I started writing this article around halftime.
It was 17-14 Michigan and even that felt like a minor miracle. Words like “abysmal” and “consternation” were littered across my paragraphs. Try as I might, I could simply not make sense of the performance I was witnessing. The whiplash from the Western Michigan performance to the Oklahoma game was one thing; going from that to (whatever that first half was) was quite another.
Seldom had I been more confused about how to evaluate a football team. Was this team actually the playoff-caliber team I saw beat Oklahoma? Or was this team just 2008 Repackaged RichRod?
Before I could decide on an answer, Michigan answered for me.
To be clear – there’s still a lot that I don’t know about this team. For example, I think Michigan has unlocked a dangerous offensive scheme with Bryce Underwood. But I don’t know that beyond a shadow of a doubt. Or I think Michigan has one of the best defenses in the country. But I don’t know that because, well, does New Mexico have one too?
One thing I do know is that turnovers are killing this team. The fact that Michigan is 3-0 while turning the ball over FIVE TIMES IN THREE GAMES is mind-boggling. For all the panic I had in the course of the first half, a cool-headed analysis afterwards shows that Michigan didn’t play all that poorly, actually. But those two turnovers were critical mistakes as UTEP converted both of them into touchdowns (the first one being effectively a 14-point swing).
(I also had about 900 words here about penalties, but my editor told me we have “word limits” and “deadlines” and “day jobs” so just imagine that I rant about that for a bit here).
One fun thing about the Michigan fanbase is that we love to beat teams by five touchdowns and then complain about all the things we didn’t like from that game. And, like, fair enough. But there were some stellar positives that I’ll briefly highlight here (get the full recap when you subscribe to the podcast!)
- Bryce Underwood: 19/25 for 223 yards and 2TDs. Yes, it’s against UTEP. But look at the progression from Week 1 to Week 2 to Week 3. Bryce didn’t have a statline anywhere close to that against Western. He got more comfortable with his utilization in Week 2. You saw him settle into that even more this week. This bodes good things for the Iowa game.
- Run Game: Hiter (11-62-2TD) and Marshall (12-59-1TD) finally found some success on the ground. As we’ve said time and again, this feels more like an offensive line issue than a talent issue for the backs. No, it still isn’t where Michigan needs it to be. But it was a heck of a lot better than where it’s been. Again – trajectory and progression is positive.
- Receivers: Marsh (10-105-TD) and Buchanan (7-92-TD) had phenomenal games. That’s a testament to Underwood as well, nearly sending both receivers over the century mark. We said last week that Andrew Marsh had to feature more to give Michigan a real one-two punch. He did just that on Saturday.
- Defense: All of it, man. Seriously though. These guys are NASTY in the best way. Four sacks. Eleven (!) TFLs. 150 total yards. One pick-six. JHD, Dom Nichols, Nate Marshall, Tariq Boney, Carter Meadows . . . the EdgeRusherGods™ continue to bestow good gifts on the maize & blue.
I don’t know what was said in the locker room at halftime. But whatever it was seemed to be along the same veins as those Jim Harbaugh teams who would start slow and then make phenomenal adjustments. (Someone is going to yell “cOnNoR sTaLlIoNs” at their laptop, as if Michigan was like “Connor, hold off until halftime just to keep us guessing.” Stop it. Get help.)
A slow start simply will not do as we head into Big Ten play. This team has shown not only the ability to improve week-to-week, but now the ability to make outstanding mid-game adjustments. I certainly would not want to get on the bad side of the Vanilla Gorilla or this new-look Michigan offense.
The non-conference is over. Chasing another Big Ten crown starts now.
