A Schedule Analysis
Week 1: UM 40 - Middle Tennessee 21
This home-opener under the lights game was not as close as the score indicates. Michigan seemed to never not be in control. It just wasn't very pretty in the early stages of the game. And Patterson fumbling on the very first play of the season seemed to really set a tone for the year so far. Still, despite shooting themselves in the foot to the tune of three turnovers, Patterson and the receivers ultimately put on a decent showing while producing three TD's. McCaffrey also had one rushing TD, showing he does indeed have some ability. Things didn't really look that bad when you considered that the key plays in MTSU's favor were correctable mistakes made by Michigan. In fact, all three TD's came off drives after a turnover. And, ultimately, the Wolverines were in no-way getting manhandled by the Blue Raiders. And, poetically speaking, the game could have just as easily been 50-7. Again, Michigan actually never felt like it was in trouble here, and they ultimately just stuck to their game plan to the point where the backups got playing time in the fourth quarter. What more could you really ask for other than three turnovers?
Week 2: UM 24 - Army 21
Look, Army is good at what they do. And it's not just their option attack. No. Their defense is fundamentally sound too. They don't make many mistakes. They stay home and contain you. They keep you right where they want you and they only give up 21 points per game and rank 39th in total yards allowed per game. Anyway, Michigan beat their average by a field goal in a game that saw freshman Zach Charbonnet carry the ball 33 times. Credit the Black Knights here for playing one hell of a game and forcing the team to go with the running back on the RPO's. Credit the freshman for responding and carrying the offense for three TD's on 100 yards rushing. Again, a plethora of turnovers hurt the offense more than anything. And it seemed like the game would not have gone to overtime if Michigan hadn't coughed up the ball a few more times. Just as much, the Michigan defense got screwed out of a touchdown of their own when Josh Metellus had a fumble recovery called back because the ref had blown him down. It was a non-reviewable play. Upon further review Michigan should have had that score. Seven points. Wiped off the board. Stuff like that will drive a bettor crazy.
Week 4: UM 14 - Wisconsin 35
One could just say that Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines didn't show up to play in Madison. Whoever that was baltering around on the field that day gave the Badgers a run for their money, for a minute or two. Honestly, this one was over before all the fans made it to their seats. From the frantically paced and sloppy play-calling immediately after a big play on their very first drive of the day and the Ben Mason fumble that subsequently ended it, to Ronnie Bell's tremendous catch that was overturned but is actually a catch play on the second drive, Michigan never caught wind in their sails and appeared to be sitting ducks. And then it was like there was blood in the water. The Badgers, being the bullies that they aspire to be, pounced on their opponent and violently attacked before they could get a chance to catch their breath. And just before dying, the Wolverines simply shit the bed in the process. The Badgers currently have the number one defense in the nation in both scoring and total yards allowed.
Week 5: UM 52 - Rutgers 0
The Wolverines needed a game against a cupcake after playing a short non-conference schedule. Luckily for them the divisional rival Scarlet Knights showed up to fill in the spot. They never had a chance and they probably got one of the worst beatings they will get this year. Rutgers even fired the head coach after the game. The program is a mess. Michigan took advantage in every phase of the game.
Week 6: UM 10 - Iowa 3
Everyone knew this was going to be a brawl. If anything, some fans believed the higher ranked Hawkeyes would come into a Michigan stadium and run away with a win. Their defense definitely was looking to make a statement and did a tremendous job bottling up a still developing Michigan offense, but the Wolverines defense made a much bigger statement by allowing only one total rushing yard all day and limiting Iowa to a field goal. But, as it often goes with Michigan fans, they don't give credit to the other team for playing a tough game. All I hear is how bad Michigan's offense looked, and I absolutely admit it wasn't pretty, but most of the credit goes to the Iowa defense for playing one of the best games I've seen a defensive unit play without getting a win. They currently rank third nationally in scoring defense and fifth in total yards allowed. End A.J. Epenesa and safety Geno Stone look like future NFL stars. There are good, period. Michigan is lucky to be 4-1, but sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.
Next Up? At Illinois. The Illini are one of the worst teams in the conference in both offense and defense. Pile on the fact that starting quarterback, and former Wolverine, Brandon Peters probably will not play due to injury and one can easily see the makings of a blowout. Having said that, if the score isn't to the tune of 35-10 then I will be a bit disappointed, and I am willing to bet it will be more like 49-3, but no matter what the end result won't really leave us with much because it's Illinois. We will definitely learn more about this team in the two weeks that follow.
