It may be a new week with some new faces, but many of the same problems plague the Michigan Wolverines.
Michigan (5-5) had its chances Saturday against Oregon (7-3), but the Wolverines shot themselves in the foot once again. The Wolverines looked to get back in the win column after losing to in-state rival Michigan State last weekend, but playing in Eugene is no easy task, something Michigan learned all too well as they fell to the Ducks, 31-7.
The Wolverines’ defense was beaten badly in the first quarter, allowing a 60-yard pass play and a two-yard touchdown to go down 14-0. The run game looked somewhat improved with Savion Hiter breaking one for a 70-yard run and score for Michigan’s longest rushing touchdown of the season.
The passing game remains a major issue, along with securing the ball.
Bryson Kuzdzal and Tommy Carr’s late fumbles sealed the deal for the Ducks, and quite possibly the end of the Kyle Whittingham era. The Michigan secondary took the belt to ass, giving up the most passing yards this year (341) to Oregon quarterback Dylan Raiola.
In Jim Harding’s first game after the Jason Beck firing, Michigan ran the football better but still far from the smash mouth run game the Wolverines are known for. The offense looked similar under Harding, but it was the best outing the Wolverines have had on the ground this season. Michigan rushed for 215 yards as a team.
The passing game was a no-show. Carr started 1-for-5 and the Wolverines turned to Bryce Underwood. He had a couple of nice throws but nothing more to show. Underwood was careless at times, which has been the theme all season. Carr showed life with his legs, but his freshman mentality also came through as he missed several throws. Michigan passed for just 71 yards.
The Wolverines return home to play unbeaten UCLA (10-0) in the Wolverines’ final home game before finishing the season in Columbus. Michigan will be fighting an uphill battle to reach bowl eligibility this year and that won’t sit well within the walls of the University.
