Michigan Football: Wolverines overcome early scare to down SMU

SMU and Michigan football were tied at seven. Worry not though Big Ten fans, the Wolverines put their foot on the gas and knocked off the Mustangs.

Michigan knocked off SMU 45-20. Not exactly an impressive score for a team that should have dominated this game and let me tell you, the stats weren’t that impressive either.

Let us start with the most obvious fact, Shea Patterson is not the savior that Michigan fans hoped he would be. Ole Miss fans could have told you that when he announced he would transfer, but very few listened. The Big Blue were convinced that with their strong defense, Patterson could return this team to national prominence. That has turned out to be very, very wrong- maybe for both sides of the ball.

The Michigan defense did not post the shutdown game that was expected of them. Did they make strong plays when they were needed most? Sure. Did they play up to expectations? Not even close. In terms of first down numbers, the teams were evenly matched- something that shouldn’t be a stat when you are playing a team like SMU. Both teams were round about the same in third and forth down conversions as well as in first downs.

While Michigan’s offense was able to keep things going from their first touchdown in the second quarter, the defense couldn’t seem to stop the SMU offense from moving down the field to make this one a closer game than anyone anticipated.

On the offensive side, Shea Patterson wasn’t everything that he was expected to be. He wasn’t terrible and would probably be a great and competitive quarterback for a Big 12 or SEC East school, but in the Big Ten where teams actually play defense- his talent won’t keep him afloat for long. Yes, I know he came from Ole Miss and no, I don’t think he was all that great there either. Did he have strong moments in Oxford? Sure. Did he do enough to be a top of the line quarterback in the conference? No, and he hasn’t accomplished that at Michigan either.

Sorry, Michigan, even I have to admit I was wrong- you aren’t winning the Big Ten this season, it just isn’t in the cards. If you can’t outplay SMU like you should, how do you plan on fighting off the likes of Ohio State? Penn State? Michigan State?