Don’t Look Now, but is Michigan Back?
Much like some of the traditional blue-bloods that struggle to regain past glory. I’m looking at you Texas, Miami and Nebraska. Michigan falls into that category. Jim Harbaugh rebuilt Stanford into a national power using extra offensive linemen, multiple tight ends, and a fullback. He completely bullied the Pac-12. He was hired at Michigan and attempted to implement the same offense.
It worked to a certain extent; Michigan repeatedly fell short in big games against ranked opponents. Last season Harbaugh introduced a spread system by hiring offensive coordinator Josh Gattis from Alabama and returning Quarterback Shea Patterson. I fell victim to the “Michigan is back” mantra last season. I predicted Michigan would compete for the Big Ten Championship and threaten a playoff berth. Boy, was I wrong…..like outscored by forty-eight points by Ohio State and Alabama wrong. I feel like Bart Simpson writing on the chalkboard: I will not write Michigan is back, I will not write Michigan is back, I will not write Michigan is back, I will not write Michigan is back. I will not write Michigan is back.
I hate myself.
Michigan had one of the best offensive games in the Jim Harbaugh era amassing 478 total yards and an impressive balanced attack that amassed 253 on the ground and 225 through the air. Quarterback Joe Milton looked outstanding spreading the ball around to nine different receivers and chipping in another fifty-two on the ground. Seven different players ran the ball for the Wolverines for an average of eight yards per carry. After allowing Minnesota to score ten points in the first two possessions. The Wolverine defense clamped down and only allowed fourteen points the rest of the way including a fumble return for a touchdown that put Michigan in the lead in the first quarter. Michigan also had five sacks and forced two turnovers.
Next week Michigan has Michigan State at home followed by a road game to a frisky Indiana team that just beat Penn State. With a win in both those games, Michigan sets itself up for a showdown against Wisconsin in the Big House. The Wisconsin game will surely let us know whether Michigan is back or not. Considering Wisconsin’s quarterback Graham Mertz tested positive for COVID-19 and will have to quarantine for twenty-one days and his back up Chase Wolf as also tested positive the Badgers will have to start their third-string or possible fourth-string against Michigan. After Rutgers, the Wolverines have Penn State that potentially could have two losses and be out of the Big 10 race. All that is left is the “The Game” against Ohio State. At some point, Michigan is going to win….they are simply due. I’m sure I will come to regret these words, but MICHIGAN IS BACK!
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