Grade the Michigan football team's performance against San Diego State
Here's your chance to weigh in on the Michigan football team's 28-7 win over San Diego State on Saturday. Grade the Wolverines on offense, defense, special teams, coaching and overall:
Offense
Once again, quarterback Denard Robinson picked up large chunks of yards, rushing for 200 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. However, once again, Robinson struggled in the passing game, completing 8-of-17 passes for 93 yards with two interceptions.
The Wolverines led 14-0 in the first half -- the first points they've scored in the first quarter this season -- and 21-0 at halftime. Three turnovers in the second half slowed things down. Fitz Toussaint (13-67) and Vincent Smith (9-47) helped push the Wolverines over 300 rushing yards and 400 yards of total offense.
Defense
Michigan snapped San Diego State's string of 17 consecutive games with at least 21 points and limited the nation's second-leading rusher, Ronnie Hillman, to 109 yards, 56 under his average. SDSU quarterback Ryan Lindley had more than half of his 253 passing yards in the fourth quarter.
Special teams
Brendan Gibbons missed his only field goal attempt, a 40-yarder. Matt Wile averaged 49.0 yards on four punts and Jeremy Gallon returned two punts for 21 yards. San Diego State averaged 18.7 yards on four kickoff returns. Michigan did not return a kickoff.
Coaching
Brady Hoke and several members of his staff found themselves in a strange position, coaching against players they recruited and coached at San Diego State. There weren't many big coaching decisions to make in this one, but it was interesting to see offensive coordinator Al Borges continue to heavily rely on Denard Robinson's legs.
Overall
The bottom line is the Wolverines are 4-0 for the third straight year, but the biggest question may be if they showed any reason to not expect a third straight late-season swoon?
Comments
Txmaizenblue
Mon, Sep 26, 2011 : 4:29 a.m.
Defense has definitely improved. Craig Roh finally did something (I would not count EMU as doing anything), Denard sucks with his arm (nothing new) and is incredible on his legs (nothing new). He will definitely not play QB at the next level (has NO touch on the ball and can't hit a wide open receiver), so why not just make him the long sought after runningback and give Devin a shot. This team will never beat a great team with Denard at QB, because a great team will make Denard beat them with his arm - which he is unable to do. Hate say it, but know it's true. Alabama is going to run us out of Texas next year if Denard is still QB.
patrue
Sun, Sep 25, 2011 : 11:35 p.m.
Why Robinson is off target this year is a mystery. Last year, he was very good most of the season, ending with a 62 percent completion record. It may be that the new coaching staff is trying to change his throwing style, which is hard to change, and that may account for the disappointing passing performance. Remember, though, he has proven last year to be accurate; he does throw a good spiral, plenty of oomph on the pass, and can pass long as well as short. i think he'll improve.
Txmaizenblue
Mon, Sep 26, 2011 : 4:39 a.m.
That 62% completion percentage is very deceptive, and is a good reason why stats are not the most reiable data. Most of that 62 was short dumps, screens, crossing patterns, etc. Denard was horrible past 15-20 yards and still is! Go watch last years games. He missed about 6-7 wide open touchdowns. Dont be deceived by coaching change chatter...that's all it is. They are running a lot of the same things RR ran last year. Denard is not a very good passer PERIOD. No one one want to say it - or will until the losses start coming. The defense will no longer be a scapegoat this year when it happens.... Just saying
Keith
Sun, Sep 25, 2011 : 2:10 p.m.
I think weve seen this before? Denard runs, cant throw, but still scores, The receivers still cant catch, we are 4-0 Big Ten Opens- I am going to stop right here. GO DEFENSE, GO BLUE! Denard, I love you man, Please take your receivers out more and play catch.
10dz
Sun, Sep 25, 2011 : 1:01 p.m.
We won't win in the Big 10 with this offense. No passing game. No running game from our running backs. Our defense has improved and is very opportunistic. They will give us a chance but CANNOT be on the field for 35 minutes a game in the Big 10. Time of possession is critical for our defense to be successful. Our offense has to produce time consuming drives that result in points (yes, field goals are a good thing, if we can ever make one). Denard is amazing!!!!!! But won't be amazing standing on the sideline with rib and leg injuries. I'm underwhelmed by Borges at this point. We have started 4-0 and 5-0 the last three years, all with wins over weak opponents. I won't be fooled this time around either. I'll wait and see what the next four games look like before I can say we've turned the corner. Even then, that is the weaker part of our Big 10 schedule. But 3-1 will at least give us hope. 2-2 or worse, and we're looking at 7-5 or 6-6 this year.
aareader
Sun, Sep 25, 2011 : 7:14 a.m.
