All the Feels: Michigan 31-Washington 10
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Michigan continued to turn back the clock on Saturday, imposing a healthy dose of the 1970’s on an offense-less Washington Huskies team by using a ground attack so formidable, it was unstoppable even though everyone, even your average section 30 frosh, knew it was coming. Michigan is the #4 rushing team in the nation, and has both the 8th (Corum) and 27th (Haskins) leading rushers in the country. “Michigan can run the ball” is now a thing we know. And while they may have less success against a few teams on their schedule, what you saw today will work against most. Here’s a couple of real stretch transitive properties to keep you positive: Washington only gave up 232 yards and one offensive touchdown to Montana, and Western gave up 56 TOTAL YARDS this week to Illinois State. What I’m saying folks, is that minus some kind of O-line or RB catastrophe on the injury front, 7-5 ain’t happening. What we have is a team that can checkers-match it’s way into boring, low possession games (that will have you pulling your hair out) against explosive offenses, and hammer lesser opponents into frustrating submission. You know when you see that pack of blue uniforms pushing their own running back against a pack of white units and the pile keeps moving for like 5 extra yards? That’s the real shit. And I’ve seen a handful of those already this season…which is more than the last several years combined. Call it “chip on the shoulder” or “something to prove” or whatever. It’s a killer. And if this were 1991, Michigan would be golden until the Rose Bowl. HOWEVER….
Time of possession and clouds-of-dust-loving bullshit aside, unfortunately, what we don’t know about is the defense. I can’t get excited about dominating these lesser teams and then take that kick in the crotch again when that game with the receivers beating us deep and / or running wild in middle zone pockets with no one around occurs. This is probably coming, and that’s when the fun will end. If you have the means, that 4th quarter starting drive by Washington is the one to give you the hives you remember. Also, minus the one-man wrecking crew in Aiden Hutchinson, we’re still having trouble getting home with 4. Lots of future problems are possible. But again, for now, unknown.
Oh, and also maybe Michigan can’t pass. Which is kind of thing, unless it isn’t because they actually CAN pass and chose not to OR they can run so well they don’t need to (the latter of which would be historically unique in the modern era). It’s important to keep in mind that a running Michigan is a winning Michigan…29-1 under Harbaugh when they have a 100 yard rusher.
Regardless, I don’t think there’s anything good to learn about this team until 10/2. Might be a couple bad things. We’ll see. NIU will test Michigan’s motivation. Rutgers will outcoach them. But talent will overcome both. How they respond to House of Pain will show me something.
What I’m really trying to say is this: The contrast of a maize pompon with a black night sky is striking. And the way it gets almost dark toward the top of the stadium because it’s so big and away from the field lights is awesome. And Saturday’s crowd felt so good. It wasn’t the “loudest ever” or anything, but it was the best in a long time, and maybe that’s because it was the only in a long time, but who cares. It was great to see you. I had fun. Let’s do it again next week.
GO BLUE!
