Michigan Monday: The State of the Big Ten and The Wolverines

I have two thoughts today on topics, so I'm going to do two separate thoughts in one post.  First Michigan and then the rest of the Big Ten.


When you are evaluating good football teams you look at all 3 units (offense, defense and special teams) and you try to identify weaknesses.   Many of us have been down on this team since Bama took us to the woodshed.    Then of course we over react to the blow out of Purdue this weekend. 

So where is our team one game deep into the Big Ten season?

Michigan's Defense is improving week to week.   We have great defensive leadership in Mattison and Hoke.  There are young stars on the field like Jake Ryan and James Ross.  There is also senior leaders with Big Will and JT Floyd.   Yes, the D line could be better and rush the QB but at they very least they seem serviceable.   The defense had a tough injury with the loss of Blake Countess and Raymon Taylor hasn't missed a beat.  This unit is on the rise and I'm excited to see the progress week to week. 


Special Teams is solid.  Hagerup is booming punts, Wile is doing well on kickoffs and Gibbons seems to be pretty accurate kicking field goals.   Gibbons range does seem 43 yards or less.  Kick off return is very good with Norfleet being a very electric player.  The only negative might be punt return, but I'm more interested in Gallon making the catch then getting a few extra yards on a risky return. This unit is preforming very well overall.

Michigan's offense has been the issue through the first 4 games.  Turnovers and not being able to run the ball from the RB position have been the big issues.   There are also some questions on the offensive line and their run blocking.  If Denard can find some holes in the run game, Big AL calls a Purdue like game plan, Fitz gets back on track and the offensive line finds their mojo.  This unit can be effective in the Big Ten.

When RR was here, the defense and special teams were poor.  The coaches felt they had to out score everyone to win.  That is no longer the case and Michigan has a very balance team when the offense doesn't turn the ball over.   If Michigan can win the turn over margin in Big Ten play, they will end up in Indy.  Mark it down.
_______________________________________________________________

State of the Big Ten:

Nebraska gives up 63 points on the road to Ohio State:  Talk about a team that doesn't play well on the road.  Michigan blew them out in the Big House last year and this year they have given up 36 points to UCLA and now 63 to OSU.   They travel to Northwestern this week.   Look out.

Northwestern had a lead at Penn State and let it slip away.  This would have been a big win for the Wildcats chances at Indy.  You can't lose a game like this in the Big 10 and expect to make that trip.   They will look for a big win against Nebraska this week.

OSU and PSU are a top of the Leaders Division at 2-0.  Problem is neither team can go to Indy.  So Wisconsin is really in first place at 1-1.

MSU sleep walks to a win over IU.  I didn't see a snap of this game but the final score surprised me.   This team is down in the dumps right now.  They have Iowa in East Lansing this week before traveling to Ann Arbor in 2 weeks.  Lose to Iowa and the season is over. 

Iowa is 1-0 and Minnesota is 0-1 in the Big Ten play.  Neither team is expected to be a factor.  Iowa has a chance if they figure things out. 

Purdue doesn't seem strong enough to make it to Indy in a year where it was Boilermakers or Badgers in the Leaders Division.

Will OSU lose a game?  Look at the rest of their schedule:  @ Purdue, @ PSU, Illinois, @ Wisconsin, Michigan.   They will be favored in all those games.  Wisconsin and Michigan might be the only chance. 

BHB Big Ten Top 5:

1. Ohio State
2. Michigan
3. Northwestern
4. Michigan State
5. Wisconsin