The Matchups

Syracuse too much to overcome

This week, everyone will learn just how smart the Michigan football program is.

One of the basic fundamentals of acquiring knowledge is learning from one's mistakes. With everything that went wrong last Saturday against Notre Dame, the 13th-ranked Wolverines (0-1) have a great deal of learning to do.

And No. 19 Syracuse (0-1) is prepared to take Michigan to school if the Wolverines haven't learned anything.

For the first home game of the season, here are the matchups:

Michigan passing offense vs. Syracuse passing defense

Quarterback Tom Brady showed confidence and poise last week in his first-ever start. If he continues to utilize both wide receivers Tai Streets (101 yards) and Marcus Knight (126 yards), his success should follow.

Brady also had success throwing to his running backs out of the backfield, along with running the slant and screen passes.

But one thing Brady did not do was find tight end Jerame Tuman - Brian Griese's favorite target a year ago. The Fighting Irish appeared prepared for the naked bootleg play in which Tuman drags across the field and sits wide open behind the defense.

If the Orangemen sniff this play out, then their defense will receive a big boost. Otherwise, Michigan will have success against a meriocre pass defense.

Edge: Michigan.

Michigan rushing offense vs. Syracuse rushing defense

Last week, Clarence Williams' numbers looked good - inflated by a 58-yard run against the Irish. But for the most part, both Williams and Anthony Thomas were bottled up, especially in the red zone, and were unable to hit paydirt.

Perhaps this weekend both will see more success for the Michigan backfield. Unlike Notre Dame, with its huge defensive line, the Orangemen aren't known for their defense, and yielded 390 yards last week.

The one notable on Syracuse's defense is sophomore linebacker Morlon Greenwood, named to last year's freshman all-America team.

The Wolverines will win the war of the trenches and should pound the Syracuse defensive linemen into the ground. Either Williams, Thomas or freshman Justin Fargas will have a big game.

Edge: Michigan.

Syracuse passing offense vs. Michigan passing defense

As bad as Syracuse is on defense, they more than make up for it on offense. Quarterback Donovan McNabb is an absolute phenomenon. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr raved about watching McNabb on tape, marveling at his complete athletic ability.

McNabb played basketball for the Orangemen until this season. He is now a bona fide superstar and a Heisman Trophy candidate, concentrating only on football.

And with two quality receivers in Quinton Spotwood and Kevin Johnson, his numbers are staggering: 300 yards passing, two touchdowns and 78.6 pass percentage against Tennessee, McNabb is the owner of seven Syracuse records and is second in six other categories.

Granted, Tennessee really has no defense to speak of and McNabb exploited the Volunteers. But Michigan showed last week that they don't have much in the way of pass coverage, either.

And if the Wolverines don't figure out how to defend that option pass then it will be a long day at Michigan Stadium.

Edge: Syracuse

Syracuse rushing offense vs. Michigan rushing defense

McNabb's passing efficiency is probably the deadliest part of his attack. His rushing ability is a close second.

He was held to a mere 17 yards last week, but that doesn't matter. He's got help in the backfield from Rob Konrad, the top fullback in the country, Carr said. Kyle McIntosh and Dee Brown are the two other threats out of the backfield, running the option.

Michigan's defense, heralded last year as the best in the country, now has a chance to really prove itself. If the Wolverines can shut down Syracuse most everyone will be believers again.

But if the Wolverines who made Jarious Jackson look good last week show up again, McNabb will be handed the Heisman Trophy immediately following tomorrow's game.

Edge: Syracuse

Special teams

Some may say that special teams lost the game last week for Michigan with four failed field goals - three missed and one blocked. The Wolverines also fumbled on a kick return and punted miserably.

Syracuse, on the other hand, has a fabulous punter. Doug Dankin averages over 40 yards per punt and is invaluable in the field position battle.

This one is a no-brainer.

Edge: Syracuse

Intangibles

Syracuse is coming off a heart-breaking, one-point loss to the Volunteers. With the exciting McNabb leading them, the Orangemen are capable of beating pretty much anyone in the country.

Michigan, however, has the unusual position of having its back to the wall just one game into the season. With a capacity crowd in the newly renovated stadium replete with two enormous scoreboards, the Wolverines have a lot going for them off the field.

Not to mention that this is the first time the defending national champions will be on the field since thwarting Ohio State last November.

Edge: Michigan.

Which Michigan team will show up to play? The team everyone was talking about, the one with the defense that is even better than last year's? Or will the one that made the trip to Notre Dame rear its ugly head?

Well, signs indicate that last week's team is, in fact, this season's team. Therefore, in a defenseless contest both teams will run up the score on big plays and missed assignments.

And any game with a high score will certainly favor the Orangemen.

Prediction: Syracuse 38, Michigan 31

09-11-98