GBMWolverine: Coach's Corner -- Michigan Football -- Michigan at Illinois -- What Happened and What It Means -- Part II

Posted at 6:00am — 11/15/2011

GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — Michigan at Illinois — What Happened and What It Means — Part II

The passing game was again the mixed bag that has been experienced. Denard’s near interception could have been a game changer. The odds of a defender dropping a ball that soft and gift-wrapped were slim, but slim showed up and the Wolverines dodged a bullet. But Devin getting a ton of time and hitting Odoms crossing in the back of the end zone became the difference. The play must have taken six seconds to develop and the offensive line pushed the rushers past Devin and he stepped up and threw an easy deep strike. Truth be told he had several yards for sure if he had decided to run for yardage. The way things were going with the offense at that stage of the game, I was rooting for running a dive and punting the ball inside the ten. Good thing I did not have the headset, that play was the key to sealing the victory.

The Illinois defense did a nice job of containing Denard, maybe or maybe not at the expense of providing Fitz with good opportunities. He was contained pretty effectively as demonstrated by the failure to gain even short yardage after Michigan did very well on first down. Again, the coaches had to be frying after seeing good first down gains of 6-8 yards and not converting easy opportunities to move the chain. Sooner of late that is fatal.

The offensive line had a real up and down game, hit and miss. Not having seen a game replay, I would bet Molk came out pretty strong. The guards did hit some nice angles to spring Fitz and the tackles seemed to have a break-even day, although as always Lewan was hunting anything in sight to hit.

No doubt, the theorists will come out about Denard’s injury. How bad was he hurt and could he have played? Post game talk stated he could play and so the question has already arisen was this just a good opportunity to make a change and get Devin in for some action? Things like this have happened before. One thing is for sure, and here comes the broken record, regardless of how talented a player is, turning the ball over time after time, game after game, kills an offense. So, Denard sits, Devin plays, the offense, still sputtering, hit a couple of big plays, but the lead was protected.

This sounds like a theme associated with a team that has as a centerpiece a good defense. Who would have thought that months ago such a discussion would even occur this year? If a defense is depended on to win, then the quarterback must be a great manager of the game and not undo the good work of the defense.

The linebackers and edge defenders gave the edge up some, and looked vulnerable on the little counter move on the quarterback keepers. The next two opponents rely on quick quarterback feet and so Michigan needs to continue to step up the efforts to secure the edge, this may be the difference maker. Desmond Morgan did give Michigan fans a nice moment with a monster hit. The interior line did a nice job of protecting the linebackers and not exposing any deficiencies and groups of defenders early on secured both the middle and the edge in textbook fashion.

The coverage unit played very well, getting down the field a little better and not providing any big gaps. Wile continues to be improving his distance, albeit the wind helped yesterday, but he drilled a couple of low shots into the wind very well. Gibbons needs to just continue to work without pressure and dream about the moment he may win a big game, he needs to prepare for this opportunity as the moment could soon be at hand.

So that is what happened, a win on the road, a very solid all-around game, some weaknesses that are still obvious and worrisome on offense, and a defense that is playing better and better, and one that looks coordinated and confident.

What does this mean for the future? Like has been stated the past few weeks, almost the entire season, Borges has some tough choices to make with the offense: use what works or move to the future? The view here is moving on at this stage of the season makes no sense and could be a disaster waiting to happen. Ever since Michigan State jumped counts, Michigan has played more under center. The question remains is this a necessity brought about by giving teams a key advantage or a move to the future?

Some of you may remember that I was informed by a higher up in late September that the defense would play better in October than during September, and would play better in November than in October. This may come about, and if so would be as drastic a turnaround as could be observed anywhere.

Michigan continues the trend of forcing turnovers, game after game; Iowa is the only team escaping the influence of the Michigan defense. The next two opponents are big and talented and the defense will be a key factor in giving the Wolverines a chance. Both games are clearly winnable but also can be lost. Both games are at home and Michigan needs to take advantage as next year’s road schedule repays the kindness in reverse. The team needs to play with confidence and swagger. The coaches almost certainly have the game plans for the two games in the can and ready for delivery, it becomes a matter of superior preparation.

Some things have changed and some have stayed the same. What has changed has been for the better. The eighth win gives Michigan a good chance at a meaningful bowl game and a ninth would almost ensure a nice New Year’s holiday gift for the fans.

I want you all to root for MaizeMan’s prediction over mine. I predicted early eight wins if UM beat Notre Dame and seven without that win. MaizeMan has been one game more optimistic, as he has stayed on the number nine all along. I believe the rest of the staff was in the eight range, if memory is correct.

So, I can be right, Maize can be right, or with near divine help UM could happily make us both wrong and come in with ten wins. That would make me giddy, a true anomaly.

First things first, on to a very good and tough Nebraska team with a super athlete at quarterback, the second of three straight dangerous running quarterbacks. The old house needs to really rock the next two weeks and over 113,000 will probably be in attendance. So hopefully the fans provide a true home field advantage. But good play beats loud fans every time.

Go Blue- and as always I hope you enjoyed the game summary.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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