Michigan Football: 3 Studs and 3 Duds Against Indiana

Duds

The Running Backs

The running back room was touted as possibly the deepest and most talented position group on the roster heading into the season. On Saturday, they produced a 2.08 yards per carry average on 12 rushing attempts.

The offensive line is not absolved from blame in any way, shape, or form, however, the running game as a whole simply is not getting it done.

No matter who shoulders the blame for the lack of a ground attack, it needs to be corrected quickly. If the futility continues, Michigan football could be headed for a long season as the competition only gets better.

Erick All

The talented sophomore tight end has time to turn it around, but it has been a very tough three games for him. After previously being touted as having the best hands on the team, All has dropped a pass in each of the team’s first three contests — each of them coming in key moments.

He was only targeted once on Saturday after having been targeted at least three times in the first two games of the season. Once All dropped the first pass thrown his way it was clear that he had lost the trust of Offensive Coordinator Josh Gattis for the game, and he will need to work hard to earn that trust back if he wants to be a featured part of this offense.

Vincent Gray

The third year cornerback is possibly the biggest “dud” of the season for the Michigan Wolverines and, specifically, the defense. Gray performed adequately against Minnesota and Rashod Bateman to open the season but has been absolutely torched over the past two games.

After allowing a Michigan State Spartan true freshman receiver to gain nearly 200 yards a week ago, he gave up seven receptions and 130 yards in coverage while also allowing his first touchdown of the season this past week against Indiana.

Perhaps the play that illuminated Vincent Gray’s season long struggles best was a third and long situation where it appeared that Hoosier quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was throwing the ball away and Gray was flagged for defensive pass interference because he panicked after not finding the football, pulled sharply on the wide receiver’s jersey, and the flag extended a drive that eventually ended in seven points for the Hoosiers.