The Era of Denard Robinson

Hail.

The Story: Denard Robinson has done countless amazing things as Michigan's quarterback.  He dropped the snap on his first ever college play as a true freshman, only to scoop it up and dazzle his way to a touchdown.  He has set numerous records for single game yardage performances, led Michigan to two improbable and spectacular victories against Notre Dame, and he's even made a name for himself as the most electrifying player in college football. 

He's good.  You know.

But just how good is he?

It's an interesting time for some legacy talk with Denard.  For all his greatness, he's been a part of the program during truly difficult times.  He's 0-2 versus the Spartans as a starter (0-5 overall against OSU and MSU) and despite two seemingly signature wins against Notre Dame, lacks the consistency of resume to be placed among the truly elite in Michigan lore.  I often see Michigan fans placing Denard in the same breath as players such as Woodson, Howard, Carter and Harmon.  To this point, despite all his crazy statistics and accolades, he has not earned that elite company.

A Caveat: Football certainly is a team game, and much of Denard's failures have come as a result of a lack of talent around him, (how much worse would things have been without him the last year and a half?) yet the truly great players transcend those hurdles and elevate those around them to new heights.

Crossroads: Robinson played his worst game as Michigan's starter just two weeks ago in East Lansing.  There were some mitigating factors (like a very good Spartan defense and a trash tornado) but Denard's play actually led some Michigan fans to call for Devin Gardner to play quarterback and Denard to be moved elsewhere.  Those people are lunatics, but Denard's career could go a couple ways from here.  He could remain what he is, an electrifying runner who trounces over-matched opponents and is able to inconsistently move the ball with his arm but falls short against good defenses and on the biggest stages, or he could take the next step and move onto the list with all the other Michigan greats.

With Purdue visiting Ann Arbor this weekend, Michigan sits at 6-1 with four games remaining.  Denard is essentially through half his career as Michigan's starter.  Michigan should beat Purdue, but this next 4 game stretch will define Denard Robinson for the rest of his career.  The ever-lying eyeball test reveals Michigan is a better team this season.  Just how much better will be spelled out for us over the next four weeks.   If the team (and Denard) struggle and Michigan loses three (especially if one of those is to OSU) of the remaining 5 games, the Devin Gardner heat will intensify this summer and the Denard Robinson era will likely end one of hope and potential but ultimately disappointment.  It's time to see improvement in Denard Robinson, improvement that comes against Big Ten opponents and leads to meaningful victories.  It needs to start this week against Purdue. 

I apologize to you, Charles, for what I am about to say...

The previous paragraph I wrote Denard Robinson's era at Michigan may be remembered with disappointment, but at a true crossroads there is another path.   If Denard is able to steer down this vastly different path, he has the potential and opportunity to go down as THE greatest Wolverine of all-time.  That's lofty, too lofty your brain just said, but just imagine if Michigan wins 4 out it's last 5 games with a victory over OSU and Denard has some monster games (this is in my realm of possibility, am I crazy?)  A bowl game win for an 11-2 record and an entire off-season to continue to refine his skills as a passer and Denard will be an early season favorite for the Heisman trophy in 2012.  Michigan will have a bunch of marquee games for a senior Denard to lead them in and if he is able to lead Michigan to a magical season (a giant IF, but one that becomes more probable when you assume improvement in his own game) it would be even more special because of the circumstances of the last few seasons.  Combined with his assault on all of Michigan's (and the NCAA's) record books and it's possible that in just over 14 months Denard Robinson could be the greatest.

He may never reach the realm of the truly elite, but then again...



3 Things to Watch Versus Purdue:

1) Can Michigan throw the football?  

If Denard comes out and tosses the ball all around, Michigan is going to run away with the game.  If Denard is throwing bounce passes and interceptions, buckle-up.  The hard part about this is Denard can look atrocious one possession and magnificent the next, so I guess buckle-up either way.

2) Bye-Bye Bye Week

Michigan came out as flat as I have ever seen a team play football last season after their bye week.  I expect a much better effort in the Big House on Saturday.  If they have no emotion, Purdue has enough talent to make them pay.


3) Can Purdue make big plays? 

Michigan's defense has given up yards this season but has come up with turnovers at opportune times and held fairly strong in the red zone.  They are not a lights-out shut you down defense. (they were 108th in the country last year after all)   However, Michigan has rarely ceded big plays this season.  In fact, I don't believe the defense has given up a single play of more than 40 yards.  Purdue may need a couple big gainers and big touchdowns if they want to win the game. 

Prediction: 

If this game was on the road, I'd be awfully nervous.  As is, I'm paranoid because I'm worried about what a loss would do to the team's psyche after a difficult couple of years.  I don't think Purdue is a very good ball club. (they lost to Rice...even more damning, they played AT Rice)  They are a team that will claw tooth and nail to try to reach a bowl game and probably come up one game short.

Michigan 33 - 20