(Top Ten Rankings in BOLD)
USC OFFENSE vs. MICHIGAN DEFENSE
-- USC is 20th in the nation in scoring offense (30.3 points per game), and 25th in Total Offense (387.92 yards per game).
-- John David Booty is 28th in the nation in Total Offense at 242.25 yards per game.
-- Michigan is 8th nationally in Scoring Defense (14.6 points allowed per game), and 6th nationally in Total Defense (254.08 yards per game allowed).
THE EDGE: MICHIGAN
-- USC is 58th in the nation in rushing offense (134.67 yards per game, 4.11 YPC).
-- Michigan is 1st in the nation in rushing defense (43.0 yards per game, 1.86 YPC).
THE EDGE: MICHIGAN
-- USC currently is 17 nationally in passing offense (253.3 yards per game, 12.35 YPC) and 31st in pass efficiency.
-- John David Booty is 28th in the nation in passing efficiency.
-- Dwayne Jarrett is 24th in the nation in Receptions per Game, with 5.36.
-- Steve Smith is 25th in the nation in Receptions per Game, with 5.33, and 17th in the nation in Receiving Yards per Game at 81.25.
-- Michigan is 74th in the nation in pass defense (211.08 yards allowed per game, 53.05% completion percentage allowed) and 19th in pass efficiency defense.
-- USC is 19th nationally in Sacks Allowed, 1.33 per game.
-- Michigan is 2nd in the nation in Sacks, with 3.42 per game.
-- Lamarr Woodley is 7th in the nation in sacks, with .92 per game.
THE EDGE: SLIGHT EDGE TO MICHIGAN
-- Michigan is 11th in the nation in Tackles for Loss, with 7.33 per game.
-- Lamarr Woodley is 20th in the nation in Tackles for Loss, with 1.29 per game.
-- USC is 17th nationally in 3rd Down Conversions, at 45.4%.
-- Michigan is 1st in the nation in 3rd Down Conversion Defense, at 27%.
THE EDGE: MICHIGAN
-- USC is 14th nationally in Turnovers Lost, 17.
-- USC is 42nd in the nation in Pass Interceptions Given Up with 11.
-- USC is 10th in the nation in Fumbles Lost with 6.
-- Michigan is 25th in the nation in Fumbles Recovered, 13.
-- USC is 14th nationally in Turnovers Lost, 17.
THE EDGE: NONE
MICHIGAN OFFENSE vs. USC DEFENSE
-- Michigan is 21st in the nation in Scoring Offense (30.17 points per game), and 32nd in the nation in Total Offense (374.92 yards per game).
-- USC is 13th nationally in Scoring Defense (14.9 points allowed per game). and 22nd nationally in Total Defense (293.75 yards allowed per game).
THE EDGE: NONE
-- Michigan is 11th in the nation in Rushing Offense (189.17 yards per game, 4.47 YPC).
-- Mike Hart is 7th in the nation in rushing, at 126.25 yards per game.
-- USC is 17th in Rushing Defense (97.7 yards allowed per game, 3.15 YPC). USC allowed just one running back to rush for 100 yards in 2006, Oregon State's Clinton Park who managed 100-even.
THE EDGE: SLIGHT TO MICHIGAN
-- Michigan is 75th in the nation in Pass Offense (185.8 yards per game, 12.38 TPC) and 25th in Pass Efficiency (Chad Henne).
-- USC is 56th nationally in Pass Defense (196.08 yards per game allowed, 53.67% completion rate allowed), and 20th in Pass Efficiency Defense.
THE EDGE: NONE
-- Michigan is 30th nationally in Sacks Allowed, 1.5 per game.
-- USC is 34th in the nation in Sacks, 2.42 per game.
THE EDGE: NONE
-- USC is 36th in the nation in Tackles for Loss, with 6.42 per game.
-- Michigan is 52nd nationally in 3rd Down Conversions, at 39.4%.
-- USC is 61st in 3rd Down Conversion Defense, at 38.1%.
THE EDGE: NONE
-- Michigan is 1st in the nation in Turnovers Lost, 10.
-- Michigan is 11th in the nation in Pass Interceptions Given Up with 7.
-- Michigan is 1st in the nation in Fumbles Lost, 3.
-- USC is is 54th in the nation in Fumbles Recovered, 10.
THE EDGE: MICHIGAN
Garrett Rivas is 19th in the nation in Field Goals, averaging 1.33 per game.
MISC. STATS (stats with either team in the Top 20 nationally)
-- Michigan is 2nd in the nation in Time of Possession, 33:46 minutes per game.
-- USC is 35th, 30.54.
-- Michigan is 2nd in the nation in Turnover Margin, at +1.33 per game.
-- USC is 42nd, +.25
THE EDGE: MICHIGAN
OVERALL/PREDICTION:
On paper it sure looks like Michigan should win this one. It is interesting that, as Bob Davie pointed out, there are not the usual NCAA rules regarding bowl preparation, so teams make their own decision on how to best get their teams ready. Is Michigan ready this time -- THAT is the main question. In fact, that is ALWYS the main question for U-M regarding this game. This time GBW is guessing YES -- and that therefore today will be fun.
MICHIGAN 28, USC 20.
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