Michigan’s march through football season started Saturday with a 33-17 defeat of Northern Illinois. And yes, I tried to make that sentence as bland as the game. Or at least as mediocre as Michigan’s defense.

Despite the Free Press’s use of “impressive” in their headline, I’m not so sure. The defense certainly didn’t impress. Let’s go through some of the other headlines:

DetNews: Wolverines’ offense runs smoothly; defense stalls — “On display in fourth-ranked Michigan’s season-opening 33-17 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday was its expected efficient and balanced offense that is capable, it seems, of big gains when needed. Also on display was a defense, much-maligned late last season, that still looked, at times, defenseless.”

Bob Wojnowski: U-M has no defense vs. critics who say it can’t stop anyone

John Niyo: You can’t say much in U-M’s defense, which contains this quote from Bo: “First of all, I’m not sure that we have enough speed in there right now, particularly in the secondary. Secondly, our tackling is atrocious.”

AA News: Flying start for Michigan: Passing and running, the offense takes control of game in first half — “What salvaged the team’s defense - and kept the Wolverines on track for their triumph at Michigan Stadium - was its ability to hound the Huskies into turnovers.”

AA News: Huskies’ big plays sting Michigan: Carr says many defenses are allowing more points in college football these days. But, we also get his take on NIU’s 76-yard touchdown run:

“We were bouncing the ball outside to one of our safeties, who was supposed to be out there,” Carr said. “And he hesitated, and of course with a back like that when you don’t get where you’re supposed to be and they get outside the defense, you give up a big play.”

We’d also like to point out the nice little sidebar the Grand Rapids Press did on hometown boy Kevin Grady.

And, just for balance, we note the Chicago Tribune’s coverage, via their Huskies beat writer: Huskies drop the ball: 2 late 1st-half fumbles derail NIU momentum.

By the time Monday rolled around, even Coach Carr was in on the act: Michigan’s defense puts Carr in a foul mood, wherein he promises some lineup changes, especially among the front seven (which, you’ll notice, is not the deficiency Bo noted).

In any case, and now that it’s Monday, it’s time to start previewing Notre Dame:

Offensive showdown: Irish debut high-octane offense; Avant says U-M must run well. (Interesting how the solution to the other team’s offense is now your own offense. Of course, there is that theory that the best defense is don’t let the other offense on the field.)

Psst. Hey, Mlive. If you’re not going to update Blue Notes, just let us know. On the other hand, we do like the new(?) blog from former Daily-ite Chris Burke. And not just because he tells us not to panic about Notre Dame’s offensive show.

This entry was posted in the following categories: Michigan, Michigan Football