Michigan Football: Why it’s not as bad as you think

Fixes

A majority of the fixes come in the form of playcalling and the return of would-be starters.

Jon Runyan Jr. was out for the first game and missed most of the second.

Before week one, running back Tru Wilson was named the starter. After limited playing time in the first week, Tru walked off the field with a hand injury. Michigan is still searching for its No. 2 back behind Charbonnet and Wilson might be the guy if he can get healthy.

At wide receiver, Donovan Peoples-Jones missed both games, attending the competitions in street clothes and a walking boot. While Ronnie Bell has been a reliable backup, DPJ is the main attraction.

As to the questionable playcalling, Josh Gattis needed to get creative and what we got was bland and conservative. Running on first and second down is ill-advised, but running on first and second down out of the same or similar formation and running to the same or similar hole is inconceivable.

Defensively, Don Brown did what he could with a reloaded squad. The turnovers and penalties were the would-be catalysts to this nearly avoided disaster that was ultimately won by Don’s men in extra time.

The coaches have a lot to figure out, but that’s what they get paid millions of dollars to do. With two weeks off, this team will either come out with a vengeance against Wisconsin in Madison or come out sluggish and get dominated by their toughest opponent yet.