Looking back over the past few decades it is hard to remember a year when the Wolverine football team wasn’t ranked in the Top 10 national standings this early in the season. I can’t remember a year where there were a few offensive stars returning that everyone knew from their previous season’s heroics.
Maybe that is why some sports writers, broadcasters and fans are uncomfortable over the things that transpired prior to the season’s first game. Michigan Wolverine fans have been able to take for granted that through their size, speed, intelligence, talent, and coaching they will wind up at the top of their division.
This is the first time I can remember the Wolverines being underdogs. When I ponder that it’s not such a bad position to be in. There are no expectations. The team can only go up from where they sit now. With this talented young team there may be a lot of surprises and upsets favoring the Wolverines this season.
Take this week’s Saturday game at the Big House against Notre Dame for example. Like W. Michigan, Notre Dame had an altogether better season and better offense than the Wolverine’s had. Given the motivation of ND coach Charlie Weiss to keep his job, and QB J. Clausen’s desire to prove he’s finally put together a lethal season, ND will probably be favored to win Saturday.
The key to ND’s attack against the Nevada Wolf Pack was Clausen’s passing game. He hit 15 or 18 attempts for 315 yards and 4 TD’s. His prime target was receiver M. Floyd who caught only 4 passes for a wopping total of 189 yards and 3 TD’s. To help keep the Wolf Pack linebackers at bay the shared running attack of A. Allen and J. Gray ran for a total 122 yards, not bad.
Looking at these stats one might easily conclude that the Wolverines will have their work cut out for them. They do. However, the Wolf Pack barely offered a defensive attack to stop Notre Dame. On the other hand Notre Dame’s defensive attack managed one sack, by T. Smith, two interceptions, by R. Blanton and K. McCarthy, and some sloppy tackling against a Nevada team.
ND wasn’t a dominant defense last Saturday. Wolf Pack QB C. Kaepernick in only 12/23 pass completions still managed 149 yards with no TD’s. The rushing game with V. Tana and the Kaepernick raided the Irish defense for 153 yards. The Irish have run defense that looks like it can be exploited. If there is a linebacker who hesitates when tackling look out. If the defensive backfield has to come up on a successful runnng campaign too much, look out.
The Wolverine offensive attack was well balanced last Saturday against the Broncos. With over 450 total offensive yards 197 were for passing with a highly efficient 3 TD’s in the mix. With a running attack spread between the two QB’s Forcier and Robinson, and help coming from other improving RB’s, while Brandon Minor sits out with an injury, the Irish should have their hands full. They’re going to be running a lot.
The Wolverine offensive line did a very good job last week and will get better with this week’s practice. The front line gave the Wolverines ball control and consistent drives. The front lines on offense and defense are where this battle will be won or lost. I expect Clausen air attack to rack up some yardage and points.
I also expect he will get sacked, forced to run out of the pocket, and his receivers to get hit hard. If he can stretch a pass beyond the linebacking crew the DB’s led by Cissoko will be waiting. I am not so certain the Irish can muster up a 100 yard running game against the Wolverines. With a failed running attack they will have to pass all the time.
Michigan will have to watch the penalty count. Giving away 72 yards due to mistakes can keep the Irish in the game. I also look for a little better production from the Wolverine kick and punt return teams with no fumbles. The Irish won last week with too many arm tackles, which means there are starting defensive players, who don’t want to hit.
A good offensive team can exploit defensive players who like to play patty-cake. With all of these things in mind I think once again the Wolverine defense has to set the tone early and continue 4 quarters of dominance. This gives a confident young Wolverine offense time to develop a 4 quarter groove to score and win.
The Irish have the potential to win more than eight games this year if Clausen and the offense can their impose their will upon their opponents. They will have to get past the underdog, Michigan Wolverines first.
