3. Let Chip Lindsay Cook
Before becoming head coach, Sherrone was the offensive coordinator, and Michigan’s running game is still the team’s trademark. While running at stacked boxes versus Michigan State and Purdue is doable (and probably Northwestern and Maryland, too), balance will be needed on November 29. This means more than screens and hitches. The middle of the field was open against Purdue, but freshman QB Bryce Underwood missed some throws, as he did when throwing to a streaking, single-covered McCulley in the end zone. Those are the throws that win games against elite competition.
It comes down to what current offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey has been working on behind the walls of “Fort Schembechler.” Was the game plan too simple? The talent on Purdue’s defense was mediocre, but head coach Barry Odom has been around long enough to scheme up a game plan against a freshman QB. But Lindsey’s been around too and knows that opposing defenses are sitting on screens and blitzing the edges. The trick is to prepare an extremely young offense to recognize it and switch out of the play or something else that won’t fail as bad and maybe gain yards.
Overall, Lindsey’s handled his freshman well. Bryce has thrown for seven TDs with only three interceptions, hasn’t had a serious injury, and led the team to seven wins. This bodes well for the future, but what about the immediate future? The “book” on how to stop Underwood is out there for all to read. I bet Lindsey has the adjustments, but can he teach his callow charges how to execute them? More interestingly, will Sherrone let Chip cook?