Michigan Thursday: The First Play That Changed The Season

The Tennessean

This is how the first play of the season read in the Box Score - Play by Play recap:

1st &10 at MICH 27

(14:45 - 1st) Shea Patterson run for 15 yds to the Mich 42 Shea Patterson fumbled, recovered by MTnSt

Shea didn't slide, got hit in the ribs, fumbled the football and after a few more plays, Michigan is down 0-7 to Middle Tennessee State.

There is plenty to be concerned with the above statement including,  Shea hurting himself which will have plenty of negative effects through 4 games.   It started with over throwing open WR's.  But the biggest negative effect has been, limited to no QB runs.

If you ask a DC, most will admit that preparing for an athletic QB that can run is nearly impossible.  The reason is, the defense doesn't usually have a LB or Viper shadowing the QB.  It's also hard to play man to man coverage because all the DB's will have their back to the QB.   With Michigan's offense lately they have been giving the defense too easy of a time.   Since Shea hasn't been a threat to run, the opposing defense can stuff the box to shut down the running backs or blitz the QB.   It's a huge advantage for the defense.  I'm now starting to understand why Jimmy wanted to play multiple QB's this year (when everyone was healthy).   Shea will never be a runner like McCaffrey or Milton and could be the reason Michigan had hoped to get those guys in the game.

With Dylan improving but still doubtful for Saturday, I expect to see the same offense from Michigan.  Hopefully, Shea's health is improving but with the hits he is taking each Saturday, I think the odds are that he is still hurting and will continued to be limited in the run game.   Let's hope Shea's field vision improves and can see the un-covered Wolverines wide open downfield.

• Dark horse candidates for the Rutgers job are two current Michigan coaches:  Chris Partridge and Anthony Campanile (whose brother is currently the interim head coach at Rutgers).