But the victory hides a fact that has become readily apparent over the last three weeks: Michigan's defense, particularly its secondary, is in deep trouble.
Slowly but surely, the Wolverines are putting together one of the worst defensive stretches in Michigan history.
Consider this:
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| Josh Kleinbaum Apocalypse Now
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o The 20-point lead Michigan blew against Illinois is the third-largest such margin in program history, and the largest since 1982. Twice, Michigan blew 21-point leads.
o By allowing 34 points to Michigan State, 35 to Illinois and 31 to Indiana over the last three weeks, Michigan has allowed 30 or more points in three straight games for the first time ever.
o The 100 total points allowed over that three-game span is the second-most Michigan has ever allowed in three straight games. The first? In 1991, Michigan, who won the Big Ten title, allowed 104, including 51 to top-ranked offensive juggernaut Florida State.
In its first five games, the Michigan defense allowed just over 13 points a game as the Wolverines steamrolled to a 5-0 record and a top three ranking.
In two straight weeks, they shut down a top Heisman candidate. They started drawing comparison's to the great 1997 defense that won a national title, even though the '97 team allowed just 26 points in its first five games, 40 less than the '99 squad.
In the last three games, the bottom has fallen out.
The Michigan defense has lost its swagger. The confident and brash bunch has been unusually quiet, words mumbling out of their mouths. The Wolverines won't tell you they've lost their confidence, but it's in their eyes. They're frustrated and confused. They're bad, and they don't know why.
Much of blame belongs to Michigan's secondary, 'The Suspects.' They've been more than suspect; they've been flat-out bad.
On Indiana's five scoring drives - four touchdowns and one field goal, but the field goal was because of the clock, not Michigan's defense - the Hoosiers killed Michigan in the air. On those five drives, Randle El completed 12 of 16 passes for 246 yards, 74 percent of Indiana's offense.
Of the suspects, Todd Howard carries much of the guilt. Earlier this season, Howard said if an opponent wants to touch the ball, that's their problem, implying that he'd lay a load of hurt on them. One problem: If you can't catch 'em, you can't hurt 'em.
Howard's had a problem catching anyone lately. Late in the fourth quarter Saturday, he was running 15 yards behind Indiana receiver Jerry Dorsey as Dorsey waltzed into the end zone for a 70-yard touchdown. When Dorsey caught the ball, Michigan safety Tommy Hendricks was much closer to Dorsey than Howard was, even though Howard was supposed to be covering the receiver.
While Michigan jumped out to a 5-0 start, its opponents were looking for a weakness. There's little in a defense as easily exploitable as a weak cornerback, which is exactly what Howard is.
Both Randle El and Illinois quarterback Kittner, who beat Michigan last week, saw that and exploited the sophomore, throwing to his man in key situations. Last week, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr yanked Howard after he drew a pass interference penalty.
There's little for Carr to do. He has almost no depth at corner. The two backups are a freshman, Brandon Williams, who's seen more playing time over the past few weeks but still has little experience, and wide receiver David Terrell, who sees spot time at corner and was Michigan's nickel back against Purdue.
But Carr has to find a solution fast, with No. 2 Penn State and No. 21 Ohio State looming in the next three weeks.
Unlike the 1991 Michigan team that allowed 104 points in a three-game stretch, these Wolverines aren't going to win the Big Ten title. If the defense doesn't regroup, they'll have trouble winning anything.
- Josh Kleinbaum can be reached via e-mail at jkbaum@umich.edu.
11-01-99
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