Michigan has completed a third of its season. How does everything grade out?
There’s no opponent this week and nothing to predict.
But, Michigan (4-0) has completed one third of its 2017 football season. We’ll say the Wolverines are at their first period intermission.
So, how about some reflection? Here are position — and coaching — grades through the first four weeks.
The most interesting position group on the field got that much more interesting last week when Wilton Speight was helped off the field and John O’Korn took over to lead the Wolverines to four touchdown drives in a 28-10 win over Purdue. O’Korn’s second half was the most productive two-quarter run a U-M quarterback has had this season. He’s back in the mix because he took advantage of his opportunity.
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The long-term answer on Michigan’s starting quarterback question probably won’t be something Jim Harbaugh gets too deep into until Speight’s health has been cleared. Either way, it’s a discussion now. And he’ll have a decision to make.
It hasn’t been great overall. Michigan has thrown for four touchdown passes in four games. The Wolverines have one touchdown pass in 13 red zone trips. Everyone has to pick it up and, at some point, someone has to show some consistency.
Grade: C
Ty Isaac was the man over the first three weeks, though I’m not sure he was 100% healthy during the Wolverines’ 28-10 win at Purdue last week. Isaac was above average against Florida, Cincinnati and Air Force with his vision and finish. He has 356 yards (6.3 yards per carry) through four weeks. And, frankly, a lot of this has been self-created due to cutbacks and field vision.
Karan Higdon and Chris Evans have had their moments, both good and bad, but both are averaging better than 4 yards per attempt. Both have lost fumbles, though. Evans rebounded from a sluggish start late against Purdue with two touchdowns and 97 yards on the ground. Higdon has shown flashes. The overall vision of the group is better now than it was a year ago, to be sure. Pass protection has been up and down.
Grade: B
One of the biggest question marks on the team entering the season, Michigan’s offensive line held its own in Week 1 against Florida. Nolan Ulizio had some problems as a first-time starter and he does look like a player who has gotten better over the course of four weeks. Michael Onwenu hasn’t been as consistent, though, and he’s now rotating with Jon Runyan Jr. at right guard.
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Patrick Kugler has been back and forth, but he’s still the best option U-M has at center with Mason Cole at left tackle. Ben Bredeson has also been hit or miss. There are moments where this group looks like it’s ready to take a big step forward. And then you see Michigan ranking No. 121 nationally with 32 tackles for loss allowed. The improvement has to be more rapid.
Grade: C-plus
So, this has to be split. The receivers are now, of course, without freshman starter Tarik Black. Still, outside of junior Grant Perry, Michigan doesn’t have a receiver on this team that has shown an ability to consistently get open regardless of coverage schemes. This is, in many ways, what happens when you’re leaning so heavily on freshmen, sophomores and a walk-on (Nate Schoenle). Black was ahead of the curve with route nuance — and now he’s hurt.
Sean McKeon has been terrific in space when given an opportunity this season and Zach Gentry seems to be improving at a rapid rate. Both those two have upped their game in terms of blocking as well. McKeon, Gentry, Nick Eubanks and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. are enough to give the tight ends an « A. » But Michigan has to get more from its receivers. Donovan Peoples-Jones is still young, but this situation requires an advanced development. And, at some point, we need to see more from Eddie McDoom outside of fly sweeps.
Grade: B-minus
Chase Winovich is the Big Ten sack leader and, through four games, has more sacks (six) than six conference teams. Maurice Hurst has been a completely dominant interior tackle as Michigan has relied on multiple 3-3-5 sets and Rashan Gary has drawn enough double teams to let Winovich run 1-on-1 all season.
This group has been as advertised. It’s been outstanding. U-M has allowed 69.3 yards per game on the ground and that includes Air Force’s triple option. Traditional straight-ahead rush attacks have been non-existent against this defense. Winovich, Hurst and Gary have owned their gaps all season. When Bryan Mone has rotated in for a four-man set, the same has held true. Greg Mattison is at it again.
Grade: A
Devin Bush Jr. has been the breakout star of this football team through four games and could be an early All-America candidate. Don Brown thinks he’s the best middle linebacker in the country. And while that may be debatable, Bush’s sideline-to-sideline chaos and presence in opposing backfields (4 1/2 sacks, 5 1/2 tackles for loss) lends to Brown’s point.
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Michigan’s linebackers have 10 1/2 sacks and 15 tackles for loss through four games. Noah Furbush has recovered two fumbles and scored a touchdown. This as a wrecking crew.
Grade: A
It’s been tough to gauge, frankly, as Michigan’s front seven has made life so miserable on quarterbacks through four games. But the Wolverines have trotted out four first-time starters through four weeks and, so far, they’ve held up just fine.
Tyree Kinnel and Lavert Hill have both returned interceptions for touchdowns and Brandon Watson has broken up three passes. U-M got beat badly on one play against Air Force, but it was the only completion allowed all day. So far, so good. U-M is allowing just 134 yards per game, 5.1 yards per attempt and an overall completion rate of 41% through four weeks.
Grade: A
Quinn Nordin wasn’t needed last week at Purdue, but he still ranks No. 2 nationally with 11 field goals made through four games. Michigan has a punt return touchdown from Peoples-Jones and freshman punter Brad Robbins had seven punts for a 41-yard average last week. Peoples-Jones has had some problems fielding punts, but he’s improved week-to-week.
Grade: A-minus
Split this in two. The defense has been an « A, » without question.
