If you're around me for oh, let's say any amount of time longer than 30 seconds, you know that I'm a massive fan of what's rapidly becoming an increasingly small percentage of The Simpsons. I'm of the firm belief that seasons 2-9 are the unimpeachable zenith of television, and no amount of cable prestige dramas will convince me otherwise.
Anway, part of the reason why I like the Simpsons so much is because there's an applicable joke or segment for pretty much anything that has ever happened in anyone's life. And, as luck would have it, that includes Michigan football.
Imagine for one brief, disgusting moment that you are a Michigan fan, patiently waiting for your offense to not suck. Wilton Speight might look like he could make the leap to "not terrible," but then he doesn't (and gets hurt). Ty Isaac looks like he might be the solution for the ground game, until he isn't. John O'Korn plays one good half of football, and then sucks out loud ever since then. Like so many potato chips snatched out of Homer's hand, all of the offensive options for Michigan and Jim Harbaugh seem like they have a legitimate chance to be viable, only to disappoint seconds later.
"This time..." it was running back Karan Higdon, rumbling for 200 critical yards in a 27-20 overtime win against the Hoosiers. Is he The Solution? Who knows. He could be a savior or a potato chip.
THREAT LEVEL
Every week I mention that Michigan's defense is amazing and that if you want to dismiss them because of the offense, do so at your own peril because they will run you out on a rail on the basis of their pass rush alone. And, you know... kinda?
Look, it's impossible to deny how statistically great the defense has been overall. They rank at or near the top in the country in every meaningful statistical category, and have some standout players like DE Chase Winovich, who is among the leaders nationally in sacks.
It's also probably important to point out that their opponents to this point have been pretty garbage offensively. Penn State, coming next weekend, will present a massive challenge, not in the least because they haven't had to deal with a multi-dimensional player on quite the same level as a Saquon Barkley.
But, as is usually the case so far, that Penn State game will really only be decided on whether or not any offense for the Wolverines can actually be effective. For long, long stretches of the Indiana game, Michigan looked utterly inept on offense; Brad Robbins ended up punting nine times (including after seven three and outs in the second half). The Nittany Lions have the 9th ranked defense nationally, and if John O'Korn thinks that he can replicate his 10-20, 58 yard passing performance against Indiana and win...
Well, maybe? Weirder things have happened. But until they do, nothing that Michigan did against the Hoosiers showed that they're worthy of moving up significantly on the big board. Still, a win's a win, and our Threat Level advisory committee has decided to move the general Wolverine threat to a tentative GUARDED, with a wary eye on next weekend.
