5 Takeaways From Michigan’s Week 9 Loss

Michigan is 3-5 with a season closing trip to Columbus to take on the rolling Buckeyes. An upset in that game looks improbable and winning all three against Indiana, Northwestern and Maryland would require a consistency Michigan hasn’t been able to live up to. The Wolverines will likely end their season in Ohio, a game that should be the final straw for the Brady Hoke era.

Michigan forced two turnovers for the first time in 2014, but the defense was blown off the ball enough for Michigan State to run for over 200 yards. Outside of a 70-yard pass to Tony Lippet, the Wolverine defense didn’t allow big plays, yet they were on the field too much to keep Michigan in the game. Paired with a decent offense, Michigan’s defense could be strong, but they don’t have a chance with the current situation.

Although there were a few bright spots, Michigan needs another year or two of better player development to reach a competitive level in Big Ten play. The talent is there at some positions, but Michigan won’t have a reliable QB to turn to next year and won’t have the playmakers on either side of the ball necessary to overcome it.

Whether it was Devin Gardner getting sacked or running backs bottled up at the line, the Spartan front dominated the line of scrimmage and forced Michigan into difficult third downs throughout. Michigan’s offensive line, while still young, has not improved much during the season and is only a small improvement over last year’s program-worst effort against Michigan State.

No one expected Michigan to take down the Spartans, but Michigan never seemed in this game. Even down just 7-3 late in the second quarter, Michigan State controlled the line of scrimmage from the start. Hoke is even further from competing with Michigan’s rivals and needs to be fired by season’s end. Michigan is completely outclassed against elite competition and considering the expected talent in the program, coaching is to blame.