Michigan Football: Week 4 Thoughts

1. 4-0.
2. Before season started how many of us would of been thrilled if UM started 4-0. Regardless how they got there.
3. Biggest issue with running game 2nd half was back side.
4. This will continue until Cade provides some sort of running threat.
5. Cade does not seem to run read options well.
6. Handed off multiples when he should of pulled.
7. Time he pulled he should of handed off.
8. Big difference in 2nd half, UM played behind the chains most of the half.
9. Last week UM threw double digit times on 1st down. This week it was under 5.
10. Not sure why, but UM attacked between the hashes 75% of the time.
11. Another issue, UM had 4 short fields after taking 14-3 lead.
12. They only scored 6 points off those 4 short fields.

12a. If that continues it will cost UM wins against better competition.

13. UM did a nice job sliding protections VS Rutgers blitz packages.
14. Not sure if slide is called by Center or QB. Whom ever they did nice job.
15. Early on UM lined up in overloads and attacked away. Stopped in 2nd half. And did not seem Rutgers did anything differently.
16. This defense needs Josh Ross.
17. If no other reason than to make the checks and calls.
18. UM had more miss alignments and blown rotation in 2nd half than rest of season combined.
19. 2nd half UM had issues setting the edge.
20. Give Rutgers some credit, they took what UM gave them and stayed ahead of the chains.
21. UM was also over-aggressive at times.
22. One DE in particular over penetrated multiple times.
23. Backside also lost phase and took poor angles.
24. UM stopped or at least blitzed far less with Ross out of the game.

25.Lack of offense did seem to have negative effect on the defense.

26. Henning is becoming a real weapon on punt returns.
27. I gave UM a slight win in special teams play.
28. Had Moody made the FG it would of been a clear win.
29. We will find out this week exactly what UM is made of.
30. IMO UM will need to use their speed bit more. Lining up and trying just out muscle Wisconsin might not be the best strategy.
31. Ugly wins trumps any loss.
32. Until next week, GO BLUE.