2023 Michigan Football Trap Game - Who has the best shot?
Taking a moment away from the Northwestern clownshow..
We don't play any juggernauts out of conference this year, but the schedule makers did us no favors as we head to the end of the season. We also have a lot of tough environments to play in, even if the teams are not great (MSU, Nebraska).I think Maryland, sandwiched between an away game against PSU and OSU the week following is a donkey punch. Purdue won't be a slouch and MSU always is there ... right before it.
We (UM local fans) will pack Maryland's stadium with Maize and Blue --- but I still worry. Last year, if Tagaivailoa doesn't get hurt, I'm not 100% confident we win that game. My pick is Maryland. Do we have reason to fear Big Red? a cranky MSU? Minny?
Assuming PSU and OSU are our standard toughest games of the year... which game is your trap game? What game is the sneaky L waiting for us around the corner?
What say you?
Sep 2 (Sat) Noon Home East Carolina Ann Arbor, Mich.
Sep 9 (Sat) 3:30 PM Home UNLV Ann Arbor, Mich.
Sep 16 (Sat) 7:30 PM Home Bowling Green Ann Arbor, Mich.
Sep 23 (Sat) Noon Home Rutgers Ann Arbor, Mich.
Sep 30 (Sat) TBD Away Nebraska Lincoln, Neb.
Oct 7 (Sat) TBD Away Minnesota Minneapolis, Minn.
Oct 14 (Sat) TBD Home Indiana Ann Arbor, Mich.
Oct 21 (Sat) TBD Away Michigan State East Lansing, Mich.
Nov 4 (Sat) TBD Home Purdue Ann Arbor, Mich.
Nov 11 (Sat) Noon Away Penn State State College, Pa.
Nov 18 (Sat) TBD Away Maryland College Park, Md.
Nov 25 (Sat) Noon Home Ohio State Ann Arbor, Mich.
BTT Game - Probably against Iowa
Yeah, even good teams have down weeks and bad bounces that can cost them a game. Even some of the dominant 'Bama and OSU teams dropped an unexpected game once in a while.
I’m bullish on this team, too, but to say PSU has no shot in Happy Valley may be a bit much.
In order:
1) Minnesota - Finished both of the last few seasons 9-4, which may not say much for a terrible Western division but is darn good for Minnesota, and they have a very clear identity, at least on offense. Mo Ibrahim is gone but they've got, to my understanding, a very big OL that they'll be able to use to run the ball, regardless of who lines up back there. Couple that with the game being in Minneapolis, a rivalry game, and very likely being a night game, I could definitely see that being Michigan's biggest trap game. I know Harbaugh will have the team ready to go, but from a pure emotion standpoint, this game will likely mean more to Minnesota than it does to Michigan.
2) Maryland - This one comes with the caveat of whether or not November Maryland can finally start playing like September Maryland. If they can, they are certainly dangerous and even though Michigan fans will flood College Park, its still a road game. They'll have athletes to throw the ball to and Tagovailoa, though a bit Jekyll/Hyde, is very good when his Jekyll side is out. Gattis will undoubtedly throw out the entire playbook against Michigan, just to try and prove some kind of point, so I'd be ready for the kitchen sink. Especially if Maryland is already something like 6-4 or 5-5 coming into the game, he will call the game like he's got nothing to lose.
3) Nebraska - Nebraska is probably a year or two away from making this kind of noise with Matt Rhule. His track record shows that things don't really start taking off until Year 3, maybe the tail end of Year 2, but its still an away game in what I'm sure will be a raucous environment, and Nebraska still has some talent. Matt Rhule may have been a disaster in the NFL but by all accounts, he's a darn good college coach. They probably don't have the horses to keep up with Michigan in Year One of the Rhule era, but far stranger things have happened. That game definitely makes me a little nervous.
The two "trap" games I see are potentially Nebraska (there's talent on that team and I think a non-Frost coach can get them up for a big game at home) and PSU (they're a top-10 team but they are also, arguably, the second-most competitive team UM has played these past 2 years.
I don't know if we can really call Penn State a trap game. Penn State is a great team in its own right with plenty of talent that has a legitimate chance to beat Michigan.
I'm guessing Michigan will still be favored in that game, even if just slightly, but I usually think of trap games like Maryland or Minnesota. Teams that are a clear peg or two below Michigan on a year-to-year basis but have the resources to give Michigan a game and, if they play their best game, could potentially beat them.
I think we're defining "trap game" as one in which Michigan is supposed to be a clear favorite but the underdog could be dangerous - especially due to the timing of the game on the schedule.
PSU just counts as a big game.
Purdue if i had to pick one
Clearly it's Bowling Green. Yes, it is a home game, but with HUGE rival Rutgers coming up the next week in the Big House, I could easily see the...checks notes...Falcons putting a big scare into the Maize & Blue.
- Bowling Green will have already played a road game against Liberty so playing in the Big House will not be a big deal.
- The Michigan game is sandwiched between Eastern Illinois and Ohio. Yes, a little tricky, but they will be focused.
