Michigan Football: What now for the Wolverines?

In the wake of an ugly loss to Notre Dame, Michigan Football fans have a tough time arguing that the preseason rankings were ungenerous, that Michigan is one of the biggest dogs in the Big10, that Jim Harbaugh has the capacity to unleash a dynamic offense.

It was painful from start to finish, and surprisingly painful in that the first evidence of Michigan football‘s distress came as the defense allowed two quick scores, putting the Blue 14 points down before those of us watching at home had passed around the chips and dip.

Lots of pre-season talk about an improved offensive line had raised hopes of seeing a balanced, if not creative, offense.  No such luck.  The offensive line was as porous as ever, essentially obviating any chance of establishing a running game and leaving Shea Patterson with virtually no time or space to see his receivers.

An anemic offense (1.8 yards per attempt) put the defense back on the field too quickly, even though the second half reminded fans of what the defense can look like when operating relatively smoothly.  A fumbled field goal cost Michigan three points when they mattered most, the play calling was relentlessly wrong-headed.  Time management at the end of the game was bungled.

Michigan ends up seven points short, and the experience for fans was excruciating.  And yet, the stats tell a story worth telling.  As reported in the Detroit Free Press, Chase Winovich who has seen the evolution of this program from the start put it this way:

“I’m not really sure where they beat us,” said the bewildered, Michigan football senior defensive end, standing in a tight cinder-block room underneath Notre Dame Stadium after U-M’s 24-17 loss to the Irish. “… (I) didn’t feel like they dominated us.”

If Winovich is unclear, bewitched, bothered, and bewildered, Michigan fans have to consider this – Michigan’s offense was on the field for 33 minutes to Notre Dame’s 28.  Michigan put together 20 first downs, the Irish 21.  Michigan put together 307 total yards, Notre Dame 302.  The Wolverines passed for 249 yards, ND for 170.

But, as sports experts agree, the winning team is bound to have a higher score, and in that statistic, Notre Dame displayed what can only be called the will to win.  A prime example of a difference that matters?  Notre Dame’s Chris Fink goes up to grab a ball that coulda-woulda-shoulda been an interception by Brad Hawkins in the end zone.  To state the obvious:  Fink was covered, but he wanted the ball more than Hawkins did.

And that’s where we are on the Monday after a crushing defeat – looking at a team that can’t finish, doesn’t have swagger, and seemingly can’t rise to the challenge in a game against a ranked opponent.  Michigan lacks swagger.  Michigan.  Want to see what spirit looks like in the Big 10?  Pull up Northwestern’s win over Purdue.  Nobody’s talking about Northwestern, no pre-season hype, but they wanted the game and they took it.

Sports radio is enjoying the opportunity to roast Jim Harbaugh today.  The truth is that Harbaugh is a good coach and Michigan football has real talent, but if a coach can’t breathe a little spirit into a team facing the competition that Michigan faces, voices calling for a change are only going to get louder.