Psychic Vibes: Five Specific Predictions For Michigan vs. East Carolina
Michigan is favored by a whopping 35.5 points against ECU, so even without Jim Harbaugh and Sherrone Moore on the sidelines, the Wolverines are expected to roll. It can sometimes be hard to predict how a game will play out in blowout situations since starters don't play all four quarters, but it's still fun to try to guess at what might happen.
1. Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards and JJ McCarthy will all score a rushing touchdown
The reason for this prediction is simple — Michigan is elite at running the ball and ECU isn't going to have much of an answer for U-M's rushing attack. Blake Corum is back and better than ever, Donovan Edwards is also healthy and is a small seam away from going the distance on every carry, and when you set the defense up by throwing #2 and #7 at them all day long, JJ McCarthy just has to keep the right one and he'll be out the back door for a long run as well. Rushing touchdowns by the backs seem inevitable, so it'll be about JJ punching one in today.
2. A Michigan defender will record his first career interception
With several members of Michigan's secondary potentially sidelined, there are going to be opportunities for some new faces to get involved. If Amorion Walker can play, he'll be in the mix. The same goes for Ja'Den McBurrows and freshmen Cam Calhoun and Jyaire Hill. I'm also going to count Josh Wallace, who has picked off a pass before, but never in a winged helmet. Maybe Junior Colson or Ernest Hausmann get their first career pick. We heard about Jaydon Hood making some plays in the passing game during fall camp. Or perhaps one of the big fellas up front can snag a tipped pass. They're probably the least likely, but guys like Braiden McGregor, Jaylen Harrell and Josaiah Moore have a lot of athleticism and have caught passes in the past.
3. Michigan will score a defensive or special teams touchdown
It happened last year when DJ Turner picked up a fumble and ran it back for a touchdown and then a couple weeks later, AJ Henning took a punt back against UConn. Michigan is going to have an athlete and speed advantage at every position on the field, so something squirrelly is almost likely.
4. Roman Wilson will record a catch of more than 40 yards
The Flyin Hawaiian, now sporting the storied No. 1 jersey, is a big play waiting to happen. He got Michigan's scoring started in 2022 after catching a short bubble screen and turning it into a 61-yard touchdown. He's fast, quick in short bursts, tougher and stronger than you think and poised for a breakout year in the No. 1 spot. With JJ McCarthy and him completely on the same page now, he could be in line for a big opener.
5. Jesse Minter will get some sort of liquid dumped on him
With Jim Harbaugh suspended, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will run the show against ECU. The young, but accomplished coordinator is as sharp as they come and should have a stellar gameplan and be fully ready to execute. Once the game is over, and Michigan is sitting at 1-0, expect his defensive players especially to celebrate by getting him a little bit wet either with a Gatorade bath or a hand full of water bottles.
