Northwestern Game Notes

By Sean · Tuesday, October 2, 2007 · 11:58 AM |  Share | Leave a Comment 

I haven’t gotten around to watching the actual game itself, but from listening to it have a pretty good idea of what happened. I’m not going to write a full recap because of that and the fact that I’m limited for time right now. With that being said, here are notes from the 28-16 over Northwestern.

• Chad Henne started the game’s opening series and led Michigan down the field for a TD. That would be the lone score of the entire half for U-M as the offense struggled greatly on other drives. Though plans called for Henne to only start the opening series of the second half and then go back on the bench, Henne finished the game from the third quarter on. It was necessary just to win the game.
• When Mike DeBord leaves the coaching staff I will throw a party to celebrate. Seriously, how bad of an offensive coordinator is he? Where is the slightest bit of imagination? I think NW knew what was coming after a run left on first down happened on almost every first down. Establishing the run is one thing, but then do a play-action once and a while. It’s not like NW was trying to stop the pass. In fact, they stuck a ton of defenders in the box, which is why Mike Hart struggled to rack up the yardage. With the passing game obviously at an advantage, I just don’t get why Michigan didn’t go to the air more.
• On a similar subject as the one above, why is it necessary to handcuff Ryan Mallett? I get that he is a true freshman and has a lot less experience than Chad Henne, but just let the guy play. Limiting the playbook to only three or four different plays explains why the offense stunk so much while he was in the game. It wasn’t Mallett’s fault, but rather the playcalling. Once Henne played again there were many more options opened for him.
• Say what you will about the defense’s inconsistent play in the first half, but they really stepped it up in the second half. Even in the first half when they did struggle, some times it was due to unlucky breaks. Just look at the first play of the game. A Northwestern receiver looks to be down but really isn’t and ends up running down the field. I would say that the long TD run by NW should’ve been stopped, but thankfully they rebounded later in the game to turn this potential upset into a win. By forcing so many turnovers as the clock winded down in the fourth quarter, Michigan was able to leave Evanston with a win.
• Michigan has got to stop playing games like this. In situations where wins are expected, wins are necessary. Looking realistically at the schedule, Michigan could end up struggling to become bowl eligible, so any more upsets could help end the nation’s longest streak for being in a bowl game. Against Eastern Michigan on Saturday, the Wolverines have to put them away quickly.
• Despite the playcalling and many other things really getting under my skin, nothing angers me more than the kicking game right now. Honestly, how could Jason Gingell be left in the game after missing a 26-yard field goal. He then attempted a 40-yarder and missed it as well. He has been horrible this season and just seems to be lacking the confidence a field goal kicker needs out there. On this week’s depth chart the kicker position is left wide open with Gingell, Bryan Wright, and K.C. Lopata all in contention for the job. Though Gingell shouldn’t be the kicker, one has to wonder just how bad the other two might be if they lost out to Gingell. Maybe he is a great practice kicker but just is bad in-game. Who knows? I just hope we can salvage that position enough to make field goals once in a while.