How Doug Nussmeier Can Turn Michigan Offense Around After Week 2 Disaster

Doug Nussmeier agrees with you about Saturday’s 31-0 loss to Notre Dame. In fact, the first-year Michigan offensive coordinator, in terms of perception, stands right alongside the general public and fanbase.

“Not very good, obviously, when you don’t score and you’re the offensive coordinator, it’s not good,” he replied when asked to grade his national TV debut with the Wolverines in South Bend. “It’s been a lot of reflection: What we could have done differently. What should we have done differently? Obviously, you know, we take big ownership in this. And when you don’t score points, it falls on everybody, and you start with offensive coordinator.”

Other than Devin Funchess’ team-leading 107 receiving yards, the Wolverines were held tightly in check by the Irish defense, which ended the rivalry series with its first shutout. Michigan rushed for 100 yards, but it only averaged 2.9 yards per carry. It converted just four times on third down and failed to reach the red zone.

Adding salt to the wound, Matt Wile missed 46- and 48-yard field-goal attempts. The latter wasn’t really his fault; he slipped. But it was most certainly the lowlight in terms of scoring tries.

So where is Nussmeier to go from here? He has roughly three days to prepare a game plan for the Miami (Ohio) Red Hawks, who invade The Big House on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET). Surely he has something up his sleeve, something to make everyone forget about his tactical failure and subsequent drubbing by a defense that gave up 17 points to Rice in Week 1.

“[The offense is] still in infancy stages here, we’re still learning to play consistently well,” said Nussmeier, later adding: “It’s about 11 guys on every play, doing the right thing. ... If it’s 10 guys doing the right thing, and one guy doing the wrong thing, you’re doomed.

“We’ve got to get 11 guys, on every play, doing the right thing.”

The former Alabama OC says that there is no timetable, no measuring chart or barometer for his group. Progression will come when it comes: “We’ll go as fast as we can,” he said, while also mentioning that “procedural” details need to be corrected and enforced.

Maybe another review of Week 2’s game film would help? Maybe a quicker release for Devin Gardner, who’s been criticized for holding on for too long, would be a remedy to the situation.

“If you go through the tape, and some of you, I know, do that and play coach...but some of the three-step-drop game, you’re not going to do much with anyway,” said coach Brady Hoke.

Fair enough. X's and O's won’t be dissected and discussed too much. That’s Hoke and Nussmeier’s job. But mentioning players who could help is fair game.

The Styling of Fleetwood

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

He’s 5’7” (is he?!) and not very heavy.

But he’s all muscle and athleticism.

His name, this year, is “Fleetwood.” The 169-pound junior from Detroit is a touchdown waiting to happen. However, his goose egg in the TD column is one of the most mind-boggling stats in the Big Ten.

How does this guy not have at least a few from a return? What about a dump-off/flair play? Those could work. Due to his size, he can get lost in the backfield and use his afterburners down the sidelines. He and Gardner hooked up for one against the Irish. If perfected, it could be a go-to this fall.

It’s all a novel idea, something that’ll need a robust O-line in order to work. But Dennis Norfleet can provide the “explosive play”—defined by Nussmeier as a 12-yard run or 16-yard pass—to Team 135’s offense.

“My role on the team: I’m a guy who can bring a spark that makes everybody happy,” said Norfleet. “I’m just being the teammate to get everybody going. You know, to bring fire. That’s what I do.”

Bring it, Fleetwood. And then bring some ice to cool off those Hot Wheels which have led to 1,817 kick-return yards, the second most in program history.

Spread from Funchess?

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

Well, the connection isn’t “broken,” but Funchess sustained a ding or two versus the Irish, causing him to leave the game. But he returned and finished. Hoke, who doesn’t like answering injury questions, said that the 6’5”, 236-pound junior Biletnikoff candidate receiver is “fine.”

Funchess is the obvious target. He’s the guy who’ll make the game-winning touchdown catch. He’s the guy who’ll take on the top defensive backs—plural, as in more than one at a time—and rack up the big stats.

But he can’t be the only option. He’s a safety net, but Nussmeier can’t turn him into a crutch. There are plenty of receivers—Amara Darboh, Jehu Chesson and even freshman Freddy Canteen, whom Michigan is trying to “get going”—to utilize on game day.

And once tight end Jake Butt is fully healthy, he’ll be a true asset. As of Monday, the 6’6”, 249-pound sophomore was placed atop the depth chart. During the presser, defensive end Frank Clark, linebacker Jake Ryan—both seniors—and Norfleet expressed optimism toward their young teammate who's overcoming an ACL tear. 

Nussmeier won’t rush Butt back into action. However, he’ll probably throw more reps his way this weekend. He should also look into re-establishing the type of run game that saw Derrick Green and De'Veon Smith gouge Appalachian State for 285 yards and three scores. 

That’s just an educated guess and suggestion, not an attempt to "play coach." Leave that to the filmheads and armchair quarterbacks. 

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.

Unless otherwise noted, quotes or references were obtained firsthand by the writer.