The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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DECEMBER 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 29 guys stepped up against the Hoosiers. There have been many times against tempo offenses (and even regular speed) in which defenders were breathing heav- ily after playing a lot of snaps, especially up front. That's one area in which they'll need to improve next season, the Michi- gan assistant added. "We harp on trying to get our depth to come along," Martindale continued. "I think a couple guys are starting to step up now finally. You don't have to play so many guys for so long. It's one of those things that's a tough spot for position coaches and also myself. "When the game is on the line, you want Mason [Graham], KG [Kenneth Grant], your guys in the game. A lot of these games we've played of late, the game's been on the line for four quarters. It's hard to find that sweet spot." It hurts when it comes to tackling, too. The Wolverines missed 18 tackles against the Spartans according to Pro Football Focus and still won 24-17. They improved and missed only 5 tackles against the Ducks. Martindale bristled at the suggestion that it had been an is- sue throughout the year. "I think we've had some missed tackles, some games where individuals missed some tackles. I see them work- ing better with their angles and eyes," Martindale said. "We've done tackling circuits really the last three, four weeks. It gets them more focused on angles and everything else. "Also, I think there's a part to the game where there's a lot of space out there, and they have guys on scholarship, too. Sometimes, they make people miss. I don't see the missed tackles as some other people see it. I think we've done a nice job of playing hard. That's been a trademark forever and will continue to be a trademark. Just run to the foot- ball, have good eyes and good angles, and you'll tackle better." They're getting there. And though there will be no championship for this squad, there's still plenty to play for, including a matchup with Ohio State in Columbus Nov. 30 with a chance to extend the ri- valry streak to four wins in a row. That's the last remaining goal in what's been a disappointing year. While it seems unlikely, the effort against Indiana pro- vides at least a glimmer of hope. ❏ Junior All-America cornerback Will Johnson has been sidelined with injuries this season. He missed four of the team's 10 games played through Nov. 9, including the last three. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL STRUGGLING CHAMPIONS During the Nov. 2 Michigan loss to Oregon, CBS dumped another cold bucket of water on the heads of U-M fans still trying to bask in the glow of last year's national championship season. The network put up a graphic showing the Wolverines in not-so-esteemed company as one of the worst defending champions of the 2000s through nine games. Of them, three — 2007 Florida, 2008 LSU and 2011 Auburn — were 6-3, while 2020 LSU was 4-5 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The Tigers would finish 5-5 after two games were canceled, while the 2007 Gators, 2008 LSU and 2011 Auburn went 9-4, 8-5 and 8-5, respectively. With two games remaining, including one at Ohio State in which they will be heavy underdogs, the Wol- verines will have their work cut out to avoid matching LSU at .500 or below. Those 2020 Tigers posted the worst record for a defending champion in 53 years. That team in 1967 was Michigan State, which finished 3-7, the worst record ever for a defending champ. Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore wasn't ready to concede anything after the Wolverines fell to 5-5 following a 20-15 loss at Indiana Nov. 9. He noted his team was "100 percent" invested in finishing strong and making a bowl game. "Our guys want to go play another game, another opportunity to play football together … to put on the helmet, put on the jersey," Moore said. "That will be a motivating factor, for sure. But motivating factor No. 1 is to go win. So, that's what we're going to go try to do." Several other teams from the modern era that struggled after their national championship seasons include: Penn State, 1983 The Nittany Lions beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl a year earlier to capture the title but followed up with an 8-4-1 campaign to finish 17th in the coaches' poll. They started the season with a 44-6 loss to top-ranked Nebraska and lost their first three games before improving and rallying to go 8-1-1 in their last 10. Miami (Fla.), 1984 The Bernie Kosar-led Hurricanes came into the season ranked highly after beating Nebraska in the Orange Bowl a year earlier to capture the title. They won their first two games, including a victory over No. 1 Auburn in the opener, and were ranked No. 1 heading into a Sept. 8 game at Michigan. The Wolverines upset them, 22-14, and Miami would also lose to rival Florida State and then their last three games to finish at 8-5 and No. 18 in the final AP poll. Georgia Tech, 1991 The Yellow Jackets went 11-0-1 and shared the national title with Bill McCartney's Colorado team in 1990, but they didn't sustain their success. The 1991 team was ranked eighth to start the season but started 2-3 and was out of the AP Top 25 by Oct. 7. Georgia Tech would finish unranked and manage only 11 wins over the next three seasons. — Chris Balas