Key Matchups: Michigan vs. No. 1 Oregon

To pull off a major upset this weekend, Michigan needs to take advantage of three key matchups against the Oregon Ducks. Here are the ones we’ll be watching on Saturday. 

Things looked pretty bleak a few weeks ago when the Michigan Wolverines only managed one score on the road at Illinois. It’s a different story now that they’ve picked up a win over in-state rival Michigan State .

Davis Warren and the rest of the offense played a clean game and got some help from the defense in forcing a turnover. The Wolverines will need to build upon that success if they’re going to stay in the game against the No. 1 Oregon Ducks on Saturday.

Here are the matchups we’re watching as Michigan prepares to host the Ducks on Saturday.

Michigan defensive line vs. Oregon offensive line

While Michigan’s defensive line hasn’t been as dominant as last season, it’s still held up in some of Michigan’s bigger tests. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant have to have stellar performances on Saturday. The Wolverines will also need Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore to cause disruptions. Stewart has forced two turnovers this season and has 6.5 sacks on the year, leading the Big Ten Conference.

Oregon’s offensive line is good, but has shown some weaknesses throughout the year. Dillon Gabriel has been sacked 10 times this season — you’d like to see Michigan bring that number up. Gabriel isn’t the most mobile quarterback the Wolverines have seen this year, but he can use his legs to pick up yards. If Michigan can win the battle in the trenches and limit Gabriel’s time to make a play, that will help keep the Wolverines in this one.

Quarterback Davis Warren vs Oregon secondary

Davis Warren doesn’t just need to play a clean game, he needs to play his best game of the season to give the Wolverines a chance or even just keep the game close. He has thrown for just 567 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions this year. He’s building off some positive momentum, though, as he didn’t turn the ball over against Michigan State and made some impressive throws.

The Ducks are No. 54 nationally in turnovers gained, recovering four fumbles and getting seven interceptions, and they have a turnover margin of +3. Oregon safety Tysheem Johnson has two interceptions on the season, and cornerbacks Nikko Reed and Brandon Johnson each have one. Warren will need to continue to prioritize protecting the football.

Michigan secondary vs. Oregon receivers

Michigan is going to need its secondary to give everything in this one. Will Johnson had a few big interceptions returned for touchdowns early this season, but if he’s not healthy enough to play this weekend, someone else will need to make some plays.

Oregon’s receiving core has some talented players, but that’s been true for nearly all the teams Michigan has played this season. Tez Johnson, Evan Stewart, Traeshon Holden and Terrance Ferguson are all capable of making big plays at any given moment.

The Michigan defensive backs have a tall task in front of them, especially guys like Makari Paige and Zeke Berry who have struggled this year. In fact, those two were the lowest-graded players last weekend, according to Pro Football Focus, with Paige missing six tackles. That absolutely cannot happen this weekend against Oregon.

It’s easy to predict a game where Michigan gives up a few big plays to Oregon while trying to force an interception, but you’ve got to hope it pays off for the Wolverines at least once with a change of field possession or even a score.