Staff Predictions: Michigan football vs. Rutgers
It seems strange to say “now it’s for real” when the opponent is Rutgers, but that’s where we are after a non-conference slate in which Michigan wasn’t challenged. The Wolverines are still a hefty 24-point favorite over Greg Schiano’s team, which seems awfully high … until you remember, it may not be UNLV, but it’s still just Rutgers.
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To their credit, the Scarlet Knights have played Michigan extremely tough for three of the last four halves of football, and they’ve got a lot of experienced players back. Unfortunately for them, a lot of them are the reason they’ve gotten their teeth kicked in the last few years. They’ve won three Big Ten games in the last two years, and two were against Indiana … so it’s more like 1.5 wins (grading on a curve).
We haven’t confirmed, but we’ve heard rumors that USC and UCLA only agreed to join the Big Ten if they could be guaranteed the Scarlet Knights on the conference schedule each year for the next 10 seasons, including twice in odd numbered years. We’ll know if that’s true when the revised schedules are released.
But yes, we are a bit wary of Schiano’s bunch, which is solid defensively and anxious to take a step up from “flat lousy” to “pretty bad” this year. They expected more from the coach since his return, especially after the moral victory in a double-overtime home loss to Michigan in an irrelevant COVID season in 2020. It hasn’t materialized, but this squad seems to have some grit. It will take their best to compete with the Wolverines Saturday in Ann Arbor.
Last week’s ‘W’ goes to the author — that’s now three different winners in three weeks. To this week’s victor goes … well, the spoils, whatever those are. The picks:
CHRIS BALAS: First off, a thanks to those of you who contributed to Austin Fox’s gofundme for bail money last week (both of you, Mr. AND Mrs. Fox). Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, and we’ll be refunding you each your $1.25. As for this game — expect a fired up Michigan team this week and a convincing win. MICHIGAN 30, RUTGERS 13
JOHN BORTON: So run, you cur! Run! Tell all the other curs the law’s comin’! You tell ’em Jim Harbaugh’s coming! And Mel’s not coming with him, you hear! MEL’S NOT COMING WITH HIM!!!
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But the Wolverines are, and their leader has some pent-up anger to unleash. A band of Scarlet Knights just happens to be the first in the way. MICHIGAN 34, RUTGERS 13
CLAYTON SAYFIE: Rutgers is a hard-nosed team with a tilted nose tackle and desire to stop the run. The Scarlet Knights have been able to run the ball themselves on lesser opponents, and running back Kyle Monangai has been great. Michigan must start fast and play clean, and I’ll bet it does and that this game ends with the Wolverines kneeling out the clock (will Schiano send his guys at the U-M offensive line’s legs?). MICHIGAN 35, RUTGERS 10
ANTHONY BROOME: The game we’ve all been waiting for is here. A showdown with Rutgers feels like Ohio State week compared to what we just watched to start the season. The head honcho is back on the sideline a week after the offense was humbled a bit in the non-conference finale. I expect a re-tooled offensive line and Harbaugh’s return to give Michigan its most complete performance yet. MICHIGAN 41, RUTGERS 14
DOUG SKENE: Greg Schiano is a good football coach and will have his team ready to play. Rutgers comes in with the 19th ranked defense in the country vs. the 61st ranked Michigan offense. No, that’s not a typo.
Good news is that Michigan has the No. 2 overall defense and Rutgers the 94th ranked total offense. This game should be tight early, but Michigan will put some distance on Rutgers in the second half and win by two scores. MICHIGAN 28, RUTGERS 14