- They play Georgia Tech later in the year so they have a chance to beat two P5 schools.
- The projected starting QB is Conner Bazelak who played three years at Missouri and one year at Indiana. This is a legit P5 starter who once threw for 330 yards against Illinois IN ONE GAME!!!
- They have 7 guys on their roster from Michigan so they will be hyped up playing in their home state.
- They have other players on the team who probably played in high school.
- Bowling Green is only 0 - 2 vs. Michigan ALL TIME!!! Almost every MAC school would love to have that kind of record vs Michigan.
- The head coach is Scott Loeffler, the Co-Defensive Coordinator is Steve Morrison, and the WR coach is Erik Campbell. This coaching staff known Michigan from the inside. Like, crazy good knows Michigan...from the inside.
It's Bowling Green. No question. I'd bet my life savings on that game.
you forgot the "/s".
I'm a Michigan fan from way back. ALL of them worry me.
But probably Maryland and maybe Iowa. (Cade will probably save Ferentz's child's job.)
1) Maryland (they are rising and may be overlooked due to the pending OSU clash a week later)
2) MSU (it's their super bowl; this is not #1 here only because M should be ready)
@Minnesota or @Nebraska
I'm not buying either of them - Minnesota is replacing much of their vaunted OL, Mo Ibrahim and Tanner Morgan. That's a lot to turnover.
Nebraska will be better, but year 1 under a new coach who saw the cupboard bare...I'm not so sure. Tough environment, but my money is Maryland is the trappiest of games. Also worth noting, PSU will travel to Maryland the week before hosting us...could see an upset there for sure.
The Nebraska/Minnesota pair could be more stressful than we think. I wouldn't be surprised if at least one turns out to be a night game - maybe both.
NU has solid talent and now they'll have a sober man coaching them. I think they'll make a bowl, and Lincoln's not an easy place to play.
Minny's a physical team and has been a tough out in Minneapolis under Fleck.
The last 2 years it's been the 4th Saturday in September. So I say Rutgers.
Exactly what I was going to say. Rutgers isn't good, but it will be a change in competition level after the non-con and that game slot has been an issue the last two years. Schiano could really use that win.
they've been wiley against us the last few years. I think Schiano has done a good job in his second stint there, unfortunate for them he's in the toughest division in football. Not that they've done great against the West either tho.
dat team down south after they absorb their other loses and/or scares. QB is a big question there and so is day's choice of dipshit defensive strategists. Not sure we will be undefeated either but looking at the schedule I don't see much to it except getting back to dat game.
stay hungry stay hungry stay hungry. is my suggested tagline...we need something new whoever does that.
(edit: I'll bite. ECU just cause applesauce state fiasco magifico)
A slight tangent, if I may - and, it's the schedule - Michigan has five away games this season - the road opponents are:
- Nebraska
- Minnesota
- Michigan State
- Penn State (noon start - not a White Out)
- Maryland
The schedule set up is pretty attractive. It seems like the team is focused and definitely has set goals for the upcoming season.
So, in summary, nobody on this post can make a case for any team not named Penn State or Ohio State beating us this year. I guess that means Michigan’s opponent for a trap game is itself. I think they will be mentally tougher this year, thus no trap games.
Penn State at their place
Despite MSU being a shitshow right now, I would say MSU. They'll probably lose to Washington, Maryland and Iowa so will likely be a 3-3 and have little to lose. As always, it will be their SB so they'll play better and harder than they have all year.
However, I just don't see with all the offensive weapons we have returning this year how they're going to stop the run, which as we all know, will open up the pass. I don't know their team inside and out but can't imagine they have the firepower to keep us under 35-42 points and I can't see them scoring more than 21.
Minnesota.
Although not a traditional trap game as PSU should be ranked and tested by this time but I have to believe if Michigan gets out of Happy Valley with a W this year, I think an undefeated regular season could be sown up.
I'm not sure if MSU has the horses or will be cohesive enough this year to stay within 10pts.
I think Maryland also could cause some problems but they haven't learned how to close out games or play defense.
I'll say Nebraska or Minny could also give some fits but it's still probably too early for either team to account for roster or coaching changes since last year. Having two back-to-back away weeks is always cumbersome as you never know how much home field advantage will pay off. As of now, I'd give PSU the advantage but closer to that game, it could change.
A few years ago, Maryland played the B1G winning tOSU down to the last second. They have talented skill players, but they are usually hurt in November.
First Penn st. but Maryland is also tricky as the Buckeyes found out as well.
We shall lay waste to all in our path, leaving a trail of devastation and misery in our wake. Let all who stand against us speak our name, if they dare, in hushed whispers of awe and terror.
Penn State and OSU are the only teams on our schedule who can play with us this year
I am just saying Minnesota because the Brown Jug is a war worth fighting.
Nebraska…First road game and they will be jacked up with new staff. We need to put them away early.
Well, given that Donkey Punch had a song called East Coast Girl, it’s fitting that Maryland would be it.