Michigan 40  Ohio 34

Let’s quickly look back to mid-October of 2011.  As life would have it, Michigan started this season winning six straight.  Michigan’s next 60 minutes were to be spent in East Lansing.  At this point in the season we have no idea what this Michigan team is about, but Michigan was ranked 11th and undefeated.  The talk on blogs and message boards is essentially edgy, with most Michigan fans showing a tinge of defensiveness – vaguely, with little conviction, talking about how this 2011 Michigan team is different than the previous quick-start versions under Rich Rodriguez.

……….

Don’t forget, we’re talking about Michigan beating Ohio for the first time after seven straight years – seven straight years where the last week in November has been rude and nasty.

……….

So, as Michigan fans, myself included, pull together half-baked theories on why this Michigan team wasn’t going to fold – there was the game against Michigan State looming.  I had such a high level of excitement about the prospects of this team going 7 and 0 and beating a hated rival – that I assumed it just wasn’t going to happen and this Michigan team wasn’t quite … good.  After Michigan lost by two touchdowns via blown opportunities and flat getting beat, my rhetoric was all-knowing.  I knew this team was lucky to slip past Notre Dame and I became pessimistic about this team, Al Borges, and Denard Robinson.  Six and 0 starts don’t do your psyche any favors as a fan — you get greedy and one loss is seemingly not acceptable at the time.

Save the Purdue win, Michigan’s loss to Iowa further solidified the rhetoric about this team, which was largely evidenced on the field, that his Michigan team just wasn’t very good and the record is indicative of a twinkie-soft schedule.  As Michigan sat at 7 wins and 2 losses – I feared the final three games of the season could be brutal and we could be talking about a 7-5 Michigan team.

One week at a time – Michigan’s coaches, seniors, and underclassman proved something to the world of college football and to themselves.  Ryan Van Bergen, Junior Hemingway, David Molk, Martavious Odoms, Mike Martin, Troy Woolfolk, Kevin Koger, Will Heininger, Mark Huyge, and Steve Watson took on the challenge of making a difference and changing the recent trend of failure.  The seniors led Michigan into Illinois and largely dominated – yielding Michigan’s best road win of the season (Illinois has proven to be terrible actually, but it was big at the time!).

Two games left.  Michigan blew out Nebraska and if it wasn’t for one of the worst performances by a reply official that I have ever seen (was he the same guy at Iowa, no?) – we’d most likely be talking about a double-digit win over Ohio.

Similar to the week leading up to the Michigan State game – I, along with Michigan fans worldwide, had uber-crazy excitement about the prospects of this Michigan team reaching the 10-win threshold, positioning itself for a BCS bowl game, and finally beating the monkey off the program’s back in beating Ohio.  This time?  This time, there was no other way it could be.  Michigan was not going to be denied in front of nearly 115,000.  For the first time since late 2003, Michigan gets to enjoy the rest of the college football season and actually be in the discussion – and actually might finish out the season as a top 10 team.

Going into the game – I knew that Michigan winning the game against Ohio – was the only way things could happen.  The seniors have led the way in forming a team that has great chemistry, determination, and perseverance.  A team, a group of seniors, that will be remembered for enduring the bad, wading through the bullshit, and seizing the incredible opportunity they, as a team, earned.

10-2.__
Photo Cred: Det. News.

Trending: the good.

It’s a…. It’s a Michigan Defense!!!  How can you not continue to celebrate what is an absolutely jaw-dropping and stunning turn-around by the Michigan defense.  This is now two weeks in a row where MZone said it all:

Are you getting tired of praising this defense yet?  Me neither.  Nebraska didn’t convert a third down until the third quarter.  Sit back for a moment and try to wrap your head around that.  Last year, U-M had the 110th ranked defense in the country (out of 120, in case you’re wondering).  Last year, this defense gave up 35.2 points per game, 107th in the country.  This year, Michigan has the #14 ranked defense in all the land and is giving up 15.6 per game, 6th best in the country!

Want a little more perspective?  In its 13 games last year, Michigan gave up 458 points.  Through 11 this season, they’ve surrendered 172.  In other words, to equal the punchline that was 2010, Michigan would have to give up 144 points — in EACH of its remaining two games (OSU and the bowl).

Folks, that’s not improvement, it’s mind boggling.   Because this wasn’t some talent-laden group coming back.  It was, well, the 110th ranked unit in the nation.

Oh how great it is.  Can’t believe it.  But I love it.  And I know you do too.

JG.  Jeremy Gallon is quite alright.  Gallon has been so consistent this season, that it’s a story that nobody really talks about anymore.  Jeremy Gallon was not a fan favorite after his efforts on the field in 2010.  Now?  Now, Gallon is an effective punt returner, solid as a perimeter player, and uses his okay speed to gain good yards in the open field.  This is what I’m sayin’ yo (via TTB):

Gallon isn’t exactly DeSean Jackson with the football in his hands, but he sure does have a way of gaining extra yards in the open field.  Whenever he catches the ball, I expect at least a couple people to miss tackles.

I hear Gallon is top jokester on the team as well.

Michigan is so back, so back.  Brady Hoke and that staff that he put together upon his hiring – have done a remarkable job with this team.  Who in the hell would have thought that Michigan would be playing for a potential BCS at-large bid in it’s final game versus Ohio. From our friends at maizeandgoblue:

This year is different.  While they still have a ways to go, Michigan has a talented team on both sides of the ball and last time I checked, Michigan has the #2 ranked recruiting class coming in for 2012.  The fact that the Wolverines are 9-2 going into Ohio week is also exciting.  This is the best record that Michigan has had going in to this game since 2006!  Not only that, but Michigan also has an excellent chance of finishing the regular season with double-digit wins.

But seriously, what a great trend to have towards the end of the season.  A Michigan team that is actually improving and not going backwards.  Losing at Iowa led to a nerve racking mentally in pushing on to the final three games of the season.  With two solid and rather dominant performances – there is no doubt this Michigan team is peaking in all three phases of the game. Michigan has an opportunity to improve it’s record to 8-0 at home.

Fitz Toussaint continues to be the bomb.  I believe I’ve said this for three straight weeks now, or rather since the Purdue game.  Toussaint is probably Michigan’s best back in a decade.  Not to slight the production of Mike Hart, but Fitz has talent that Michigan hasn’t seen in a decade.  This, from BWS:

Fitz Toussaint looks more and more like an NFL running back the more carries he gets. His lateral movement is incredible. There are only a few running backs in the country with a more effective cut than his. So long as he doesn’t fall in love with it and maintains it as a tool to run vertically, Toussaint is going to be the best Michigan running back in a long time.

