Facing an offense fueled by its run game, Northwestern coach David Braun understands the impact Michigan’s rushing game has and recognizes the Wildcats can’t triumph without stopping it:
Northwestern took quite the beating last Saturday against No. 2 Ohio State . After scoring first and holding the Buckeyes scoreless until the 6:59 mark in the second quarter, Ohio State opened the floodgates. But in the wake of that 31-7 defeat, the Wildcats aren’t dwelling on being blown out.
“(I) had an opportunity to get back to work this morning with our team, review the Ohio State film,” Northwestern head coach David Braun said on Monday. “I think a lot of learning opportunities from the game, both positive and constructively in terms of how we need to move forward.”
Looking to take both the positives and negatives, Braun hopes his team can utilize that this weekend against Michigan. And following a very lopsided offensive display against the Buckeyes, the Wildcats may be more evenly matched facing the Wolverines.
In terms of both teams offensively, there’s certainly a lot to be desired. With Michigan and Northwestern slotting in as the second-worst and worst teams in the Big Ten in terms of total yards, respectively, the offensive struggles are evident.
But while the Wolverines’ offense has faltered overall, they’ve found success through their run game. Michigan averages 155.5 rushing yards per game, a mark that is eighth-best in the conference. Northwestern is keenly aware of the Wolverines’ ground game.
“(There’s an) incredible opportunity in front of us in Ann Arbor against a very good Michigan team, very talented,” Braun said. “A team that is certainly line of scrimmage based. Gonna look to establish a run game, stay committed to a run game. Very talented up front.”
While the 173 rushing yards the Wildcats conceded to Ohio State alludes to their futile efforts in the trenches, Northwestern has actually had reasonable success in that facet overall this season. In terms of its defense, minimizing opponents’ rush game has been somewhat prosperous, as Northwestern allows just 114.6 rush yards per game.
“If (Northwestern defensive coordinator) Tim McGarigle was sitting up here with me, he would probably tell you No. 1 for us defensively is to stop the run,” Braun said. “And that will certainly get tested this week against Michigan.”
But concurrently, Braun isn’t casting out the Wolverines’ passing threat. While that area has evidently been a major weakness for them — averaging the fewest yards per game in the Big Ten with 134.6 — it’s still something Northwestern is monitoring.
“Again, you always have to evaluate what you’re potentially giving up or exposing yourself to in that commitment to stopping the run game,” Braun said. “Michigan has a very talented tight end that can create some match up issues … but what I can say with absolute conviction, if we don’t effectively stop the run against Michigan, it’s not gonna be the outcome we’re looking for.”
Tight end Colston Loveland presents a tangible threat for opponents that forces them to take the Wolverines’ passing game seriously. But outside of Loveland, nothing has really clicked. Loveland averages 62.22 yards per game, 46.2 percent of Michigan’s total yards through the air.
So it’s no surprise Braun and the Wildcats are dialing in primarily on the Wolverines run game. After letting Ohio State run for 173 yards last week, Northwestern will look to right that ship against Michigan.