The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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ability to be part of that room here and help those guys develop and grow … I'm just really, really excited about that opportunity." Nussmeier knows if all were well, he wouldn't be here. He understands the chasm between how Alabama's road graders performed the last two years and the struggles Michigan experienced up front. He knows Michigan's leading rusher didn't hit 700 yards. Nussmeier also stressed the mantra that Michigan lost four games by a combined 11 points this season. He figures the Wolverines can find an extra dozen or two. They need to, U-M athletics director Dave Brandon acknowledged, after making the numbers work to lure Nussmeier north. "Being close isn't good enough — we've got to win those games, be in position to win those games," Brandon said. "Brady is making changes he thinks will allow us not to lose by two but win by two. That's what we've got to do because we're Michigan. I give him all the credit in the world for his leadership. That's why Brady is here. "We're willing to invest resources we need to put Michigan in a preeminent position in college football. Believe me, there are several hundred other schools that will say the same thing, but I believe we have the pieces in place that the best times for Michigan football lie ahead. We're going to pursue that." Given this latest move, there can be little doubt Michigan will do what's necessary to keep moving up. *** Beilein didn't make a new hire. He just summoned up some old fire, insisted the Wolverines are going to win with what they have, and went about doing so in dramatic fashion. A 5-0 start to the Big Ten turned heads. It also drew double takes, when capped by Michigan's first-ever true road win against a team ranked in the nation's top three. Michigan's 77-70 victory at No. 3 Wisconsin fairly shouted defiance to any doom-andgloomers following the Mitch switch. Since then, the amalgamation now known as Morford — fifth-year senior Jordan Morgan and redshirt junior Jon Horford — averaged a combined 16.0 points and 11.2 rebounds in conference play. Sophomore Nik Stauskas led the Big Ten in scoring (18.0) through Jan. 19, was tops on Michigan in assists (60), and had answered the question of who gets it done in the clutch in the post-Trey Burke era. Plenty of others were contributing, from sophomore Glenn Robinson III to the point guard combo of freshman Derrick Walton and sophomore Spike Albrecht, to sophomore wing Caris LeVert and freshman sharpshooter Zak Irvin. The Wolverines feature abundant talent on the court, McGary or no McGary. And despite a schedule gauntlet dead ahead, they're conceding nothing — with good reason. ❏ Editor John Borton has been with The Wolverine since 1991. Contact him at jborton@thewolverine.com and follow him on Twitter @JB_Wolverine.