ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Saturday afternoon, the Michigan football team shows what it looks like with its season on the brink, as the Wolverines aim to bounce back after last week's loss in a home tilt against Washington. The Huskies (2-1 Big Ten, 5-1 overall) come to Ann Arbor with a 5-1 record, and a prolific offense capable of sending Michigan (2-1, 4-2) into a spiral with a third loss.
So what will it take for the Wolverines to recover from last week's loss at USC, and leave Michigan Stadium with a badly needed win? We outline the keys for Michigan below, and offer our score prediction for the game.
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Be the aggressor — early
On both sides of the ball, Michigan needs to deliver the opening punches Saturday, something the Wolverines have struggled with. In four power-conference games so far, Michigan has surrendered at least 70 yards in all four games' opening drives, including three touchdowns and three drives that ate up at least five minutes of game clock. On the other end, Michigan has had three 3-and-out drives to open the game, and one five-play touchdown drive against Wisconsin.
Technically, the Wolverines can win even if they fall into an early deficit. But given fan uneasiness about Michigan, the Wolverines' youth and the pressure on the maize and blue to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, it's paramount that Michigan at least comes out the aggressor early on Saturday, even if it doesn't result in an early lead.
This is literally important because, naturally, teams that score first tend to win more often. Washington is also dealing with this challenge, as it has been outscored, 20-0 in the first quarters of Big Ten games and trailed by two scores in all three first halves.
But this is also a figurative call to action for the Wolverines. Is Michigan able to catch Washington adjusting to the 9 a.m. Pacific Time start and throw the crowd into a frenzy? Or is a talented, upset-minded Huskies team able to score some early momentum and fill the Wolverines with doubt.
"Yeah, just got to continue to execute those little things in those moments," Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said this week of the slow starts.
Put simply, Michigan's most-important matchup Saturday is whether it generates energy and physicality to start the game, or not.
Recapture the pass-rushing prowess