Michigan vs. Kansas State — What Happened and What It Means — Part I

Posted at 5:30am — 12/30/2013

Michigan vs. Kansas State — What Happened and What It Means — Part I

Wolverines Lay An Egg In The Dead Chicken Bowl

Kansas State is a pretty good team. The Wildcats, with a month to prepare, played very well and very intelligent in all phases of the game. Michigan’s weaknesses were exposed and exploited. Kansas State was very well prepared and the players knew exactly how to attack the Wolverines on both sides of the ball. As mentioned in the preview, Kansas State has excellent skill position players and those players had a very good day against the Wolverine defense. Kansas State, with Jake Waters and Tyler Lockett back next year, could make some noise on the national scene next fall.

Dec 28, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Kansas State defeated Michigan 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsMichigan, on the other hand, could not block well enough to routinely gain more than a few yards on base running plays. The Wolverine defense let Kansas State run or pass nearly at will in the first half, but played a little better in the second half when Kansas State’s main concern became milking the clock. The Michigan offense produced only two field goals in the first three quarters. The game plan conceded a lack of inside running and provided outside options through screens and misdirection to compensate.

Still, those who are prone to an immediate negative mindset, or those with the off-with- your-head syndrome, may be gloating prematurely. Michigan did not show any progress in running the ball, but at least freshman Shane Morris showed the results of a month of preparation. The offensive game plan showed a creativity to go wide, but a lot of that ended up going only a little way, and once again tricks can only go so far; actual football requires winning in the trenches. Michigan still cannot line up and run the ball, whether from the gun or the power I. The play selection and game plan were not flawed; the problem was gaining enough yards to score points. Sid Gillman or Paul Brown would have had trouble scoring points with the lack of running Michigan’s offense continues to exhibit.

Dec 28, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Shane Morris (7) scrambles in the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsOne way to approach this game discussion is to go unit by unit. The offensive line had decent, just decent pass protection. Morris had periods of reasonable time, but was also rushed hard, especially in the second half. This was enough to force Shane into letting it fly before the ideal time or acquired accuracy. As mentioned, with the exception of Morris taking off late on a scramble against a deep defense, and also excepting a few early gains on outside misdirection plays, Michigan’s best effort was a three or four yard draw play late in the game. It has indeed been rare when a Michigan back has an open truck size lane to run through the past two seasons. Michigan faces a bad scene in replacing two fine tackles next season with the troubled middle line returning.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu

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