Today should be Michigan's easiest matchup of the season. Michigan is a 36-point favorite vs. SMU, and S&P+ projects U-M to win by 42. It should be a laugher, and it should be Michigan's last chance to really work on stuff in a game environment that it otherwise wouldn't before facing stiffer competition. Therefore, I'm almost more interested in seeing that development than the final score.
There are two things that I want to see most. First, I want Jalen Mayfield and James Hudson to receive extended playing time at tackle. Mayfield and Hudson looked solid in garbage time last Saturday, and the coaches discussed this past week how they are earning more reps with the starters in practice. Today, they will face an SMU defense that is not very aggressive and does not send many rushers. This is the perfect opportunity for Mayfield and Hudson to continue to get their feet wet rather than get tossed off a 20-foot diving board. Given U-M's liabilities at OT, how quickly Mayfield and Hudson develop can go a long ways towards how the Wolverines will perform this season.
Second, I want to see if Carlo Kemp's performance vs. Western Michigan was a flash in the pan or if Michigan can rely upon him at defensive tackle. The plan to find a replacement for Maurice Hurst's presence on the inside has not been as smooth as the Wolverines hoped with U-M being struck by injuries at the position and Michael Dwumfour not yet living up to his offseason hype. With Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich at the ends, Kemp does not need to be a playmaker. He just needs to be solid in the middle, hold up against double teams, and stay in his lane to keep the QB contained. If Kemp can do that again, U-M will not need to be as concerned with the middle of its defense.
What do you think? What are you most hoping to see from Michigan today?
There are two things that I want to see most. First, I want Jalen Mayfield and James Hudson to receive extended playing time at tackle. Mayfield and Hudson looked solid in garbage time last Saturday, and the coaches discussed this past week how they are earning more reps with the starters in practice. Today, they will face an SMU defense that is not very aggressive and does not send many rushers. This is the perfect opportunity for Mayfield and Hudson to continue to get their feet wet rather than get tossed off a 20-foot diving board. Given U-M's liabilities at OT, how quickly Mayfield and Hudson develop can go a long ways towards how the Wolverines will perform this season.
Second, I want to see if Carlo Kemp's performance vs. Western Michigan was a flash in the pan or if Michigan can rely upon him at defensive tackle. The plan to find a replacement for Maurice Hurst's presence on the inside has not been as smooth as the Wolverines hoped with U-M being struck by injuries at the position and Michael Dwumfour not yet living up to his offseason hype. With Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich at the ends, Kemp does not need to be a playmaker. He just needs to be solid in the middle, hold up against double teams, and stay in his lane to keep the QB contained. If Kemp can do that again, U-M will not need to be as concerned with the middle of its defense.
What do you think? What are you most hoping to see from Michigan today?
