Michigan vs. Northwestern: Game Grades, Analysis for the Wolverines

What Michigan and Northwestern did on Saturday was perhaps the ugliest display by any Big Ten team this season.

However, the 10-9 decision moved coach Brady Hoke’s Wolverines to 5-5 (3-3 B1G), so they’ll take it. They’ll become bowl eligible with one more victory.

That said, the way they almost lost to the Wildcats was indicative of this year's trends. With seconds to play, Northwestern quarterback Trevor Siemian found Tony Jones for a three-yard touchdown. Facing an obvious go-for-two situation, Siemian dropped back in hopes of tossing the winning ball.

Instead, he was flattened by Frank Clark, who led an aggressive defense that sacked Siemian seven times. Northwestern (3-6, 2-5) was close, but it was not close enough. The Wolverines, who are hanging on by a thread, had just enough gas to leave Evanston, Illinois, with a win.

So now it’s time to grade it. Of course, the marks will be heavily influenced by Michigan’s poor execution and missed opportunities—otherwise known as its calling card for 2014.

Positional Unit	First-Half Grade	Final Grade
Pass Offense	D	D-
Pass Defense	C-	C+
Run Offense	C	C
Run Defense	A	A
Special Teams	C-	B
Coaching	Individually graded below	n/a

Pass Offense

The Wolverines just can’t throw the ball. That’s been emphasized on a weekly basis since 2013 but especially highlighted this season.

Devin Gardner was essentially at his worst Saturday night. He completed 11 of 24 attempts for a measly 109 yards. He also added his standard pair of picks.

Devin Funchess hasn’t been Devin Funchess since Week 1. He had two catches for an unimpressive 23 yards.

There is no other grade to give but D-. It’d be an F, but Jake Butt grabbed a late one, and Amara Darboh—who needs more reps—had four catches. Consider those extra-credit points after being late with your homework.

Pass Defense

Delonte Hollowell was burned by Jones, whose touchdown made it 10-9 Michigan. Ordinarily, that would drastically cut the grade. But it won’t tonight because Jourdan Lewis played an excellent game.

His defense on Kyle Prater saved a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Northwestern probably knew it wasn’t to going to win by running the ball. Attacking the secondary was the right move, and Siemian threw for 273 yards. Limiting him to one touchdown—a prayer at that—is a positive sign for a team looking for something to dull the sting of a disappointing season.

Jake Ryan had an interception. That’ll make up for Hollowell’s near-miss.

The pass D gets a B-/C+. It's your choice. The good slightly outweighed the bad.

Run Offense

De’Veon Smith ran for 121 yards, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. He looked great. He hit holes, he ran with purpose and he picked up yards after contact. He ran like he should have been running all season. The sophomore picked up where Drake Johnson left off versus Indiana this past Saturday. Johnson led the way with 122 yards in that game, but he couldn’t get going Saturday. He also fumbled, which isn’t a way to earn more carries.

The run offense gets a C. It scored the touchdown but wasn’t spectacular by any means.

Run Defense

Justin Jackson rushed for 35 yards. He entered the game with a team-high 726 yards and five touchdowns. He didn’t sniff the end zone Saturday. Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison’s game plan against the run stood the test. This topic will be highlighted in the coaching section.

Special Teams

Matt Wile’s 41-yard field-goal attempt was blocked with 27 seconds to play in the first half. However, his 37-yarder in the second half made it through the uprights. Will Hagerup had a punt that pinned the Wildcats just inches from the goal line in the second half.

Jehu Chesson forced a fumble while covering a punt.

Special teams get a B.

Coaching

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Mattison’s defense isn’t perfect. There are holes everywhere. But it finds a way to keep Team 135 competitive in the ugliest of affairs. It gave up nine points Saturday. It doesn’t matter who you play in the Big Ten—nine points are nine points.

Mattison’s run D continues to stop backs in their tracks. The Wildcats rushed for minus-nine yards, warranting an A. Instead, he’s getting a B+ because his secondary was touched up a bit by Siemian in the first half, and it gave up a late touchdown to Jones. 

Hoke gets a C-. He won. Good for him.

Doug Nussmeier’s offense churned out 147 rushing yards. He made several correct calls with Smith, who charged for 121 yards and the game’s only touchdown.

But poor quarterback play, Funchess being hit by a ball during a snap, Johnson’s fumble (recovered by Joe Kerridge) and several drops by receivers characterized Nussmeier’s ineffective offense as a whole.

He gets a D-. Ten points. That's why.

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