Does Michigan have a budding quarterback controversy? That and more in this week's News and Views heading into a huge game at Wisconsin.
NEWS: Quarterback Cade McNamara completed only one of five passes for seven yards in the second half of Michigan’s 20-13 win over Rutgers.
HARBAUGH: “There was definitely one or two [bad passes], but I wouldn’t go to the extent of agreeing with you that it was happy feet. Cade positioned himself, looked at the outside slant, the one where his feet got a little … turned his feet back into the inside slant, threw the ball a little bit low. He could have been a little smoother with that, and it was a catchable ball and he got to the right place and the right timing, so …”
VIEWS: The miss right before half "might have been a little victim of overcoaching there with nine seconds," Harbaugh said of a sure touchdown to tight end Luke Schoonmaker, because they wanted to get the pass off as fast as possible and the throw got rushed. Schoonmaker also got tripped and fell down, but ended up being wide open.
And that’s letting McNamara off the hook. In tight games, which this one was, it’s a play the quarterback has to make. Period. Those four points can be the difference between winning and losing, and in big games they’re a must (remember Chad Henne missing an uncovered Mario Manningham early in the 2006 game at Columbus, a 42-39 loss? Like that).
For the most part, Harbaugh said, the passing game was "pretty darn good," and he was right. The first half, anyway, was outstanding, and McNamara missed a few balls, but his receivers, linemen and backs weren’t getting the job done either.
Those calling for true freshman J.J. McCarthy to replace him heading into the Wisconsin game, though …
… just no. We’re not saying he shouldn’t get a look if McNamara struggles, but McNamara has been solid-plus for most of the year, even if he hasn’t thrown much. He hasn’t turned it over, has gotten them into good plays and is 4-0.
Throwing McCarthy in as the starter on the road, in a hostile environment, would make zero sense at this point. In fact …
NEWS: The passing game and run game looked exactly like you’d want against a well-coached defense in the first half.
HARBAUGH: “The first half I thought we did [well]. We were much more efficient in terms of taking what they gave us, in terms of pass, making them pay, all those good familiar terms. But yeah, second half wasn’t as efficient offensively.”
VIEWS: And again, it wasn’t all on McNamara. Guys were coasting through their routes or not getting open. On the one completion, a seven-yard gain to Cornelius Johnson, the Wolverines couldn’t pick up three yards on two running plays because the line wasn’t interested in firing off the ball.
Credit Rutgers, too, for taking over and getting the momentum, but that was unacceptable. So, too, were drops by receivers (Mike Sainristil had two more hit him in the hands), though Harbaugh gave the group high marks through four games.
“I’d evaluate it as pretty darn good,” he said. “They’re getting open, catching the ball, and much improved in our perimeter blocking and our tight end blocking’s been A-plus-plus.”
The receivers were running open in the first half because the run game was working so well. It’s no surprise it was tougher when they were throwing on obvious passing downs after the run wasn’t working.
That’s the concern Saturday. If U-M can’t move the ball on the ground against Wisconsin — a tall order against the nation’s top run defense, to date — it’s could be tough sledding in the passing game.
NEWS: Wisconsin is 1-2 after a 41-13 loss to Notre Dame and a home setback to Penn State.
HARBAUGH: “They’re a good solid football team. Paul Chryst has done a great job there. Their entire staff, they’ve got experienced players, they’ve got really good players and they’ve been a darn good football team.
“So, it’s exciting to have this opportunity, this challenge, see how far this football team has come … see if we can win on the road, meet that challenge, and we’re at work preparing for it.”
VIEWS: It will be a big task, he said, "no question about it" … and he’s right. Folks can look at the Notre Dame result as proof that the Badgers 'suck,' but the defense held the Irish to nine rushing yards. Quarterback Graham Mertz and the rest of the offense have been the biggest problem, and you can bet the coaching staff will try to dumb down the playbook and bully the U-M offense the way they have the last two years to grind out a win.
The Badgers controlled a game with Penn State before losing at home in the opener, and they have pieces. This will be U-M’s toughest game to date, by far — and in that environment, it’s tough to bet on the Wolverines.
It’s time, though, to atone for two years of beatdowns.
NEWS: Wisconsin has run for 700 yards total in the last two meetings with Michigan.
HARBAUGH: “We’ve got to be stouter against the run, set a better edge. Specifically talking about our game last year, we got hurt not setting an edge enough.
“It’s a point of emphasis — stouter run defense and setting edges.”
VIEWS: Injuries made it tougher last year, and while U-M is better now, the Badgers still have a significant size advantage up front.
But it wasn’t just the line that let them down two years ago. The fits were off, and poor plays by the linebackers led to big plays. That’s why Josh Ross’ return is so important (and yes, he’ll play). He’s been lights-out running down hill and playing with physicality, knows where guys need to line up and how to get them there, and senses when plays are coming.
Michigan’s goals are all there for the realizing, and this game could really give the team momentum as the first bite of the meat of the schedule. And while McNamara has said the team hasn’t talked about atoning for the last two years, we know this game has been circled.
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