Five things to watch in the final six weeks of Michigan's season
Michigan football beat writer Dave Birkett lists five keys for the Wolverines in the second half. What are yours?
1. Tate Forcier’s health - Forcier is battling a sore throwing shoulder and suffered a mild concussion against Iowa. He’s got more carries than any Michigan running back and, for all his late-game heroics, has started to show signs he’s a true freshman. Still, he’s Michigan’s only hope at winning eight games. He needs to stay healthy.
2. Front and center - Starting center David Molk could return from a broken foot in time for the final five games. Michigan’s a different offense with the intense Molk on the field, averaging 140.6 more rushing yards with him in the lineup. His presence also allows guard David Moosman (filling in at center) and tackle Mark Huyge (now playing right guard) to return to their natural positions.
3. Man of Troy - After spending the first five weeks at safety, Troy Woolfolk started at the troublesome right cornerback position against Iowa. With Boubacar Cissoko in the doghouse and the J.T.s (Floyd and Turner) not ready for prime-time action, Woolfolk will be counted on to stop of the likes of Arrelious Benn, Keith Smith and Derek Moye in coming weeks. Woolfolk played well against Iowa, but didn’t have many balls thrown his way. Michigan is last in the Big Ten in pass defense at 246.5 yards per game.4. Pizza, pizza - Michigan is on track to make a bowl game after sitting out the postseason last year. Unless two Big Ten teams get BCS bids, it's unlikely the Wolverines will crack the New Year's Day rotation. That means Michigan's fighting with Michigan State, Wisconsin and Minnesota to avoid the ignominy of playing in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl. MSU won the head-to-head battle and Michigan plays at Wisconsin. To be safe, the Wolverines better be certain they don't have a worse record than Minnesota. If they don't take care of business at Illinois later this month, there'll be a lot of scoreboard watching come November.
5. Pick six - Michigan’s lost five straight games to Ohio State, a streak that doesn’t sit well with any Michigan fan. The Buckeyes might be the best team in the Big Ten right now, but playing in Ann Arbor, Michigan’s got a shot. At the very least, a repeat of last year’s 42-7 thumping can’t happen.
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
rightmind250
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 4:12 p.m.
Tate must stay healthy or UM has no chance at all. Denard is a great runner, but defenses will put 10 guys up there to stop the run. They will force him to pass. That means every third play will be an interception. He is the epitomy of a one dimensional quarterback.
willievrine
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 2:28 p.m.
I think Denards getting a bad rap. Although he and Forcier have shown composure beyond their years they are still true freshmen are gonna make freshman mistakes. The only cure for this is experience. Both Denard and Forcier are the real deal. They will only get better with time. I think Fan has a point. I think RR should substitute Denard for Forcier on a more tactical and strategic basis instead of a last ditch effort to try to win a game. Forcier seems to start out strong and then hits a lull for about a quarter and a half and then appears to come back to life in the fourth quarter. Both QBs have shown they can engineer late fourth quarter drives. D-Robs passing will improve with time. I see nothing but good times ahead. Fan also makes a good point about Robinson playing defense. His speed would help him recover to intercept some passes as well as keep him loose for when he comes in to run the offense.
81wolverine
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 11:31 a.m.
Agree with Tater on most things. O-Line MUST step up their play and be tough the rest of the way - Molk or no Molk. The entire defense (maybe outside of Graham and Warren) needs to step up their games. Woolfolk can't afford any more shoddy tackling like the last play of the MSU game. And the defense MUST put more pressure on the QB. I'd give them a D- on that so far this year. If it means more blitzes, so be it. Linebacking play has been very poor also. They need to be much more aggressive. Finally, Michigan must get the turnover problem under control. We simply won't win many more games if we continue to lose the TO battle.
Fan
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 7:39 a.m.
Perhaps you should hold your comments in item #1 until we see and analyze Denard Robinson's effort this Saturday. To your point about rushing, Michigan stats show that while Tate has the most rushing attempts, his total yardage output is the fourth highest; Denard third highest with far fewer attempts. I believe what you should be advocating is effectively alternating Robinson and Forcier; coaching to their individual and collective strengths for the good of the team. While we are on Denard, why not let him play both offense and defense; he's capable. Our defensive secondary sure could use his speed and football intelligence.