Michigan's offensive struggles have been well-documented this season — the team sits in the lower half of both the Big Ten and the nation in several important offensive statistical categories.
Not one single factor has been the culprit for the Wolverines' lack of offensive production this year, though.
Redshirt junior quarterback Wilton Speight's injury in late September was certainly a blow, because fifth-year senior John O'Korn has struggled mightily in his place (55.5 completion percentage, one touchdown, four interceptions).
Freshman receiver Tarik Black's foot injury in mid-September after he made what was a team-best 11 catches for 149 yards at that point was also a setback to what was already an incredibly young receiving corps. He appeared to be the team's best receiver, and the passing game has gone stagnant in his absence.
Michigan's offensive line has also been a major weakness this season. It has allowed 23 sacks, which ranks 115th nationally. Granted, there are three first-time starters on it — fifth-year senior center Pat Kugler, sophomore right guard Mike Onwenu and redshirt junior right tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty — but the line's progression as a whole has been slower than expected.
Perhaps the biggest reason for Michigan's offensive struggles, though, has been the absence of big plays.
Its lack of offensive explosiveness has actually been quite staggering.
Although Michigan has struggled to create big plays in the running game this year, it has had an even harder time producing them in the passing game.
It ranks in the nation's lower half in passing plays of 10-50 yards (with the exception of 30 yards or more, where it sits at No. 60).
The same can be said for its offensive plays in general. Michigan has a low number of offensive plays of 10-50 yards, with once again 30-or-more yarders being the exception (46th nationally).
Fortunately for the Wolverine offense, its next opponent, Rutgers, has yielded big plays at a high rate this season.
The Scarlet Knight defense has given up 34 plays of 20 or more yards, which ranks 77th in college football.
It has also allowed 18 plays of 30 yards or more, which is 93rd nationally.
By the Numbers: Rutgers at Michigan
1st and 3rd Is where Rutgers and Michigan rank in all-time games played in college football history, respectively. The Scarlet Knights have played 1,332 games, while the Wolverines have competed in 1,312. Navy is sandwiched between the two, having played 1,317.
2 Straight wins for the Scarlet Knights in Big Ten play for the first time since they joined the conference in 2014. Rutgers won at Illinois two weeks ago and defeated Purdue this past Saturday. Prior to the Illinois victory, the Scarlet Knights had just one victory in their last 19 Big Ten games.
4th Noon game of the season for Michigan, with at least one more to come on Nov. 25 against Ohio State. The Wolverines played just four noon games all of last season
12 Players on Michigan's roster are from the state of New Jersey. The Wolverines' special teams and linebackers coach, Chris Partridge, used to coach at Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey and has been an integral part in Michigan's recruiting success in the Garden State.
42-7 Record for the Maize and Blue in their last 49 homecoming games, dating back to 1968.
49 Degrees for a projected high on Saturday, along with rainy conditions. This will be by far the coldest game Michigan has played in all season.
53.4 Combined completion percentage for the three Rutgers quarterbacks who have seen game action this year — fifth-year senior Kyle Bolin, redshirt junior Giovanni Rescigno and freshman Johnathan Lewis. Michigan's defense, on the other hand, is only allowing opponents to complete 46.9 percent of their passes, the second-lowest mark in the country.
78-0 Was the final score of last year's game when the two teams faced off on Oct. 8. The 78-point victory for the Wolverines was the largest ever for a Big Ten team over another conference foe.
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