After witnessing this guy of late, how could you disagree!?

Denard Robinson is … back?  I hate to say it that way, because I know he never was gone.  But, I say that Denard is back because he finally played against a worthy opponent and looked comfortable in the pocket, running the offense, and making decent to solid decisions.  Denard played good enough to net himself his sixth career B1G player of the week honor.  There were a couple plays, specifically on the 1st half-ending drive, where I thought Denard totally missed the running lane thus negating potential gains and points.

Trending: the not-so-good.

Memo to all Michigan fans worldwide:

Parts of my brain have gone into a deep freeze as of this past Saturday and I have zero input into this section.  Michigan turned over a new leaf.  Michigan has turned the pages, burnt the book, and is re-writing the pages in a new book.  This a week that Michigan fans are to enjoy – as it’s absence has been annoying and shitty.  A week that is full of hype.  A week that is full of positive discussion in regards to coaching football, playing football, and team #132 at Michigan. 

So, Michigan fans, I suppose some of you might want to talk about losing contain and allowing Nebraska to chunk out a 23 yarder, but I’m leaving it with the good.  A good that Michigan fans haven’t had the fortune of enjoying for several years.  A good that reflects forward and translates into a period of success and promise. 

Hail.  Go Blue.  F%#&in’ beat Ohio.

Around the B1G

Unfortunately, Michigan State celebrates winning the division at the hands of the hapless Indiana Hoosiers by a score of 55-3.  I had better programs to watch elsewhere – so I didn’t see any of this game, but it obviously wasn’t very close at any point in time.  Indiana spotted Michigan State 17 points in the first quarter, where therein the game is over.

Penn State win in Columbus, 20-14.  Ohio State was at one point, 3 and 3 on the season.  Ohio then proceeded to win it’s next three B1G games, two of which came at the hands of a ranked Illinois team and the vaunted Wisconsin team.  People were begrudgingly talking about the potential looming division title for the once-maligned Buckeye team.  After Ohio reached a 6-3 mark, they have proceeded to toss in a clunker at Purdue and lost a close one at home to Penn State.  Penn State’s performance is going to show Al Borges what he needs to do.  Eleven Warriors indirectly elaborates:

Penn State rushed for 239 yards yesterday on 39 attempts. That’s 6.1 per carry. That’s gross.

Penn State rushed for 188 yards in the first half averaging 9.0 yards per carry. That’s like parachute didn’t open gross.

The most agonizing thing about PSU’s ground success was that it came in such large chunks and with no frills. The Lions ran right at the Buckeyes and too often holes five yards wide opened, the RB got to the 2nd level then easily outran the members of the back seven.

Beat Ohio.  Do it already.

Wisconsin makes Illinois more miserable than they already were in a 28-17 ball game.  Illinois continues it’s slide from a once promising season that started with six straight wins.  From the AP:

Illinois outgained Wisconsin 301-285, but the turnovers — a fumble and three interceptions — combined with special teams mistakes doomed the Illini.

The Badgers scored on drives of 44, 39, 30 and 2 yards. Their first 14 points were set up by an Illinois turnover and a badly botched punt.

Not hard to see why Illinois lost and held a lighter to a golden opportunity at home.

Iowa beat Purdue 31-21.  If you are a Michigan fan – this was a game that was the furthest thing from interesting.  All I know is that Marvin McNutt had another huge day for Iowa and that’s about it for two of the B1G’s mediocre at best bowl teams.  Check that – Purdue has five wins and will be shooting for bowl eligibility next week against Indiana.

Northwestern continues to turn it around in beating Minnesota on their home turf by a score of 28-13.  Again, for Michigan fans, talk about a sleeper of a game.  Nice to see Northwestern turn around their season and get to bowl eligibility.

Michigan 45  Nebraska 17

So, what if you told me Michigan played late in November with a potential BCS bid on the line vs. a top 20 team – and won in dominating fashion by 28 points?  I would have told you to GTFO, because you are playing with my emotions!

Michigan came out on Saturday and took it to Nebraska in all three phases of the game in the aforementioned manner, dominating fashion – netting its first win over a ranked team in this fine season.  This is the type of game that Michigan hasn’t been capable of producing for years – a straight beat down of a top 20 opponent.  It wasn’t a shootout.  It wasn’t a struggle.  It was pure domination on offense, defense and special teams.

I want to repeat that, because it’s been so long since it’s been said: it was pure domination on offense, defense, and special teams.  Ok, I’m good now.

Michigan’s defense, once again, showed up and further solidified the new-found perception that the unit might be amongst the best in the country(!).  Nebraska had only eleven first downs, less than 300 total yards, and was 3-13 on third downs.  On top of that – Michigan notched in six tackles-for-loss, three sacks, three fumble recoveries, and a blocked punt.  The team in red reached the red zone twice all afternoon.  Rex Burkhead, Nebraska’s bruiser who averaged 107 yards per game coming into Saturday, could only muster 36 yards on the outing.

Michigan outgained Nebraska 418 to 260 and did some serious work in the time of possession department – possessing the ball for 41 minutes versus the Cornhuskers’ 19 minutes.  As Brady Hoke would tell you – your team’s best defense is when it’s offense is possessing the ball and working the game clock.

Before I drop in the box score – I feel obligated to say something about my disdain for Urban Meyer and Chris Speilman.  Do you feel like, just a little bit, the quality of our color commentators and announcers are like, terrible?  The vast majority of the first half was a play-by-play over-analysis of Denard’s play, how he should be coached, how he should play, etc.  Urban and Spielman have this weird thing going on where they both agree with each other and it takes the topic to a level of exhaustion – and it never seems to be an easy listen.  That’s all.  Thank you.  Bye bye now.

Box score:

                                    NEB     MICH
FIRST DOWNS...................       11       24
  Rushing.....................        7       14
  Passing.....................        4        6
  Penalty.....................        0        4
NET YARDS RUSHING.............      138      238
  Rushing Attempts............       31       61
  Average Per Rush............      4.5      3.9
  Rushing Touchdowns..........        1        4
  Yards Gained Rushing........      162      271
  Yards Lost Rushing..........       24       33
NET YARDS PASSING.............      122      180
  Completions-Attempts-Int....   9-23-0  11-19-1
  Average Per Attempt.........      5.3      9.5
  Average Per Completion......     13.6     16.4
  Passing Touchdowns..........        1        2
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS...........      260      418
  Total offense plays.........       54       80
  Average Gain Per Play.......      4.8      5.2
Fumbles: Number-Lost..........      4-3      0-0
Penalties: Number-Yards.......     8-73     5-45
PUNTS-YARDS...................    6-276    4-147
Possession Time...............    18:39    41:13
Third-Down Conversions........  3 of 13  8 of 18
Fourth-Down Conversions.......   0 of 2   1 of 1
Red-Zone Scores-Chances.......      1-2      5-5
  Touchdowns..................      1-2      4-5

Michigan: On Offense

So, when you can do the following and limit massive errors elsewhere, you are going to position your team to win the game:

• More than double up your opponent on first downs.  Michigan had the edge 24-11
• Out rush your opponent by 100 yards, while running 30 more run plays (!) than your opponent
• Out gain your opponent 418 to 260
• Win the possession battle in killer fashion – 41 minutes for Michigan, 19 for Nebraska.  Damn
• Convert 8 of 18 third down conversion and dialing up success on one 4th down effort (this was the fake field goal that Drew Dileo made)

Al Borges called a great game – and seems to have a solid grasp on what is working and what is not.  Notice, Devin Gardner didn’t take a single snap before Denard Robinson’s day was over.

