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MINNEAPOLIS — Michigan was dominant in its season opener against Minnesota, essentially putting the game away relatively early.
There was a lot to like, and a lot to not like coming out of the Wolverines 49-24 victory over the Gophers, and in somewhat of a stream of consciousness, here’s what we saw from the press box:
- I don’t know what it is about Minnesota, but it seems to like to let Michigan’s VIPER do whatever he wants. Michael Barrett had a solid debut, and while he wasn’t as dominant — or at least not in the same way — as Khaleke Hudson was in 2017, he was just everywhere, making plays all over the field. Really well done by the Wolverines first-time starter and former high school quarterback.
- Definitely saw some flashes from the Wolverines interior defensive line early. Obviously, there was the Jeter touchdown, but Welschof and Jeter really stood out. It waned as the game went on, not sure if that’s due to fatigue or Minnesota adjustments.
- People always clamor for Michigan to play zone, but honestly, I hate it when they do. From what I could tell, that’s how Minnesota particularly attacked in the pass game, especially early on.
- Credit to new full-time special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh for that long Barrett run on kick return. I think it was Mason or VanSumeren who hurdled to get out of the way so that one of the speedier, shiftier returners could get to the ball.
- Minnesota absolutely gifted a Michigan team getting momentum with that fake punt call. Too early, and terrible place on the field to try it. As a result, instead of forcing the Wolverines to drive the field, it didn’t take them long to find the end zone and essentially take the game in-hand.
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- Despite giving up so many points, thought that the defense played OK. Not great, not terrible in the first half. But it certainly didn’t look good once Daxton Hill went out with injury for the second.
- Red zone defense was atrocious, regardless of the point in the game.
- Gemon Green had a really solid debut as the starter at cornerback.
- The offense certainly looks like it could be explosive, with Milton truly spreading the ball around. It wasn’t quite there, but it’s really, really, really close.
- The run game was particularly good, and had moment of explosion. Huge days for Charbonnet and Haskins. My only concern is no one can get into rhythm.
- Saw quite a few freshmen in this one. Roman Wilson and Blake Corum stood out more than any, but we also saw a big catch by A.J. Henning and Makari Paige was forced into early action. Paige had some struggles, but that’s to be expected when you’re thrown to the fire as he was. He’s been near the play, but just missed. He’ll get better.
- Not sure why we didn’t see Quinn Nordin. He was out for pregame warmups, but didn’t see him at all after that — including in post-half warmups. Jake Moody really struggled when it came to field goals, but was solid in kickoffs and extra points.
- Kwity Paye and Aidan Hutchinson are the real deal. They were in the backfield all game, but really flexed down the stretch.
- The offensive line looked really, really good.
- Some easy throws were dropped. Gotta clean that up.
- Milton looked very good in what limited things were asked of him. He made no glaring mistakes, and his most impressive throw may have been an incompletion. As he rolled to his left, he threw across his body and put the ball in a great spot for Giles Jackson, with the ball just out of his reach. It was a catchable ball, I think, but more impressive was that it was a bullet — and throws from right-handed quarterbacks rolling to the left are impossibly hard. Eventually those will become completions. He also out-dueled Tanner Morgan, throwing for 27 more yards with a passer rating of 169.1 to 115.6.
- Lastly, can we put this Harbaugh can’t win big games thing to bed already? Probably not, but Michigan tends to beat the teams it’s supposed to, and loses to Ohio State — and Penn State/Wisconsin every other year. The questioning of this game was more of pundits reacting to last year’s losses to OSU and Alabama.