This Week in Michigan Football: U-M vs. Rutgers
11/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 5, 2015
• Complete Game Notes 
| Digital Guide | Game Central
WOLVERINES AND SCARLET KNIGHTS
This will be just the second meeting between two of college football oldest programs. Rutgers won last season's inaugural matchup, 26-24, at High Points Stadium. This Saturday's game is the first-ever meeting between the two schools at Michigan Stadium.
MICHIGAN IN THE NATIONAL POLLS
The Wolverines are ranked in the national polls for the sixth straight week. U-M is listed 16th in this week's Associated Press national poll and ranks 17th in the Amway Coaches poll. Michigan entered the season unranked but following a 31-0 shutout of 22nd-ranked BYU the team checked into the national rankings at No. 22 the following week at Maryland. The Wolverines have posted a 2-1 mark against teams listed in the top 25 this season.
QUICK HITS
• U-M has won the time-of-possession battle in six of eight contests this season and has an average of a seven-minute-plus advantage on the opposition (33:26 to 26:34); the team lost the TOP battle against Michigan State (30:11-29:49) and Minnesota (31:05-28:55).
• Michigan has outscored the opposition, 149- 53, over its last five games. U-M did not allow a point in 44 straight defensive possessions, before MSU's second-quarter TD.
• The Wolverines have outscored the opponent, 209-60, over the last 27 quarters, stretching back to the start of the second quarter against Oregon State (Sept. 12).
• The Wolverines have turned the ball over three times in the past three games -- lost a fumble on the final play of the MSU game and committed two turnovers (one fumble, one interception) at Minnesota.
OFFENSE
• The offense has been balanced this season, with the ground game gaining 174.6 yards per contest and the air attack averaging 184.0 yards per game.
• Michigan needs 103 rushing yards for 1,500 this season and has rushed 320 times for 1,397 yards and 19 touchdowns.
• The offense has converted 28-of-29 red-zone chances this season. U-M has scored 21 touchdowns and seven field goals.
• The Wolverines are converting 41 percent of their third-down chances (48-of-117) and have moved the chains on 4-of-12 fourth-down opportunities.
DEFENSE
• Michigan is ranked first or second nationally in five defensive categories: first in scoring defense, pass efficiency defense and third-down percentage and second in total defense and rushing defense.
• The U-M defense is allowing just 74.6 yards per contest rushing and 167.2 yards passing.
• The Wolverines have yielded 91 points on the season (11.4 avg.); the opposition has scored 40 points in the first half and 51 in the second half.
• Michigan has been stout on third down, allowing just 24 conversions in 111 attempts (22%).
• The defense has 20 sacks and 58 TFLs this year.
• Michigan has 11 different players with 20 or more stops this season and 18 total players with double-digit tackles.
• Michigan has allowed the opposition only 12 red-zone chances (fewest in FBS), with 10 successful scoring drives (6 TDs, 4 FGs).
• The opposition has been limited to less than 50 yards rushing in three of the last five games: 50 yards by BYU, 29 by Maryland and 38 by Northwestern; MSU rushed for 58 yards.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• The Wolverines lead the Big Ten and are second nationally in kick returns, averaging 34.4 yards per return.
• The Wolverines are averaging 41.5 yards per punt with 10 being fair caught and 17 downed inside the opposition's 20-yard line.
• The kickoff unit has 22 touchbacks in 46 kickoffs kickoffs; the opposition is averaging just 19.0 yards per return (21 returns for 398 yards).
