Michigan Wolverines Win Ugly Over Eastern Michigan Eagles

I would like to say that I am completely satisfied right now. Michigan is sitting pretty at 3-0 and equaled their win total from a year ago with a 45-17 victory over Eastern Michigan.

Unfortunately, there have been too many "teachable moments" to be completely satisfied, in fact there was a lot to be desired in Michigan's performance today.

Michigan showed very few signs of the aggressively potent passing offense we saw last week against the Irish, in fact they were barely efficient. The quarterbacks were a combined 7-17 passing for 68 yards and two interceptions.

Tate Forcier didn't look nearly as sharp or focused as he has in the first two games, although he was more than serviceable in the first half.

It is possibly a bit too much to expect true freshmen to be supermen every week, but something looked lackluster about this effort.

The energy was there in some aspects, such as the run game. The energy was almost absent early in other aspects, such as tackling.

There was no gang tackling, nor was there noticeable ball hawking. Hopefully, the Wolverines won't make a habit of horribly missing tackles, getting pushed off the ball by MAC talent and playing completely undisciplined football in the first half.

On a positive note, Greg Robinson made another solid statement about his coaching ability with good halftime adjustments.

All in all, this was still a much-needed victory, and Michigan got the job done in the end. It wasn't pretty at times, but they won. 

Although getting the win is what is most important, the Wolverines need to learn more quickly from their "teachable moments," or the lessons will become harder to learn.

Important notes

*Carlos Brown recorded a career high 187 yards and two touchdowns, including a 90-yard rush. Michael Shaw was also impressively quick.

*Tate Forcier left the game after getting the wind knocked out of him in the third quarter; he did return however.

*Michigan has great depth at running back, gaining 380 yards rushing as a team, six rushing touchdowns and a 9.7 yards per carry average. Brandon Minor only played a minor role.

*Michigan has given up 37 points combined in the first half of their last two games, but only 14 points in the second half combined.

*Jacory Stone was held to zero catches for Eastern Michigan. Michigan only gave up 106 yards in the air, but 179 on the ground.