Michigan Wolverines: Utah — What Happened and What it Means — Part I
Sep 20, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; General view after a rain delay in the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Utah Utes at Michigan Stadium. Utah won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Posted at 5:30am — 9/22/2014
Michigan Wolverines: Utah — What Happened and What it Means — Part I
Utah versus Michigan Game Wrap-up
Another work week in the can and once again it became a delightful task to prepare for the trip up north to A squared. The football action actually started off Friday with a mandated prediction of Michigan’s Saturday score to some nut activists. The prediction was Utah 31 and Michigan 20. The nuts did not agree, the entire group thought UM would win by the spread. The second conversation was a reverse prediction by the nut fans that Tuos would wipe out Cincinnati by 28 or more points.
The weather started off well, but like thousands of others, the viewing ended with a super soaking flee to the Docmobile. In between some curious events occurred: follow onwards as what happened provided a rare stimulus for a banquet of feasting on the negative.
Sep 20, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Devin Funchess (1) jumps to make a catch in the first quarter against the Utah Utes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsKey Events:
The game started with Michigan once again losing the flip. The offense struggled to make first downs. The ac-dc progress was maddening. Negative plays, one key penalty, a bad break on a roll out when Beyer fell and lost a shoe, and the ever- present turnovers turned a chance for a win into a near debacle. There was little chance of momentum or continuity.
For about 12 minutes Michigan and Utah were dead even in every regard. Michigan punter, Will Hagerup kicked a line drive directly to a great punt returner. He broke a couple of weak tackles, outran about four bad angles, and scored. Michigan had only one significant play the rest of the game and it was by Willie Henry of the defense. There was no common surround cup of the receiver and at least one defender did not break down and come under control. These little fundamental mishaps create not so little consequences.
Sep 20, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) rushes the ball Utah Utes defensive back Eric Rowe (18) runs in to tackle in the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsBlocking the Blitz:
There now are two considerations as to the offensive line pass blocking: (1) can the linemen pass protect, and (2) is the knowledge and communication supplementary to successful pass protection present? The answer to the first is conjecture, but the verdict is yes, this group can become adequate at pass blocking. The second consideration about knowledge and communication is a clear no. Every team shifts the defensive front, makes a call, and brings a blitz that results in an uncovered blitzer. This happens time after time and game after game. And the criticism of the backs in pass blocking is somewhat unjustified; they seem to be getting the idea and producing better results.
It is as if the quarterback, Devin Gardner, refuses to have some faith in his backs or line to make pick-ups. But in obvious fairness, there were several times when the defense quickly met at the quarterback. For accuracy, it should also be stated that there were times when Gardner had in excess of five seconds and the results were also disappointing.
Way Off Schedule:
In a scene reminiscent of past seasons, Michigan simply cannot stay on offensive schedule. Common from Michigan’s fine game announcer was third and eight, third and nine, third and twelve, and third and fourteen calls. As Dean Wormer informed Flounder, fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life. The same can be said for bringing back five or six years of memories of Michigan being in third and nine, usually because no running game was achieved.
Sep 20, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Dominique Hatfield (15) tackles Michigan Wolverines running back Derrick Green (27) in the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsThis was not quite the situation in Saturday’s game, not quite being very operational in triggering an explicative conversation. There were times when the backs had holes, but the typical first down and run the power off tackle formation from the unbalanced line was both predictable and unsuccessful. That begs the question of why this occurred so much: the answer may have been in the poor results from the passing game that left Michigan many times with an equally undesirable behind schedule result. There were times Michigan had second and not so bad and managed to mess it up and end up with another third and long. It seems as if the offense cannot comprehend three successful plays in a row. Any progress in even the most remotely small and humble drives is painful.
Part II we will talk about the defense and what all this means.
Please comment on our GBMWolverine Message Board about this article and read what others comment and give us your thoughts, agree or disagree.
Just a reminder you must be a member to participate on the Message Board. Here is the link GBMWolverine Register for those people interested in becoming a member.
You can contact us at our e-mail address: GBMWolverine
Follow us on Twitter:
@ErocWolverine
@GBMWolverine
@Mike Fitzpatrick
@SqdScoops
@YostMeister
Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu
Go Blue — Wear Maize!