There were a lot (and I mean A LOT) of key performances from Wolverines this last week, but we're going to stick to the absolute top, and then also look at some guys who maybe didn't have the performance they were looking for.
Top Performers
I'm handing out individual accolades for Week 3, and we can finally welcome Denard Robinson to the top of the list. This was one of the most complete games of Robinson's career because of the fact that he was able to get the passing game going, and I'm not just talking about the big plays.
Consistency is the most highly scrutinized aspect of Robinson's game, and it really isn't hard to see why. However, Saturday showed that his so-called "improvement" in the off season was not just a thing of talk; it was real. And we finally saw it on display.
Of course, it isn't a Michigan football game unless "Shoelace" busts one open with his legs and makes our jaws drop in amazement. So he did some of that, too. The running portion of Denard's game is truly what makes him so special.
2. Drew Dileo - WR
Have we had two wide receivers make this cut in back to back weeks? Doesn't seem like it. This week, it was Drew Dileo who stepped up for the Wolverines out wide and made his presence felt against the Minutemen defense.
Dileo only had three receptions, but the gift was found in his 91 yards. Do the math; you're looking at roughly 30 yards per catch. That's pretty good. Michigan has a lot of depth at wide receiver, so it's really not surprising to me that we've seen different players step up. However, it would be a pleasant surprise if Dileo could keep this production up.
Heading into the season, I viewed Dileo as more of a compliment to guys like Gardner and Roundtree, but he is proving that he can take over the spot light by himself.
3. Fitzgerald Toussaint - RB
I called it. Fitz Toussiant put together the exact performance everyone had been anticipating for quite some time now, and that was extremely important both for him individually and the Wolverine offense.
15 carries was still shy of what Brady Hoke wanted to give his starting running back, but he took full advantage of what he got. 85 yards is the season high for Toussaint this season, and they will need more of that on Saturday if they want to pull one off in South Bend against Notre Dame.
Underperformers
1. Roy Roundtree - WR
Roy Roundtree is just not off to the start that was so highly anticipated. Sure it doesn't help that he is wearing #21; sure it doesn't help that he was dubbed that relief man of Junior Hemmingway from 2011. But a lot of fans are getting impatient waiting for the Roundtree we've all been expecting.
On Saturday against UMass, Roundtree only hauled in two catches for yards. And while one of the grabs was his first touchdown reception of the season, I'm looking for more of an overall impact, something more consistent.
I would trade that one TD catch for a more consistent showing throughout the game, but, hey, maybe that's just me. We'll all be looking for a Superman performance against Notre Dame this Saturday, though; that's for sure.
2. Russell Bellomy - QB
Am I horrible for bringing up the back up quarterback? Maybe. But the only reason I do it is because he backs up Denard Robinson, notorious for getting banged up in games and having to sit a drive or two. Obviously, we didn't need Bellomy to step up big late in the game against UMass, but what about in Big Ten play? What if this team needs Bellomy to produce in a close game?
As of right now, I haven't seem much to give me a whole of hope that we could depend on the inexperienced young man.
All in all, it would be great to get maybe one more game similar to Saturday's to give Bellomy a chance to perform in a game again.
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