Observations on the unimpressive win over Rutgers, 20-13
Michigan converted four red zones for 20 points, all in the first half; Rutgers gained three red zones in the second half, but only gained 13 points. A late Rutgers turnover cost them on their final drive.
Offense was non-existent in the second half with only 2 first downs, and four "three and outs." The offense finished with 15 first downs, 275 yards (42 in the second half) on 54 plays with 112 on the ground; Michigan was 4 of 11 in 3rd down conversions (zero for five in the second half). Cade McNamara was 9 of 16 for 163 yards; he lacked poise, and was hurried into several poor passes. Hassan Haskins had 12 carries for 41 yards and 2 TDs. Blake Corum had 21 carries for 68 yards. Coach Schiano adjusted well to our running game, and showed how it could be contained. Cornelius Johnson, Erick All, and Blake Corum had two receptions each; the longest play of the game for the offense was a 51 yard reception by Mike Sainristil setting up the final red zone opportunity in the final 22 seconds of the first half. Roman Wilson caught a 38 yarder to set up another red zone. Avery Young had 7 tackles to lead the Scarlet Knights.
Defense was poor, but came up with some big 4th down stops plus a late turnover that sealed the win. Rutgers ran through the paltry Wolverine defense for 21 first downs, 196 rushing yards with 352 net yards on 73 plays; the Scarlet Knights dominated time of possession by 5 minutes which resulted in 19 more offensive plays. Noah Verdal was 18 of 31 for 156 yards, and a TD; he ran 11 times for a 46 yards. Rutgers was 8 of 20 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Isaih Pacheco gained 107 yards on 20 carries. Aron Cruickshank had 4 receptions for 32 yards; Bo Melton had 4 receptions for 26 yards, and Aaron Young had 3 receptions for 35 yards and a TD. Josh Ross led the defense with 6 tackles in the first half, but was replaced late in the half after injury; Kalel Mullings replaced him and also had 6 tackles, and Coach Schiano attacked our two inside linebackers, Mullings, Nikhai Hill-Green, and Junior Colson the rest of the evening with an option attack featuring Pacheco and Verdal. Hill-Green led the defense with 8 tackles, and R.J. Moten had 7 stops, but the play of the game ended up being a forced fumble by David Ojabo that was recovered by Colson to end the potential game-tying drive for Rutgers.
Special Teams were great in the first half, but shaky in the second half. Jake Moody missed a second half field goal that could have iced the game. Brad Robbins had a 32 yard punt that set up Rutgers with great field position at the 35; that 3rd quarter drive resulted in a 4th quarter red zone opportunity. Luckily, the Scarlet Knights special teams failed them as well as they missed a field goal that almost narrowed the score to 20-16 on their final red zone opportunity.
Harbaugh and staff continue to show why they are not an elite coaching staff that is building a championship caliber team. Greg Schiano and his staff outfoxed the Michigan coaches, and turned around a sure defeat into a potential winnable game with adjustments; our staff hasn't been capable of that over the past seven seasons under Harbaugh's leadership.
I am not confident about our chances at Madison next week. Wisconsin has a much, much better defense than Rutgers, and they'll be playing at home which will give them an emotional advantage. McNamara is shaky when he has to execute a play on 3rd down, and the Badger defense will certainly prepare to unnerve him. Our running game isn't going to impress the solid rushing defenses in the Big Ten including Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan State, etc. Wisconsin doesn't have a great offfense either so expect a low scoring affair next week as well with the first team to score 20 points having the best shot to win. Go Blue!