A coachÕs use of reverse psychology does not have any bearing on the outcome of a football game.
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr and Baylor skipper Dave Roberts have each employed this tactic of exaggerating the differences between their teams in an effort to alter what is a clear mismatch on paper.
After he finishes his well-documented episode of throwing up and crying, Roberts and his Bears, last year's whipping boys of the Big 12's south division, should receive quite a few extra lashes from Michigan.
Michigan rushing offense vs. Baylor rushing defense:
Like Michigan, Baylor employs a 4-3 defensive front chiefly aimed at stopping the run. Unlike Michigan, though, this setup has been ineffective in the Bears' first two contests this season, in which they have allowed 484 yards on the ground to two teams that do not rely on their running games -- Miami (Fla.) and Fresno State.
Baylor can only hope that Michigan's running game is as inconsistent as it was last week. That should not be the case since the Wolverines will benefit from the return of center Zach Adami, who sat out last week with an ailing back.
With Adami's return and the young offensive line settling in, the backs can set their sights on 100-yard games.
Edge: Michigan
Michigan passing offense vs. Baylor passing defense:
A year ago at this time, who would have thought that Brian Griese could ever be the eighth-rated passer in the nation?
That's what a 21-for-28, 258-yard, two-touchdown game can do for you. Griese, perhaps for the first time in his career, is loaded with confidence, as are his receivers.
Baylor's linebackers are maybe a little bit bigger than Michigan safeties, meaning that tight end Jerame Tuman should have a field day for the second week. Will Carr call for the play-action rollout that Tuman and Griese performed four times last week? Count on it.
Baylor's diminutive cornerbacks, 5-foot-11 Matt Anderson and 5-9 Robert Neal, are good news for 6-3 Michigan receiver Tai Streets, who should have no problem using his height to his advantage.
Edge: Michigan
Baylor rushing offense vs. Michigan rushing defense:
After shutting down Herchell Troutman and the Colorado running game for just 49 yards, what should the Bears expect from the Wolverines?
Actually, Baylor's offensive backfield is its strong point. Although not big by any means, 5-8 tailback Jerod Douglas and 5-11 fullback Anthony Overstreet have combined for almost 300 yards and five touchdowns in two games.
But will Baylor get to use its backs enough in order for them to be effective? Chances are the Bears will be playing catch-up for most of the game meaning that most of the offense will depend on the arm of quarterback Jeff Watson.
As long as the Wolverines can keep the ball out of the hands of Baylor's backs, their secondary can take over from there.
Edge: Michigan
Baylor passing offense vs. Michigan passing defense:
Watson's passing game has been anything but elementary thus far. Against Miami (Fla.), Watson went 25 of 37 for 222 yards. But deep threats are usually not an option for Watson, who has completed just one pass this season for more than 20 yards, meaning that Michigan's secondary can afford to gamble.
Michigan can also afford to gamble with regard to blitzing, which rattled Colorado quarterback John Hessler last week.
Edge: Michigan
Special teams: Hidden in last week's blowout was the surprise punting of junior walk-on Jason Vinson, who averaged 42 yards per boot.
Unfortunately, also hidden in the blowout was the mediocre field-goal kicking tandem of Kraig Baker and Jay Feely which went 2-for-4, with the two misses coming from 45 and 49 yards out. Michigan should not have to worry about this game coming down to a battle of field goals.
But in the rare chance that it does, Baylor certainly has the edge. Matt Bryant nailed a 42-yarder last week and punter Kyle Attleberry is averaging almost 46 yards per kick in 16 punts, which is about as much pressure one can put on Michigan punt returner Charles Woodson.
Edge: Baylor
If there is one word that has come up repeatedly this week, and with good reason, it's letdown. Michigan is a prime candidate to suffer from such an emotional dropoff after last week's high-powered victory.
But letdown, at least outside of the gambling world, connotes a loss. That's completely out of the question for this game. A Baylor victory would come as a greater shock than Purdue's upset over Notre Dame last week, which isn't to say that it can't happen, but it won't.
Picking a winner here doesn't involve knowledge of nuclear physics. But because of Carr's penchant for keeping scores respectable and turning to second-stringers early, the margin is not as evident.
Prediction: Michigan 27, Baylor 7.
09-19-97
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