While the media continues to have already determined that the sun has set on Michigan’s season after they lost another season opener, this time to Utah, Rich Rodriguez‘ squad looks to turn back the storm with another home game this week against the Miami, Ohio Redhawks. One thing is for sure: drop this one, Mr. Rodriguez, and you will be thinking that the stress that the West Virginia fans have caused you was a walk in the park–I can guarantee you that!

Michigan’s offense sputtered and coughed its way to 23 points against a decent Utes defense, but the real concern was the running game that looked virtually non-existent. So it’s a really good thing for the Wolverines to face a team like Miami who got literally ran over by Vanderbilt in their first game. Vandy has a solid team–not taking anything away from them at all–but the Commodores put up almost 270 yards on the ground and only threw 16 passes all game–yet scored 34 points on the Redhawks.

So this should–stressing should–be a game where Brandon Minor and the spread offense will get a chance to really start to gel for the Wolverines. Hopefully there will be some more questions answered as well with the QB situation, and if R-Rod is going to go more with Nick Sheridan or Steven Threet. From one blog that I read about the Utah game, Sheridan’s 2 passes he threw in the first half may have been the worst the Big House has seen–ever.

Ouch.

Even though Miami did only score 13 points against Vandy, statistically they were sound in both running and passing, getting 96 and 244 yards respectively. They aren’t afraid to throw–a lot–as QB Daniel Raudabaugh threw 41 times and was picked 3 times in the loss. Thomas Merriweather is the best back the Redhawks have, but nothing really that Wolverines should have to worry about.

Ann Arbor cannot deal with back to back losses to start a season, as my vision would be of a lot of angry booing resonating throughout the state if it did indeed happen. While Utah presented matchup problems and they were an experienced team, Miami doesn’t have the talent to compare even with a Michigan team that is learning on the job. That being said, my prediction: Michigan 24, Miami OH 14