For a team that just laid the smack down on Middle Tennessee State by the tune of a three-touchdown victory, people are down on No. 7-ranked Michigan heading into Saturday\u2019s match-up with Army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sure, the Wolverines (1-0) were favored by 33.5 points over the Blue Raiders, but what part of Jim Harbaugh\u2019s personality makes you think he cares about a point spread. It was a dominating victory and spreads that big should give most of us pause anyway before laying any cash down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of big spreads, the Michigan is looking at another one this week as they host the Black Knights (1-0). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That 22 points is massive, and considering the over-under is barley more than half that, the books obviously feel that Michigan will be doing most of the end zone work. Considering that Army mustered just 14 points in their victory over Rice, that\u2019s probably safe bet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
People like to talk up the flex-bone like it\u2019s interesting and dangerous, but, really, it\u2019s none of those things. It\u2019s a gimmick offense that a team only employs when it\u2019s outmatched physically across the board, which Army usually is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Michigan, third-year starting quarterback Shae Patterson knocked the offseason cobwebs off with a 17-of-29 performance for 203 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He spread the ball around to nine different receivers, with Tarik Black getting most of the work with four catches for 80 yards and touchdown. There will be no player on Army\u2019s roster that can run with Black, so don\u2019t be surprised to see Patterson dial up his deep threat early. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In their one-touchdown win over the Owls, Army got 80 yards and a touchdown from quarterback Kevin Hopkins, Jr. He only attempted eight passes in the game and completed just three of them for 53 yards and a touchdown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the flex-bone, the pass isn\u2019t an offensive strategy. It\u2019s a trick play to catch the other team off guard as they\u2019re working to stop the run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defensively last week linebacker Khaleke Hudson led the way for the Wolverines with eight tackles. Expect that number to increase significantly as most of the work defending the option falls on the linebackers and defensive backs. You play \u201cassignment football,\u201d meaning you\u2019re in charge a gap, not an opposing player. If the option beats you, it\u2019s because you fell for the misdirection and didn\u2019t stay in your lane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, there\u2019s no real chance Army can win this game. It\u2019s all about those 22 points and, frankly, I think Michigan covers this one. Don\u2019t be scared off by the fact that Middle Tennessee kept it under 20 points. They\u2019re a real team that won eight games last season and made a bowl game. That spread was far too high. If he Black Knights could only muster 14 points against Rice, they\u2019re in for a long afternoon in Ann Arbor. Michigan 42, Army 10<\/p>\n\n\n\n