Michigan Football News & Views: Why Is Harbaugh So High On Cade McNamara?

Michigan will play at Michigan State Saturday in the biggest game of the year. Head coach Jim Harbaugh will ask quarterback Cade McNamara to lead them into battle ... we talk about the 'why' in this week's news and views.

NEWS: Cade McNamara received a vote of confidence yet again from head coach Jim Harbaugh.

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HARBAUGH: “He’s playing winning football, taking care of the football … average points per drive and others.”

VIEWS: It’s been good enough to get the Wolverines to 7-0, but there’s plenty of room for improvement in the vertical passing game. For whatever reason, McNamara looks tight in that area compared to the gunslinger we saw in Michigan’s game at Rutgers last year, when he led the Wolverines back from a 17-0 deficit for a triple-overtime win. Maybe it’s because frosh J.J. McCarthy is pushing him and he’s basically got a finger in the dam holding him off … whatever it is, he’s missing throws he’s proven he can make.

But that’s not to say he’s been ‘bad.’ He just hasn’t been good in the vertical passing game. Michigan ranks 24th nationally in third-down conversions (46 percent), ninth in offensive points per drive (3.42), and we can’t remember the last time McNamara wasn’t able to get the Wolverines a few first downs when backed up to avoid a punt from their own end zone.

More importantly, he’s protecting the ball and winning while the coaches play to their strengths: an outstanding running game with two great backs and a physical offensive line. McCarthy might well be the future, but McNamara is the present.

NEWS: Michigan ranks fifth nationally in rushing with 253.3 yards per game, and assistant Sherrone Moore’s offensive line is the big reason why.

HARBAUGH: “He’s done a fabulous job, as evidenced by how the guys are playing. Things you don’t see … it’s a cohesive group on and off the field, they play for each other, play for the team, and he’s done a fabulous job.”

VIEWS: We knew the line had good personnel, but this group is still one of the team’s nicest surprises of the year. The right side, including center Andrew Vastardis, has been dominant when second-year frosh Zak Zinter has been healthy at guard, and right tackle Andrew Stueber has allowed one — one — pressure all year.

They play to the whistle and with aggression, and are all improving as the year goes on (though we’d like to see a bit more consistency on the left side). We worried this group might take a step back when Ed Warinner was replaced, but Moore’s players love him, and it shows in their play.

“Coach Moore’s done a great job. He’s a high-energy guy, and those guys really love playing for him,” running backs coach Mike Hart said. “He gets excited before games, during games. They respect him so much. He coaches them hard, but with so much love. I think that’s one thing — that’s what makes him such a great coach. They believe in him, and they know that he believes in them, so they believe in him.

“Even when there’s a mistake they’ve made, he doesn’t rip butt, he doesn’t do anything like that. It’s, ‘OK, here’s what we have to do. Why did you do that?’ He’s just a guy that gets it. He played the position. He’s obviously a little bit younger as a coach. It’s just a different style of coaching that makes him a great coach. He listens to his guys.”

Even the defensive backs were talking about how well he coached them, Hart noted.

While we talk a lot about the other coaching additions, this one hasn’t gotten enough attention.

NEWS: Tight end Erick All played a great game Saturday in Michigan’s win over Northwestern.

HARBAUGH: “I thought he had his best game. The game before that, [fellow tight end] Luke Schoonmaker had his best game. They continue to do a great job in the run game, on special teams. I think Erick had about 60 plays in the game … he’s more of a threat in the passing game.”

VIEWS: And he’s catching the ball. He hauled in a team-best five receptions for 34 yards, and we’d like to see him get even more opportunities in the intermediate passing game going forward. He’s a mismatch … again, when he’s catching the ball.

We’ve been critical on this group when it hasn’t played well, but these guys have been outstanding at the point of attack and as lead blockers.

“Just the physicality is often times underappreciated,” offensive coordinator Josh Gattis said. “You look at matchups, the point of attack for a lot of things we do in the run game. What you also see is unselfishness in that group, four guys contributing at very high level for us …

“We’re asking a lot of those guys, and they’re stepping up to the plate each and every week.”

The room is only going to get better. Freshman Louis Hansen won offensive scout team player of the week honors last week yet again.

NEWS: Redshirt freshman DJ Turner started and played well in Michigan’s win over Northwestern, notching an incredible interception and playing great in coverage.

HARBAUGH: “I thought he had a great game. The interception, I think it’s one of the best I’ve seen all season in college football. Also, really impressed with his physicality. He made some big tackles in the game, tackles for loss.”

VIEWS: He’s peaking at the right time, Harbaugh said, and it’s clear they could use the boost against a Michigan State passing game that’s been tearing it up. Gemon Green had been okay, but Turner is faster and has better ball skills, and will likely get the nod to start again this week.

“He was always kind of right there as a starting player, then he’d have a setback. He always battles right back,” Harbaugh said. “It’s great to see him peaking at a great time.”

That could be one of the bigger developments of the season if he continues to play well ... giving a position that had once been considered a weakness a huge lift.

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