This home-opener under the lights game was not as close as the score indicates. Michigan seemed to never not be in control. It just wasn't very pretty in the early stages of the game. And Patterson fumbling on the very first play of the season seemed to really set a tone for the year so far. Still, despite shooting themselves in the foot to the tune of three turnovers, Patterson and the receivers ultimately put on a decent showing while producing three TD's. McCaffrey also had one rushing TD, showing he does indeed have some ability. Things didn't really look that bad when you considered that the key plays in MTSU's favor were correctable mistakes made by Michigan. In fact, all three TD's came off drives after a turnover. And, ultimately, the Wolverines were in no-way getting manhandled by the Blue Raiders. And, poetically speaking, the game could have just as easily been 50-7. Again, Michigan actually never felt like it was in trouble here, and they ultimately just stuck to their game plan to the point where the backups got playing time in the fourth quarter. What more could you really ask for other than three turnovers?
Week 2: UM 24 - Army 21
Look, Army is good at what they do. And it's not just their option attack. No. Their defense is fundamentally sound too. They don't make many mistakes. They stay home and contain you. They keep you right where they want you and they only give up 21 points per game and rank 39th in total yards allowed per game. Anyway, Michigan beat their average by a field goal in a game that saw freshman Zach Charbonnet carry the ball 33 times. Credit the Black Knights here for playing one hell of a game and forcing the team to go with the running back on the RPO's. Credit the freshman for responding and carrying the offense for three TD's on 100 yards rushing. Again, a plethora of turnovers hurt the offense more than anything. And it seemed like the game would not have gone to overtime if Michigan hadn't coughed up the ball a few more times. Just as much, the Michigan defense got screwed out of a touchdown of their own when Josh Metellus had a fumble recovery called back because the ref had blown him down. It was a non-reviewable play. Upon further review Michigan should have had that score. Seven points. Wiped off the board. Stuff like that will drive a bettor crazy.
Week 4: UM 14 - Wisconsin 35
One could just say that Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines didn't show up to play in Madison. Whoever that was baltering around on the field that day gave the Badgers a run for their money, for a minute or two. Honestly, this one was over before all the fans made it to their seats. From the frantically paced and sloppy play-calling immediately after a big play on their very first drive of the day and the Ben Mason fumble that subsequently ended it, to Ronnie Bell's tremendous catch that was overturned but is actually a catch play on the second drive, Michigan never caught wind in their sails and appeared to be sitting ducks. And then it was like there was blood in the water. The Badgers, being the bullies that they aspire to be, pounced on their opponent and violently attacked before they could get a chance to catch their breath. And just before dying, the Wolverines simply shit the bed in the process. The Badgers currently have the number one defense in the nation in both scoring and total yards allowed.
Week 5: UM 52 - Rutgers 0
The Wolverines needed a game against a cupcake after playing a short non-conference schedule. Luckily for them the divisional rival Scarlet Knights showed up to fill in the spot. They never had a chance and they probably got one of the worst beatings they will get this year. Rutgers even fired the head coach after the game. The program is a mess. Michigan took advantage in every phase of the game.
Week 6: UM 10 - Iowa 3
Everyone knew this was going to be a brawl. If anything, some fans believed the higher ranked Hawkeyes would come into a Michigan stadium and run away with a win. Their defense definitely was looking to make a statement and did a tremendous job bottling up a still developing Michigan offense, but the Wolverines defense made a much bigger statement by allowing only one total rushing yard all day and limiting Iowa to a field goal. But, as it often goes with Michigan fans, they don't give credit to the other team for playing a tough game. All I hear is how bad Michigan's offense looked, and I absolutely admit it wasn't pretty, but most of the credit goes to the Iowa defense for playing one of the best games I've seen a defensive unit play without getting a win. They currently rank third nationally in scoring defense and fifth in total yards allowed. End A.J. Epenesa and safety Geno Stone look like future NFL stars. There are good, period. Michigan is lucky to be 4-1, but sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.
Next Up? At Illinois. The Illini are one of the worst teams in the conference in both offense and defense. Pile on the fact that starting quarterback, and former Wolverine, Brandon Peters probably will not play due to injury and one can easily see the makings of a blowout. Having said that, if the score isn't to the tune of 35-10 then I will be a bit disappointed, and I am willing to bet it will be more like 49-3, but no matter what the end result won't really leave us with much because it's Illinois. We will definitely learn more about this team in the two weeks that follow.
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