STAFF PREDICTIONS
WolverinesWire staff writers Isaiah Hole and Trent Knoop will share their thoughts on the game, two soft predictions, one bold prediction and the final score.
Isaiah Hole:
The offense that Michigan will see on Saturday night isn’t altogether different from what it saw against Colorado State. Timmy Chang is bringing a multiple attack that mixes the air raid, pistol, run-and-gun and West Coast. The Rainbow Warriors don’t have the same caliber of playmakers. Sure, they’ve moved the ball relatively OK against Vanderbilt and Western Kentucky, but neither of those teams are in the same league as Michigan. And then you factor in J.J. McCarthy making his first career start, and if things go as planned or anticipated, the Rainbow Warriors are in for a world of hurt.
But where Hawaii has particularly struggled has been on the defensive side of the ball, where it runs yet another 4-2-5. It gave up 404 yards rushing to Vanderbilt and nearly 300 yards passing to Western Kentucky. It hasn’t been able to stop air on that side of the ball. This should be a game in which Michigan moves the ball with ease, especially given the size differential between the Wolverine offensive line compared to the Warrior defensive line. When Michigan gets to the second level, Hawaii has bigger-than-usual linebackers, but if the runners get them in space, it’s a giant mismatch in favor of the maize and blue.
-Soft predictions
- J.J. McCarthy finishes with 350 yards of total offense between passing and running
- Michigan rushes for 300-plus yards
-Bold prediction
- Michigan finishes with 10 sacks
-Final score prediction
- Michigan 77, Hawaii 6
Trent Knoop:
Look, Hawaii isn’t very good on offense, but it may even be worse on defense. The Rainbow Warriors have been outscored by 85 points in two games.
The Hawaii pass defense is ranked 79th in the country (234 yards-per-game) and it has the 125th-ranked rushing defense that gives up 272 yards-per-game.
The Michigan offense should have a field day against Hawaii on Saturday. J.J. McCarthy is receiving his first career start for the Wolverines. Not only is he trying to prove he deserves to keep the starting job, but the Big House will be rocking with enthusiasm for two reasons; McCarthy is starting and it’s a night game. If Harbaugh truly wanted to push it, I think Michigan could score triple digits in this game, but eventually he will call the dogs off.
I fully expect both lines will dominate the line of scrimmage and the Michigan defense may have itself and even bigger day against Hawaii than it did against Colorado State last week.
-Soft predictions
- J.J. McCarthy throws for 250-plus yards
- Michigan forces at least two turnovers
-Bold prediction
- Michigan has 550 yards of total offense
Final score prediction
- Michigan 63, Hawaii 10