The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/201975
Five Reasons Michigan Could Win The Legends Division 1. U-M controls its own destiny: Go 5-0 and the Wolverines are in Indianapolis Dec. 7. Michigan would hold tiebreakers over Michigan State and Nebraska, and because there would not be a three-way tie of one-loss teams — MSU and NU still play, giving one a second loss — U-M would hold the head-to-head advantage over their foe. 2. Jake Ryan will boost the defense: In two games since returning from the ACL injury he suffered in the spring, redshirt junior linebacker Jake Ryan has contributed little, only five tackles. However, he will only get stronger and more capable with Redshirt junior quarterback Devin Gardner time and practice, and he's poised to improved his completion percentage from 57.4 elicit the swagger from the defense percent in four September games to 66.2 perthat the unit has been missing all cent in three October contests. Photo by Lon Horwedel season long. 3. The passing attack has weapons: Even against the best defenses Michigan will face, the threat of two No. 1 receivers — senior Jeremy Gallon and sophomore Devin Funchess — makes it unlikely any team can completely slow the Wolverines' offense down. Opponents will have to outscore U-M to win, giving Michigan a chance every week. 4. No Legends rival is perfect: Michigan State scored seven offensive points against basement-dweller Purdue and is inconsistent on that side of the ball. Northwestern is a mess after losing four games in a row and two of its best players, and Nebraska features a very average defense that was run over by a middling Minnesota team. The top teams all have flaws, and can be knocked off. 5. Devin Gardner is playing better: After throwing eight interceptions in four non-conference games, Gardner has just two in three league contests. His overall decision-making and accuracy have improved tremendously — his completion percentage is up from 57.4 in September to 66.2 in three Big Ten contests, and his pass efficiency rating has also risen dramatically, from 131.07 to 198.58.