Thursday, November 3, 2005

Burning Questions: Michigan

Game vs. Buckeyes a must-win for U-M

Tressel already has won once in Michigan Stadium, and he has a 3-1 record in series.

By Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

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Q. Indiana follows Saturday's bye, but Ohio State looms large. How much time is the Michigan staff devoting to preparing for the Buckeyes?

A: Plenty. Michigan can't overlook Indiana. Then again, why not? The Hoosiers are last in the Big Ten in total offense and sixth in total defense.

The game against Ohio State is a must-win for a lot of reasons. One stands out, though -- U-M is 1-3 against the Buckeyes since Jim Tressel became their coach, and it would be unsettling to the Wolverine program to lose for a second time at Michigan Stadium to the Tressel-coached Buckeyes.

Q: But what about Indiana?

 

A: What about Indiana? Of course, Michigan faces the legitimate danger of coming out flat against a mediocre team a week after the bye. The Wolverines have won three straight, they have momentum, and they know they have to win their remaining two games to have a shot at the Big Ten title. That should be sufficient motivation.

Q: Is quarterback Chad Henne where you expected him to be nearly two years into his career?

A: Yes and no. He's a sophomore, he's played behind a battered line and he has not had his top back, Mike Hart, with him for nearly five games.

That said, it does not explain some of his poor decision-making. Is it play-calling or is it Henne? Probably both.

At times Henne appears incredibly tentative, not finding the open receiver, not seeing an opportunity to run.

Henne has a powerful arm, and it's curious why Michigan doesn't go deep down the middle of the field more often. He appears to have confidence, too, but for whatever reason, he also has shades of uncertainty.

Q: Should defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann feel vindicated?

A: Best guess is that Herrmann probably doesn't care about the considerable criticism flung his way last season and into this season. But considering where Michigan was at the end of last season against spread offenses, and where the Wolverines have gone this season -- 3-0 vs. spread teams -- Herrmann should get some credit.

Five Big Ten teams are among the top 20 in scoring offense in the nation, and six conference teams average 30 or more points. But Michigan is third in the Big Ten in total defense.

This is not to suggest that U-M's defense doesn't have some issues. It certainly isn't perfect. How can anyone forget U-M getting burned on the 61-yard play that set up Minnesota's winning field goal? But the defense does appear to be clicking when it matters most, using a rotation of players -- veterans and underclassmen -- that is paying dividends.

Burning questions Reach Angelique S. Chengelis at angelique.chengelis@detnews.com.