Hail to the Victors?

Another week, another escape for the Wolverines

By Chris Landers

Well then, this one raises some eyebrows.

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Fans and media understandably wrote off Michigan’s near disaster against Akron last week as simply a fluke, a letdown in an early kickoff at home after an emotional win over Notre Dame.

But this? Needing a second-half rally to survive a Connecticut team that just two weeks earlier lost to FCS member Towson by 15? This is cause for serious concern in Ann Arbor as conference play looms.

There’s no doubt that Michigan is talented. They fly all over the place on defense, and they’ve got a lot of experience up front on both sides of the ball. But Devin Gardner, despite his brilliance last week against the Irish, hasn’t taken the leap to superstardom that everyone assumed was coming. He was miserable against the Huskies yesterday, going just 11-23 with 97 yards, two interceptions and a lost fumble that was returned for a touchdown.

Massive expectations have followed Gardner throughout his career with the Maize and Blue. Even as he sat behind the legendary Denard Robinson, he was the heir apparent, the man destined to bring a dynamic passing attack back to the Big House. But we’ve seen enough of him at this point to wonder whether this is all there is — whether Gardner is simply the athletic but deeply flawed player he’s been so far in his career. He was miserable in the loss to Ohio State last season and has struggled with turnovers again in 2013. Yes, he’s dealing with a dearth of reliable playmakers on the outside, but the giveaways are unacceptable; Michigan throttled UConn’s miserable offense all night, but they were consistently put behind the eight ball.

The Wolverines are undefeated, so there’s still ample opportunity to right the ship. But a turnaround needs to come quickly — over the next five weeks, Michigan will travel to Penn State, Michigan State and Northwestern, with a home date with Nebraska in there as well. Brady Hoke has so far resisted the read option, reverting back to a pro-style offense that doesn’t seem to be clicking. But it would seem that more of a run-heavy spread would play to Michigan’s strengths — use talented running back Fitzgerald Toussaint and Gardner’s running ability, and rely on your defense to take it home from there.

Whatever the solution, Michigan’s dream season appears to be on the verge of unraveling.