Michigan Football: Second-half collapse, quarterback problems again mar win over Minnesota

Last week’s upset against USC looked like the start of something promising for the Michigan Wolverines. Despite clear limitations at quarterback, the plan was to overwhelm weaker teams and win with physicality on both sides of the ball. On paper, the Minnesota Golden Gophers seemed like the perfect test subject for this assumption, and in fact, that’s how the game started. Unfortunately, the competition ended in a much more stressful way.

Even with the quarterback change, I think we know exactly who this team is after five weeks. Sure, the absence of Will Johnson and Josaiah Stewart (and Colston Loveland last week) might make things look a little worse, but five games are enough to know where this team stands. There are no surprises here, but there are a few clarifications to keep in mind as Michigan heads into Game 6 next weekend.

Fading quickly

The Minnesota Twins suffered an absolute meltdown when they ended the MLB season and missed the playoffs, which benefited the Detroit Tigers. On Saturday, however, it was the Michigan team that tried to give the Minnesota team a gift, as a 21-0 lead ended with the visitors going 24-7, including a lopsided 21-3 mark in the fourth Quarter . It wasn’t much different against USC, as the Trojans erased the Wolverines’ early 14-0 lead and took the lead before the last-minute winner.

Michigan is usually the team that wears down its opponents over the course of a game, but the very thing it normally uses to its advantage is now its weakness. The defense is ready to block the run game, knowing there is no pass threat and the Wolverines lack the depth of their own defense, allowing the other team to excel in the second half. Without the ability to strike quickly when you need to come back, this trend will cost Michigan sooner or later. It’s a terrible sign to not be able to protect the lead when this team’s supposed strength is running the ball and playing elite defense. The Wolverines got away with it against USC and Minnesota, but they might not be so lucky next time.

No direct hits

One of the largest retailers in the country is based in Minneapolis, but Michigan wasn’t exactly on target this weekend. Alex Orji is completing just 55.6 percent of his passes this season, and the misses are bad. Everyone remembers the rollout against Fresno State, but his interception against the Gophers is exactly what everyone feared, where inaccuracy leads not only to missed opportunities but also to potential disaster.

In fact, that missed connection to Colston Loveland was the clear turning point of the game, as Minnesota scored touchdowns on each of its following three drives. Orji averages just 6.65 yards per completion (not to mention YPA) and offers no threat in the field. Add to that bad turnovers and it’s really hard to see how Michigan can beat quality opponents. The hope of a productive passing game is almost impossible at this point.

Unattractions

Every year millions of visitors flock to the Mall of America in Minnesota, with many having no interest in actually shopping and instead focusing on options like roller coasters or the aquarium. All that flash, however, can’t disguise the fact that this is a mall, just as the initial façade of the Michigan coaching staff is quickly fading. Too often this season, the playcalling and schemes on both sides of the ball have done the Wolverines no favors, and that comes down to the coach.

Offensively, it’s not at all clear what Kirk Campbell plans to do. Without rehashing the aforementioned second-half collapses, Campbell doesn’t tailor his offense to Orji’s strengths and doesn’t even know how to utilize his two talented running backs well. Yes, he’s dealing with a limited roster — especially on the other end and at wide receiver — but the young offensive coordinator has been uncreative and too predictable all season.

All fears about Wink Martindale have now been virtually confirmed. Excessive blitzing is part of the problem, but even when the defense doesn’t send more than four rushers, the back seven looks out of place and unprepared. There are a lot of new faces on defense and the last two defensive coordinators have set the bar ridiculously high, but Martindale is costing the team with the way he executes his strategies. This is inexcusable given the star power on defense.