Week three of college football is in the books. The Michigan Wolverines are 3-0. However, even with the three wins in the book, some big questions need to be sorted out before conference play starts next week against Rutgers.
This weekend was a reality check for many college football programs as they struggled against mostly inferior opponents. Georgia, the number one ranked team according to the Associated Press, won 24-14 to a struggling South Carolina team.
Michigan needs Jim Harbaugh back; it’s just a fact. Once they do on Saturday against Rutgers, the Wolverines will show the college football world why they are ranked number two in the country.
JJ McCarthy struggled against Bowling Green; however, he played outstanding the first two weeks. Blake Corum flourished in the win against Bowling Green, although his partner in crime, Donovan Edwards, has struggled to get going in these first few games.
I believe that the Wolverines will get going and start to play outstanding in the next few weeks, but the real question is when?
So here are my two burning questions for Michigan football as we go into week four.
How will JJ McCarthy bounce back after his struggles in week three?
JJ struggled against Bowling Green this previous weekend; he threw pick after pick and honestly looked flustered in the pocket when throwing the ball. College football analyst and journalist Adam Rittenburg weighed in on McCarthy and Michigan football as a whole.
“Quarterback JJ McCarthy, who had not thrown an interception in the first two contests and had just three outside of last season’s CFP loss to TCU, was picked off three times by Bowling Green; McCarthy finished with only 143 passing yards. In the process, Michigan committed four turnovers and converted only 1 of 5 third-down chances. The Wolverines will need to be sharper against an improved Rutgers team next week,” explained Adam Rittenburg.
McCarthy is an elite quarterback, and I believe that he will show that. As Jim Harbaugh has said in the past, “he’s a once-in-a-generation talent.”
JJ will, mark my words, show up and show out.
Will the Michigan Wolverines’ dynamic duo in the backfield finally show up?
Blake Corum has played great the last few games; however, his partner in crime, Donovan Edwards, has proven to get off to a slow start. This hasn’t necessarily affected the Wolverines a whole lot these first three weeks; however, the Wolverines need to get him involved going forward. Edwards is too big of a weapon to be sitting on the sidelines; get him involved on passing plays, maybe a little more Wildcat like we saw on Saturday night, just get him involved.
Continue to have Corum carry the ball; he will find gaps and produce 100 or more yards each game. Michigan was described going into the year as a powerhouse in the run game, although from the start of this year, they have been a prolific offense in the passing game. Michigan just needs to continue what they’re doing, find its stride on both sides of the ball, and they’ll be just fine.
Running the ball is going to be a stride they have to find.
As Michigan heads into Big Ten play, they need to find their strengths and build on them while at the same time minimizing the mistakes. Game four is on Saturday at noon against Rutgers.
