Recapping Ohio State

Well, the regular season is over. And it ends with a loss to Ohio State.

Agony, pain.

When I was watching the game, the first thing that struck me was how predictable the Michigan offense was. It became pretty clear against Iowa that when Denard Robinson and Devin Gardner are in the game at the same time, it's hard to stop.

But Al Borges played them separately (for the most part) against the Buckeyes, and it obviously gave Urban Meyer the advantage. Both Gardner and Robinson still made plays; there is no way to completely shut them down. But something has to be taken away from this performance. Even a mediocre defense can get around the combination of those two electric players if they aren't in at the same time.

Something else that popped out to me was it looked like Gardner maybe folded under the pressure towards the end. I realize that's when the game is on the line, and he was being asked to do a lot. But he had proven himself worthy of the situation throughout the past couple of weeks.

Recap: Illinois

For the second straight week, Michigan has blown their Big Ten opponent out of the water and made it look rather easy. Last week was the Boilermakers; this week was the Illini. It was just a different chapter in the same book.

The first thing I really noticed on Saturday was Michigan's run by committee style of rushing attack. It actually seemed to be working for the Wolverines. And, although it is not what Al Borges dreams of when he sleeps at night, you have to go with what is working.

Even Fitz Toussaint, a non factor in most games this season, made some noise from the backfield and definitely looked more crisp against Illinois. I thought he was doing too much dancing around previously, but I did not see a whole lot of that on Saturday.

Week 1: Biggest Performers And Underperformers

While Michigan did not walk away with a Week One win, there were still some notable performances from both sides of the ball. Some were good; others bad.  It will be interesting to watch how these players rebound against Air Force and going forward.




Top Performers


1. Jeremy Gallon - WR

Jeremy Gallon was very impressive throughout the course of the game on Saturday, leading both teams in receiving yards with 107. Gallon looked very comfortable within the offense, which is a great sign this early in the season, and Robinson definitely needs a go-to receiver.

I was most impressed with Gallon's consistency, and he looked to be running very clean routes. Hopefully, this is an early sign that Gallon will become a big part of the Wolverines offense and can make an impact on the outside with his hands and speed.

Week 1 Notes With Updates on Fitz Toussaint And Frank Clark

I have waited as long as I could to post this column, waiting to find out the final decision on Fitzgerald Toussaint and Frank Clark.
Now I have learned that Toussaint and Clark are both continuing their respective suspensions thru the Alabama game. "The decision was not easy, but I feel it is in the best interest of this program and for these kids, and those always will be my priorities," Hoke said in a statement. "We have choices every day, and you have to be accountable to this program, your teammates, your family and the University of Michigan." I don't like Hoke's decision. I think Fitz gives Michigan a better chance of winning. Yet, while I don't like his decision, I do respect it. Hoke has rarely made a decision so far that I don't like, and he absolutely has not made one decision that has been detrimental towards the team. I applaud Hoke for making what is one of the toughest decisions so far this early in the season.


The eighth-ranked Wolverines will likely use running backs Thomas Rawls, Vincent Smith, Justice Hayes perhaps along with newcomers Dennis Norfleet and Drake Johnson against the defending national champion Crimson Tide.

2012 Positional Breakdown: Running Back

The running back position is traditionally very deep at Michigan, and nothing has changed heading into 2012. Obviously, the arrest and indefinite suspension of Fitzgerald Toussaint is a huge set back for the Wolverine offense, but there is a still a lot of talent and potential behind him on the depth chart.

Guys like Thomas Rawls, Stephen Hopkins, and Vincent Smith are all looking for their opportunity to make some noise in the back field with this chance to take over the starting position for a portion of the season. Fitz Toussaint was the presumed starter heading into the 2012 season, but, because of his suspension, can not be listed.

Thomas Rawls (Sophomore)

Thomas Rawls is widely considered to be the starter in place of Fitz Toussaint to start the 2012 season. He put together a fantastic spring that caught the attention of coaches and fans, which at that time seemed to solidify himself as the back up. Now, he is likely taking the role of starter against Alabama and will get his first shot on the biggest stage of his life.

Toussaint Arrest Puts Chaos In Wolverines Offense

RB Fitzgerald Toussaint, arrested and indefinitely suspended

As reported earlier this week, starting RB Fitzgerald Toussaint was arrested this past Saturday night on a DUI charge. There were multiple questions up in the air immediately, but coach Brady Hoke cleared some of the fog for us with this statement on Toussaint:

"Fitz made a poor decision and has been suspended indefinitely because of that action. There are expectations that come with being a football student-athlete at the University of Michigan and those responsibilities were not met in this instance. We will use this as an opportunity to educate Fitz and make sure he understands the high standards that we have established within our program."

"Suspended indefinitely" could mean anything from zero games missed to an entire season. This is Toussaint's first offense, so most are not expecting the most drastic of measures, but it can't be shoved out of the picture just yet. Brady Hoke has held to his word of keeping a strong amount of integrity within the program. As he puts it, "This is Michigan, for God's sake."

Fitz Toussaint Arrested, Suspended, And Leaving Questions For Michigan

Michigan runningback Fitzgerald Toussaint was arrested Saturday evening in Saline, Michigan on a DUI charge.


Toussaint rushed onto the scene a year ago for the Wolverines in the backfield in the middle of the season, becoming the team's second leading rusher behind Denard Robinson with 1,041 yards and nine TDs on 187 carries.