Denard Robinson [11-18 - 180 yards - 2 TD's, 23 rush - 83 yards - 2 TD's]
I thought Denard played great, outside of a few errant throws and missed running lanes.  Seeing Denard miss those running lanes was different – usually Denard tends to have decent vision.  Perhaps his vision improves the further he gets upfield – as it seems any vision mishaps happen near the line of scrimmage.

All in all, Denard will grade out well.

Jeremy Gallon [3 rec - 34 yards - 1 TD]
Is Gallon not just a joy to watch at this point?  In the punt return game – Gallon is looking solid as ever making decisive decisions and cuts.  There was the one punt he let go, but I’d rather see that than an oopsie happen back there. 

I’m loving the screen play Borges typically calls when Michigan is nearing scoring territory.  So far, Michigan is running the play well and to success.  Gallon is sure handed and doing what he needs to do after the catch. 

Fitz Toussaint [29 rushes - 138 yards - 2 TD's - 4.8 ypc]
This guy impresses more and more as the season presses on.  Fitz has a knack for turning absolutely zero running room into something positive and really seems to be in a good groove.  The dude is a lot of fun to watch right now and it’s crucial that he gets greater than twenty carries next week against Ohio. 

Worthy of mentioning
Martavious Odoms: he is certainly making an impact on the field of late.  Tae O is solid and is sure-handed – his catch in the back of the end-zone was a thing of beauty.  Great concentration from Odoms on that catch.
Junior Hemingway: Junior is playing very well right now.  He’s more fun to watch with the ball in his hands than he would ever get any credit for.
Roy Roundtree: great catch on the 3rd and 9 play during the first quarter.  The contact was not intentional, good no-call, and Roy managed to pull it in while falling to the ground.  I’m not going to be shocked if he comes up with a big game next week.

Michigan: On Defense

Seriously, did you think it was possible to have this much fun watching Michigan football in 2011?  A team that got annihilated all last season – is now ranked 14th in the nation in total defense (316 yds/game) and 8th in the nation in scoring defense (16.2 pts/game).  It is one of the greatest single-season single unit turnarounds ever in the history of major college football.  I’d like to know when the last time a unit has improved by nearly 100 freaking teams in total defense.  Anybody know?  Do share.

Jordon Kovacs said:

Coach Mattison is establishing an NFL defense here.  We do a pretty good job of disguising and giving the quarterback something to think about. But the offense helps us a lot. Any time you’re not on the field as a defense, they can’t score too many points on you.

I’m on board with that.  Let’s take a look see at what went right on D:

• Allowed 260 yards
• Recovered 3 out of 4 available fumbles
• Held Nebraska to 3 out of 13 third-down conversions
• Stopped Nebraska’s late scoring effort – where Neb missed on their only 4th down conversion attempt

Michigan held Nebraska to well below their season averages on offense.  It was a thing of beauty.  Greg Mattison is being touted as the best hire of 2011 – how could you not agree?

The entire defense.  The group is playing so solid as a unit – I’m wasting my time by calling out individual players.  Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen were great – a continuing trend.  JT Floyd and Blake Countess played spectacular – that is a continuing trend.  Kovacs was witnessed in the Nebraska backfield notching another TFL – also a continuing trend.  Jake Ryan continues to play in all out beast-mode.  I even saw Troy Woolfolk get in on a pass break up!

The entire defense is playing very well right now.

One more week.  Who be excited?  I be.

__
Photo Cred: AnnArbor.com.

Trending: the good.

It’s a Michigan Defense!  It’s like celebrating a birth, or re-birth.  From MZone:

How improved is Michigan’s defense this year?  Well…

In order to give up as many points as they did last year, Michigan would have to average 101 points against them in its remaining three games (the two regular season contests and then the bowl game).

Yes, read that again: Michigan would have to give up over 300 HUNDRED POINTS to equal the carnage of 2010.  Even last year’s defense might not be able to do that.

Seriously, damn. Michigan now has the nation’s 5th best scoring defense – allowing 15.5 points per 60 minute outing and has is ranked 16th IN THE NATION in total defense.  Simply amazing.

Ryan Van Bergen is doing work, son.  So is the entire defensive line.  I’m talking about you, too, Mike Martin.  The senior defensive tackle is making his presence felt on the reg.  RVB had three sacks and seven tackles in his latest outing earning him B1G Co-Defensive POW honors.  Said the front was barking at the freshman Illinois had in for a series:

“We were barking at the freshman (quarterback) when he came in because he was looking kind of wide-eyed.”

Mike Martin led the team in tackles and is the main reason Michigan seems to stop every 3rd or 4th down and short conversion.

Martavious Odoms gets to the promise land of orange field turf.  It was a pleasure watching Tae O grab a couple receptions and netting a score on his latter reception.  Odoms is one dude that you feel proud of as a Michigan fan.  Look at all that he has gone through: the 2008 debacle; all that is bad as a result of RR; injured in 2009; injured in 2010; injured and not played much in 2011.  This from Hoke in Monday’s press conference:

Brady Hoke: On Martavious Odums getting more playing time lately. “One thing Tave’s done is he’s come to work every day.” Also said the limitations of a hairline fracture to forearm suffered in fall camp set him back at the beginning of the year.

From Touch the Banner:

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Martavious Odoms.  Odoms was struggling to see the field earlier in the year, partly because he was recovering from a broken bone in his forearm.  It was frustrating to see a key player from the past few seasons end his career by barely seeing the field.  Luckily, that trend appears to be ending.  He got what seemed to be the most playing time of the season against the Illini, when he had 2 receptions for 46 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown reception from Devin Gardner to go up 24-7.  Odoms was also wide open in the endzone early in the game, but Denard Robinson overthrew him.

