Players Get Award Attention, Prep for Terps
Only three games remain on the schedule for Michigan, who is not yet bowl eligible. Sitting at 5-4, the Wolverines have turned their attention to beating Maryland. Beating the Terps won't be easy, but was aided when Quarterback C.J. Brown was sidelined with an injury.
The players have been quiet about the struggles this season, deciding instead to focus on Maryland. After nine games, some of the players have put together solid performances. Enough to get the attention of a few national football awards.
Tight end Jake Butt was named a finalist for the John Mackey Award, given to the top tight end in college football. Butt missed the team's first game but has amassed 33 receptions for 485 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Senior Jake Ryan, who has been an anchor and impact player for Michigan's defense, was recently named to the list of players up for the Dick Butkus Award. Given to the nation's top linebacker, it would be tough not to include Ryan in that discussion. He leads the nation with 44 solo tackles, and has 86 total tackles through nine games. Ryan also has 19 tackles for loss (a team high), all just one season removed from an ACL injury.
Dennis Norfleet was one of twelve players named a semifinalist for the top returner award in college football. Norfleet's 501 total return yards is fourth among players up for the awards. Plus his 99 yard kick return touchdown is one of the longest in the country.
Besides the bright spots, there are some question marks in Michigan's starting lineup. The backfield has drawn criticism, leaving Brady Hoke answering questions about his starting Quarterback. Devin Gardner stats can be deceiving, if you look at his production. Over 2,000 all-purpose yards (1,500+ passing, 500 rushing) and 14 touchdowns looks like what should be expected.
A closer look finds a completion percentage under 50%, 9 interceptions and recent struggles against improved, Big Ten competition. The same can be said for his main target Devin Funchess; whose 49-549-7 line looks wonderful, but shows a decline in per game production.
The offense has definitely been inconsistent, but besides big games against Indiana and Rutgers, conference play has been rough for the Wolverine's 'O.' But troubles on third down and in the redzone have killed drives and scoring opportunities. Not helping matters, Michigan's special teams.
Kicker Matt Wile has connected on 10 of 16 field goals for a conference-worst 62%. Helping is Will Hagerup's punting, but return coverage has resulted in short fields for opponents.
Finally, the defense has seen improvements from last year but has still allowed 31 points per game in the Big Ten. The front seven hasn't been the issue, as Michigan has allowed the 10th least rushing yards in the country. Led by seniors Jake Ryan, Desmond Morgan, Frank Clark (team leading 4.5 sacks), and Brennan Beyer - stopping the run hasn't been the issue.
Proven in the Indiana game and second half of the Michigan State games: it's the secondary. Coaches have talked about changes in personnel, but big plays have become common place.
A 5-4 record is not a common position for Michigan, but it has become normal in the last decade. Mediocrity is something the coaching staff is fighting: Hoke talks about correcting mistakes and eliminating errors. Michigan's play has proven they are struggling to be competitive in their own conference.
Questions are mounting in Ann Arbor, with only three games remaining. The first job is getting bowl eligible, the next should be improving so Michigan can return to a time when "bowl eligible" was a given.