IT Roundtable: Texas vs. Michigan predictions, keys to the game, players to watch

For the first time ever, the No. 3 Texas Longhorns are set to battle No. 10 Michigan Wolverines in the regular season. Only one previous time have these two storied programs matched up, and while the past meeting was important, the upcoming one has a lot riding on it as well.

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The IT staff with favorite memories from the 2005 Rose Bowl, keys to the game, score predictions, and more.

Favorite memory from the 2005 Rose Bowl?

Eric Nahlin – Watching Vince Young become VY, Matthew McConaughey saying “we just need to snuggle up to No. 1 (Braylon Edwards)” in his drawl, Dusty Mangum‘s kick, watching with friends and feeling like Texas was on the cusp of something special.

Justin Wells – Fourth quarter, down 10, 3rd and goal. Vince Young’s scoring run was the best highlight I’d seen in his career. Five different Wolverines laid hands on him. Didn’t matter. TD.

Ian Boyd – I don’t know about a specific play but the general “wow, they cannot tackle Vince” was truly thrilling. He made a number of amazing plays.

Joe Cook – Dusty Mangum‘s fluttering kick earned me about $100 in a game of squares. But the win was nice as well.

Charlie Williams – Pick any of Vince Young‘s runs.

Paul Wadlington – I was there. Incredible atmosphere and a terrific game. Watching VY pull it down from the pocket and run for a 60+ yard touchdown while breaking multiple tackles and just erasing Michigan LB and DB angles was stunning. It looked so effortless. I think we all started to realize then what 2005 might be.

James Hayden – I was 4 but probably the game winning kick.

How does Texas work around the defensive tackle threat of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant?

Eric Nahlin – Perimeter passing, RPO’s, a couple of max protect deep shots.

Justin Wells – With solid interior O-line play, and zone schemes.

Ian Boyd – Throw to the running backs in space so they don’t have to run through those guys to do their important work.

Joe Cook – I think this is going to be one of the most RPO-centric games of Steve Sarkisian‘s time at Texas. There was a good amount of success in the limited number of RPOs the Horns ran last week and even if the second-level defenders stay home, I trust the designs and Quinn Ewers himself to put the ball in the right spot.

Charlie Williams – Running trap and wham blocking schemes to their over-aggressiveness against them.

Paul Wadlington – Be smart early when they’re fresh. Make them pass rush and pursue horizontally and get some energy out of ’em. The interior OL has to stay on their blocks and fight, even if they’re losing. Simply covering them up gives the RB a chance. If those DTs want to penetrate hard, take them beyond where they intended and screen them off. Sometimes you can pop one through the breach.

James Hayden – Spread them out with the lateral passing game.

Michigan’s method to move the ball on Texas is…

Eric Nahlin – Widen the field and hunt gaps in Texas’ soundness up front. Sprinkle in iso looks to Colston Loveland. Use Alex Orji to convert short yardage.

Justin Wells – Throwing to the TE, namely Colston Loveland.

Ian Boyd – They’ll try to screen their power run game with different play action, gadgets, Wild Orji, etc. Ultimately they need to be able to run the ball traditionally or they won’t score enough to keep up with Texas.

Joe Cook – They’re going to try to get really creative in the run game and see if the Texas base defense (or possibly a different look) can handle managing 8-9 gaps on a given play.

Charlie Williams – I think Michigan will run the ball, but we’ll see them run a lot of play-action rollout, easy passes to the flats and flood concepts

Paul Wadlington – Run the ball, throw play action misdirection hitting guys on the move and target Colston Loveland 10+ times. They’ll save their best calls for short fields. Alex Orji may log a series of Wildcat just to see if we can handle it.

James Hayden – QB run.

Texas’ method to move the ball on Michigan is…

Eric Nahlin – Sark’s preferred method of passing to open up the run, run to open up deep play-action.

Justin Wells – On the outside. Texas has speed that U-M might not be able to match up with on Saturday.

Ian Boyd – I think Quinn Ewers will attempt 40 passes in this game. Quick game, RPOs, play-action, a lot will be on his shoulders.

Joe Cook – RPOs with max protect deep shots.

Charlie Williams – Up-tempo West Coast quick passing game. Put Texas’ athletes versus Michigan in space

Paul Wadlington – Spread ’em out as much as possible without sacrificing too many hits on Ewers, attack with RPOs and keep slugging for four quarters. Michigan will inflict negative plays. Don’t let them become game-changing plays. Our shots will present themselves.

James Hayden – Short passing game, and running outside

Offensive player of the game

Eric Nahlin – Quinn Ewers

Justin Wells – Quinn Ewers (280 yards, 2 TDs)

Ian Boyd – The deputy of Fansville, Quinn Ewers

Joe Cook – Quinn Ewers but I think we see some fun stuff from Isaiah Bond.

Charlie Williams – Gunnar Helm

Paul Wadlington – I’m hoping Quinn Ewers.

James Hayden – Matthew Golden

Defensive player of the game

Eric Nahlin – Alfred Collins

Justin Wells – David Gbenda.

Ian Boyd – Jahdae Barron, an interception by No. 7 would go a long ways in making this an easier game.

Joe Cook – This is a game where if Anthony Hill wants to be an All-American, he has to perform like one at the Big House.

Charlie Williams – Michael Taaffe

Paul Wadlington – Let’s go Alfred Collins. He needs to play really big.

James Hayden – Alfred Collins

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Final score prediction

Eric Nahlin – 27-10, Texas

Justin Wells – 23-16, Texas

Ian Boyd – 27-13, Texas

Joe Cook – 27-20, Texas

Charlie Williams – 27-13, Texas

Paul Wadlington – 26-16, Texas

James Hayden – 24-10, Texas