NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
So this is what it must feel like to be an Alabama fan, you have zero worries the team won’t show up and take care of business. I for one love it and the Michigan Wolverines put Rutgers to bed by the half on the way to a 42-7 victory. This week they face-off against Indiana and THEN the GAME versus that team we will not name. Make it 9 wins in a row, and a spot at number 4 in this weeks college football rankings. Shea Patterson is the best quarterback we have had since? I almost wish we could skip this weeks game and go right to the main course but we could use one last tune-up. The Wolverines hold the cards it looks easy but of course, it never is.
Offense:
What more can we say about Shea Patterson? The kid has been everything this team needed and hoped for so far and has the temperament you need to win. He tossed 3 more touchdowns and is a finalist for the Davey O’Brien award given to the nations top QB. He has now thrown a touchdown to 7 different players and this was his fifth game with at least 3. But he was not alone in the W, Karan Higdon had two scores and saw his 100-yard game streak end. The wideout position continues to produce as Tarik Black works his way back into the groove. Two games into the season myself and most fans had nightmares about this offensive line and they have gelled at the perfect time and will only get better. You can see during the games the leap, this side of the ball has taken and it still can be more explosive. Don’t get me wrong the two tight end sets, and zone reads work now better than the start of this season. That opens up the play action pass and everything else in the bag. I will have more about that in my Ohio State preview article, for now, enjoy the offensive show.
Defense:
Numbers, numbers, numbers, numbers, numbers.
*Rutgers 59 yards TOTAL passing
This is the best defense I have seen since the days of Charles Woodson and company and that team went on to the Rose Bowl and co-national champions. Besides the 80 yard run that gave Rutgers a minute or two of hope, the D was relentless as has been the theme during this revenge tour. The big difference from 2017 to today is the speed and hustle no one takes a down off. This game was over before it began and that is the mindset you need when you face the elite teams that are coming down the pipe.
Overall an easy victory and not too much to write home about and the same should happen vs Indiana but you can’t just roll your helmet on the field and win. Fingers crossed for no injuries and that another successful stop on the revenge tour takes place. I will have an in-depth preview ahead of the Ohio State game. As always Michigan fans follow @NutsAndBoltsSports for all your sports needs and me @JoeCardoso for Wolverine talk. Go Blue!
