Michigan Football: What to Expect from Wolverines vs. Utah

Michigan is three games into the 2014 season, and it’s yet to put together a solid four-quarter effort.

But somehow, and perhaps somewhat luckily, the Wolverines find themselves at 2-1 heading into this Saturday’s home date with Utah, which has averaged 57.5 points while coasting to a 2-0 record.

Team 135 won’t see 3-1 with another Notre Dame-esque offering, and it won’t calm the masses if it comes out flat on offense or breaks on defense.

In short, if the Wolverines want to take down coach Kyle Whittingham’s Utes, something that Brady Hoke hasn’t done in two attempts, they’ll have to be as close to perfect as possible.

They’ll have to make field goals. They’ll have to minimize turnovers.

They’ll have to finally show their mettle.

Expect a Quick Start on “O”?

Tony Ding/Associated Press

The Wolverines scored 17 points during the first half of their 34-10 win over the Red Hawks, who entered the day with 18 consecutive setbacks and nothing else to lose but No. 19. They hung around for three quarters until Michigan decided to distance itself.

Prior to that, Nussmeier’s offense scored zero in Week 2 against Notre Dame.

Through three games, the former Alabama coordinator’s scheme and personnel have failed to strike fear into opponents. Michigan hasn’t appeared powerful enough to quickly build a lead, sustain it and run away with games as it should.

The lack of steady production has been frustrating for fans, but not for Nussmeier. He’s expecting more, and soon.

“No, I’m not frustrated at all,” he replied when asked if he was. Then he cited young receivers and running backs, and the fact quarterback Devin Gardner, a fifth-year senior who’s had three OCs, is “in his third game of a new system.”

Sophomores Derrick Green and De’Veon Smith have the potential to carry the load from the backfield, but they’re slow starters. Without Devin Funchess, who’ll return when he returns, the passing game has suffered, leaving outcomes to be juggled in the hands of guys with few reps. 

“You just look at the youth out there, and there is going to be a growth process,” Nussmeier said. “Our kids have worked extremely hard and take pride in doing things right.

“Now, has it been perfect? No. Do we have a long way to go? Yes. But the attention is there, the focus is there, the want to is there and we’ve just got to continue to improve.”

A week ago, he said the offense was in its “infancy” stage.

Will the fourth game be enough to get Gardner acclimated to the “new system”? Apparently four years of college ball haven’t been enough.

Will it continue to serve as part of the “growth process”? Or will it be another that prompts the same questions next week?

Saturday is the one-third mark of the season. Thirty-three percent. Michigan can’t continue crawling like an infant. It has to get up and run like a big boy.

“We took another step. We took a step in the right direction [versus Miami],” insisted Nussmeier. “Still, we know as a group, that consistency has got to be better. But, at times, you see us do some things very, very well.”

Sharper Image

Tony Ding/Associated Press

Hoke admitted that his team was less than keen this past weekend versus the Red Hawks, who caught the Wolverines on their heels before and after the break.

“We had five minutes in the second quarter that would be five minutes that we would like to have [back],” he said, referencing Amara Darboh’s 29-yard catch-turned-fumble and Gardner’s interception. However, he said he was pleased with the overall effort and “hard work” attitude.

Any miscue, and we’re talking any, could be the difference versus the Utes, who won’t be as forgiving as prior opponents Appalachian State and Miami. Another pick thrown by Gardner, especially late, would turn out the lights in Ann Arbor. With four interceptions thus far, he ranks No. 15 nationally in terms of frequency and needs two more to be No. 1.

Another turnover could break the bank, not to mention the hearts of the (probable) 100,000-plus in the stands. The Wolverines’ eight giveaways lead the Big Ten, with three fumbles and five interceptions.

A performance like that against Utah could send them hobbling to another so-so finish and tumultuous offseason. 

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

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