Michigan Wolverines
Big Ten Conference
The Wolverines have moved on from the Rich Rod experiment and are more than happy with Brady Hoke. Under Hoke the Wolverines have seen drastic improvement. Their defense, which was the laughing stock of the Big Ten a short year ago, has become a complete and formidable unit. Brady Hoke truly is a Michigan man and has proved it so far in his first year. Now he just needs to show he can win on the big stage and take home a bowl victory, something Wolverines have not tasted since Llyod Carr’s final year back in 2007.
2011 Record: 10-2, 6-2
Last Bowl Appearance: 2010 Gator Bowl vs. Mississippi State (L 14-52)
Big Wins: 9/10 Notre Dame (35-31), 11/19 Nebraska (45-17)
Bad Losses: 10/15 at Michigan State (14-28), 11/5 at Iowa (16-24)
Coach: Brady Hoke (10-2 at Michigan 57-52 overall)
Bowl Record: 0-0 at Michigan, 1-1 overall
Offensive Coordinator: Al Borges
Defensive Coordinator: Greg Mattison
Strengths:
The Wolverines defense has excelled this year under Coach Hoke. They have limited their opponent’s ability to score and are much improved in tackling. Red-shirt junior linebacker Kenny Demens has been on a crash course with ball carriers, totaling over 60 tackles. Demens and junior defensive back Thomas Gordon, have a nose for the ball, leading this aggressive Michigan defense. Offensively the Wolverines boast one of the most explosive players in the nation in dual threat quarterback Denard Robinson. He has dashed into the end zone 16 times and is a threat to score every time he tucks and runs. However, he has not only been doing damage with his legs. Robinson has also accumulated over 2,000 yards through the air. To stop this dangerous offense you need to stop Robinson, which is far easier said than done.
Weaknesses:
Although the Wolverines defense has been very good at limiting their opponent’s ability to score, they have not been good at applying pressure on the quarterback. The Wolverines have struggled at times against the run, but they have allowed quarterbacks to feel comfortable against them, as they have allowed a high percentage of passing attempts to be complete. The Wolverines have not made a lot of stops in the backfield, nor have they tallied a lot of sacks. Michigan also has struggled to win the field position battle this season. Their kick return unit has struggled, which does not allow their offense to start in good field position. The longer you have to go to score, the harder it is and the more likely you are to make a critical mistake. When Michigan’s drive stalls their punt coverage unit has not been that good either. Their net punting is at the bottom of the Big Ten and the entire nation, allowing opponents to start with better field position.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Denard Robinson, QB, 1,307 yards
Passing: Denard Robinson, QB, 2,056 yards
Receiving: Junior Hemingway, WR, 636 yards
Tackles: Kenny Demens, LB, 86
Sacks: Ryan Van Bergen, DE, 5.0
Interceptions: Courtney Avery, CB, 2; J.T. Floyd, CB, 2
2011 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 235.67 (11th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Passing Offense: 187.42 (90, 7)
Total Offense: 423.08 (35, 3)
Scoring Offense: 34.17 (23, 2)
Rushing Defense: 129.08 (36, 2)
Pass Defense: 188.50 (17, 6)
Total Defense: 317.58 (16, 5)
Scoring Defense: 17.17 (9, 4)
Turnover Margin: .50 (26, 3)
Sacks: 2.33 (29, 4)
Sacks Allowed: 1.25 (26, 2)