Not surprised Denard over threw Odoms in the end zone when he was wide open, as Denard was rolling out and running toward the line of scrimmage by the time he released the ball.

JT Floyd was in…beast mode?  I went back and watch some of JT’s afternoon and he was right there all day long and if you paid attention to JT throughout the course of the game – his interception wouldn’t have been a surprise.  This is from yours truly in the Game Recap:

JT gets verbally abused by most Michigan fans – as his tackling has been poor and he is most known for giving receivers ginormous 10-15 yard cushions prior to the snap.  Floyd played a hell of a game.  JT showed two things yesterday, (1) that he, at this point in the season and his career, can run and not get beat deep and (2) that he has the speed and quickness to break on the ball and make a big play.  His interception was crucial as Illinois had an opportunity around mid field to pull within either three or seven points of Michigan.

TEAM, TEAM, TEAM.  Football games are won and lost by a TEAM, not a single unit on the football field.  Hence, Michigan’s monstrous struggles for three years with one to one-and-a-half out of three units of the team playing with any level of competency.  So here we be, ten games under the new direction of Brady Hoke and Michigan won a road game because they are much more of a complete TEAM.  When the offense eats a bad peanut, the defense is there to turn things around.

Trending: the not-so-good.

Denard’s inability to find open space with his legarooskies.  This is unfortunate for college football fans, specifically those with feelings involving emotions towards Michigan, as Denard is a joy to watch when he is healthy and running in space.

Devin Gardner’s knack for running horizontal, not vertical.  It’s frustrating watching Devin carry the football.  Does he not just want to bounce everything outside?  I’m sure that worked in high school and he was able to turn the corner with success – well this ain’t high school anymore and he’s not going to have any success doing that.  I have two beefs with Gardner when he’s running (1) is that his first instinct is to bounce it outside and (2) when it’s time for contact, he typically turns his shoulder and does this little side jump thing in to the defender.  If you’ve watched Michigan all year – you know what I am talking about.  However, Devin did his part in managing the game and putting 14 points on the board (really 7, the other TD was all Toussaint).  My beef on display (that reads funny, please keep that in context):

Devin should have cut this up field when he was at about the eight or nine yard line.  Since it was 3rd and goal – Michigan was forced to line up for three instead of potentially six if Gardner is the aggressor.  In the 4th, there was a play (video link) where Devin shows some nice ability to quickly react and get out of the pocket / up field.  So, that was nice to see.

With Michigan’s defense and special teams playing key roles in the victory – the shocker isn’t that the two negative points in the trends are in regards to Michigan’s two quarterbacks.  You have to complain about somethings, it’s mandatory you know.

Around the B1G

Ohio State mystified by Purdue, loses 26-23 in OT.  Seriously, Danny Hope is 3-0 against the Buckeyes?!  Damn.  So, Ohio State put together three conference wins in a row – two of which came at the hands of Illinois (who has now Ron Zooked it’s way into an average at best season) and Wisconsin.  Ohio State a la one week prior vs. Indiana spots their next Indiana foe a 10 spot.  Towards the end of the game, Ohio State was on the fortunate end of an improbable touchdown late in the 4th quarter.  Oh but wait, the extra point was blocked.  From Eleven Warriors:

Six and four. That’s where the Buckeyes stand after inexcusably starting the game in a daze for the second straight week allowing the opponent to jump out to a 10-0 lead, putting extra pressure on an offense  that struggles to get first downs let alone score points.

Of course, that problem was magnified by a defense that despite holding Purdue to three points in the 2nd half, simply couldn’t make the big plays when needed especially on third down in what is becoming an all too familiar trend.

It wasn’t pretty for the Buckeyes.

Nebraska slides by Penn State 17-14, but who watched?  Seriously, Penn State games are brutal to watch this season – and Nebraska isn’t too far behind.  The two teams combined for fifteen freaking punts in a battle of punts.  Nebraska did jump out to the 17-0 lead, so Penn State made it somewhat exciting towards the end.  No doubt, it was a different game given all of the scandal related issues Penn State experienced last week.  From Corn Nation:

I thought Nebraska came out and played fairly well in a difficult situation.  Not perfect, mind you. A blown coverage in the secondary led to Penn State’s first touchdown and a seemingly blown officiating call led to the second. It’s hard to say what the game would have been like if the horrific allegations hadn’t blown up in the past week.  But it’s a win against another top 20 foe on the road; note that Husker critics don’t bring that stat up anymore.

Should be a fun watch this Saturday in the Big House.

Michigan State avenges last season’s throttling in Iowa City 37-21.  Iowa kinda sorta handed this one to the Spartans via giving them the ball via turnovers.  Not that I’m taking away credit from Michigan State, but Michigan State didn’t have to do a whole lot to earn those points off turnovers.  From BHGP:

It’s hard to take a whole lot away from a game where Iowa craps the bed on a grander scale than at any other point in the season. Sure, it was going to be a tall task to beat Michigan State, and I don’t want to give the impression that the Spartans didn’t earn the victory; clearly, they did.  It’s just… what’s there to take from a game where Iowa’s -3 in turnovers and all three had a major effect on the scoreboard? That the Hawkeyes shouldn’t turn the ball over three times? Of course they shouldn’t. That the Hawkeye defense needs to do a better job at keeping the opposing team out of the end zone with a short field? Clearly, yes, but good luck making demands like that, you know? The point is, the turnover margin was both Michigan State’s best and Iowa’s worst of the year, and every now and then, those games are going to happen.

Damn you, Michigan State.  I’ll be rooting against you, forever.

I think Northwestern played, I think.  Yes, Northwestern in fact played Rice.  In a game that is essentially meaningless in the B1G – and sans a strength of schedule argument this game was meaningless to Michigan’s outlook.  So, Northwestern won 28-6.

Wisconsin does what it’s supposed to do against Minnesota, winning 42-13.  Obviously, this was expected.  Wisconsin is getting back on track, but the sting of those two heartbreaking losses has to sit with this team and fan base.

Michigan 31  Illinois 14

In life, change is constant and inevitable.  For the Michigan football program, change has been constant for the past four seasons.  Much of this change hasn’t been pretty and certainly hasn’t been a good time.

I can tell you one thing, Michigan fans – the Michigan football program is changing for the better.  And it might just turn out to be a darn good time.

This is a team and program on the rise.  In amazing fashion, it’s Michigan’s defense that qualifies this team’s top 25 status – not it’s offense.  In recent years, the team goals changed from a Big Ten championship to simply winning enough games to become bowl eligible.  Any win beyond six was a bonus.  Now?  Pshhh, now in November the goal remains as it was before the season started – to win the Big Ten championship game and be conference champs for the first time in a long time.  While Michigan doesn’t control it’s own destiny, it’s November 14th and Michigan can still win the B1G with help, bowl eligibility is a given and this team is now shooting for a ten win season.

