Michigan Football: 2 Games In

This young season can be categorized as a Tale of Two Games.  So much was made about the turnover on the starting lineups for Michigans football team this year.  Michigan out more players into the NFL last year - which is both an impressive accolade and a perceived drop-off for the upcoming collegiate season.  

May experts predicted that Michigan's decline this year would begin against Florida to start the season in Dallas.  While the Wolverines opened the game as a 4 point favorite, many like Phil Steele were predicting the Gators would win it outright.  Pete Finebaum proclaimed Florida would win - weeks ahead of kickoff.  Even Florida's head coach Jim McElwain made bold predictions about the Gators' performance prior to the game.  

What the nation learned is that Michigan joins the elite programs in America that don't rebuild - they just reload.  While the offense sputtered at times - and admittedly provided the Gators the bulk of their points - it was the defense that put everyone on notice.  A group that only returned two starters from last years team, the 2017 defense looked faster and stronger.   They shutdown Florida after allowing an opening drive field goal.  The Gators we're able to generate any offense whatsoever from that point forward. They shuffled quarterbacks to no success. They were unable to find any type of consistent running game. At the end of the game, the 2017 defense look every bit as good if not better than last year's number one ranked squad.

Offensively, Michigan was not operating at the highest level.  Wilton Speight missed open receivers and continues to telegraph his passes.  He did make some tremendous throws which led to big gains - but the consistency will have to improve.  Michigan's' bevy of running backs had mixed success against Florida's line.  WR Tarik Black stood out in Michigan's receiving corp.  Michigan even looks to have found a strong kicker with Quinn Nordin who knocked home two (2) kicks over 50 yards.  

Overall, the praise for Michigan's young team was high.  The talk about Michigan's young team was dismissed and the Wolverines jumped three spots in the AP rankings.  

.................

Then came Michigan's first home game of the year against Cincinnati.  In fairness, most should have expected a bit of a letdown game against the Bearcats.  Michigan expanded so much time and emotion preparing for a nationally highlighted game against Florida gators a week earlier, but it is only natural to expect some let down the following week. This is especially true for the group of young players that are now in starting positions.  

Defensively, Michigan remained strong.  Yes, they allowed more points to the Bearcats than they allowed to a much better Florida team.  But the defense was also on the field more.  And while Speight statically improved, there were many throws that were inaccurate and many decisions to hold onto the ball that were questionable.  For a breakdown of Speight's passes, Maize and Brew has a great breakdown.  Michigan's special teams, particularly, the punting unit, also struggled against the Bearcats with two kicks coming off the side of Will Hart's foot. 

Michigan is in for a tougher test against the Air Force Falcons this upcoming Saturday than they encountered against Cincinnati.  This week provides an opportunity for the Wolverines to clean up some of their messes and to get ready for B1G play.