Michigan 27 Vanderbilt 7 - What We Learned

According to most Michigan football forums, nothing has changed. It's still the same 'ole conservative game strategy executed with familiar mistakes. In fact, compliments and optimism about Saturday's game are few and far between. Most fans are in late season form with the fire Carr, another 3+ loss season, the offense is boring, etc, etc.

The expectations some followers put on this program could only be met with 50-0 type blowouts and yet, that still might bring about chatter of what went terribly wrong and why Carr should be shown his way to a seat next to Bo in the press box. Unfortunately for some, it's the darkside of Michigan football. Perfection is required, anything less is tolerated as the sky is falling type mind set. That being said, let's take a look at what we learned on Saturday.



Ask yourself, what were the two biggest things you wished for as a Michigan fan to change in 2006? Most of your answers included at least one, probably both, of the following:

1. A return to intense, hard hitting fundamental defense
2. Run the ball with effectiveness

Now ask yourself if Michigan accomplished theses tasks on Saturday? The answer should be a resounding YES.

Let's take a quick hit of the defense and three items that stood out:

1. Intensity, hitting, swarming, and fundamentals. How many tackles did the 'D' miss on Saturday? Not many, which is our first step to extraordinary change from years past.
2. The defensive line can be a machine at times. The pressure from the front four kept Vandy uneasy all game long. The spread offense that used to burn Michigan with QB keepers and shotgun misdirection plays was at a clear disadvantage on Saturday.
3. The unit looks fit and in shape with English not afraid to substitute at will, which wore down Vandy as the game progressed.

Here are some stats that should make every Michigan fan smile:

1. Six sacks (3 by Woodley) for -38 yards
2. Four TFL's for -9 yards
3. Three no gain plays
4. 2 forced turnovers
5. 13 of 52 total offensive plays for Vandy resulted in no gain or negative yards (25%)

Any knowledgeable fan cannot walk away from this game without taking notice that the defensive mind set of this team has changed and good things could be on the horizon. It's only one game, but it's incomparable to any game I watched in 2005.

Now let's flip to the offensive side of things where off-season wish #2 came to fruition. The offensive line and the new zone blocking scheme pummelled Vandy for 246 yards on the ground. A few things to provide us confidence that the run game will experience continued success:

1. Mike Hart looks quick and shifty as he's ever been
2. Kevin Grady is leaner and has better vision (if he can only hold on to the football)
3. Minor looks to be, yet another viable threat in the backfield

Now to the passing game, which was inconsistent at best. This had to be the most disappointing aspect of Saturday's game, but in no way should over shadow the running game and defense. Henne, when he wasn't flushed out of the pocket, was throwing high all day. When he wasn't throwing high, he had two key drops and a nice completion inside the 5 taken away by inept officiating. The scheme and the plays were there, the players just didn't finish. This can be corrected. Let's not jump off a cliff due to first game rustiness on offense, just yet. They were inches away from breaking the game open very early.

My key area for 2006 success is Red Zone efficiency on both offense and defense. Here are the results from Game 1:

Offense

1. Three trips with plays starting inside the Red Zone resulting in 17 points
2. One fumble inside the Red Zone (play started at 23 yd line)

Defense

1. No opposition trips into the Red Zone

We'll call this key area a major success against Vandy.

Three Plays to Make or Break (Game 1)

1. Pat Massey's apparent TD drop
2. Kevin Grady's nineteen yard TD run on 3rd and 4
3. Forced fumble, recovered by Hall, in 4th (led to Henne/Mannigham TD)

Overall, you have to be pleased with Saturday's performance despite the fact that Henne didn't throw for 500 yards and 4 TD's. The defense played with fire from start to finish and Michigan moved the ball well on the ground.

The schemes on both sides of the ball were quite vanilla, yet highly effective. A solid and efficient game against CMU next week should put this team at a competitive edge going into the ND game, especially with the Irish coming off two straight, hard fought physical battles.

The primary take away from the opener is that it could be much worse, as we experienced last year. Henne's throws will get better and the pass blocking will gel. It is apparent that attitude has changed and will pay huge dividends has the season progresses, even if they are not all shut out wins.

DP