Michigan Football: Why the Wolverines will be alright

Michigan football is 0-1 after a disappointing loss to Notre Dame, but success is still attainable, and they control their own destiny from here.

I’m not going to sit here and tell you that the 24-17 loss to Notre Dame this past Saturday night didn’t hurt. After all the hype surrounding Michigan football during the offseason, the opener was a total letdown.

I’ve seen all the opinions and read all the articles about why they lost and why they’re the same team that went 8-5 last season. Realistically, much of what was said is true, and it’s completely valid to question the team’s game plan and vision at this point.

However, 11 games remain on the schedule, and the Fighting Irish are a better team than many suspected. Complain all you want, but don’t rule this team out from accomplishing their goals.

Call me an optimist. Call me delusional. But I’m not ready to throw in the towel on this season yet, and here’s why:

Flashback to Jim Harbaugh’s first season at Michigan in 2015. The team began its season on the road against a tough Utah team. It was a night game in a hostile environment. A new quarterback was at the helm for the Wolverines, which also required a new offensive game plan. They lost the game, 24-17, after scoring a late touchdown to make it interesting.

Sounds somewhat familiar, doesn’t it?

I’m not asking you to compare the team from 2015 with this year’s team. Harbaugh is in his fourth year now and circumstances are much different now. But if you did, I’d bet you’d find more talent on this year’s roster.

Michigan Wolverines

Sure, times are different, but the team went 10-3 in 2015, only getting outplayed by one other team (Ohio State) along the way. The defense was dominating, and the offense established its identity as a solid group that could more than hold its own.

The offensive line in 2015 wasn’t great. They had Mason Cole and Graham Glasgow, but the unit ranked just above an adjusted line rate of 100, which classifies as average.

Coming back to the present, let’s examine what we know so far this season, though it’s only a one-game sample size.

I’ll echo the thoughts on everyone’s mind: the offensive line needs to improve. It’s been a problem for years now, but there comes a point in time where any quarterback would perform below their expectations with a lack of time behind the line of scrimmage.

The line allowed three sacks, seven tackles for loss and six quarterback hurries against the Irish. The Wolverines averaged 1.8 yards per rushing attempt. Shea Patterson didn’t have enough time to read the defense for most of the game.

Contrary to peoples’ reactions, Patterson looked pretty good in his maize and blue debut. He completed 66.7 percent of his passes, with 227 yards, one interception and a 123.6 QBR. While those numbers won’t “wow” you, they’re efficient for a quarterback with pressure to perform behind a struggling line.

The playmakers were as good as advertised. Nico Collins, who finished with three catches for 66 yards, caught a pretty 52-yard bomb near the sideline, instilling confidence that he can be a starting receiver on this team. Donovan Peoples-Jones had six catches and Grant Perry had five.

Ambry Thomas, who might be on his way to an expanded role, flashed his playmaking ability on a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter.

The tight ends need to be utilized further in the future, as they combined for just four catches. But we saw Patterson look to Zach Gentry in the red zone, which could develop into this could be a deadly connection when it surfaces.

The defense got off to a shaky start but held the Irish to three points in the second half. Losing Josh Metellus to targeting and committing a few dumb penalties didn’t help, but there is nothing to suggest that this defense won’t continue to build up their confidence and be the dominant group we expect going forward.

The defense is fine. Quarterback and playmakers were not the problem. So, what is?

Play calling and the offensive line.

Fixing the offensive line, opening up the playbook and allowing the defense to find their swagger will give this team a chance to contend.

Harbaugh, along with Ed Warriner, needs to adjust the line. Whether it’s throwing in James Hudson and Jalen Mayfield at the tackle positions or fixing the schemes, it needs to be figured out over the next couple weeks. This would allow them time to gel and form a serviceable interior attack before the schedule heats back up.

The offensive game plan and play calling should begin to expand from here. Harbaugh admitted that he kept it simple against Notre Dame. It takes time to incorporate a new system with a new quarterback, as we saw back in 2015. This one is even more complex, mixing in elements of the RPO.

Maybe we see this team make necessary changes and run the table, living up to lofty expectations. Or maybe they make no changes, continuing their conservative offensive play-calling behind a below average line and adding to the snowball of frustration. This could be the difference between 10-2 and 8-4.

I’d like to think changes will be made and the overwhelming talent this roster possesses will translate into double-digit wins this season.

Regardless, there is reason to believe that things can get better from here in Ann Arbor.