Michigan Football: 3 things we learned from Wolverines win over SMU
The coaches need to unleash Patterson
At this point, I don’t know who is calling the plays. I know it’s a collaboration between Jim Harbaugh and Pep Hamilton that’s it. Although the identity of the Wolverines true play caller is protected like a national security secret, there is no secret that the offense is way too conservative.
Michigan football has the best quarterback its had since Chad Henne in Patterson and it’s time for Harbaugh to realize that. Saturday, against the 110th-ranked pass defense, Harbaugh chose to throw the ball just 10 times in the first half and 18 times overall.
ICYMI: Remember all the talk about @UMichFootball WRs not catching touchdowns a couple weeks ago?
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 16, 2018
That's no longer an issue. pic.twitter.com/lmwriD2lTl
On its second drive of the game, Michigan ran the ball like it was going out of style and burned seven minutes of clock only to get zero points. The next drive also took almost seven minutes, which is why UM only got eight possessions.
The offense had a good day and racked up 419 yards. Patterson was 14-of-18 for 238 and three touchdowns and two players, Peoples-Jones (4 for 90) and Zach Gentry (4 for 95) had more than 90 yards receiving.
Yet, of the 59 plays Michigan ran Saturday, a lot more than 18 should have been pass plays. With Patterson, Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins and Gentry, the Wolverines pass offense could be one of the best in the country, that’s if Harbaugh elects to start calling plays accordingly.