Michigan Football Still Learning As The Big Ten Season Approaches

Michigan fans knew this season was going to be one of ups and downs. Now three games into the season, who are the 2008 Michigan Wolverines?

They are young, inexperienced, and they are getting better.

While Michigan shot themselves in the foot on numerous occasions against Notre Dame, it seems that the offense took strides in the right direction for the third straight game.

Running back Sam McGuffie has earned his starting spot, as he has showed consistent improvement this season. McGuffie gave college football a glimpse of what the future holds for Michigan and the spread offense.

While McGuffie has garnered a lot of the attention, Steven Threet has quietly emerged as the starter at quarterback. Threet’s improvement hasn’t been as flashy as his backfield mate, but it is significantly more important to the success of the spread offense.

Threet didn’t show any of the inconsistencies that made him a target of many questions leading into the season. If he can continue to manage the game and complete the occasional down-field pass, Michigan’s offense will continue to progress and give them opportunities to win during the big ten season.

The most important thing for Michigan is that these two players don’t plateau and that they continue to get better.

If these two continue to grow as a backfield tandem, Michigan will give opponents fits throughout the big ten season.

The defense that was supposed to anchor a struggling offense has looked suspect at times and is yet to put together a full 60 minutes of consistent football.

Over the first three games the front four has showed ineptitude to create pressure, without the added aid of a blitz package. If the front four can’t create pressure on its own the defense as a whole will struggle as quarterbacks and offensive lines get better during big ten play.

The defense will have to find a way to emerge as a game changer. The talent is unquestioned, it’s on the coaches and players to put it all together.

Michigan will continue to experience growing pains in its first season under Rodriguez. However, if they continue to show improvement on a game to game basis those pains will occur less and less.

By no means will the offense be a well oiled machine, but consistency is the key this season.

There are no sure things this year for Michigan. No games that can be chalked up as a win prematurely. This Michigan team will have to earn every victory.

Eliminate the mistakes and Michigan will end up having a solid first season under Coach Rodriguez, capping it off with the teams 34^th consecutive bowl appearance.