Michigan lost five games last year and finished with the nation's 97th best rushing attack. Neither of those stats will get it done at a program allegedly as storied as Michigan.
Al Borges was cut loose this past off-season, and he was replaced with former Alabama OC Doug Nussmeier, a man who was replaced by Lane Kiffin.
While results over time are the only thing that will vindicate the hiring, Michigan players are already claiming to see results. From MLive.com:
"It seems a lot more easier (to understand) than last year's offense, we're going to get used to it," sophomore running back De'Veon Smith said Tuesday. "The running schemes, they're a little bit more simple.
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The premise of that is rather simple. A zone blocking scheme aimed at attacking inside the tackles, allowing larger, more physical backs to either run toward his aiming point, or make one cut and get downhill.
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"This is a lot more downhill, that's what I like," sophomore running back Derrick Green said. "That's the biggest thing. He's also real fundamental with pass blocking. Coach Nussmeier's a great man, a smart guy, he knows what he's doing. He's giving us the right tools and we're going to give it our all."
The good news for Michigan is it's almost literally impossible for them to do any worse in the rushing game next year. It will be interesting to see if Michigan's offensive line — which was patchwork at best last year — will be up to the task.
