What to Take from Michigan vs UConn

The Bad

Devin Gardner is just as frustrating to watch as Denard Robinson

Let the onslaught of Wolverine and Spartan fans do what they please. Michigan is being led by a signal caller who is just as irresponsible with the ball as his predecessor. The offense relies solely on Devin Gardner, who is prone to throwing interceptions and carrying the ball like a new football player. I've backed him time and time again, but it's time to say it once and for all: Devin Gardner might not ever be a quarterback who can play a clean game.

Michigan's run game is below average, and that's that

Connecticut gave up more than 200 yards rushing to both Towson(!) and Maryland. The Michigan offense–being led by a mobile quarterback–managed to rush for less than both of those teams despite making a clear effort to pound the rock. Yes, the interior of the offensive line is young and inexperienced, but two lackluster rushing performances against two poor teams means Michigan's not-so-great ground game is here to stay.

Michigan isn't the team it looked like following its contest against Notre Dame

Notre Dame isn't as good as the college football community thought it was; Michigan isn't as good as many perceived it to be following its contest against the Irish. This team's flaws won't go away any time soon.

The Good

The defense is winning games for Michigan

Imagine how great Michigan's defense would look in the past three years if it wasn't constantly making up for the turnovers that Denard Robinson and Devin Gardner force game-in and game-out. Michigan once again coughed the rock up with disturbing consistency, handing it over to the Huskies four separate times. The defense still held in there, giving up only 206 yards of total offense and forcing a key turnover that ended up saving its offense. The offense will continue to swing up and down, but the defense will be a constant force all season long.

Jehu Chesson's potential is real

His whiff on the Gallon screen aside, Chesson showed some serious potential in last night's game. He stretched the defense on a long developing route, sprinting straight past a defender that saw him coming the whole way. He failed to adjust to the ball, but that will come sometime down the road. He had two catches for 23 yards and should see his productivity rise as we get deeper into the season.

The Takeaway

I was convinced that this Michigan team was capable of running the table and giving Ohio State a run for its money following the Notre Dame game. The Akron game called all of that into question, and this last game solidified all of the doubts in my mind. Michigan simply isn't good enough to contend with Ohio State this year, and they might not even be good enough to win their division. Gardner's poor decisions aren't about to disappear, the running game is weak and will stay weak, and the defense's inability to get to the passer will keep it from holding Michigan in a game or two come Big Ten play. The roster just isn't there yet.