The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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56 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Blocking Out Failure Michigan quarterbacks have been beaten up after beating teammates out in recent years. Two seasons ago, the Wolverines sur- rendered the most tackles for loss in the na- tion. The past two seasons, Michigan quar- terbacks endured a combined 61 sacks. The Wolverines' offensive lines took as big a beating in the press as did the signal- callers they were protecting at times. Many of those linemen are entering their third season on the field. According to Braden, they're beginning to respond. "We had some young guys who were still trying to figure ourselves out, but this off- season has been awesome," Braden offered. "I'm excited to get back out there and show where we're at, things we've learned. "Nothing is going to be perfect. That's how it is. But we'll give a real statement Redshirt junior offensive lineman Ben Braden went from right tackle (where he played through- out 2014) to left guard in spring practice. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Wolverines Stare Down Rivals Challenge Michigan faces some ugly numbers when it comes to its two top rivals and contenders in the East Division of the Big Ten. The ugliest is obvious: a combined 2-12 record against Michigan State and Ohio State the past seven seasons. Other numbers tell a tale of struggling offense, es- pecially against the Spartans. Here is a breakdown of some key offensive numbers for U-M in that series the past seven years. UM OFFENSIVE NUMBERS VS. MSU, 200814 Total Year Offense Rushing Points Turnovers 2008 252 84 21 4 2009 251 28 20 2 2010 377 162 17 3 2011 250 82 14 1 2012* 326 112 12 1 2013 168 -48 6 1 2014 186 61 11 3 Averages 258.6 68.7 14.4 2.1 * Denotes Michigan win The Wolverines averaged only eight points per game against Ohio State in the Rich Rodriguez years. That hasn't been the problem since then, with Michigan putting up an average of 32.5 against the Buckeyes the past four seasons. OSU has come up with shootout wins, though, the past two seasons: 42-41 in Ann Arbor in 2013 and 42-28 last fall at Columbus. Here's the breakdown from that series. UM OFFENSIVE NUMBERS VS. OSU, 200814 Total Year Offense Rushing Points Turnovers 2008 198 111 7 2 2009 251 80 10 5 2010 351 182 7 3 2011* 444 277 40 1 2012 279 108 21 4 2013 603 152 41 1 2014 372 121 28 2 Averages 365.1 147.3 22.0 2.6 * Denotes Michigan win The conclusions are easier than the fix. The Wolver- ines have to play much better on offense against MSU's aggressive, blitzing defenders. That includes fashioning a rushing attack that goes for more than 68.7 yards per game on the ground. Michigan's defense has to step up against the Buckeyes, but U-M's offense isn't off the hook here, either. Five turnovers in 2009 doomed the effort, and four more sunk the Wolverines in the 2012 contest, featuring a scoreless U-M second half in a 26-21 loss. Head coach Jim Harbaugh & Co. have their work cut out, in what has been an agonizing ri- valry stretch for Michigan fans. Then again, that's why the new crew is in place. — John Borton Other numbers tell a tale of struggling offense, es- pecially against the Spartans. Here is a breakdown of some key offensive numbers for U-M in that series the UM OFFENSIVE NUMBERS VS. MSU, 200814 Year Offense Rushing Points Turnovers 2008 252 84 21 4 2009 251 28 20 2 2010 377 162 17 3 2011 250 82 14 1 2012* 326 112 12 1 2013 168 -48 6 1 2014 186 61 11 3 Averages 258.6 68.7 14.4 2.1 The Wolverines averaged only eight points per game against Ohio State in the Rich Rodriguez years. That hasn't been the problem since then, with Michigan putting up an average of 32.5 against the Buckeyes the OSU has come up with shootout wins, though, the past two seasons: 42-41 in Ann Arbor in 2013 and 42-28 last fall at Columbus. Here's the breakdown from UM OFFENSIVE NUMBERS VS. OSU, 200814 Offense Rushing Points Turnovers 2008 198 111 7 2 2009 251 80 10 5 2010 351 182 7 3 2011* 444 277 40 1 2012 279 108 21 4 2013 603 152 41 1 2014 372 121 28 2 Averages 365.1 147.3 22.0 2.6 The conclusions are easier than the fix. The Wolver- ines have to play much better on offense against MSU's aggressive, blitzing defenders. That includes fashioning a rushing attack that goes for more than 68.7 yards per game on the ground. Michigan's defense has to step up against the Buckeyes, but U-M's offense isn't off the hook here, either. Five turnovers in 2009 doomed the effort, and four more sunk the Wolverines in the 2012 contest, featuring a scoreless U-M second half in a Head coach Jim Harbaugh & Co. have their work cut out, in what has been an agonizing ri- valry stretch for Michigan fans. Then again, that's why the new crew is in place.