A good question to ask the coaches at a next news conference is why is Denard have so much trouble with passing ... and why are the other QB's not getting playing time when possible? Something does not seem at all right in that context. Is there something major we are not aware of...yet?
aareader
Sun, Sep 25, 2011 : 7:06 a.m.
Another year where Blue is perfect in Sept. Was disappointed in SDS. Appears there are overrated ... OR ... Michigan's defense continues to improve. If October is like September I will be impressed and a believer. Lets hope With this win I believe the Coache's record is now 51 - 50. Funny it turned to a winning record with a win over his last school. Ah the irony... Kind of like starting over for October. :+} GO Blue!
heartbreakM
Sun, Sep 25, 2011 : 1:38 a.m.
The biggest thing that concerns me is Denard Robinson's continued great running and horrible passing. He was a much better passer through most of last year and frankly looks like he did 2 years ago. I doubt it's a confidence thing, but don't get it. He seems greatly coachable, is in control, and appears healthy. But his continued overthrows or behind the receiver throws will come back and bite us when an opposing defense successfully stops his run. So far, Michigan has found ways. Will that continue? Big question of the season. Defensively, they seemed to give up too many easy passes today--sort of like the last 10-15 years to be honest. But their receivers played well in spots (that TD pass for example was a great catch and throw). I have to believe we'll improve and Michigan's D really held itself together despite being in bad field position nearly the entire game. Kudos to the players and coaches on that. Special teams? Yuk. Big yuk. I'm surprised that I am among the few who gave a fail (though to be fair, punting was fine and there was a good punt return, but those big returns on kickoffs away and missed FG equals fail to me).
goldenblue
Sun, Sep 25, 2011 : 12:16 a.m.
It is my opinion that michigan is making a huge mistake not playing Devin Gardner and Thomas Rawls.Denards passing game looks horrible and big ten teams will load the box to stop the run and force michigan to pass.Which will ultimately shut us down.The positive part of today was our defense.
goldenblue
Sun, Sep 25, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
Denard is the most talented player on both teams playing.That said as much as he is running he will get hit and hurt.My fear is Devin has no live game action.So when this happens we will be at a big dissadvantage.
JustfortheRecord
Sun, Sep 25, 2011 : 4:12 a.m.
take denard out. He is lame. good idea.
tim
Sat, Sep 24, 2011 : 11:34 p.m.
I think that we are better than many think. Western did well against Illinois ( almost won) and Notre Dame won again against a good team. SDSU is a good team and we almost shut them out. All the teams we beat so far have done pretty well except for Easter who is improving. I'ld say Michigan can play with anyone in the Big Ten
David Briegel
Sat, Sep 24, 2011 : 9:23 p.m.
I fear what the Big 10 will do to a team with no passing attack! Pathetic! It looked even worse than it turned out! The running game is still struggling except for the exceptional talent of Denard. Turnovers will kill us in the Big 10! They have got to get better in a hurry.
azwolverine
Sun, Sep 25, 2011 : 12:44 a.m.
The running game is struggling because Denard can't complete passes. If he could, obviously it would open up the running game and make it far more effective. I'm hoping that as the season goes on he becomes more effective in his passing, but I'm not banking on it.
BigWolverine13
Sat, Sep 24, 2011 : 9:02 p.m.
Good defense. Robinson is amazing when he runs, but I'm not sure I have ever seen a college QB who is so inept as a passer. It does not look good for the future against better teams.
MRunner73
Sat, Sep 24, 2011 : 8:51 p.m.
The 3rd quarter blunders ruined what could have been an awesome game. The defense was awesome and was well deserving of my vote for excellent. They overcame all but one of the turnovers, stopped a great running back, pressured a very good QB, outstanding in the Red Zone and was on the playing field a lot more than SDSU's defense. Bottom line, I saw legit improvement on both sides of the ball. The offense recovered some in the 4th quarter. We ditched the passing attack but that will live to see another game. No use trying something that wasn't working. It was very good to see some gutsy running by Fitz Toussaint and Vincent Smith. No October/November swoon this year, but it won't be easy.
azwolverine
Sat, Sep 24, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.
Michigan played well against a pretty good team. Could they have played better? Of course. The turnovers didn't help them at all in the third quarter when they could have blown the game open, but the fact the defense hung in there despite the bad spots the offense put them in is a good sign. This team is getting better and, four games into Hoke's tenure, that's the most anyone can ask for.