Michigan vs. Rutgers: Prediction and preview

Michigan vs. Rutgers is a B1G East battle in store for Week 10. That matchup will be a 7:30 p.m. Eastern time kickoff Saturday night on BTN.

Michigan vs. Rutgers preview

On paper, this game appears very straightforward as a blowout win for the Wolverines. Michigan has won 7 straight in the series and will be a big favorite when the matchup in Piscataway rolls around.

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However, the Scarlet Knights have not always been a pushover under head coach Greg Schiano. In 2020, the two sides went to triple overtime but the Wolverines pulled it out, and Rutgers hung with the No. 3 team in the country in Ann Arbor during a 20-13 win last season.

Can Rutgers pull off a wild upset or at least keep things respectable this time around? That remains a tall task, especially this season.

The Scarlet Knights are currently dealing with an offense that has an interim OC in place for Nunzio Campanile. The team is also trying to determine who is best option at quarterback between Noah Vedral, Gavin Wimsatt and Evan Simon.

Against Minnesota, the Scarlet Knights started Wimsatt, a redshirt freshman who responded with a pair of turnovers in the shutout loss to the Gophers. While Wimsatt might be the best option for the future, his lack of experience is not optimal against a hungry and detailed defense for the Wolverines.

On the other side of the ball, Michigan has no such problems under center. JJ McCarthy has not looked back since taking the reins as the starting QB in Ann Arbor, providing Jim Harbaugh with a lethal dual-threat option with his legs and downfield throwing ability.

Alongside McCarthy, Michigan is leaning on star running back Blake Corum as a true workhorse player this season. Corum is also vaulting into the Heisman Trophy conversation as he racks up key performances this season.

As for the ground game, Rutgers’ defense actually presents a solid test for the Michigan offense. While this will be the biggest running game test for the Scarlet Knights to this point, the defense is only giving up 108 rushing yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry.

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Corum — and fellowing running mate Donovan Edwards — will test that with their self-proclaimed “lightning and lightning” backfield. The veteran offensive line of the Wolverines will also try and set the tone early in the trenches to squash any hopes of a spirited effort from Rutgers.

Michigan vs. Rutgers prediction

One area Michigan has struggled in this season is the red zone. Fortunately, the matchup against Rutgers provides a nice opportunity to work through some of those issues. Look for the Wolverines to try and drop the hammer multiple times early to squash an upset bid.

Prediction: Michigan 38, Rutgers 10