Michigan’s trip to Rutgers comes down to something simple: the Wolverines have to play cleaner offense than they have at times this season.
Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. ET at SHI Stadium, and Michigan can’t afford to let Rutgers set the terms of the game.
The Wolverines need early-down success, steady possessions and a finish once they get into scoring range. If the offense keeps putting itself behind the chains, the day gets a lot harder in a hurry.
That starts with the ground game. Michigan needs productive runs early, not repeated third-and-long situations that force the quarterback to bail out drives.
Jordan Marshall and the rest of the backfield have to turn open space into positive yards, while the offensive line has to create movement without giving up instant pressure. Even modest gains would help settle the offense and open the door for play-action.
The passing game has to be part of that rhythm, too. Michigan should get JJ Buchanan and Andrew Marsh involved before the offense is in desperation mode.
Buchanan leads the team with 33 catches for 539 yards and four touchdowns, and both receivers have already shown they can hit big plays. Quick throws and favorable matchups could help loosen Rutgers’ defense and keep the chains moving.
The Wolverines also have to cash in once they cross into scoring territory. That means clean exchanges, protection that holds up and throws delivered on time. Reaching the red zone and settling for field goals over and over would keep Rutgers close and put more pressure on Michigan’s defense.
On the other side, the priority is straightforward: stop the run. Rutgers backs Antwan Raymond and Clay Thevenin ran for 150 and 116 yards, respectively, against Northwestern last week, and that kind of production is exactly why Michigan can’t assume it will control the line of scrimmage.
Michigan’s defense needs disciplined run fits, sure tackling and edge containment. If the Wolverines can force Rutgers into passing situations, they’ll have a better chance to get after the quarterback and slow the Scarlet Knights’ pace. They also can’t get greedy hunting turnovers and lose track of their assignments.
Special teams can’t be an afterthought either. Rutgers punter Jakob Anderson has already completed a 40-yard pass on a fake punt this season, so Michigan has a clear reason to stay sharp. Clean protection and secure returns matter here, because one mistake can swing momentum fast.
In Other News...
Bryce Underwood Could Force A Tough Michigan Decision Soon
Bryce Underwoods path at Michigan has already taken an unexpected turn, with the former five-star quarterback recruit getting benched in favor of Tommy Carr after struggling against Penn State. For a program that has spent so much time building around quarterback stability, the situation has quickly become one of the more intriguing personnel questions on the roster, especially with Underwood still carrying the kind of athletic profile that can tempt a staff to find another way to use him.
Michigan has not made any official decision about a position change, and no approach has been set in stone, but the idea is clearly on the table as the Wolverines sort through their quarterback situation. Underwoods future role now feels like one of those early-season decisions that can shape more than just depth-chart order, because if the staff decides his best path is somewhere other than quarterback, it would say plenty about where things stand behind center. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Escaped Rutgers But The Real Frustrations Arent Going Away
Michigan got what it needed against Rutgers, but not in the cleanest way. The Wolverines squeezed out a 28-21 win after letting a late-game lead slip away long enough to make things uncomfortable, even with Tommy Carr turning in a strong night through the air and on the ground. His 266 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns gave Michigan enough punch to survive, but the overall feel of the game was less about control than escape.
For a program that still has bigger ambitions in the 2026 season, the concerns did not disappear with the final whistle. The defense had stretches where Rutgers found room to answer, including the fourth-quarter tie that briefly changed the tone of the night, and the offense again left questions about consistency and coaching direction. A win is a win, but this one did little to quiet the frustration around how Michigan is being put together week to week. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Fans Still Have One Big Question About This Team
Michigans football profile has drawn a mixed bag of reaction lately, with praise from some corners and sharp criticism from others. Utah State coach Bronco Mendenhall singled out offensive coordinator Jason Beck for the work being done on that side of the ball, while former Michigan players and analysts have pushed back on Kyle Whittinghams coaching style and the way he has handled his public comments.
Greg Schiano added another layer to the conversation by calling Michigans defense elite and pointing to several of its key players as the reason for that reputation. For fans, the contrast is what makes the bigger question linger: if the defense is playing at that level and the offense is drawing positive notice, why does the overall picture around the program still feel so unsettled? [Read more 🡒]