Michigan 41 Central Michigan 17 - Thunder Struck

Michigan's defense wasn't the only thing bringing the thunder on Saturday afternoon. For the first time in the history of Michigan football, the game was delayed for nearly an hour due to weather. This was an interesting way to watch a football game, if nothing else I was able to get a few more chores done before the restart of the game.



Now to the analysis:

Offensively Michigan continued pounding the football with an effective running game churning out 252 yards in the contest. Mike Hart led the way with 116 yards and 3 TD's, looking nimble as ever. The zone blocking scheme continues to open up lanes for the running backs with minimal plays that go for losses. It also appears that Henne is checking into running plays based on what the defense is giving Michigan.

It's only two games in, but if Michigan is able to continue its running success throughout the Big Ten season, they will be able to control games, which will allow them to limit the opposition's offensive possessions, as well as dictating the flow. Both bode well for Blue.

The passing game looks efficient at times, but lethargic at others. Receivers continue to drop the ball and we've yet to fully witness a downfield or over the middle attack. One has to ask whether Carr & Debord are not showing their hand going into the Notre Dame or if Michigan is simply having difficulty with the passing game and the harness has yet to be released?

Overall, the offense moved the ball at will against CMU and put up 34 points by the end of the 3rd quarter. They also possessed the ball for nearly 37 minutes while running the ball 50 times.

That's Michigan football at its best.

Defensively, the unit swarmed, once again, creating turnovers (3) and sacks (4). Michigan has now forced 5 turnovers and 10 sacks in its first two games, a vast improvement over 2005. There is still the 'big play' syndrome that plagues this defense, that gave up a 35 yard TD and nearly allowed a second, which ended up being dropped.

That said, LeFevour was being chased and harassed all day. CMU attempted 39 passes on the day, completing only 18 of them, thus achieving 4.8 yards per pass. The running defense was stellar and physical, allowing a dismal 16 yards (including sacks) on 21 attempts or 37 yards on 13 carries, excluding sacks. The effectiveness of this year's run defense starts with the chaos the defensive line is creating up front as it allows our speedy linebackers to attack and run down the perimeter running attack.

Keys to the defensive performance:

1. Three forced turnovers (5 for the season)
2. 4 sacks (10 on the season)
3. 13 of 60 plays of no gain or negative yards (26 of 112 for the season, 23%)

Overall, defensively, if fans need something to complain about, which many do, the big pass plays that have haunted them in the first two games are the only apparent Achilles heel at this juncture of the season. However, from what has been witnessed thus far, compared to 2005, we have to feel quite confident going into ND and the Big Ten season that the defense has the potential to carry this squad.

Special teams were erratic, again, on Saturday. While Rivas nailed his to FG attempts to go 4 for 5 on the season, the punting was average at best and the kick return coverage resembled swiss cheese. Special teams will have to improve significantly in the upcoming weeks before it costs Michigan a close game. We've yet to see Breaston really get loose on a return.

My key area for 2006 success is Red Zone efficiency on both offense and defense. Here are the results from Game 2:

Offense

1. Five trips with plays starting inside the Red Zone resulting in 31 points (4 TD's, FG)

Defense

1. Three trips with plays starting inside the Red Zone resulting in 10 points (TD, FG, fumble).

For the year, Michigan is 8 for 9 offesively in the Red Zone, scoring 48 of a possible 63 points. Defensively, they've held the opposition to 3 Red Zone trips while allowing 10 of a possible 21 points.

Two games in, Red Zone efficiency has been a major success.

All this being said, the majority of fans realize the real season begins on September 16. The question is whether Michigan can take the positives from the first two games and roll into South Bend with vengeance. I'm not sure there's a fan among us that really feels secure on what we should expect next Saturday.

One thing is assured, after the game, we'll know exactly where the Michigan football program stands.