GBMWolverine: Coach's Corner -- Michigan Football -- Eastern Michigan at Michigan -- Grade Card

Posted at 6:00am — 9/20/2011

GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — Eastern Michigan at Michigan — Grade Card

Well gang, another mixed card, not by design, but by real observation. Get used to this phenomenon this year and the Wolverines will not spoil we fans for a while. But there may be one shining moment of joyful bliss on the horizon; we hope. Columbus struggled Edison struggled, but there overcame and achieved big success. That is the mission of Michigan. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the beauty is the 3-0 start, albeit with plenty of trepidation.

Overview:

One sentence: this was one of the most unimpressive 28-point victories we can remember. Still, a win is a win and we all will take it. Do not throw up the panic sign yet, things happen.

Again, here is our grading scale, simple but typical, intended to provide a general summary judgment based on specific instances collectively observed.

A = Great – everything went well, execution was very notable.
B = Good – success was achieved but nothing was exemplary.
C = Average/Okay – a normal day with ups and downs.
D = Poor/Need Help – a clear weakness, obvious problems.
F = Hope and Pray for a great recruiting class at that position.

Offense:

471 total yards and an impressive 376 yards running. There just seemed to be something missing, a workable offensive rhythm or sharp execution.

Grade: B

Quarterback’s

202 yards rushing with 1 TD and 7-18 passing for 97 yards. There a couple of clear dropped passes and others that could have been caught. Our bottom line, is that Denard Robinson’s legs were key to a Michigan win, especially with the offense struggling mightily in the first half.

Grade: B+

Running Back’s:

Although stopped in the power game, this was the best performance of the year, and V. Smith’s best game in a Michigan uniform. A couple of dropped passes, a few tentative and questionable cuts, and getting caught from behind numerous times by backside pursuit held the grade down a bit.

Grade: B

Receiver’s:

7 catches for 97 yards and a couple of nice blocks, little else to comment on.

Grade: B

Offensive Line:

You would think that 376 yards rushing and no sacks would be a very high grade. But Michigan had to go to misdirection and good reads to get much of that yardage. We believe the Offensive Line did a good job of pulling and leading.

Grade: C+

Defense:

Michigan will struggle with top teams until they are better at line of scrimmage and until they do a better job with contain. Until they keep offenses between the hashes Michigan will struggle to be better than an average defense.

Grade: C (Plenty of yards, few points, clear things to work on.)

Defensive Line:

1 sack and 3 TFL, this group has to be stronger at the line of scrimmage, must maintain contain, and not get moved backwards.

Grade: D+

Linebacker’s:

This group was disappointing, gave up contain and did not fill as well as needed.

Grade: C-

Secondary:

This group had two of the three leading tacklers (not good) and one interception. However, the group must be better at maintaining proper leverage.

Grade: B

Special Teams:

35 yards punting, nasty squib kick offs, poor field position, one horrible penalty on a long punt return. Michigan did make all the extra points and a Field Goal.

Grade: D

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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