 247Sports)
Washington sophomore and first-year starting quarterback Demon Williams Jr. has been one of the nation's less-discussed breakout stars this season. The former four-star prospect has completed 74.1 percent of his passes, averaged 10.3 yards per attempt, is on pace for more than 3,200 passing yards and has 10 touchdowns to one interception. To boot, he also has 473 rushing yards on 64 non-sack carries (7.4 per carry) with four more touchdowns.
He is aided in the run game by Jonah Coleman, who surpassed 1,000 rushing yards last season and is on pace to do so again this fall (518 yards, 5.4 yards per carry, 11 touchdowns). He is only averaging 57.0 rushing yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry with two touchdowns in three Big Ten games so far, but he also has 243 receiving yards and 20 receptions on just 22 targets so far. Also helping in the receiving game is Denzel Boston (30 catches, 444 yards, 6 touchdowns), Dezmen Roebuck (18 catches, 331 yards, 2 touchdowns) and tight end Decker DeGraaf (15 catches, 151 yards).
Pass protection has been a bit of a trouble spot for Washington this season, as the Huskies have allowed 16 sacks, and pressure on 87 of their 216 drop backs so far (40.3 percent).
Special teams and more
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Outside of Boston's touchdown in punt returns, neither team has impressed much on special teams. Washington kicker. Washington kicker Grady Gross is a third-year starter who has already faced Michigan twice. He's a 1-for-3 kicker on attempts of 50 yards or more, but is a healthy 41-for-52 on all other attempts. Punting is a re flag for both teams, and could be an underrated matchup to watch Saturday.
Pro Football Focus grades
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Michigan will once again face a passing attack that PFF thinks is among the best in the country. Outside of pass-protection, the Huskies are regarded as one of the nation's top offenses.
Defensively, PFF is not as sold, with a low run-defense grade being the most notable. Given how Michigan likes to run the ball, having an advantage in that phase could literally pave the past to the Wolverines' victory, even if coverage and pass-rushing grades suggest there's opportunities to exploit there as well.