The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/178977
The Zips, however, had their way with the Wolverines' secondary, throwing underneath to convert 9 of 18 third downs while going over the top, too, completing six passes of 20 yards or more, including gains of 28, 30, 40 and 43 yards. Head coach Brady Hoke stated the U-M defensive backs were never supposed to play so soft, but that focus and concentration, and waning confidence, created a scenario in which they doubted their own abilities. This unit, however, has too many good players and too much experience with three veterans — senior safety Thomas Gordon, junior cornerback Raymon Taylor and redshirt sophomore cornerback Blake Countess — to continue playing timidly. QB decision-making — Real: After four games, Gardner was on pace to throw for 2,600 yards and 23 touchdowns (in 13 projected contests), but was also on schedule to throw 26 interceptions. His one pick for every 12.6 passes is an absurd rate that simply cannot be maintained if Michigan expects to qualify for the Big Ten championship. Gardner was supposed to learn his lesson after a careless pick in the end zone against Notre Dame cost U-M seven points, but he had two illadvised interceptions (among three) against Akron, another two (and a fumble) against Connecticut, and still seems to believe he can turn every potential negative into a positive. Gardner is too smart, and too good of a teammate, to continue playing so recklessly, but with another threeturnover effort against the Huskies, including a fumble returned for a touchdown, it has become apparent the redshirt junior just may not know how to get out of his own way. Inability to run the football — Real: Michigan ranked 54th nationally after four weeks with 194.3 yards rushing per game. However, traditional running backs were responsible for only 104.8 of those yards and were averaging 4.0 yards per rush, with Gardner bringing the overall average up thanks to his clip of 6.1 yards per carry. This was never supposed to be an offense that needed the quarterback to average 75.2 yards on the ground per game. The entire offseason focus was to create a push with the offensive line to open up holes for running backs, and that is not happening consistently. The interior of the line has struggled at times, which is expected from three first-time starters, but right tackle Michael Schofield is also scuffling. Fifth-year senior left tackle Taylor Lewan has even struggled. Hoke and Lewan have defended redshirt sophomores Graham Glasgow's and Jack Miller's play at left guard and center, but something about the chemistry is off. Unless there is a shakeup along the line, this unit may not progress enough, forcing Gardner to be the go-to runner and putting him at a greater risk for injury than U-M can afford. ❏ Associate Editor Michael Spath has been with The Wolverine since 2002. Contact him at mspath@thewolverine.com and follow him on Twitter @Spath_Wolverine.