How about that defensive performance?  That was a Michigan defense!  Some people are dubbing it the “Mattison Miracle”.   The chart below is from that same mgoblog thread:

Never in a million.  Never would I have thought this defense had the talent or wherewithal to improve to a “Michigan defense”, a phrase that is so commonly used nowadays by a coaching staff that knows it’s meaning.

Let’s see what this box score is talking about:

                                    MICH      ILL
FIRST DOWNS...................       14       15
  Rushing.....................        8        6
  Passing.....................        6        8
  Penalty.....................        0        1
NET YARDS RUSHING.............      223       37
  Rushing Attempts............       48       33
  Average Per Rush............      4.6      1.1
  Rushing Touchdowns..........        3        2
  Yards Gained Rushing........      273      105
  Yards Lost Rushing..........       50       68
NET YARDS PASSING.............      139      177
  Completions-Attempts-Int....   8-15-1  17-34-1
  Average Per Attempt.........      9.3      5.2
  Average Per Completion......     17.4     10.4
  Passing Touchdowns..........        1        0
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS...........      362      214
  Total offense plays.........       63       67
  Average Gain Per Play.......      5.7      3.2
Fumbles: Number-Lost..........      3-2      3-2
Penalties: Number-Yards.......     4-29     4-25
PUNTS-YARDS...................    4-137    9-374
  Average Yards Per Punt......     34.2     41.6
  Net Yards Per Punt..........     32.2     34.7

The Takeaway?

How about holding Illinois to 37 total yards rushing and 1.1 average yards per rush attempt?  That’s a Michigan Defense.  Michigan outgained Illinois 362 to 214.  That’s significant.  Illinois simply could not move the ball on this defense, specifically the front four.  Ryan Van Bergen was tremendous and rightfully earned himself a Big Ten co-Defensive player of the week award.

JT Floyd.  JT gets verbally abused by most Michigan fans – as his tackling has been poor and he is most known for giving receivers ginormous 10-15 yard cushions prior to the snap.  Floyd played a hell of a game.  JT showed two things yesterday, (1) that he, at this point in the season and his career, can run and not get beat deep and (2) that he has the speed and quickness to break on the ball and make a big play.  His interception was crucial as Illinois had an opportunity around mid field to pull within either three or seven points of Michigan.

Denard or Devin?  This is all I’ll say:  Denard gives Michigan the best chance to win.  No, he’s not perfect.  Yes, he is still smiling.  Please, give the kid a mf’in break as he is in his first year of a new offensive system and is still developing as a quarterback.  As for Devin, he’ll be a solid quarterback and is currently a solid #2 QB.

I have a request: can we organize the next two football games so every opponent offense play is a 3rd and 1?  I don’t have the numbers in front of me, but this defense is incredibly successful on defending these short yardage plays.  This has been a trend for the entire season.  Michigan’s ability to get a stop on 3rd or 4th and short afforded Michigan the opportunity to beat Notre Dame and remain in the game in both the Michigan State and Iowa losses.  I won’t be surprised to see a video mash pulled together of 3rd or 4th and short stops alone.

Jeremy Gallon.  Did a fine job seeing the open lanes on the punt returns and attacking them full speed.  It’s tough to judge Gallon’s speed.  Some plays he looks kind of slow (see his screen reception early in the Purdue game) and some he looks quite fast.  He seemed to show some nice speed on both of his returns.

On to Nebraska.

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Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images.

Trending IN

Al Borges, what are you doing!?  In Michigan’s two losses there were opportunities to at least pull even with the opponent.  In both cases, Michigan squandered opportunities with bad play call on a 4th and 1 play at Michigan State and didn’t manage to find the end-zone from the three yard-line and four plays to work with. From AA.com:

Toussaint received more than two carries on two drives, and Michigan scored on both of them. He got only five carries on the Wolverines’ nine other drives, and the Wolverines scored once.

Maybe he did get hurt.  Still.  It sure does seem like Michigan’s offense on the road doesn’t make an attempt to stick with what is working in the running game.  Moving on to that last drive – my take in the Game Recap was that Michigan shouldn’t have used the timeout right away and ran a play to give Denard a chance to score with his feet.  From MZone:

Denard should’ve been rolling out for a play that gave the most electrifying runner on the field a run/pass option rather than calling something in which he had to thread the needle?

Couldn’t agree more, my friend.

Denard not playing all that well.  Save a light Purdue team, Denard now hasn’t played well in a handful of weeks.  Denard’s final stat line on the day had him going 17-for-37, 194 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, and 1 lost fumble.  Towards the end of the game, three to five plays were wasted as Denard fired the ball down field way beyond the grasp of any outstretched Michigan receiver.  On top of his issues throwing – it seems as though Denard is moving at about 70% of is max explosiveness and speed, no?  I don’t know if he is banged up or if he is being coached in some way that results in him being tentative and never making a play with this feet when he doesn’t find a man down field.

Glimpses of the past three seasons down the stretch.  I HATE THIS TREND!  I sure do wish it would just go away one of these years.  Michigan just cannot get a decent win, on the road, against a B1G team that is barely decent.  It is just a massive struggle at times watching this team.

Trending OUT

Thomas Gordon making plays on the field.  Does anyone know what the deal is with Gordon?  Back in the day this season, Gordan was snagging one-handed picks and forcing three fumbles.  Gordon didn’t one single defensive snap in the Iowa game, but did make it on to the field for special teams.  This is a mystery to me.  Here Touch the Banner’s take:

Let’s see more of this guy on defense . . . Thomas Gordon.  Gordon has had a hand in twice as many turnovers as anyone else on the team (1 interception, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles), but he found himself watching from the bench as Troy Woolfolk started at safety on Saturday.  Woolfolk isn’t 100% healthy and should have sat out against a cupcake or two earlier in the season to get ready for the Big Ten, but the coaches sent him out there every week, anyway, and now we’re seeing the repercussions.  Gordon needs to be on the field, and Woolfolk ought to be subbing in at corner, safety, or both.

Agree, my friend.

