Tag: Tommy Carr

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Michigan 6 Indiana 13 OT – Game 7 Recap

GAME 7 PROJECTION vs. RESULTS

Final Score: 6-13 OT, Indiana by 7 over Michigan
SP+ Projection: Indiana by 8.1 (+1.1)
CD Projection: Indiana by 11 (+4)

FIVE FACTORS

GAME 7 RECAP vs. Indiana

There is everything to say, and nothing to say at the same time about the offense. A 29% success rate running the ball is bad, but also understated. Seven games into the season, the offense has no identity on offense from down-to-down. If there is anything consistent from the offense, it’s Jason Beck’s overuse of the extra OL, or Rhino package. During Michigan’s best series in the third quarter, Tommy Carr found JJ Buchanan deep in the middle and grabbed 34 yards on two snaps. The Wolverines could never get behind the linebackers again the rest of the game and overtime. The lack of pass threat from the Rhino, and the block-heavy FB/TE players is making things far too easy for the opposing defensive coordinators.

This was a heroic effort by the Michigan defense, which was the necessary minimum to steal a win this afternoon. Indiana only ran 53 offensive plays, and may have been shut out if the Wolverines had not gifted two short-field opportunities for field goals. Chris Bracy led the way for a second consecutive week, notching 13 tackles. The secondary held two elite Indiana WRs to 57 total receiving yards, no scores, and also forced Josh Hoover’s first interception of the season. The core challenge right now for the defense is not turning on the offensive personnel and staff at Schembechler Hall.

The offense will be under the media microscope, but two missed field goals were also killer in a game that ended regulation as a tie. One miss from 50+ yards is certainly understandable, and was canceled out in a way by IU’s missed FG attempt at the end of the first half. But not scoring points after driving down to the 1-yard line to open the third quarter proved to be a fatal blow. 3rd & 1 was a bad play call, poor execution, and then made fatal by the missed kick.

This team is out of sync, the fan base is fracturing, and there is a threat of discontent to spread through the whole program. I mentioned during an in-game tweet that I was worried the past few weeks about players slumping into lack of effort and enthusiasm. I was pretty proud that we didn’t see any of that on the field Saturday against the Hoosiers, but another tough loss filled with question marks and excuses carries the same concern. Maybe Michigan can put together a get right game in Piscataway against Rutgers on Halloween Night. Go Blue!

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Michigan 52 UTEP 17 – Game 3 Recap

The Wolverines emerge on a grey day in Ann Arbor to face UTEP

GAME 3 PROJECTION vs. RESULTS

Final Score: 52-17, Michigan by 35 over UTEP
SP+ Projection: Michigan by 32.5 (+2.5)
CD Projection: Michigan by 27 (+8)

FIVE FACTORS

GAME 3 RECAP vs. UTEP

The offense still had fans chewing on their finger nails in the first half. Despite a 50% success rate in the first two quarters, the Wolverines had only mustered 17 points against one of the weakest defenses in the country per SP+. Then Michigan stormed out of the tunnel and boat raced the Miners in the third quarter. The offense finally clicked for three touchdown drives in Q3. Bryce Underwood looked sharper as a passer, and both Savion Hiter and Jordan Marshall found some space in the middle. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Wolverines looked like they may bring a balanced offense into Big Ten play next week.

On defense, Michigan was victimized by penalties and turnovers. on UTEP’s first possession, a 3rd down sack was wiped out by an offside penalty. The Miners executed a beautifully executed play-action pass for an explosive touchdown. When Savion Hiter’s fumble turned into a one-play touchdown drive to make it 14-7 UTEP, the Big House felt like a funeral parlor. Just like the offense, the defense flipped a switch at halftime. UTEP ran 12 plays for -5 yards in the third quarter, and Jonah Lea’ea returned an intercepted screen pass for a score in the third. The Wolverines spent the entire second half in the Miners’ backfield, and plays that actually moved the ball forward we few and far between.

The special teams units looked fine, and proved to be head and shoulders better than the opponent today. Kicker Try Butkowski hit a 49-yard field goal to end the first half to give Michigan the lead. It was extra reassuring to see Butkowski nail his first opportunity from significant distance, and he had maybe 5-6 yards to spare in tough conditions.

No doubt, we’ll hear a lot about “a tale of two halves” and the cliche fits this game pretty perfectly. Michigan should still be concerned about sloppiness. They may have been looking past another opponent in their game planning and in their first half energy. There is absolutely no more excuse for that again on this team. In the grand scheme, Michigan finishes the first quarter of the season 3-0 with momentum and a large stack of valuable film to learn from. The Iowa Hawkeyes come to visit next week for the Big Ten opener. Michigan will have to continue to clean up their execution, and ride the wave of this second half. Iowa will not beat themselves, the Wolverines will need four full quarters to win. Go Blue!