Preview: Michigan vs. Hawaii

 

RB Dedrick Parson (image via AP/Darryl Oumi)

RUSH OFFENSE vs. HAWAII RUSH DEFENSE
Michigan is #32 in rushing after one game of rushing for 234 yards. The wild card this week is quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who is starting in place of Cade McNamara. McCarthy ran 3 times for 50 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown, and he expands the playbook. Blake Corum (13 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD) and Donovan Edwards (12 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD) also ran the ball frequently, but the offensive line was not as dominant as I expected. Part of that may have been the absence of left tackle Ryan Hayes (who is expected to play this week) and backup Karsen Barnhart, which caused some reshuffling up front. Hawaii is #127 in rushing defense, giving up 272.5 yards per game and 7.5 yards per carry. They gave up 404 yards on 9.2 yards/carry to Vanderbilt two weeks ago. Hawaii is experienced up front - all four defensive linemen are in their fourth or fifth year - but they lack size. Both defensive tackles are around 300 lbs., but the ends are hovering around 230. The leading tacklers are 6'0", 190 lb. safety Leonard Lee and 6'3", 245 lb. middle linebacker Penei Pevihi with 11 and 10, respectively.
Advantage: Michigan

Hit the jump for more.

PASS OFFENSE vs. HAWAII PASS DEFENSE
Michigan is #85 in passing after throwing for a relatively meager 206 yards against Colorado State. McNamara did not have a great game, and it wasn't helped by some receivers dropping balls or falling down. But McNamara will be coming off the bench, and McCarthy will probably be chucking the ball deep a little bit more. McCarthy was 4/4 for 30 yards last week, but he has excellent arm strength and a little more derring-do. The receivers left a little to be desired, but Roman Wilson (2 catches for 65 yards, including a 61-yard bubble TD) and tight end Erick All (1 catch, 22 yards) made some nice plays. Michigan allowed 1 sack of McNamara. So far Hawaii has not made any sacks through two games. Their top returning sacker is backup linebacker Isaiah Tufaga, who made 2 sacks in 2021. Their lone interception comes from 6'0", 190 lb. nickel Malik Hausman, who made the pick against Western Kentucky.
Advantage: Michigan

RUSH DEFENSE vs. HAWAII RUSH OFFENSE
Michigan is #30 in rush defense after allowing just 82 yards on the ground against Colorado State, and the 2.1 yards allowed/carry ranks 20th. Colorado State had 15 carries for 20 yards in the first half before the backups started giving up a little more in the second half. Linebackers Junior Colson (10 tackles) and Michael Barrett (6) led the team in stops, while the team managed 11 tackles for loss (including 7 sacks). Hawaii is #103 in rushing offense (101 yards/game), led by 5'8", 205 lb. senior Dedrick Parson (28 carries, 111 yards, 2 TD). The quarterback is expected to be 6'3", 220 lb. Joey Yellen, who is not a threat to run (4 carries, -26 yards). The Rainbow Warriors have experience up front - all five starters are in their fourth or fifth year - but not much talent. Left tackle Ilm Manning (6'4", 295) and right guard Micah Vanterpool (6'6", 315) were both named honorable mention all-conference last season, but as a unit, they shouldn't offer much resistance.
Advantage: Michigan

PASS DEFENSE vs. HAWAII PASS OFFENSE
Michigan is #24 in pass defense (137 yards allowed) even though they're #94 in passer rating allowed. That's because CSU quarterback Cade Millen threw a ton of short passes and screens that led to a high completion percentage. They pretty much locked down any downfield routes until late in the game, partly because the defense managed 7 sacks (officially, it should be at least 8, but oh well). Free safety Rod Moore made the squad's lone interception playing as a middle of the field safety. Hawaii is #55 in passing offense (258 yards/game), which is amazing, considering they're #120 in passer rating and have thrown 0 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Free agent signee two-time transfer Yellen is 14/31 for 125 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception this season while mostly being a backup to Brayden Schager (40/68, 391 yards, 0 TD, 4 INT), but Schager may not play due to injury. The two leading receivers are #1 Jonah Panoke (9 catches, 133 yards) and #4 Jalen Walthall (8 catches, 114 yards), though #6 Zion Bowens (12 catches, 257 yards, 1 TD in 2021) may return after getting injured after his first catch in week one. The Rainbow Warriors have given up 5 sacks through two games, which is good for #93 nationally. This does not bode well for Hawaii.
Advantage: Michigan

ROSTER NOTES

• Hawaii has zero players from the state of Michigan
• Michigan did not offer any of Hawaii's players as recruits
• Michigan WR Roman Wilson is the lone Wolverine from the state of Hawaii
• Hawaii's head coach is former Hawaii QB Timmy Chang, who played from 2000-2004 and holds FBS records for most career passing attempts (2,436) and most career interceptions (80)

LAST TIME THEY PLAYED...

• Michigan beat Hawaii 63-3 on September 3, 2016 to move to 3-0 against the Rainbow Warriors
• QB Wilton Speight went 10/13 for 145 yards, 3 TD, and 1 INT
• RB Chris Evans rushed 8 times for 112 yards and 2 TD
• CB Channing Stribling and S Delano Hill each had interception returns for touchdowns

PREDICTION

• Michigan 56, Hawaii 7