Still trending out from last week…

• Winning the turnover battle. Michigan lost the turnover battle against Purdue last week, and lost it again in Iowa City.  
• Denard Robinson’s big rushing days.  Longest run vs. the Hawkeyes was 22 yards, while only yielding 55 yards on 12 carries.
• Michael Shaw and Stephen Hopkins seeing important carries.  That didn’t happen again against Iowa.  It will be interested to see the carry distribution if Toussaint is really banged up going into the final three weeks.
• Cam Gordon’s health.  I hope I don’t see Cam on the side of a milk carton, no seriously.  What does this guy look like during warm ups?  Or, has he been kidnapped and is never to be seen again
  

Around the B1G

So there was a point in time on Saturday where Indiana was beating Ohio State, Minnesota was beating Michigan State, and Iowa was beating Michigan – WTF was about the only appropriate expression for me at the time.

Bottom line: Michigan’s not-too-shabby 7-2 record is marred by a conference that is borderline futile.  There is not a B1G team that has earned the right to be in the top 15.

Michigan State Impresses college football fans all across the country in beating the same (ok slightly different) Minnesota team that didn’t belong in the same stadium as Michigan just weeks ago.  So, MSU gets the win, 31-24.  Minnesota actually outgained Michigan State in total yards, 415 to 402.

My money would be on an Iowa victory next week.  I think Michigan State appropriately fizzles on the road.

Ohio State Impresses too!  Indiana jumped out to a 10 – 0 lead before Ohio State rallied.  The game was tied at the half and remained close throughout before pulled away at the end with a turnover / late score.  Indiana is certainly happy with the effort and Ohio State moves on with yet another win.  The end of November is going to be verrrrrry interesting in Ann Arbor.  Michigan is going to have it’s hands full with Braxton Miller.

Given the recent turnaround of this Ohio State team – fans of that team are in a bit of a coaching conundrum.  This from Eleven Warriors:

Sure, The Hatter is a disgusting “Michigan Man,” but I’m willing to wager that he’s also a Money Man. When Les’ coronation is complete this January, it better be Gordon Gee and Gene Smith’s Replacement leading a caravan of gold bricks down to the Bayou. After watching Michigan fans melting down on Twitter, I would love nothing more than to watch their reactions to Les Miles, bedecked in Scarlet and Grey, making the Big 10 his personal fiefdom over the next 15 years in semi-retirement.

Fat chance.

Nebraska loses to Northwestern.  Wait, Nebraska lost to Northwestern?  Man, I did not see that one coming.  Northwestern was a 17 point dog going into this one.

Nebraska fans seem to think a lot like Michigan fans at this point.  Michigan isn’t back, but Michigan is getting closer.  The sentiment from Corn Nation:

I dismiss the idea that Bo Pelini’s teams always lose a game they shouldn’t. That being said, many Nebraska losses now come in that category, because most people think Nebraska’s on the cusp of being a contender again.  But until Pelini and Nebraska can play more consistently, Nebraska will remain on the outside of that cusp. No, Nebraska’s not back.  Not when the Huskers keep losing games like this.  It’s not terminal either, unless fans lose patience.

There ya have it.

Wisconsin slugs Purdue 62-17.  You just don’t mess with Wisconsin in Madison.  They annihilate defenses when they get to play on their home turf.  Against Purdue, Wisky’s offense amassed 605 total yards (Michigan wasn’t far from that total vs. Purdue).  Luckily, Michigan is not playing Wisconsin this season.

Michigan 16  Iowa 24

The refs bombed out about as hard as Michigan did starting at Noon Saturday.  I knew it was going to be a tough go against Iowa.  It was man, it was.  I wasn’t like most of you.  I bet most of you watched this whole game.  Right?  There have been two games this season that I have been unable to watch live.  The first via an Atlanta wedding, Northwestern.  The second via the girlfriend’s Grandma’s funeral Saturday morning to early afternoon, Iowa.  For both, my score app was on a 30 second refresh.  It is awwwfffffuuuullll seeing your team go downhill via iPhone.  There were many under the breath arrrggghs and dambs.

At any rate, I did catch the end of the fourth quarter in its entirety.  Is it me, or does Denard just look like he’s going about 70% sometimes?  Not effort, but in explosiveness and speed.  I don’t know.

What you do with :16 to go after getting a first down at the 3 yard line…

Hindsight, just sayin’, etc., but I don’t think the timeout should have been used before you give Denard a shot to either run a power play or rollout and find a running lane on 1st down.  Ideally, Michigan hurries to the line of scrimmage, gets set faster than the defense, and off Denard goes.  TD’s may have ensued.  So, as the day would have it, Michigan calls their final timeout with 16 seconds left on the clock.  At this point in the game, if you run a play and get tackled, you are putting yourself in a position you can’t afford because you have four downs on your side.

Hemingway’s catch wouldn’t have been overturned either way.  The knee was down and he was inbounds – that was clear.  It was really close to being a catch, but the ball hits the ground.

Roundtree was interfered with, that’s unquestionable.  Image from an mgoblog thread: 

I mean, damb man.

Has Michigan hit a ceiling with Denard Robinson at quarterback?

My answer would be no, but the thought has crossed my mind.  This is a Michigan team that is playing at a level that indicates winning is going to be challenging from here on out.  Michigan just can’t seem to pull off a win vs. a mid-level B1G team.  I’d break it down this way…

Right now, Michigan probably isn’t beating: Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Penn State, Ohio State, Nebraska.

Michigan is probably beating: Purdue, Indiana, Minnesota, Illinois(?), Northwestern.

Michigan is smack dab in the middle of a seemingly weak-ish conference having a not-so-good year.

What I don’t understand, is that Denard does not take off and abandon the pass when he has clear, open running lanes in front of him.  Can this be explained?  Maybe Denard just doesn’t see those lanes as he is working his eyes downfield.   His tendency is to hang, hang, and hang some more in the pocket and launch.  At least three plays in crunch time were not given a chance as Denard sailed the ball beyond his receivers’ reach.

Let’s talk more about Denard, but do it and do it quickly.

I was thinking after the game on Saturday about what I had watched in the fourth quarter – and I asked myself what single word I would use to illustrate what lost the game for Michigan.  The word wasn’t Denard.  It was Borges.  I mentioned the poor clock management and use of the timeout after Roundtree got the first down.  That took away the option to run Denard.  But, that doesn’t mean you can’t roll out Denard to give him an option to punch it if given the running lane.

A trend lately throughout the games Michigan has lost – is hating some of plays Borges calls and questioning his approach.  I have yet to see every play in the game, but I’ve gathered that there weren’t a whole lot of shotgun sets (where Denard opened it up towards the end) throughout the bulk of the game.

Denard must get better, no question.  Borges also must get better – - more of this and gorgeous Al is going to catch a little heat.

Defensively.

Good job, boys.  Now go out there and do it again next week!  Defense could have played better, but played good enough to win the ball game.  The offensive production void of 2011 is going to be the topic of conversation during this fine November week.

Tight Boxscore.

