The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/178977
Since Hoke took over before the 2011 season, the Wolverines have posted 61 turnovers, slightly more than two per game. Just 10 teams have amassed more turnovers in that time frame. The program has not had a season with fewer than 22 turnovers since 2006 (12 turnovers). In the last six years, they have ranked better than 83rd nationally in total turnovers surrendered just once, ranking 57th in 2011 with 22 turnovers. As of Sept. 21, Michigan ranked No. 117 nationally with a minus-five turnover margin. The Wolverines were one of just three Big Ten teams with a negative turnover margin (Indiana minus-one and Penn State minus-three are the other two). Michigan was well on pace to finish with a worse turnover margin than last year's minus-nine, which ranked 101st nationally. The Wolverines have had just one season in the last five with a positive turnover margin. They lost 22 and collected 29 turnovers for a plusseven margin in 2011. Repeated Mistakes Are Most Concerning In his new role writing a column for TheWolverine.com every Monday, former U-M offensive lineman David Moosman has been, understandably, hard on Michigan's starting five up front, but he also recognizes that if they were playing well, many of the Maize and Blue's offensive issues would be minor. "We can't talk about the same problems over and over again," he began. "If it happens once, it's an anomaly. If it happens twice, it's a problem. If it happens a third, then it's a habit. Habits are who we are, and they're difficult to change. "Our three young interior linemen have had months to mature both physically and mentally to a level that will win games for Michigan. Historically, at Michigan, they would have had another year, but this year 2013 Michigan Football Schedule Date Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 16 Nov. 23 Nov. 30 Opponent Central Michigan Notre Dame Akron at Connecticut Minnesota at Penn State Indiana at Michigan State Nebraska at Northwestern at Iowa Ohio State Result/TimeTV W, 59-9 W, 41-30 W, 28-24 W, 24-21 3:30 p.m. ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 5 p.m. ESPN or ESPN2 3:30 p.m. Big Ten Network TBA TBD TBA TBD TBA TBD TBA TBD TBA TBD