Preview: Massachusetts Minutemen at Michigan Wolverines
(Video courtesy HollyMartins)
Massachusetts (0-2, 0-0 Mid-American Conference) at Michigan (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network)
Spread: Wolverines by 47
Watchability: The Minutemen have slowly been making progress. After failing to record a snap in plus-territory in their opener vs. Connecticut, UMass managed six points against Indiana last week. Still, this one should be over by halftime with Michigan QB Denard Robinson padding his Heisman Trophy candidacy.
Shining stars: Massachusetts: QB Mike Wegzyn drives the team's spread offense. He was 18 of 26 for 151 yards in a 45-6 loss to Indiana. In just his second start, he also rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown, including a 16-yard score. Michigan: Robinson sure knows how to rebound. After a disastrous opener against defending national champion Alabama, the senior was unstoppable in a 31-25 win over Air Force. Robinson amassed 426 yards of offense and four touchdowns, including scoring runs of 79 and 58 yards.
Who could steal the show: Massachusetts: DB Darren Thellen leads the team with 14 solo tackles and is second with 16 total stops. The senior also has an interception and two passes broken up this season. He will have a tall task trying to help contain Robinson. Michigan: DE Craig Roh (6-foot-5, 281-pounds) is easily the most experienced member of the front seven and has eight tackles and a sack this season. Roh should be a matchup nightmare and in the backfield nearly every play against a smaller offensive line.
You going? Ranking the road trip: Get your arms loose. The student section at the Big House is famous for its wacky waves: slow it down, speed it up or send one in each direction. With an expected blowout, this one should feature plenty of fans looking for alternate entertainment.
Magic number for Massachusetts: 28. Years since the Minutemen beat an FBS team. Massachusetts defeated Ball State 26-10 in 1984. Massachusetts moved up from the FCS this season.
Magic number for Michigan: 30. Wins in 31 all-time games against current teams from the MAC. The Wolverines beat two MAC teams last year: Western Michigan 34-10 and Eastern Michigan 31-3.
The game comes down to: Do the New England Patriots come disguised in Massachusetts uniforms? But seriously, Michigan likely has more talent at the backups for every position than the Minutemen do for their starters. If Massachusetts leaves the Big House with a win, it would be a much bigger upset than anything Appalachian State pulled off.
Prediction: Michigan 59, Massachusetts 0
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big Ten bloggers Dave Carey and Mike Singer, follow @CBSSportsBigTen.
