Two words: Don Brown. Army has plenty of success against teams that are not prepared to face it -- or defenses that severely lack the ability to stop the run game. Neither of those describes Michigan. If you're wondering why the Wolverines only beat Middle Tennessee by 19 in Week 1, it's because they were likely spending some practice time -- and a solid portion of their offseason -- preparing to stop the triple option. And Michigan just so happens to have a defensive line coach who used to be at Navy, so he is more than familiar with the challenges Army presents. The Black Knights may have some success early, but the Wolverines should snuff that out soon enough and coast.

The Wolverines started slow last week, and that simply can't happen if they expect to cover against the Black Knights. Michigan's defense will allow the triple-option offense to gobble up yards and, more importantly, the clock. The Wolverines offense will have some success, but won't get enough possessions to win it by more than three touchdowns.

Michigan has played 11 nonconference games at home under Jim Harbaugh, and it's gone 11-0 in those games, winning by an average of 29.3 points per game. While Army should present problems, Michigan's defensive line coach spent six seasons coaching the DL at Navy, so he's more than familiar with how to deal with an option attack. Michigan will have an easier time with Army than it did Middle Tennessee.

It is not often that a team on a 10-game straight-up win streak gets spotted nearly two-dozen points. Army’s triple-option offense is effective, particularly on the road, where the Cadets have covered four consecutive times. They showed little in a narrow win over Rice in the opener, surely holding back for this weekend. Michigan has implemented a no-huddle offense that was inconsistent in its debut. The Wolverines withheld three key injured starters against Middle Tennessee and are not inclined to risk them if they are borderline healthy. UM last covered six games ago.

Army presents problems for teams that aren't ready for it. Michigan will be ready and should win in the Big House, but this is too many points to give a team that will grind it out and shorten the game -- and has a respectable defense, too. Army cover a big 71 percent of the time in my simulations. Take those points.