Michigan Football: Grading the offensive disaster against Alabama

Special teams, play-calling, and analysis

Quinn Nordin completed all three field-goal attempts, including a 57-yarder to take the lead and end the half. That’s his legacy.

Special teams

Grade: B+

As noted, Quinn Nordin had himself a day, connecting on all three field goals with a long of 57. Jackson didn’t do too bad himself with three kick returns for 99 yards, and Michigan football held Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle to 23 yards in his lone kick return, which isn’t great, but that’s why this group couldn’t breach the A range.

Play-calling

Grade: B

Josh Gattis pulled out all of the tricks which worked marvelously in the first half, and he won’t be losing any points for lack of execution in the passing game. It should be noted that there were several occasions where Patterson had open men downfield, including a wide-open Nico Collins who, if hit in stride, could have walked into the end zone.

Don Brown’s defense did all they could to help out the offense, which didn’t return the favor. This is the sequence of events for the third quarter (Alabama first): Touchdown, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt.

Matt’s musings

There seemed to be a handicap on both offenses. Obviously, Mac Jones at QB isn’t ideal and is probably their handicap, but for veteran Shea Patterson to hinder the offense the way he did was unacceptable.

The defense did everything necessary to win the game, but the offensive was lifeless and disappointing.

On to basketball, and for the football-only fans, ‘There’s always next year’!