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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — One of the biggest concerns before the 2019 season was how Michigan would play down the stretch, with a road game at Penn State preceding a rivalry game against Notre Dame. Then, the Wolverines would have to wait a few weeks to take on in-state rival Michigan State, a preseason Top 25 team.
All of this would need to be done while breaking in a new offense.
The early season growing pains on that side of the ball created a series of concerns, naturally, and though the maize and blue lost on the road to the Nittany Lions, that game was seen as a turning point for the Wolverines.
It was the week before when Michigan finally got its running game going, and it did it again against PSU and the top-ranked run defense, in terms of yards-per-carry allowed. It’s a credit to the offensive line and to the tailbacks who have really got things going up front.
But Saturday presents another challenge, as stopping the run is part of Michigan State’s modus operandi.
Michigan right guard Michael Onwenu acknowledges that the biggest thing for the maize and blue on Saturday is to play their game, or as he notes: ‘just sticking to the script.’ But also, having familiarity with some of the MSU players helps, he says.
“I think I know two of the D-linemen, and a few through the secondary,” Onwenu said. “Last year, it was a dogfight. And it doesn’t have to be that way.”
But what does he mean when he says it doesn’t have to be a dogfight?
Again, if Michigan plays its game, despite the Spartans coming to town with the nation’s No. 24 defense, then the Wolverines should cruise to victory.
Call it confidence, call it bravado — whatever you will. But with the way that Michigan has played as of late compared to the Spartans, coupled with an extra week to prepare due to the bye week, Onwenu is sure that the Wolverines can get their first home win over MSU since 2012.
“It don’t have to be a close game,” Onwenu said. “(If) we come out and play like we did the last few weeks.
“I think the bye week did fall on a good week for us. We’ve been playing well these last few weeks, and now we can play even better with a few days of rest.”
The battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy is set to begin on Saturday at noon EST in Ann Arbor. The game will be broadcast nationally on FOX.
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