MZONE AUTOPSY REPORT: Purdue
1. During the previous three seasons, last weekend's Purdue game is one U-M would have probably lost. One of those dreaded "second half of the season" games that revealed Michigan to be imploding rather than improving.
But not this time. Not this year.
Michigan stomped on an inferior opponent the way it should have, both defensively and offensively. It was - dare I say - like old times. In talking to my former MZone cohort Benny yesterday, he mentioned that we still don't know how good Michigan is because we haven't beaten any good teams (ND falls into a "maybe" depending on which weekend we're talking about). And while I agreed with him, I said the biggest difference is that, while we may indeed not be great team, Michigan is playing football at a level now that has the Wolverines beating the teams they're supposed to. The teams Michigan used to routinely pound, with every game not being a coin flip.
Yes, I'm so damn scarred by the previous three seasons that, after Purdue's initial drive, I felt a flash of deja vu all over again. But Michigan stayed the course and eventually put Purdue away, pretty much by halftime and certainly before the 3rd quarter was over.
How refreshing.
While we probably won't go 4-0 to end the season, I can honestly say I wouldn't be surprised if we did. And, unlike years past (okay, three of them), I would be very surprised if we went 0-4.
2. So that's what a running game looks like. Boy, was it beautiful to see a Michigan player not named Denard tear up the opposition's defense on the ground. RB Fitz Toussaint's 170 yard day (59 of it coming on a beautiful TD run in the third quarter) is the sort of output that U-M fans used to be used to. If the Wolverines can make this a regular thing - and do it against high quality teams - look out. It will take a hell of a load off of Denard. Put it this way, if the Maize and Blue can establish this sort of ground game on a weekly basis, it's going to be fun to watch folks notice other good things which will happen as a result. Like, "Wow, I didn't know Denard was such a good passer!" Funny how that works.
3. For the first time this season, injuries are a concern for the Wolverines. Up until this point, Michigan has been beyond blessed in the health department. Not anymore. Safety Jordon Kovacs missed the game and is probably out for Iowa with a knee injury. Left guard Ricky Barnum re-injured his ankle and had to leave the game. And left tackle Taylor Lewan had to miss part of the game with what could be a knee injury. With Michigan's lack of depth and four tough closing games, it's not good. But as Coach Hoke said about the injuries, "That's football."
4. The "Rocket Man" entrance of the game ball was cool as hell.
About the only negative was that this was the loudest thing inside The Big House on Saturday. I'm actually mildly surprised nobody yelled "down in front" at the guy as he flew past.
5. Shame on the students. Where the hell were you?! You can see it in the "Rocket Man" video above as well as many of the YouTube vids posted: the students simply didn't show up. No, I'm not talking "late arriving," I mean the student section NEVER FILLED UP (the pink cancer "M" students were trying to form had holes in it the entire game). Not gonna put up much about this now because I think this deserves its own post. But there is no excuse and it's just sad.
6. I think Michigan won twice yesterday: By beating Purdue and hearing about Sparty losing to Nebraska.
7. A safety?! You remember what those are, don't you? Can you believe it had been EIGHT YEARS since U-M's defense last recorded one (vs. Houston in 2003). I don't want to say U-M fans are shocked to see such things after Gerg and the last three years, but check out the fan video of the safety below. There was less pandemonium by the dude working the camera in CLOVERFIELD when he was being chased by the giant monster.
8. Man, I really enjoy beating Danny Hope. Especially since we probably don't have that many more years to do it.
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