Defense is perfect with shutout of Iowa in Big Ten championship

INDIANAPOLIS — Free Press sports writer Tony Garcia grades Michigan football on a scale of A to F after the Wolverines’ 26-0 victory over Iowa in Saturday’s Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium:

Offense: D-minus

WINDSOR: Michigan football earned confetti with Big Ten title. But questions remain for biggest stage

Iowa’s defense is one of the best in the nation. And the Wolverines knew even with an extremely conservative game plan they could likely outscore a feeble Hawkeyes attack. But U-M’s offense put on the field Saturday evening was concerning heading into a third straight College Football Playoff. Both of U-M’s touchdown drive came on extremely short fields, needing just 5 and 6 yards respectively. Blake Corum, who tied Anthony Thomas’ all-time program touchdown record (55) with his two scores, ran 16 times for just 52 yards (3.3 yards per carry). J.J. McCarthy didn’t turn the ball over (however an Iowa linebacker did drop one potential pick), but completed just 22 of 30 passes for 147 yards. The 11 first downs and 213 total yards of offense were season lows. As a team, U-M ran 31 times for 106 yards (3.5 yards per carry) and converted just 3 of 15 third downs. Michigan’s passing game has scored one touchdown in the past five weeks.

Defense: A-plus

Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil celebrates a play against Iowa during the first half of the Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023.

SABIN: Michigan football’s Big Ten title merely a stop toward the summit of eternal greatness

Yes, it got the benefit of playing a terrible Iowa attack, but Michigan allowed the same number of first downs (seven) as punts it forced. And Jesse Minter’s unit forced three turnovers and three turnovers on downs. Midway through the second quarter, Mike Sainristil forced a…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-football-grades-defense-perfect-111040955.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2023-12-03 11:10:40

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