Michigan football is (as of Thursday morning) a 24.5-point favorite against Michigan State, a team that got handled at home by lowly Rutgers Saturday. The game seems like such a mismatch that U-M head coach Jim Harbaugh only got one question on the Spartans at his Monday press conference, and that was in response to how well-prepared quarterbacks Joe Milton and Rocky Lombardi would be for Saturday’s game.
“Both quarterbacks have seen it up close. Both have a good understanding of it, the magnitude of it,” Harbaugh said.
Then they get consumed with the preparation and game planning, to the point that it becomes business as usual until game day.
Redshirt junior Milton led the offense nearly flawlessly in completing 15 of 22 passes for 225 yards with two scores despite a couple drops in a win over Minnesota. Harbaugh talked about that and more Monday — we tackle his comments in News & Views format:
NEWS: Michigan’s offense put up 478 yards and was extremely balanced in dominating Minnesota, 49-24.
HARBAUGH: “I thought guys offensively had a really good understanding of the game plan. [Offensive coordinator] Josh [Gattis] did a great job implementing it, coaching it. We saw guys lining up in the right spot consistently, and that allows you to go fast.
“I thought guys were really in shape, too. Players were very emotionally invested in all aspects of the game, and I think it did show up in the tempo as well.”
VIEWS: We’d been hearing about the “oneness” of the squad for a while, now, and it was evident. Guys celebrated for each other when they made plays, and all seemed invested — no egos, all team.
But the offensive showing was the most impressive aspect of the win. They put Milton in positions to succeed, seemed to have good chemistry on the offensive line and created explosive plays that weren’t dangerous, originating near the line of scrimmage.
The next step is turning the page and making some throws downfield when defenses adjust to take that way, as they will absolutely try to do.
RELATED: Harbaugh Identifies Minnesota Standouts, Talks Dax Hill and More
NEWS: Michigan’s cornerbacks, redshirt sophomores Vincent Gray and Gemon Green, each gave up a big play but played well overall according to Harbaugh.
HARBAUGH: “Vince Gray graded out really well, high 80s or low 90s, and so did Gemon. Two really talented players, long corners. It’s a really tough job, [playing] man to man, but they also got in on some tackles, really acquitted themselves really good.”
VIEWS: Harbaugh also praised senior Brad Hawkins at safety and one of the backups, redshirt junior Hunter Reynolds. True freshman Makari Paige struggled in his debut, but against that offense in a first game … well, that is a chore. He’ll improve, and he’s got a bright future.
We liked what we saw from Green more than Gray. Green was always around the ball and covered quite well, while Gray seemed a step slow at times and lost his balance once or twice.
One of our big concerns heading into the season was whether or not Gray could be a No. 1 cover corner, and those weren’t alleviated Saturday night.
But again — it was the first game of the year. It’s early.
NEWS: The “no fans” aspect helped Michigan at Minnesota. It will likely play to Michigan State’s advantage in Saturday’s game at The Big House.
HARBAUGH: “It’s different with no fans, but it’s still a game. The red blood is pumping and will be really pumping for both sides this game. No question about that. For the state championship is what we call it … players can relate to that. It's a really big deal.”
VIEWS: Watching it live, it was strange at first. Once play started, though, it was football, and you were so engrossed in the game you didn't notice the near-empty stadium. Only when a big play ripped off with no crowd noise was it obvious.
You can’t help but wonder what difference a raucous crowd would have made in Saturday’s night game after Minnesota’s great start. Would Milton have had the ability to communicate and get his teammates in the right plays, and would the Golden Gophers have fed off the energy?
Most likely. It might not have made a difference in the outcome, but it’s clear the home-field advantages at some of these stadiums (especially, say, Columbus and Iowa, where the crowds are ridiculous) isn't what it was.
NEWS: Michigan's defense led the nation in pressure percentage and sacks after week one. There were holes, but the Wolverines got several hats to the ball and hustled on every play, including one where reserve defensive end Taylor Upshaw chased down Minnesota's Mohamed Ibrahim inside the 5-yard line, preventing a score.
HARBAUGH: "Talk about unheralded, that was probably the unheralded play of the game, keeping a very good player out of the end zone. Later, we fortunately got a penalty to back them up and kept them to a field goal. That saved four points — that hustle, effort, running to the ball [by Upshaw].
"We had a lot of plays like that as well. I’m really proud of Taylor, one of my favorites on the team, and [redshirt sophomore running back] Hassan Haskins on special teams making the punt fake stop … there were a ton of hustle plays in the game.”
VIEWS: He talked about the physicality, too, and the fact that his team was in great shape. It showed especially in the fourth quarter, when senior end Kwity Paye started to take over and dominate, not slowed at all.
The next goal is to make sure the defensive fits are correct and the run defense gets shored up. They should dominate that aspect Friday against Michigan State, whose offensive line struggled against Rutgers last Saturday in a 38-27 loss.
---
• Talk about this article inside The Fort
• Watch our videos and subscribe to our YouTube channel
• Listen and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
• Learn more about our print and digital publication, The Wolverine
• Sign up for our daily newsletter and breaking news alerts
• Follow us on Twitter: @TheWolverineMag, @Balas_Wolverine, @EJHolland_TW, @AustinFox42, @JB_ Wolverine, Clayton Sayfie and @DrewCHallett
• Like us on Facebook
