The Michigan faithful will be anxiously viewing the Fiesta Bowl this New Year’s Eve, hoping their maize and blue heroes can punch a ticket to their first-ever National Championship game. The Michigan Wolverines take on the TCU Horned Frogs in an intriguing matchup of skill and grit. Here are 5 keys to Michigan winning the game this Saturday.
1. Control The Line of Scrimmage
Michigan hasn’t had any issues controlling the offensive and defensive line of scrimmage thus far this season. On offense, guys like Olu Oluwatimi, Zak Zinter, Trevor Keegan, and Ryan Hayes have pushed bodies around all year. In fact, their balance up front between superior run blocking and elite pass protection was good enough to win the Joe Moore Award for the nation’s top O-line.
On the defensive side of the ball, big-bodied Kris Jenkins and Mazi Smith will need to stuff the run and open up space for edge rushers like Mike Morris, Eyabi Okie, and Jaylen Harrell to get to TCU quarterback Max Duggan. The guys in the trenches on both sides of the ball will need to continue their dominance if they hope to bully their way passed TCU.
2. Keep Duggan in the Pocket
No one will deny that Max Duggan “has that Frog in him.” He has shown all year that he is one of the nation’s best dual-threat quarterbacks and has the unique ability to take over a game.
The Wolverines’ defenders will need to set the edge to prevent Duggan from turning the corner and getting out in space. Additionally, we may see some spy action from linebackers like Junior Colson and Mike Barrett to prevent Duggan from getting too comfortable. Duggan rightfully earned his spot in NYC as a Heisman finalist, and Michigan needs to keep him contained if they hope to send him home from Phoenix with an L.
3. Feed The Don
When Blake Corum, Michigan’s star running back, went down with a leg injury in November, it was time for Donovan “The Don” Edwards to step up and carry Michigan’s running game to the promised land. He has done just that in his 2 starts. He has shown that he is more than capable of rushing for over 150 yards with multiple touchdowns, all while wearing a cast on his dominant right hand.
In Fiesta Bowl practice, Edwards was spotted wearing a slightly smaller cast that allowed him to catch passes downfield, adding to his ability to pose a versatile threat. There’s no doubt that Michigan will feed The Don early and often, which should work out well for them.
4. Contain Quinten Johnson
Michigan isn’t the only playoff team with a wide receiver named Johnson who can make big plays. Quinten Johnson of TCU poses a downfield threat more than any other Horned Frogs receiver. He has amassed 53 receptions for 903 yards and 5 touchdowns this season.
Defensive backs Will Johnson, DJ Turner, Gemon Green, and Mike Sainristil will need to communicate early and often regarding Quinten Johnson’s whereabouts on the field. And safeties Rod Moore and Makari Paige will likely need to offer over-the-top help on Johnson if Michigan hopes to shut him down.
5. Win The Turnover Battle
This may be the most obvious of the 5 keys for a Michigan win, but it’s also probably the most important. It’s difficult to win any game if you don’t win the turnover battle, but it’s especially difficult against an elite squad like TCU.
The Michigan Wolverines will need to control the rock and hope to see at least one of their defender rock the coveted “Turnover Buffs” this weekend when Michigan takes on TCU in the 2023 Fiesta Bowl.
