Michigan Wolverines: Offense needs to finally wake up

It’s something about running the option that consistently has the Michigan Wolverines stumbling.  Army nearly upset the Wolverines a week ago, taking them to double overtime before coming up short.

Prior to the opener against Middle Tennessee State, Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh mentioned the team had been preparing for Army for three or four weeks already.  That sounds a bit disrespectful to Middle Tennessee State, but Harbaugh isn’t one to shelter his emotions.

I don’t know if it’s just a perception, but running option quarterbacks have given the Michigan Wolverines fits for years, no matter who the head coach is. The Wolverines have been preparing for that Army team for weeks and still barely slid by.  Despite the 24-21 overtime win the Wolverines slid down the CFB rankings to ten.

Being ranked tenth in the nation isn’t the worst thing, but a more convincing win would have held the Wolverines around seventh.  There is plenty of time to climb the rankings. A big jump could come next weekend when Michigan travels to Wisconsin to take on the 14th ranked Badgers.  The bye this weekend couldn’t have come at a better time for Michigan after that grueling battle with Army.

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The layover will hopefully allow star wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones the opportunity to make his season debut next weekend.  The Josh Gattis offense hasn’t been as efficient as expected to this point.  I’ve been underwhelmed with Shea Patterson’s ball security.  The spread offense isn’t providing any explosive downfield plays. Collins & Black haven’t found a groove yet.  They were expected to be dominant in the spread offense, yet neither have yet to emerge in the absence of Peoples-Jones.

It’s been an unlikely hero in the passing game making plays.  Sophomore Ronnie Bell leads the club in receiving through the first two games.  Peoples-Jones has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury, often seen in a walking boot leading up to the season opener.  Peoples-Jones led the team with 8 touchdowns last season.

This offense should fit his skill-set perfectly.  Last season with Harbaugh calling the plays, he was often targeted in bubble screenplays allowing him to do plenty of damage after the catch. He will have that in his repertoire, plus I expect Gattis to allow DPJ to stretch the field on deep ‘go’ routes.  Once the defense is paying attention to DPJ, it will also take the attention away from Black & Collins.  It will be hard to cover everyone.  Ronnie Bell seems perfect running those intermediate routes in Gattis’ offense.

The Badgers also have a bye this weekend as they prepare for the Wolverines.  Wisconson has yet to yield a single point this season.  They beat South Florida in week one 49-0.  They followed that up by pounding Central Michigan 61-0.

Although neither of those teams is the Michigan Wolverines, it’s still impressive not pitch a shutout through two games. Jim Harbaugh will have his work cut out for him next week.  It’s a huge game.  Michigan will need to play much better than they did against Army if they have any shot at winning this game.

A road win in Wisconsin will ease the mind of an entire fanbase, showing the Wolverines are once again contenders.  At the moment; I don’t think anyone is optimistic after last week.