The situation of the boxscore resembles that of a ball game that would come down to the wire – and it did.  Surprisingly, Michigan had seven more first downs than Iowa.  Other than that, not a whole lot stand out.

                                    MICH     IOWA
FIRST DOWNS...................       22       15
  Rushing.....................       10        6
  Passing.....................       10        8
  Penalty.....................        2        1
NET YARDS RUSHING.............      127      131
  Rushing Attempts............       37       35
  Average Per Rush............      3.4      3.7
  Rushing Touchdowns..........        0        2
  Yards Gained Rushing........      157      153
  Yards Lost Rushing..........       30       22
NET YARDS PASSING.............      196      171
  Completions-Attempts-Int....  18-38-1  14-21-0
  Average Per Attempt.........      5.2      8.1
  Average Per Completion......     10.9     12.2
  Passing Touchdowns..........        2        1
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS...........      323      302
  Total offense plays.........       75       56
  Average Gain Per Play.......      4.3      5.4
Fumbles: Number-Lost..........      2-1      0-0
Penalties: Number-Yards.......     3-20     5-29
PUNTS-YARDS...................    5-197    5-200
  Average Yards Per Punt......     39.4     40.0

Time of possession was also right on par with a barnburner…

Possession Time...............    30:06    29:54
  1st Quarter.................     8:09     6:51
  2nd Quarter.................     6:47     8:13
  3rd Quarter.................     8:53     6:07
  4th Quarter.................     6:17     8:43

9-0!  Because we all think it…

Michigan is a few plays away from being undefeated in a couple games where they were outplayed all day long.  It’s a flawed team, no doubt about that.  But, fans are fans, so I’m going here.  Michigan gets that 4th and 1 vs. Michigan State – - that game is looking pretty good for Michigan.  Michigan converts vs. Iowa and doesn’t play like shit the entire game – - that game is also looking to be in Michigan’s favor.

Oops, I forgot.  Ifs are stupid.  Why did I even go there?!

As you’ll hear this week and already from the post-game comments – November is championship football time.  It’s still November, and Michigan has three big games in front of them.  Getting two of the next three would please many Michigan fans, but not all. 

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Photo Cred Det. News.

For Michigan fans who only saw the score from last week’s Iowa game in Minneapolis – Did Minnesota win or did Iowa throw the game away?

That’s debatable.  Iowa’s missed opportunities in the first half allowed Minnesota to hang around. Marcus Coker had over 180 yards rushing but Iowa only ended the half with seven points. There were two missed field goals and some strange play calling that halted drives.

In the second half you have the onside kick that Iowa’s coaching staff was unprepared for. It was well executed by the Gophers and a terrible blunder from the Iowa coaching staff. Iowa’s defense played well enough to win for three quarters but the same problem that plagued Iowa in 2010 reared its ugly head. The D couldn’t get off the field in the fourth quarter and they couldn’t stop the run.

The fan base is not happy with the coaching staff after this, the second loss in a row to the Gophers. The coaching staff has taken the blame. Ultimately, Minnesota outplayed Iowa when it counted the most, in the fourth quarter. So, I’d say it’s a combination of both.

Marcus Coker was the bomb vs. Minnesota gaining 252 yards on 32 carries….Is he the guy that Michigan’s defense should lose a little sleep over? 

I don’t think so. I’d probably worry about Marvin McNutt. Coker has had a nice rise in his average rushing yards per game since the first month of the season. He was banged up a bit in fall camp and really got off to a slow start. He had fumble problems in Iowa’s first two games and you could tell it was bothering him mentally.

McNutt is a big wide receiver and while not the fastest wide receiver in the Big Ten he still poses as a deep threat. Iowa tries to get him the ball on shorter routes too, sometimes hitting him on a wide receiver screen and quick outs.

Iowa will try to establish the run against Michigan, pounding Coker inside the tackles. Ultimately it will be McNutt and the deep ball that will open up Iowa’s run game.

What kind of QB is James Vanderberg?  As an outsider, you hear some good and some bad on him, clear the air on what to expect from Iowa’s QB. 

I think it’s fair to expect both, the good and bad. What is probably the most interesting statistic would be his home and away splits. Vandenberg has never lost a home game but has yet to win one on the road.

At times he looks deadly accurate. At others he throws passes that make you wonder what he was thinking.  He has had a tendency to stare down his primary receivers and miss his pre snap reads. Indiana and Minnesota were able to get to him from the backside more than once. Against Minnesota a backside blitz resulted in a fumble that really turned the game around in their favor.

I think he’s better suited from the shotgun. When Iowa was down 27-3 at home against Pitt the offense went to a shotgun no-huddle and he looked more comfortable reading the field and letting the ball fly. Because he played late in 2009 it seems as if he’s been around forever but he’s still developing as a quarterback.

Iowa has the 76th nationally ranked defense – an assumed down year for this unit.  Which Iowa defenders should Michigan fans keep their eye on when Michigan has the ball?

This is statistically the worst defense of the Ferentz era in over ten years. I’d like to say it’s because it’s due to an absence of seniors but that’s not the case. Shaun Prater, cornerback, was a preseason All-Big Ten pick but thus far hasn’t lived up to the hype. Part of that is due to the lack of pressure by Iowa’s front four. Opposing quarterbacks are standing in the pocket with all day to throw and the secondary is struggling to maintain coverage.

Tyler Nielsen has moved to the inside linebacker position and the senior will be key on Saturday. I’m not sure if Nielsen or either safety Tanner Miller or Jordan Bernstine will have “spy” duties on Robinson but Ferentz has commented that Nielsen is the defense’s best player.

I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see Iowa use a little more nickel this week. Cornerback BJ Lowery suffered a broken wrist in fall camp missed the first six weeks of the season. Iowa might inject Lowery as the nickel back and blitz him occasionally from the outside. I might just be dreaming here too.

In scanning a few recaps of the Minnesota game, it sounds like Iowa’s front 7 was challenged by MarQuis Gray (255 total yds) – what kind of day do you see Denard Robinson having?

Mike Hlas, of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, wrote a column a week or two ago that broke down passing efficiency ratings of the quarterbacks Iowa has faced this season. QB’s like Iowa State’s Steele Jantz (who has recently been benched in favor of a red shirt freshman) have an efficiency rating 27 points higher against Iowa than they do against all of the rest of their opponents.

That being said, I think Denard, if he wants to, can stand back and wait for receivers to get open. Iowa’s front four will play contain and hope to keep Denard boxed in but that often results in completed passes.

The middle will be there if Michigan wants to attack with either the running back or Robinson. I know Michigan has gotten away from the zone read but the midline read is there all day. So is the dive, draw, iso, and every other running play under the sun.

