Michigan Monday: Feels Like the First Time

Photo per Detnews

It feels good to have a Monday after a big win. Many of us Michigan fans haven't felt this way since the upset of Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and Florida in Lloyd Carr last win. Some can point to the Wisconsin win but the losses last year sort of fade that memory.

Hopefully, Michigan doesn't start reading their headlines and go Oklahoma State the next two weeks and enter East Lansing with a 4-0 record. They shouldn't because they have plenty of things to work on this week. Here are my top things Michigan needs to improve on:

1. The Secondary: Warren played well but I'm concerned that the next 10 opponents are going to target Boubacar all year just due to his height. Michigan also seemed to lose their starting safety Michael Williams (who was carted off the field) and now has a walk on in that role. Michigan will need to get fellow freshman Justin Turner at CB and Vladimir Emilien at Safety some time the next two weeks. News from RR's press conference is that Williams was suffering from cramps on Saturday.


2. The Penalties: Too many holding and pass interference calls. Sure the refs were iffy during the game but those penalties are going to cost us a few big plays if they don't decline.


3. The Power Running Game: I liked that Brandon Minor played more in the second half and got over 100 yards, but I'm not seeing enough from Brown. Michigan needs some touches from Shaw and maybe Cox in the next two week (Shaw is the speed back, Cox more of the power back). My thought is for the spread you need a guy to be able to break tackles to cut back or hit the middle. Brown seems to be having trouble with that.


4. Field Goals: I'm still spooked about field goals. Missing that short one all most cost Michigan the game.


5. Denard: Is too good not to be on the field. So is Tate. Michigan needs a back up QB and Denard is the guy. So the big question is: how do you get him on the field at a different position when he needs to learn to be a QB in this system? If he plays QB, he needs to throw to keep the D honest.


6. WR depth - Michigan has a bunch of wide receivers which is good because we seem to be losing one a game. Let's hope Stonum and Hemingway will be back this week.


7. QB Pressure - there wasn't any in the first half and Jimmy picked the Wolverines apart. This should probably be ranked higher in priorities, but Brandon Graham can't do it alone.
   
8. Stop the Run: The Michigan defensive line and linebackers need to stop the run. ND averaged over 5 yards per carry
9. More Cowbells in the stands!
   

More news and notes of interest:

• Was Allen out on the long TD screen pass that was over turned and cost ND 4 points?(the number they lost by) The answer is Yes! Good time Charlie on over turned call: "I still haven't heard anyone tell me there's any evidence of Armando stepping out of bounds," Weis said. "The way I thought the rule is supposed to be, it's supposed to be conclusive evidence. I'm perturbed at that call." Are you telling me Charlie doesn't read this blog? Well he should! :)

• Tate Forcier and Darryl Stonum were named Big 10 Players of the Week: Tate for offense, Darryl for special teams.
  


• Recruit and ND game visitor Aramide Olaniyan was impressed at what he saw at the Big House on Saturday: "This was way more amazing than I thought it would be. The fans were crazy, I couldn't believe it. This was the first place I've been that fans recognized me." - "I've never seen anything like that before. I went to a couple games last year, and this was crazy." - "I love Michigan, and that definitely exceeded my expectations."- "There's definitely some things I need to consider now. I don't want to say too much, but I need to sit down and discuss some things with my parents. I'm taking an official visit in December, and my parents will be there with me, so I want them to see what I just saw." per MgoBlog.