Film class isn't all fun and games

For the Michigan football team, accepting two defeats may not be as difficult as analyzing them.

The early part of this week forced the Wolverines to re-examine themselves and their production as individuals, in light of their recent losses to Notre Dame and Syracuse. Unfortunately for the 0-2 Wolverines, analyzing the game tape is hardly a release from reality.

"We definitely improved this week from when we played against Notre Dame," captain Jon Jansen said, trying to draw a positive theory from a game that was all-too negative.

He contended that breakdowns were not the source of Michigan's problems, but the game tapes Michigan religiously analyzes might show otherwise.

"I look at the film to look at what I need," Jansen said. "I need to make better sets and push off the ball myself."

But on the whole, Jansen contends, the offense should execute more consistently.

His biggest concern lies not so much in the inability of Michigan's offense to score, but more to merely stay on the field.

"When you go three (plays) and out every time, it wears on the defense," said Jansen, Michigan's offensive captain. "Whenever you don't protect (your own) defense, it doesn't help them out."

In the first three quarters of Saturday's game - although it remained competitive - the Michigan offense struggled mightily.

The Wolverines scored only one touchdown as three-and-outs became the norm on their possessions.

During the first 45 minutes of game time, Vinson punted five times and Michigan sustained only two drives of more than 17 yards.

So, now that it's clear that the reward of watching game film will be eye strain, the Wolverines shift their efforts away from their first two losses.

"We're not focusing on the last two weeks, but instead on the next two weeks," Jansen said.

This week, though, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr is pretty sure they'll be able to avoid the option attack.

And that's a welcome relief for the defense.

The option experience gave them fits as Jarious Jackson and Donovan McNabb ran wild against the porous defense. According to safety Tommy Hendricks, some of the holes McNabb slipped through will seal up fast this time around.

"Some of those things," he said, "like on third down when he scrambled - if everyone's in place, that could have been avoided."

Carr is looking forward to rediscovering the defense that dominated the nation last year, a group that chased down quarterbacks and smothered them in the pocket.

"We're not going to face the option - at least for awhile," he said. This week "we'll be able to exert more pressure."

09-16-98