Michigan DT Mazi Smith on TCU: 'We have to make them one-dimensional if we're gonna win'

When it comes to the TCU offense, senior quarterback Max Duggan gets much of the attention, and rightfully so. He finished second in Heisman Trophy voting, has thrown 30 touchdown passes and is considered the “heart and soul” of the Horned Frogs’ team.

However, Michigan senior defensive tackle Mazi Smith feels an the Horned Frogs are much more balanced than some are giving them credit for. The numbers bear that out, too. They rank 25th nationally in rushing yards per game (200), the same spot they check in at for passing yards per contest.

Junior running back Kendre Miller is a strong runner between the tackles and has racked up 1,342 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. Up front, TCU is led by senior left guard Steve Avila, a consensus All-American, and a physical interior offensive line.

“A lot of people don’t see them as a balanced offense, and I don’t know why,” the Michigan defensive tackle said. “Why aren’t people doing their proper due diligence? Because sometimes they run the ball more than they throw it.”

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Eighteen of Duggan’s 30 touchdown passes have come on throws of 20-plus air yards, the most in the country. He’s averaging 18.3 yards per attempt on those throws, which slots second in the nation. But Smith, Michigan’s nose guard, is placing more of his attention on stopping the run.

“Just because they throw these deep passes a lot doesn’t mean they’re an unbalanced team,” Smith continued. “We’re going to have to make them one-dimensional if we’re gonna win the game.”

Michigan has done that extremely well all season long. Only four opponents have amassed 100-plus rushing yards on the Wolverines, with no team going over 148 yards on the ground. They rank fifth nationally by allowing only 2.9 yards per carry overall, and ninth on early downs, with 4 yards per carry given up.

Opposing offenses have been forced into third-and-long situations, when Michigan’s pass rush unit has thrived. The Maize and Blue average 1.5 third-down sacks per game, the fourth-most in the nation, and have a 46.1-percent pressure rate on third down.

Smith knows TCU’s defensive front presents a challenge. He comes into every game with that mentality, then trusts his skills.

“Going into every game expecting for them to be able to get you,” Smith said of his mindset. “Preparing for the worst, but as long as I’m putting my hands on ‘em and they’re going back, we’ll be alright.”

Smith is excited about the matchup with Avila and the rest of the TCU offensive line, which has given up 26 sacks and 69 tackles for loss this season.

“He’s a great player — physical guy, good athlete,” Smith said of Avila. “He’s an aggressive setter, he knows how to stay square and not open the gates. I don’t think he’s susceptible to a lot of moves, so we’ll see what happens on Saturday.”

DJ Turner, Michigan know deep shots are coming

Michigan senior cornerback DJ Turner, meanwhile, knows those aforementioned deep passes are, in part, his job to stop.

“Just trusting our technique, trying to recognize formations and stuff like that before the snap,” Turner said of the keys to slowing the Horned Frogs down. “Just line up. If something happens, next-play mentality. Being a DB, that’s what you’ve got to live by. If something happens, you’ve gotta line up, next play.”

Turner spoke on Michigan making the College Football Playoff last season but losing to Georgia, 34-11, and how that motivated the Wolverines. Especially for the seniors, like Turner and Smith, it’s a special opportunity to get another crack at a national title.

“It means a lot, because we said we were going to do it, and that’s exactly what we did,” Turner said of returning to the CFP. “We’re just locking in and taking this very seriously.

“We just know always staying together and knowing what we can do and know nothing is ever given to us. We can’t just go out there and roll out and think the game is going to be given to us, because it’ll be taken from us. We just know that, and we’re going into the game excited and ready to take care of business.”

Michigan is set to take on TCU in the Fiesta Bowl Saturday at 4 p.m. ET with a national title berth on the line.