Tomorrow, the No. 2 Wolverines (3-0) will host the undefeated Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0) for their Big Ten conference opener at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI. Recently, Michigan football legend Jake Butt — a former Michigan tight end turned Big Ten Network play-by-play announcer — joined Aaron Breitman of The Scarlet Faithful to break down tomorrow’s matchup. There, the ex-Wolverine standout identified a key trait of Greg Schiano‘s team that makes the Scarlet Knights so dangerous.
Michigan football legend Jake Butt breaks down why Rutgers is a threat
Jake Butt knows a thing or two about Michigan football and what it takes to win games in the gritty Big Ten conference. Tomorrow, at the Big House, two blue-collar college football teams are going to go at it with their perfect records on the line.
According to Jake Butt, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights have a key trait that makes them a threat to bigger teams — their toughness.
“Frankly, they (Rutgers) are tough, man,” Jake Butt told Aaron Breitman on The Scarlet Faithful podcast. “I told (Greg) Schiano, I was like, ‘Listen, every coach says they want a tough team — your team is tough.’ Just turn on the tape.
“The defense — when they hit you, they’re not falling on their back; they’re trying to put the ball carrier on their back. … The offensive line is playing as one unit… receivers are blocking well. And then (Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt) — I feel he looks more comfortable this year, and I feel a big piece of that… he was playing on a sprained ankle all of last year. Well, he’s healthy again this year.
“This team (Rutgers) is playing so, so hard, and and the end of the day, you have to respect it. You have to respect it. 22 guys, 11 on offense, 11 on defense — mix in 11 on special teams — all leaving it on the field for four quarters every week.”
Wolverines ready to open Big Ten conference play tomorrow
Despite the Scarlet Knights’ impressive start to the year, Michigan football heads into tomorrow’s matchup as a 24-point favorite. Still, if you ask Jake Butt, Rutgers is looking good and could pose a threat if the Wolverines don’t come in ready to play.
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