Michigan Football: Grading the Wolverines victory over Indiana

Special teams, play-calling, and analysis

Don’t get too excited, it was Indiana, after all.

Special teams

Grade: B

Nothing too exciting for UM. Punter Will Hart had an inconsistent day, but kick returner Giles Jackson has emerged as one of the biggest threats in the country.

Play-calling

Grade: A

The ‘throw it up to Nico’ play was properly called and beautifully executed. Shea is on par to have a career year in his final season as he is just 77 yards short of his previous best of 2,600 yards, mostly thanks to the last two games. Gattis’ instant recognition of the run-stuffing Hoosier defense and adjustment to an air-it-out philosophy plays heavily into the high grade.

Matt’s musings

This was a game Michigan football was supposed to win, and it did. Just like the Wolverines won all the other games they were supposed to win and lost all the games they were supposed to lose (betting lines for UM-ND had Michigan at -1).

This wasn’t a test. It was three, four, and five-star football players facing three, two, and no-star athletes.

The real test comes in a week when the Wolverines will find themselves in a rare situation – being the less talented team on the field. If you have a Twitter and you haven’t noticed the trend of changing your name to some form of ‘Just Beat Ohio State’ by the Michigan fan base, then you haven’t logged on yet, or you don’t follow anyone. It’s everywhere, and everyone is fixated on the one Big Ten team Harbaugh has to beat.

The offense is hitting its stride at just the right time, and defensive monsters are appearing when they must, but you have to ask the question: will it be enough?