Heading into Big Ten Play

4-0

He seems rather happy about 4-0.

For the third consecutive season Michigan sweeps their non-conference schedule. We've seen this storyline before, exciting victory over Notre Dame and wins over lesser competition get Michigan into the top 25 in September.  The last two seasons the starts have been followed by collapse in B1G play.  Will this year be any different?

Well, maybe.

3 Reasons 2011 Michigan is different than 2010 and 2009.

1) Defensive stops

Yeah I know.  This is a new phenomena after the recent history at Michigan.  There are some reasons for concern (ND still racked up yards, competition level hasn't been great) but also some reasons for optimism (young guys stepping up, the secondary doesn't look like a sieve, Greg Mattison has coherent scheme)

There are still plenty of question marks with this unit heading into Big Ten play, and they are unlikely to be world beaters, but if they can just get stops they will give Denard and the offense a shot to win every game.  So far, they have done enough.  Can they keep it up?


2) Turnovers

When you don't get them, you usually bring up statistics to show how turnover numbers from year to year usually regress to the mean.  Now that Michigan IS forcing turnovers, I would like to believe that the improvement is real and due to coaching, improvement, rather than simple regression to the mean.  Again, we will find out soon in Big Ten games.  If the defense is able to continue creating turnovers, this could be a special season.


3) Special Teams

1-2 on FG's doesn't seem spectacular, but the kicking game and the return game have both been good.  I'm actually not that concerned about FG's.  This phase of the game has gone from a glaring weakness to something of a strength.  That feels awfully weird to type, in a good way.

Happy?  Yeah, but still gotta coach em up.

You can't have one without the other....

3 Reasons for Concern as Big Ten Play Begins

1) Can Denard throw?

He's a top 10 Heisman candidate, so when he's your top concern you have some good things going on, but can Denard throw the football in this offense?  He's had some accuracy issues and the offense seems to have some problems getting into a rhythm in the passing game, but they are running so effectively that the concern is lessened.  If they want to win more than half their Big Ten games, Denard needs to pick it up in the passing game.


2) Linebacker play

The defensive line is developing a rotation, making plays and improving each game.  They aren't going to be dominant but they have been and can be solid.  The secondary has played well and looks like the most improved unit on the defense.  The linebackers, however, still make too many mistakes.  The outside backers give up contain and Demens in the middle has some problems when he's not making plays downhill.  They aren't going to be a massive problem like in years past, but I'm a little worried about their mistakes being magnified by better competition.  This unit needs to play well to limit opposition running game which is essential to B1G success.


3) Depth on the Oline

It hasn't yet hurt Michigan in the way that MSU has gotten stung by injuries to a thin unit, but the threat is there.  After the SDSU game, two of Michigan's starting lineman were limping/banged up.  The depth is so thin with this unit that two injuries would result in a big drop-off on the field.  This is a wait and see situation, all we can do is hope for health.