The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/589596
BY MICHAEL SPATH M any Michigan fans may have predicted the Wol- verines would be 5-2 after their first seven games of the season, but not in the fashion in which the Maize and Blue blazed through their five wins, outscoring their competition 160-14, with heart- breaking losses to No. 3 Utah and No. 7 Michigan State. U-M became the first Football Bowl Subdivision program in 20 years to record three consecutive shutouts, blanking BYU 31-0 Sept. 26, Maryland 28-0 Oct. 3 and Northwestern 38-0 Oct. 10, and entered its bye Oct. 24 with a secure place among the nation's top 25 teams. Michigan owes much of its success this season to a top- notch defense that grades out with straight A's and a special teams unit that also merits an "A" for its overall effort this season. The offense has shown signs of progress, but needs better quarterback play and must continually prove its ground game is capable of succeeding against better defenses. Here is a look at how each position group graded out after the first seven games this year. PASSING, WITH FLYING COLORS Grading The Wolverines Through Their First Seven Games