The Michigan Wolverines are right on the border of a top 10 ranking after defeating Notre Dame last weekend and now they will host the Akron Zips at Michigan Stadium for their third straight home game at the Big House looking to improve to 3-0 on the year.
The Wolverines have looked impressive under head coach Brady Hoke through two games, including the 41-30 win over Notre Dame last week in Ann Arbor. The team is averaging 50 points after defeating Central Michigan 59-9 in Week 1 and quarterback Devin Gardner comes into this game against Akron hot after throwing for 294 yards and gaining over 350 total in the victory. Akron isn't looking too hot after going 1-1 over their first two games and while the atmosphere in Ann Arbor likely won't be as crazy as it was last week for the Fighting Irish, Michigan will be looking to avoid a third week letdown as they try to improve to 3-0.
The Michigan Akron game will be on the Big Ten Network at 12 noon.
Akron lost its first game on the road to UCF 38-7 to open the year and then barely beat James Madison at home last week 35-33 and now they will face a team that has been moving up the AP Top 25 rankings. Fitzgerald Toussaint is second on the team in rushing behind Gardner and he has an explosive quality that Hoke will try and exploit against Akron and along with Gardner, the team should be focusing on rushing the ball. Jeremy Gallon has been the primary weapon for Gardner this season with 12 receptions and he had a breakout game against the Irish, making some fantastic plays on his way to a three touchdown game with 184 yards receiving.
Gardner was accurate against a stout Irish defense and he likely will be rushing the ball plenty against Akron after doing it 13 times against the Irish last weekend. The Wolverines have had Notre Dame's number lately and they are hoping for a game without too much adversity, as their schedule is very tough ahead, including with UConn and Minnesota on the schedule next. The team has a tough road game against Penn State before playing Indiana and then the Wolverines will have to go on the road to play their in-state rivals in the Michigan State Spartans.
The team will play Nebraska and Northwestern back to back before finishing the year with Iowa on the road and Ohio State at home, which could have national implications come November. The team has been very productive on offense this season and it appears that Hoke's recruiting is finally starting to payoff after he took over for Rich Rodriguez, as the Wolverines are averaging over 250 yards passing and over 200 yards rushing this season. The team is ranked ninth in scoring offense and have allowed an averge of less than 20 points per game.
Check here for the Michigan and Akron Live Stream from the Big Ten Network.