5 Keys to Victory – One Day Away…
In just over 24 hours the Michigan Wolverines run out of that tunnel ready to knock someone else around for the first time in 2009. What will happen? Who will score first? So many questions that we as Michigan fans have will be answered before you know it. Rich Rodriguez announced on Thursday that Tate Forcier will take the first snaps and be his starter. Here are 5 things that I think must happen for Michigan to start the season out in the win column.
- A consistent running attack.
Michigan was in way to many 2nd and 3rd and long situations last year that simply crippled an inept offense. For this years team to be be successful and get a W saturday against Western – 1st and 2nd down plays MUST result in mid to short yard 3rd down plays. Michigan has a stable of backs that should enable the man on the field to have fresh legs. Despite Brandon Minor’s apparent nagging ankle injury that may keep him on the sideline – I think Michigan’s offensive line and backfield get the job done on opening day. Carlos Brown will be out on the field with Tate for that first series.
- Competent QB Play.
Again, something Michigan didn’t have last season. The 2009 Spring Game and what we’ve seen/heard from practice leads us to believe that Forcier has what it takes to get the job done. I think in just a few plays that Tate made during the Spring Game – it’s obvious that he’s got more talent than a Threet / Sheridan combo.
- Offensive Playmaking.
Michigan can take advantage of an inexperienced Western Michigan defense by making some big plays, breaking some tackles, and out-executing Western. No offense is going to consistently score if its playmakers don’t come through and do exactly that – make plays! I’m looking for Kelvin Grady, Martavious Odoms, Vincent Smith, Roy Roundtree, Terrance Robinson, Je’Ron Stokes, Greg Matthews, etc!!! – to step up and break a few big plays on the outside. I can’t remember a year when Michigan had so many options outside on the corners.
- Minimize Big Plays on Defense.
For years Michigan defenses have struggled with allowing big plays and poor tackling. I look for Greg Robinson to put an improved defense out there, but nothing that special. The problem is depth – which has been well documented over the past few weeks. The defense is a bit smaller than what Michigan fans are typically used to seeing, but they should be a bit faster. The defensive line will need to apply some pressure on Western Michigan QB Tim Hiller – if they don’t Michigan will have to blitz a bit more than they would like – leaving our DB’s in man coverage.
- TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS
Turnovers absolutely KILLED Michigan last year – leaving games like the Notre Dame game blowouts when in reality they were much closer than what the scoreboard indicated. Michigan had the worst turnover ratio in the Big 10 at -10. Countless opportunities blown because Michigan would turn the ball over. This is crucial for Michigan’s success this season. Taking care of the skin o’ de pig will work wonders for this inexperienced Wolverines team.
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