What’s the general feeling from the Iowa faithful in regards to Coach Ferentz – loyal, ready for a change, etc.?

Cedar Rapids Gazette writer Marc Morehouse commented on Twitter yesterday that he felt that Ferentz has reached Steve Alford levels of polarizing the fan base. Alford was the head basketball coach at Iowa from (99-07) and lost a portion (maybe majority) of the fan base with his handling of guard Pierre Pierce (Pierce had more than one dealing with the law, domestic abuse type stuff).  Losing games didn’t help Alford either.

There was a great tweet about a month ago that said, and I’m paraphrasing, “52 college teams lost on Saturday and that the Internet wants 52 head coaches fired on Sunday.” It’s funny because it’s true. But I think the grumblings around Hawkeye land are real and warranted.

The defense has been on a downhill slide the last two seasons. Some people wonder if the changing offensive strategies in the Big Ten are passing Iowa by. I think it’s what, eight to nine teams are running some form of spread offense? Yet, Iowa still lines up in the same defense that they did in 2000.

There’s also been two seasons of special team’s mistakes that have cost Iowa games. The fourth quarter collapses have people questioning conditioning. The list goes on, and rightfully so.

There’s a vocal group of Hawkeye fans that wouldn’t mind a change at the top but I think the majority wants to see Ferentz stay and address some of the things I’ve mentioned. That may mean changes in the assistant coaching staff and changes in philosophy.

What’s Iowa’s biggest position strength and most glaring weakness?

This may contradict the earlier question about which player you should worry about but I think Iowa’s biggest strength is the run blocking of the offensive line. The pass blocking has been suspect at times but Marcus Coker is averaging 121 yards a game in the Big Ten for a reason. Coker isn’t the fastest running back by any means. He runs hard and falls forward, but the running lanes are what’s leading to his statistical success.

Iowa’s biggest weakness this season has been the interior defense. The front seven has had trouble getting pressure all season. The rush defense, while not statistically worst in the Big Ten, could end up there after Iowa faces Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue and Nebraska.

Finally, how do you see Saturday playing out?  Feel free to dial up a prediction…

I think Michigan does whatever it wants offensively and it’s a long day for the Hawkeye defense. I’d like to believe that Iowa’s home field advantage can keep them in this game but ultimately it will depend on the offense to keep pace with the Wolverines. I see a lot of points in this one and maybe Iowa keeps it close.  Michigan 45 Iowa 35.

15 total videos in the post – click the title or continue reading below…

General Game Highlights

Most extended highlights (via donkeypuncher231):

Fairly extended highlights (via parkinggod)

Inside Michigan Football

Again, thanks to MGoVideo.

Every Snap: Defense then Offense

Love the Every Snap videos.  Thanks to MGoVideo for those:

Pressers

Tuesday coordinator pressers:

Happy Halloween

MGoBlue feature (via mgovideo)

Michigan 36  Purdue 14

Well, if there is going to be a second-half, post-MSU-loss collapse for Team 132 it hasn’t started yet.  Michigan spent a few hours on their Saturday afternoon handling a fairly weak Purdue team.

In reading some post-game columns and going through the post-game presser – the theme is that Michigan has conquered demons of the the past and will have little to do with a season-ending collapse.  At this point, that theme is appropriate.  But, what’s being shoved to the side a bit, is that Michigan has yet to have what I would call a strong conference win.  Beating Northwestern on the road was nice, but Northwestern isn’t what they were expected to be.  Minnesota was obviously miserable and somehow pulled off a W at home against Iowa yesterday.  And Purdue showed some life in a win against an Illinois team that is in the midst of a solid three game losing streak.  You’ll hear more about it next week as they are Michigan’s opponent on Nov. 12th, but man, Illinois has been unwatchable the past few weeks.

I will tell you this.  If you would have dialed me up prior to the season’s start and asked me, “Going into November, would you be good with …

… being a one-loss team entering November?”
… having the 35th ranked defense (7th in scoring D by the way)?”
… the 8th ranked rushing offense in the country”?

Yes, yes and yes.  Inferior conference competition aside, Michigan is entering November with one loss, which is nice because the past is still uncomfortably close in the rear view mirror.

What Team 132 needs to prove now is that they can go on the road and play well against less-than-average to average-at-best B1G teams.  Iowa is beginning to look miserable with that loss to Minnesota, but you can’t expect to go on the road and get an easy win against a team like Iowa.  So, in essence, the next two weeks are huge for this team.  Iowa and Illinois look terrible and Michigan should beat the both.

So, the 7-1 record going into November exceeds the typical expectation for this team.  What are witnessing here?  Better coaching.  Bottom line, I think this team is more focused than year’s past and they are most definitely coached to a higher level.  Listen to the players and coaches representing Michigan’s defense talk about their focus, intention and philosophy.  The message is consistent and smarter than what we’ve heard for the past three seasons under D coordinators that aren’t named Greg Mattison.

On to the Box Score

Standing out on offense:

• 53 rushing attempts (6.4 avg/carry) – highest single-game total this season
• 535 total yards – the third time this season Michigan’s O has surpassed the 500 mark
• 7 for 13 on third-down conversions
• 2 field goal attempts…2 made field goals !!

On defense:

• Held Purdue to 3 out of 13 third-down conversions
• Allowed 14 points (only 7 points when it mattered)
• Held Purdue to 89 rushing yards
• Safety!
• 4 sacks
• 7 TFL’s – highest single-game total this season

Denard Answers Appropriately

From the post-game presser.  Denard and Fitz are asked about the infamous collapses of seasons’ past.  The question and Denard’s answer...

Denard had his bad throws yesterday, but had his solid throws as well.  All in all, Denard managed the game well yesterday when Borges wasn’t taking the ball out of hands.  For a few minutes there, I’m yelling at Borges for robbing D-Rob of any possible rhythm and putting Gardner in there.  I like Devin and think he’ll be a great starter when his time comes, but right now, I don’t know if it’s worth disrupting Denard’s rhythm.  It’s not that the sets with Devin don’t work at all, because they have been successful, but it just seems like it’s too big a part of this offense.  I’d be good with seeing Devin’s current snap count be cut in half.

Fitz Toussaint Shows All in One Play

Fitz showed why he is the best back Michigan can put on the field in one play.  Roll the tape…

Speed, vision, incredible shiftiness, and quick cutbacks are all on display during that 59 yard gem from Fitz.  He looks as healthy as he’s looked all season.  Fitz looks the best he’s looked in his career at Michigan for that matter.  I still love me some V Smoov though, he plays his role very well and always impacts the game.

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Photo cred Det. News.