When Michigan faces Northwestern this Saturday, many will focus on how each team as a whole matches up with its opponent. Some will highlight matchups between various units, like the opposing lines or perhaps the receivers and defensive backs. But like any game, this contest will come down to individual matchups. Here’s a look at a few individual matchups that could tilt the Michigan-Northwestern showdown one way or the other:
Jordan Mabin vs. Junior Hemingway/Roy Roundtree
In light of the recent aerial attack that Illinois launched on the Northwestern secondary, other Big Ten teams will likely try to attack the ‘Cats through the passing game as well. The matchup of Jeremy Mabin and either Junior Hemingway or Roy Roundtree is critical for Northwestern’s success – or failure – defensively. Although Junior Hemingway isn’t quite A.J. Jenkins, he is still a very good receiver that has the potential to contribute significantly, as he did against Notre Dame. In that game, he had 165 receiving yards on only 3 receptions, including a couple critical catches that fueled the Wolverines’ comeback. Roundtree has been Michigan’s best receiver the past few years, but has only caught five passes so far this season, as the Wolverines’ aerial attack has struggled. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson’s legs receive the most focus, but when he’s hot through the air he’ll look toward a variety of talented receivers, especially Hemingway and Roundtree.
Bryce McNaul vs. Denard Robinson
Scrambling quarterbacks create a number of problems for defenses, and the case of the speedy Denard Robinson is no different. As middle linebacker, McNaul usually deals with a running back that has found a hole through the trenches in a standard offense. Against Michigan, however, McNaul is going to have to judge whether Robinson, who is Michigan’s leading rusher, is going to throw the ball or dash up the middle or to the outside. At any moment, while Robinson is in the pocket, he could decide to scramble, meaning that McNaul and the rest of Northwestern’s linebackers will have to make quick adjustments to stop Robinson from running all over the Wildcat defense.
Northwestern’s interior linemen vs. Ryan Van Bergen
With Dan Persa coming back from his ruptured Achilles and now with a minor ankle injury (the latter sustained this past weekend at Illinois), it is essential that Northwestern’s interior linemenn – Ben Burkett, Brandon Vitabile and Brian Mulroe – stop Michigan’s talented defensive tackles from causing pressure and wreaking havoc on NU’s running game. Mike Martin is the most notorious Wolverine lineman, but Ryan Van Bergen has had a nice season so far, amassing 13 tackles and a sack. Northwestern’s linemen need to keep Van Bergen from getting to the quarterback, so that Persa has ample time in the pocket to get off a good throw. Perhaps more importantly, good protection also significantly decreases Persa’s chances of aggravating that pesky ankle injury once again.
Dan Persa vs. Troy Woolfolk
With the loss of Mike Trumpy for the year, Coach Fitzgerald may lean more towards the passing game this Saturday, and that means more Dan Persa. With more of the offense being put on Persa’s shoulders, the experienced Woolfolk (a redshirt senior) and the rest of Michigan’s defensive backs will do everything in their power to shut down Persa’s favorite target, Jeremy Ebert. The key for Persa will be to spread the ball around the field and find a variety of targets, especially because Michigan’s defensive backs have struggled against good passing teams the past few years. With Northwestern’s arsenal of receivers – Ebert, Demetrius Fields, Drake Dunsmore and Rashad Lawrence just to name a few – more struggles could be on the way for the Wolverines.