Michigan football: 3 thoughts on Wolverines and their QB shortcomings
By Seth Berry
Patterson was good, but Michigan needs great
In two seasons as Michigan football’s man under center, Patterson finished his career as a Wolverine with 45 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He will go down as 7th all-time in passing yards in Michigan history, which is impressive considering he only played two seasons.
But with Patterson’s success also came a fair share of mistakes, which piled up in the 2019-20 season.
The fumble issues from the senior quarterback hampered the offense early in the season, to the point where it nearly cost them a game against a bad Army team in week two.
Patterson played well once he got comfortable in Gattis’ system. He had a stretch before the OSU game where he was firing on all cylinders, but we did not see that from him throughout the course of all 13 games.
If Michigan football wants to get over the hump and to a Big Ten title game in 2020, it will need high-level quarterback play every week of the season for them to do so.
U-M will need guys around the quarterback to make plays as well, but it all starts with the guy taking the snaps.
If you look at the four playoff teams this season, the quarterback numbers are staggering.
Joe Burrow from LSU, the Heisman winner, has 55 touchdowns compared to six interceptions and has thrown for over 5,000 yards.
Ohio State’s Justin Fields threw for 41 touchdown and three interceptions for the No. 2 Buckeyes before falling to Clemson.
Trevor Lawrence from Clemson has 36 touchdowns to eight interceptions, while Jalen Hurts from Oklahoma threw 32 touchdowns to eight interceptions and also found the end zone 20 times with his legs.
All four of these teams have one thing in common: Outstanding quarterback play. And all four can beat defenses with the deep ball consistently as well as use their legs when they need to.
If Michigan football can somehow get that in the near future, that in itself will be enough to cover any other holes they may have.