Keys to the Game: Michigan football at Rutgers

Michigan improved to 8-0 with a 29-7 beatdown of Michigan State (on the field — legally), using its running game to dominate the Spartans in Ann Arbor. In doing so, the Wolverines remained on a collision course with Ohio State Nov. 26, with both teams likely to be undefeated heading into the matchup.

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Illinois might have something to say about that. The Illini, No. 16 in the initial college football playoff poll released Tuesday, are playing great football under head coach Bret Bielema, and they’ve also got a great defense.

Rutgers, however, probably will not. Greg Schiano’s team has taken a step back this year, battling MSU and Indiana for the Big Ten East Division basement. The Scarlet Knights are 12th in the conference in offense, averaging 20.1 points per game, and 8th defensively (22.5). They’re dead last in passing offense and have turned to sophomore quarterback Gavin Wimsatt to help change that.

A highly recruited prep, Wimsatt is a dual threat who started last week in a 31-0 loss to Minnesota and completed only 6 of 17 passes for 68 yards and a pick.

“It’s always been a challenging team to play,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said of Rutgers. “They’re a very physical team. Defense, offense, special teams — very well coached. The same thing you say about a Greg Schiano team every time you go to play them.”

Michigan, though, enters as a 26.5-point favorite for a reason, much better on both sides of the ball.

Here are the keys to a Michigan victory over Rutgers Saturday night in Piscataway:

Michigan Key No. 1: Focus on the task at hand and turn the page from last week

Everyone now knows what happened in the aftermath of last week’s win over the Spartans. The tunnel exploits made national news, leading to eight Michigan State players being suspended after attacking cornerbacks Gemon Green and Ja’Den McBurrows.

Harbaugh expressed concern that his players would be able to turn the page and concentrate on the next task at hand.

“It’s been a challenge,” Harbaugh admitted. “It’s been traumatic. But we’re in it right now. We’ll face the challenge head on and support our players in every way possible.”

Midway through the week, however, he had an “epiphany,” per his players. He said it was time to turn the page and focus on football, and his injured players were all for it.

Still, it hasn’t been a typical week. And while Rutgers isn’t good, the Scarlet Knights can be solid defensively. Which brings us to …

Key No. 2: Don’t force the action against a disciplined Rutgers defense

Schiano’s teams are usually well-disciplined, and this one isn’t different. No, they’re not the 1985 Chicago Bears — really, they’re not even the 2022 Penn State Nittany Lions, which gave up 418 yards on the ground to Michigan in a 41-17 loss in Ann Arbor.

But they are good at limiting big plays, 16th in the country in allowing plays over 10 yards (84). They’re ranked 19th nationally in run defense, allowing only 108.13 yards per game, and 21st in pass defense (187.1). Those numbers are even more impressive for a team that’s 1-4 in conference when you consider the offense is 121st passing and 66th rushing, and 113th overall in scoring offense. The defense is on the field a long time, but it’s holding its own.

Several have said this is a game they’d like to see sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy air it out, get some confidence in the passing game. Rutgers, though, is one of 12 teams to have not relinquished a 50-plus yard passing play this year, and they’ve allowed only 2 over 40 (tied for 5th). They’re going to make McCarthy beat them with the underneath stuff and load up on the run.

Michigan probably won’t deviate from its “slow bleed” formula, and it shouldn’t.

Key No. 3: Watch for wrinkles in the run game and take it away

Wimsatt can run, and the Scarlet Knights might turn to him to try to move the ball on the Wolverines. Rutgers is without running back Samuel Brown V, out for the season, and has no other backs that scare anybody.

In other words, while Wimsatt hasn’t been used as a runner, he was the nation’s top prep dual-threat quarterback for a reason. He can run, and what better time to mix it up than against a team that might not be expecting it?

We’re not suggesting the Knights are going to run option with him all game or anything, but we could see a game plan in which he’s a featured runner — especially since he’s struggled as a passer early in his career. He’s completed 16 of 40 this year (40 percent).

Make him throw, and the Wolverines should be in good shape defensively.

The Breakdown: Michigan at Rutgers

The first game after an emotional win is always a test, and this one might be even more so. Harbaugh has a veteran team that’s 8-0, however, and he and his players understand what’s at stake. The Wolverines are playing for a second consecutive title and a playoff berth, and everything is on schedule.

Schiano is a good football coach, and his team showed last year it isn’t intimidated in games like these. The Scarlet Knights were better for most of the second half after falling behind by 17 points and nearly pulled off an upset. Turnovers cost them in a 20-13 loss in Ann Arbor.

Michigan doesn’t need to bring its ‘A’ game to win this one, but the Wolverines can’t just go through the motions. It will be interesting to see how they come out. Either way, this should be a comfortable Michigan win, whether the Wolverines take control from the get-go or not.