Michigan — Bowling Green Game Review

Posted at 8:00am — 9/29/2010

Michigan — Bowling Green Game Review

What Happened and What it Means

What happened last Saturday against Bowling Green is exactly what everyone thought would happen the previous Saturday against the University of Massachusetts. Before going any further, UMass was a superior team and could attack Michigan unlike Bowling Green. The offensive line, quarterback, and running backs for UMass were superior to Bowling Green, the defenses were about the same. With a second team quarterback, the Falcon coaching staff did not have the luxury of a specialized game plan strictly made to attack UM’s weaknesses as did UMass.

Let us start with this tidbit: it will be very tough for an opposing defense to play the Michigan receivers in extensive man-to-man coverage. If the lanes are chased clean and the spy (if any) is beat, then Denard will run for 10 yards plus routinely, when he chooses to pull the ball down, and take the easy yardage across the line of scrimmage. If teams play zone, Michigan’s receivers can go to the soft spots, including the sideline for easy 5-10 yard gains. So, every defense that is not stout will have that dilemma as the season goes forward.

Another tidbit; defending Denard will be different this year, since the wildcat up the middle is only one of many options Denard can unleash. Right now, Denard can hurt a team inside, off tackle, break contain, and with his arm. Every play will be pressure on the defense. The only way to stop Denard cold is to bring successful pressure from every direction. It will be the task of the offensive line to neutralize such soon to be forthcoming attempts. Denard is better and so is the offensive line, but that does not guarantee he will have free reign on every play against every team.

One goal for Saturday’s game was to get a good look at the collective running back group. The mission was accomplished with clear success. As stated many times Michigan has good backs but no one great back that can carry the Wolverines play after play. As a matter of fact, the Wolverine’s best runner is the quarterback, Denard Robinson. In this case that is just fine.

All of the backs showed that good blocking makes a back look good. The offensive line, again across the entire line, got good leverage and successfully pushed the defenders enough so that the running backs had more momentum than the defenders. Every back ran hard, Vinnie Smith still looks like he has a little trouble getting out on the stretch play. But keep in mind the UM tackles are just ok at sealing off the edge on the stretch. Vinnie is still strong between the tackles once past the fist level. Michael Shaw did nothing to hurt his status as the number one, and paired together Shaw and Smith are a decent combo Cox ran hard and well, nothing fancy.. Please hold on to the ball young Mr. Hopkins or the doghouse with all the irritating fleas will remain with you. It is still the belief here that Hopkins is a good third and one option, but UM will make progress only if the guys secure the ball So far, pretty good, but a few lucky breaks have gone the Wolverine’s way in fumble recoveries.

The formations stressed some power situations. UM started out with a two-back, balanced set and later played two wingbacks in a tight blocking formation. Webb is getting the job done in the backfield. He will likely be who many teams key on when UM is in that formation. As Webb goes so will the offense and the defense. Obviously there is a counter or waggle that should be in the bank to hopefully cash in when needed.

The passing attack has slowly opened up and vertical opportunities were available Saturday. Michigan hit some, drew a penalty or two, and dropped a sure touchdown in the vertical game. Twenty-seven of thirty is a dream day and a drop will occur. Move on and catch the next one is the way to go. There was not much pressure, so time was available for UM to extend the passing game. Simply put, to continue the deep passing game going into the Big Ten, the line must fiercely work on pass pro. The unit is ok currently on protection, but not close to superior.

The line played some bullyboy on Saturday and Mr. Molk seemed to have some conflict resolution problems. Oh well, glad to have a nasty gladiator at center. Lewan is somewhat nasty and he will become more so as his career moves on. Put the binocs on him and one can see a guy who loves to hit someone, more so than just opening a hole. The author believes the right side is getting better and is about the equal of the left side of the offensive line. It would be no surprise if the two sides have argued this point.

The wideouts are getting their feet under them. There is no quitting on routes because the ball is getting to the open receivers. When Denard takes off, enough positioning and resistance is being offered to give him a shot at a first down. The blocking is not superb from this group, but the guys are pulling away enough to avoid the dreaded holding call. Let us hope that trend continues when the receivers face bigger, stronger corners and safeties.

The kickers, excepting kickoffs, essentially got the day off, a situation no coach minds having. The money here is Dileo can play, he possesses good hands and good moves. Drew made a couple of nice returns negated by some strange penalty calls. Now calculate in the guy is smart, both on and off the field.

The defensive line played a pretty standard game but there were no gashing holes resulting from an end getting taken out and Mike Martin getting pushed around after slanting. The edge held good contain. The pass rush was better but the opposition quality on the line was suspect.

The back seven still had tackling and coverage issues. Again defenders converged high and could not finish a tackle allowing a Falcon a long touchdown on what should have been a 10-yard gain. After gaining a 21-0 advantage Michigan’s defense went nighty-night providing BG with its best segment of the game. Giving up quick easy points can make the difference in the tough toss-up games soon to come.

Mouton had a very good game and Demens played adequately.

The deep out (flag) is still open time and again. Michigan has been fortunate in that many such passes have been poorly thrown or dropped, but the pattern is open. As described last week, BG ran a player to the boundary of the end zone and then a nice slant on the inside. This is very difficult to cover when time is given to a good thrower.

And so Michigan enters the Big Ten season against an undefeated Indiana team on the road. Indiana has vowed to “get even” for the supposed bad call of last year. To this day, the writer believes the call could have gone either way with justification. Indiana has beaten Towson, Western Kentucky, and Akron. The Hoosiers have a high-powered offense and so do the Wolverines. The line is 10+ but this is a young team on the road, “you never know” fits here.

Michigan will likely be favored against Indiana, Illinois, and Purdue. The MSU game will be a toss up game, and the rest of the upper crust of the Big Ten will likely be favored against UM. Iowa has a great defense, but is sputtering a little. Penn State is hanging in and will get better.

One game at a time is the way to go. However, Michigan State remains the most important game on the schedule.

Written by GBMWolverine Staff

Go Blue — Wear Maize!