Michigan No. 21 aims to rebound against Western Michigan



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ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) – Michigan desperately needs a win that builds confidence.

The Wolverines, 21st in the world, hope to get that result in their first home game on Saturday against Michigan West in a game between two teams that lost their first season.

Michigan's high-profile defense started the year with two touchdowns at the beginning of the game at No. 12 Notre Dame, and Shea Patterson's attack failed to meet expectations in a 24-7 loss. 17.

Jim Harbaugh, in his fourth season as a coach, could have used a win to calm critics.

Since the beginning of last year (4-0), Michigan is 4-6 and has lost four straight games for the first time since Rich Rodriguez lost the last five games of the 2009 season. the start of the 2015 9-0 season, Harbaugh is 9-9, and former players like Braylon Edwards have joined the chorus of people who no longer sing the praises of the school.

A few days after the last defeat, University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel said Harbaugh was not in the hot seat and added that he had been on contract for four years.

"All of our team members believe and believe in the team," Harbaugh said. "We emphasize the importance of going from the first week to the second week. Never more important than in this club. You are looking to make all the progress you can in this week. "

Here is more information about the match between Michigan and Michigan:

STAYING ON THE COURSE: The weakness of the Wolverines entering the season seemed to be their offensive line. Based on his performances against the Fighting Irish, the front could still be the biggest problem of Harbaugh. Instead of shaking the players, he plans to stay with the same five linemen against the Broncos.

WELCOME: Michigan has had a handful of receiver transfers during the off season, and one of them returns to the Big House. Drake Harris of Western Michigan, a graduate transfer, had a 12-yard loss last week to Syracuse. He started two games for the Wolverines, played 26 games and had nine receptions for 60 yards in three years.

PUNCHER CHANCE: The best hope for West Michigan is to push the match into a shootout. The Broncos scored 28 points in the third quarter against Syracuse, rallying a touchdown after being 34-7 at half-time before closing with a 55-42 loss.

Jon Wassink had 379 yards and three touchdowns and had a score against Syracuse. LeVante Bellamy had 120 yards and two touchdowns and Jayden Reed had seven receptions for 121 yards and one against Orange.

"We have enough capacity to put points and we think we can score on anyone," said Western Michigan coach Tim Lester.

HORRY UP: The Wolverines opened the second half at Notre-Dame with a late penalty and did not seem to be in a hurry for the attack at the end of the fourth quarter by 14 points.

"It's something we can improve," acknowledged Harbaugh. "We are approaching that."

HE SAID: Even though Western Michigan has only won one team in school history and should lose by four touchdowns in Michigan, Bellamy said the Broncos will not back down and go to bed. not.

"I do not care who we play," said Bellamy. "We could play a team in the NFL. I just queued and played. I think that any team we play must put their chips like us. At the end of the day, we are all human. These are my guys against your guys. At the end of the fight, we will see who is still standing.

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