Why Michigan 'is a team that can really' beat Georgia, how it can actually accomplish that feat

Recently the Michigan Wolverines made headlines after they named one of their practice periods the ‘Beat Georgia’ period. And On3’s very own J.D. PicKell took some time to address the name of the period, the meaning behind the message, and why the Wolverines can handle what it all boils down to.

But PicKell also explained why Michigan is a team that can turn that message into a reality.

“This isn’t just like a nice slogan. It’s not something you just put on a T-shirt, something you just put on a practice schedule and say, hey, ‘Beat Georgia’ period; we got that period at seven. Make sure you’re locked in,” said PicKell. “This is a team that can really do it. And when I say they can really do it, this is not a prediction.”

“I’m not saying that Michigan should be favored against Georgia… but when I look at what Michigan has on this roster and how they’re made up physically; that’s the real advantage for Georgia. It’s the trenches. That’s how they’ve just drug people the last couple of years. That’s how they drug TCU in the national title game. I think the physicality at Michigan actually matches up OK for Georgia. And when I say they match up, I don’t mean they’re superior. I mean, they’re good enough to hold their own, should they find themselves in the game against Georgia.”

When going back and reviewing some of the games in which Georgia appeared vulnerable, it was against teams that could keep their defensive line under control or at least limit the amount of time they got into the backfield.

In Georgia’s near upset against Missouri in their fifth game of the season, the Tigers held the Bulldogs to just two sacks in the game while recording two of their own.

And against the Wolverines’ arch-rival Ohio State, the Buckeyes highlighted another weakness in Georgia’s armor in their secondary. Something PicKell believes Michigan needs to highlight should the two teams face in the College Football Playoff this season.

“Now, the real caveat to this is, is JJ McCarthy and this Michigan offense able to take that next step forward to where they’re able to keep defenses off balance to keep them guessing? Because if you only have one approach, which is run the football; we’re going to run power, run game, that’s what we’re doing. If that’s the only move you have, well, then Georgia, with as physical as they are, they’re going to be able to at least account for that without having to commit extra resources on the back end.

“I don’t mean to get too much into the X’s and O’s here, but what I’m trying to say is for Michigan to beat Georgia, it will require being able to take that next step in balance in that game. I’m not saying you’ll see it for all 12 games. I’m saying if that game comes, they will need to be able to throw the football downfield consistently.

Michigan is putting a premium on beating Georgia this season. It’s not too far-fetched that they are focusing on the Bulldogs, considering they are the back-to-back defending national champions. The Wolverines have vanquished recent demons after taking out Ohio State in back-to-back seasons after concentrating on the goal of winning the Big Ten title.

Now they have set their eyes on a much larger target, and PicKell believes they can get it done.