At the season's midway point, U-M has much to address
by John Heuser | The Ann Arbor News Tuesday October 09, 2007, 7:14 AM
It's the midway point of the college football season and the University of Michigan team is still trying to define its identity.
The Wolverines (4-2, 2-0 Big Ten) aren't national title contenders, but they're one of three teams unbeaten in league competition.
Michigan's offense isn't prolific, but it showcases perhaps college football's best tailback.
The defense has played inconsistently, but it features a number of playmakers.
"We're not where we need to be,'' Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "But from the standpoint of a team that has given the kind of effort, and displayed the kind of things I think you need to be able to compete for a championship, I think those things are there.''
Here's a look at what's gone right for Michigan, and what needs to be addressed for the Wolverines to make a Big Ten title run.
<BOLD>Offense
</BOLD>
MVP: Mike Hart.
What's working: Michigan can run the football, no doubt about it. Hart - who's on pace to smash Tim Biakabutuka's single-season rushing record of 1,818 yards - has topped 100 yards in all six games and went over 200 last Saturday against Eastern Michigan. The Wolverines are also doing a nice job of converting on third down. Their conversion rate of 48.5 percent is third in the Big Ten.
Of concern: The fact that the senior tailback remained in the game against a Mid-American Conference opponent long enough to hit 200 yards.
Not only does it reflect Michigan's lack of depth at that position, but it shows the Wolverines are having trouble putting opponents away.
"I'd like to be more consistent,'' Michigan senior guard Adam Kraus said. "Coming out fast and staying on our opponents instead of scoring, then not scoring, then scoring again.''
Expected to be one of the league's most potent offenses this season because of Hart, quarterback Chad Henne and other veterans, the Wolverines generate points at a rate of 25.3 per game, which ranks ninth in the conference. If Michigan continues at that pace, it would be the program's lowest scoring average since 1996.
Part of the problem has been the Wolverines' inconsistent passing attack. Michigan is throwing for fewer than 200 yards a game, and ranks 10th in passing efficiency. The offense has managed just three offensive plays of 40 yards or better this season, and two have been runs by Hart.
<BOLD>Defense
</BOLD>
MVP: Shawn Crable.
What's working: Pressuring quarterbacks and forcing turnovers. Led by sophomore defensive end Brandon Graham's seven sacks, Michigan ranks fourth in the conference with 23. The Wolverines are also first in the Big Ten and third nationally with 19 turnovers.
The team's most dependable defensive player has been senior linebacker Crable, who has 16 tackles for loss (putting him on pace to break the school's single-season record of 26 held by Mark Messner and Larry Foote) and has forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble.
Of concern: Slow starts. Of the 120 points scored on the Wolverines this season, 87 have come in the first half. The night-and-day difference was most noticeable two weeks ago against Northwestern, when the Wildcats got 16 points and 309 yards in the first half, 0 points and 108 yards in the second.
"I'm not saying I know what (is causing it),'' Michigan cornerback Morgan Trent said. "But it's something we've gotta fix, we've gotta correct and we know that.''
The Wolverines have also been prone to being run on effectively (they rank eighth in the league in run defense) and have given up seven plays of more than 40 yards.
<BOLD>Special teams
</BOLD>
MVP: Zoltan Mesko.
What's working: Between Mesko's long and well-placed boots and good punt return coverage, the team isn't easily giving up prime field position on changes of possession.
Of concern: Most everything else. The Wolverines don't have an effective return game, their kickoff coverage has been spotty, they've had an extra point and two field goals blocked, they allowed Eastern Michigan to recover two onside kicks and they're still trying to find a dependable placekicker. Things are looking better in that department, however. After Jason Gingell connected on 3 of 9 field goal attempts through the first five games, Michigan switched to K.C. Lopata, who hit both his field goal tries last weekend.
