Michigan Football Has 10 Reasons to Worry After Edging UMass

Granted, I am sure there are many more than just 10 reasons to be worried as a Michigan football fan after the Wolverines just barely edged the University of Massachusetts, 42-37, on Saturday at home.

But if we were forced to narrow that long list down to a simple top 10, what would be the main reasons to be concerned?

Let’s begin …

No. 10: Nothing Against Them, but It’s the University of Massachusetts

Nothing against the team personally, but No. 20 Michigan’s Saturday victory at home came against the University of Massachusetts for God’s sake!

And that in and of itself is cause for concern, as I’m sure many red flags began popping up well before the Wolverines held on to edge UMass.

Not to mention a secondary that appeared lifeless in Michigan’s 42-37 victory.

No. 9: Horrible Flashbacks to The 2007 Appalachian State Loss at the Big House

I’m sure this is a given, but Saturday’s Wolverines crowd had to have been ducking their heads in dismay with hazy memories of Michigan’s 2007 loss at home to Appalachian State still reluctantly tucked away in the back of their minds.

Regardless of whether or not the fans, players, and coaches thought about it, the reality is that it actually occurred—and it nearly happened again.

However, Michigan was able to hold off history repeating itself as the Wolverines clamped down in the clutch to move to 3-0.

No. 8: Kicking Game Still a Sore Spot

The Michigan kicking game is nothing short of pathetic, and the team proved that in its lackluster home win over UMass.

Overall this season, Michigan is just 1-for-5 on field goal attempts.

Seth Broekhuizen, who was handed the kicking duties after a poor start by Brendan Gibbons, missed his lone first-half field goal attempt, a 38-yarder, wide left.

And if Michigan’s kicking woes continue, it could easily spell an early exit from the polls for the Wolverines.

No. 7: What Happened to Michigan’s So-Called Solid Secondary?

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Obi Ezeh #45 of the Michigan Wolverines awaits the start of play against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan defeated Notre Dame 28-24. (Photo by Jonath

This may be THE question of the day for Michigan fans, and it’s absolutely a cause for concern as the Wolverines' secondary looked awful against UMass.

Minutemen quarterback Kyle Havens had a remarkable day against an awful Wolverines defense, completing 22 of his 29 pass attempts for 222 yards and two touchdowns.

In addition, the UMass running back Jonathan Hernandez garnered 114 yards along with two trips to the end zone.

That leaves fans with just one question: When will Michigan’s defense truly show up on the gridiron?

No. 6: Defensive Meltdowns in The Early Minutes of First Half Proved Costly

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Rich Rodriguez of the Michigan Wolverines yells at an assistant coach during a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan defeated Notre

Michigan fell behind early due to terrible defense, as the Wolverines quickly found themselves down 17-7 before an offensive spark gave the home team a 21-17 halftime lead.

As mentioned in the prior slide regarding a shockingly lifeless defense, the Wolverines' first-half secondary meltdowns were the main reason to be worried on Saturday afternoon while watching Michigan.

And if the momentary lapses of reason continue occurring in the Wolverines' secondary, it won’t be long before No. 20 Michigan finds itself on the outside looking in.

No. 5: Five-Point “W” Over UMass; Conference Play Right Around Corner

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Michael Shaw #20 of the Michigan Wolverines runs for yardage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan defeated Notre Dame 28-24. (Photo by Jonathan Da

If fans are concerned now, it may be time to set up an appointment with a psychiatrist for sports depression with Big Ten Conference play for Michigan looming right around the corner.

And if a five-point win at home against UMass is worrisome, just wait until the real tests begin for the No. 20 Wolverines.

Those tests, by the way, begin in two weeks at Indiana.

No. 4: Wolverines' Offense Appeared Solid, but Can That Continue?

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines throws a pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan defeated Notre Dame 28-24. (Photo by Jonathan D

This “reason” may be more optimistic than concerning, but it still begs the question: Can Michigan’s offense thrive against a solid secondary?

That truly has yet to be seen at this time, to be perfectly honest, and fans and foes alike may not have an answer until after next week’s game at Bowling Green.

But until then, Wolverine fans—regardless of the excitement from a 3-0 start—have got to remain on edge about Michigan’s offense.

No. 3: Special Teams Play Must Improve for Michigan to Be Successful

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Members of the Michigan Wolverine defense including Craig Roh #88 and Paul Gyarmati #59 participate in warm-ups beofre a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend,

Sadly it’s more than just the kicking game that’s causing heartache and tears for Michigan fans; it’s the team’s special teams play as well.

And issues regarding punts and kickoffs must begin improving if the Wolverines plan on remaining undefeated.

With conference play just two weeks away, Michigan fans have reason to be worried about the question marks that still surround the Wolverines’ special teams play.

Does the team have enough time to correct some major mistakes before next week’s gridiron matchup?

Sure, there’s time to fix the flaws; but will they?

No. 2: Is Lack of True Michigan Power Due to Coaching or the Players?

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Rich Rodriguez of the Michigan Wolverines waits with his team before entering the field for a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan

The age-old question regarding the success or demise of a college football program: is it coaching—or the players—causing a lack of true power through three games and counting for Michigan?

Most of the time, that blame lands solely on the shoulders of the head coach and his staff but fans and analysts alike know there’s often more to the story than meets the eye.

In Michigan’s case, the coaching seat really isn’t all that hot as the Wolverines are still undefeated at 3-0.

But a lot can change in a week, and those tough tests awaiting No. 20 Michigan will be here before we know it.

No. 1: The No. 20 Wolverines Are 3-0, but There’s a Tough Road Ahead

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Roy Roundtree #12 and Brandin Hawthorne #7 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate a win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan defeated Notre Dame 28-24.

Yes, No. 20 Michigan is still undefeated at 3-0 after Saturday’s dogfight to the finish over UMass, but there’s a long and tough road ahead in 2010 for the Wolverines.

Sure, this may sound like a repeated theme or a broken record right about now, but the fact remains that Michigan has yet to really face a truly tough opponent this season.

All that’s about to change, no doubt about it.

But until the Wolverines can beat a ranked and conference opponent, the authentic strength of the No. 20 Wolverines football team will remain filled with holes of doubt …

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]