Week 2 – Air Force at Michigan

Week 2 CFN Fearless Prediction – Air Force at Michigan

Air Force (1-0) at Michigan (0-1) Sept. 8, 3:30, ABC/ESPN2

Here’s The Deal: The two programs have played just once with Michigan winning 24-7 in 1964, but even a lopsided victory like that might not get the job done to ease fears from its fans that Alabama might have exposed several major flaws. Is this when the Wolverines get past a massive hangover or are they vulnerable? Losing 41-14 tends to shoot off panic sirens.

Was Alabama that good or Michigan that bad? As good as the defending national champion might be, the Wolverines seemed to do their part with no answers when the game got ugly and looking outclassed in every way. Was it a week one problem or was it an Alabama issue? The spotlight will be on to see if Michigan can start looking like the team that many think could turn out to be the star of the Big Ten, and if nothing else, can eliminate the sting of getting pasted by the Tide.

Air Force looked as good as Michigan was bad, but it got Idaho State to fatten up on. The running game worked, coming away leading the nation after cranking out 484 yards and with the offense looking in midseason form. Considering the disappointment of last year, the Falcons are flying under the Mountain West radar with few expectations, but they could change perceptions in a hurry by taking advantage of the beaten and wounded Wolverines.

Why Air Force Might Win: The Falcons don’t have anywhere near the speed or athleticism of Alabama on either side of the ball, but the precision and efficiency of the running game was there against Idaho State and might give the Wolverines fits. It takes a while to prepare for the discipline and the quickness of what Air Force does, and if Michigan’s back seven is a half-step out of place like it was time and again last week, the Falcon quarterback Connor Dietz and running back Cody Getz could come up with a few big gashes. But more than anything else, Air Force is facing a banged up team. Denard Robinson had to scrape himself up off the Cowboy Stadium turf time and again, top offensive lineman Taylor Lewan is trying to get back after suffering a leg injury, and corner Blake Countess and tight end Brandon Moore are out with knee injuries.

Why Michigan Might Win: Michigan isn’t Idaho State. Even though it was Week One and several new starters needed to show what they could do, Air Force was expected to obliterate a bad FCS team. Yes, Michigan might be dinged up, and yes, the team’s ego might be wounded, but from all indications, the attitude is just fine and, if anything, the motivation is there to prove that the Alabama game was a bit of an aberration. The Wolverine linebackers are better than they looked last week, and with a good mix of experience and young talent, the potential is there to keep Air Force from getting to the edge on the outside to come up with the big plays needed, especially on third downs. The Falcons won’t be able to establish much of anything inside with 220-pound fullback Mike DeWitt unlikely to pound away.

What To Watch Out For: Denard Robinson needed more help against Alabama, and while running back Fitzgerald Toussaint wouldn’t have made a difference in the outcome, he at least would’ve provided another option when Bama was bottling up the quarterback. Suspended for the opener as punishment for a drunk driving charge, he should be ready to break out. While he’s not big at a slim 5-10 and 195 pounds, he’s slippery through the line with excellent breakaway speed.

While Toussaint should be the star of the Michigan running game, Air Force will be looking to get another big game out of Cody Getz, a speed back who tore off 218 yards and three touchdowns on just 17 carries against ISU. Banged up last year, he’s going to be one of the key parts of a good-looking backfield.

What Will Happen: This will be Michigan looking like Michigan. Toussaint and Robinson will each have big days, and the defense will come out with a purpose against the Air Force ground game. Two home runs will put the game away in the first half.

CFN Prediction: Michigan 40 … Air Force 17
ATS Consultants Line (Click for more lines and picks) Michigan -21 O/U: 61.5
Must Watch Rating (5 – Phineas & Ferb, 1 – Steve Harvey): 2.5