FACTS & STATS: Site: Michigan Stadium (106, 201) -- Ann Arbor, Michigan. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Miami-OH 0-1, Michigan 0-1. Away Record: Miami- OH 0-0, Michigan 0-0. Neutral Record: Miami-OH 0-0, Michigan 0-0. Conference Record: Miami-OH 0-0, Michigan 0-0. Series Record: Michigan leads, 4-0.
GAME NOTES: For the second straight season Michigan opened a new campaign with a tough loss, but the Wolverines will look to rebound this Saturday afternoon when they host the Miami-Ohio RedHawks at the Big House.
Last year the Wolverines suffered a shocking 34-32 loss to Appalachian State at home in the their opener. This year Michigan's season began with a tough 25-23 setback to Utah in Ann Arbor. Next up for Michigan will be the team's first road contest of the season, as the Wolverines will travel to South Bend to battle Notre Dame.
As for the RedHawks, they also opened the 2008 season with a loss, falling to Vanderbilt, 34-13. It was the third time in the last four seasons that Miami- Ohio opened a new year with a setback. Following Saturday's matchup with Michigan, the RedHawks will return home to battle Charleston Southern.
The Wolverines have dominated the all-time series against Miami-Ohio, winning all four meetings, including a 43-10 win back in 2004.
Not much went right for the RedHawks in their opener, as the team posted just 13 points, and could not overcome three costly turnovers. Quarterback Daniel Raudabaugh had an inauspicious start to the new campaign, as the signal-caller tossed three interceptions and completed just 19-of-41 pass attempts. Raudabaugh did threw one touchdown in the setback and finished with 244 yards, but the bad definitely outweighed the good. Eugene Harris was on the receiving end of the touchdown pass from Raudabaugh, and finished the game with four receptions for 52 yards. The ground game was also ineffective against Vandy, as Miami finished with just 96 yards on 25 carries (3.8 ypc). Thomas Merriweather was the main option out of the backfield this past Thursday, as the sophomore finished with 59 yards on 10 totes. Merriweather saw little action last year, but the speedy tailback should see plenty of work in 2008.
The major problem for the RedHawks over the past two seasons has been their inability to stop the run, and unfortunately for coach Shane Montgomery that issue was the downfall for Miami-OH against Vanderbilt. The Commodores pounded the RedHawks defensive front for 269 rushing yards, averaging 5.4 ypc. Three of the four touchdowns for Vandy came on the ground, and out of the 17 first downs collected by the Commodores, 12 came via the run. When it counted the most the defensive unit failed miserably, allowing Vandy to convert on 8-of-15 third down chances, and all six of its red zone opportunities. Joey Hudson was clearly the most active player for Miami-Ohio's defense, racking up 14 tackles, 2.5 TFLs and one fumble recovery.
The Rich Rodriguez era in Ann Arbor began with a whimper, as the Wolverines looked confused for most of the opener on offense. Michigan tallied just 11 first downs, four of which came from penalties. More importantly, the Wolverines finished with a mere 203 total yards, and also committed three turnovers. Coach Rodriguez gave both Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet time under center, but neither signal-caller impressed. Sheridan completed 11-of-19 passes, but finished with only 98 yards, a touchdown, and one interception. Threet was even worse, going just 8-of-19 for only 69 yards, but did throw a touchdown pass. While the passing attack was bad, the ground game for Michigan was laughable, as the team finished with only 36 yards on 25 carries. Brandon Minor collected 21 yards on four attempts, while Sam McGuffie scored the team's only rushing TD.
The defense for Michigan was not as inconsistent, but there are certainly some major concerns for coach Rodriguez. The main issue would have to be the play of the secondary, which was torched for 305 passing yards. Out of the 16 first downs surrendered by the Wolverines, 11 came via the pass. While Michigan found it extremely hard to defend the pass, the front seven did a good job against the run, limiting Utah to a meager 36 yards on 43 carries. The play from the front line limited the Utah offense, and even stalled drives for the Utes, who had to settle for four field goals in the contest. Middle linebacker Obi Ezeh flashed plenty of promise in the opener, as the sophomore posted 15 tackles to go along with 1.5 TFLs and an interception.
It is hard to imagine the Wolverines losing back-to-back games to start a season, but considering how poorly the offense played, it is definitely a possibility. Fortunately the defense should be able to limit Miami-Ohio, giving Michigan a strong chance for its first win of the season.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Michigan 24, Miami-Ohio 13
Game Date and Time
Saturday, September 6th, 12:00 p.m. (et)
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