Shea Patterson on the run

No Let Down | Dr. Sap’s Decals

This wasn’t exactly a “trap game” but it does fall into the category of your classic “let-down game.”

After emotional andtough games against Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State in the last four weeks, Michigan still managed to eke out a pedestrian 42-7 victory on the road against Rutgers. 

Pedestrian and 42 points in the same sentence?  That’s this year’s Michigan football team!

OFFENSIVE CHAMPION – Upsets typically happen on the road and they also happen when your offense turns the ball over. But when your quarterback throws for 260 yards and 3 TDs and doesn’t turn the ball over, he’s your Champion.  Shea Patterson [featured photo via Freep] is the leader of this offense & his steadying hand guided Michigan to a pedestrian 35-point margin of victory on the road. He looks real comfortable under center or in the ‘gun.  One player does not make a team, but when he becomes a leader, his poise and play will elevate his teammates’ performance.

DEFENSIVE CHAMPION – Rutgers had zero yards passing at halftime. They ended the game with 59 yards passing – and Michigan did not register a sack.  I don’t think Chase Winovich had a tackle.  Not cool.   I also didn’t like to see LaVert Hill & Kwity Paye leave the game early.  What I did like was the emphatic, bone-jarring hit Josh Ross put on a Scarlet Knight receiver!   To quote their coach, “You gotta make them FEEL YOU!!”  He did! Helmet sticker for #12.

SPECIAL TEAMSAmbry Thomas reminds me of Steve Breaston in that he is a threat to go all the way every time he gets his hands on the ball.  Field position and momentum are the by-products of a great return game & Thomas will be called upon to do just that these next couple of weeks. 

by Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis.  Dr. Sap is a Schembechler-era savant who has pored over hours and hours of U-M games over several decades, and in these posts he’s able to tie the present to the past.  I encourage you to subscribe to Dr. Sap on YouTube, or follow Sap on Twitter.