Halfway through the season: Some Michigan stats

Submitted by Bambi on October 7th, 2018 at 10:56 AM

We're halfway through the season and I wanted to list off some stats that I've found interesting to this point when compared to last year:

  • Shea Patterson has thrown for 10 TDs so far and the team 12. Last year as team, the entire year long, we through for 9.
  • Patterson has 3 INTs on 138 pass attempts. Last year we had 10 as a team on 346 attempts. 
  • Last year we threw for 6.43 Y/A as a team, which was held up by Speight's 7.17 Y/A (O'Korn and Peters at 6.2). This year as a team we're at 8.55 Y/A and Patterson is at 8.6.
  • Last year our WRs caught 97 passes for 1142 yards, or 11.77 yards per catch. This year our WRs have caught 57 passes for 761 yards, or 13.35 Y/C. Last years numbers include the scattered catches from Ways, Harris, McDoom, and Crawford (all gone) and the numbers from Black (hasn't played yet this year).
  • Our leading receiver last year was Grant Perry with 307 yards. Gentry is leading the team this year with 306, followed by Nico with 265.
  • Our WRs last year caught 3 TDs (1 by Black, Crawford and Perry), and none after Cinci in the 2nd game. This year we have 9 TD catches by WRs. 2 of our 3 WRs who caught TDs last year haven't played for Michigan this year.
  • We have allowed 8 sacks so far this year in 6 games (3 against ND). Last year we gave up 36 throughout the year (7 against PSU alone). If we went through the year allowing 16 sacks (our current pace), that would have been tied for 16th fewest in the country last year.
  • Michigan's defense has not recovered a fumble so far this year (the only "fumble recovered" was the muffed punt by Nebraska). Michigan's defense recovered 6 last year, with 3 being in the opener against Florida and one being on the last play by Purdue.
  • Michigan has 5 interceptions so far this year. Last year Michigan intercepted 10 passes.
  • Will Hart is averaging 52 yards per punt so far this year. Last year Michigan averaged 40.

LSAClassOf2000

October 7th, 2018 at 2:10 PM ^

In addition, our defense is averaging:

- 7th in points per game allowed at 15.8

- 1st in yards per game allowed at 230.5

- 11th in points per play allowed at 0.242

- 1st yards per play allowed at 3.5

jsquigg

October 7th, 2018 at 9:10 PM ^

Nebraska is the only team looking like they are definitely not making a bowl.  Everyone else on the schedule is in it to play a bowl game, however likely or unlikely that ends up being.

As far as irrational fears go, I hope Harbaugh doesn't suspend creativity on the road.  My irrational fear is that he simplifies the offense to mitigate bad things happening on the road.  I don't think you can argue that ND and NW were their two most predictable games offensively.  Other than that, I like where the team is trending.

TacoLivesOn

October 8th, 2018 at 4:21 AM ^

Notre Dame - as much as I hate to admit it, they seem like a legit top 10 team

WMU - looking like a decent MAC team at 4-2 right now

Northwestern - I think they are going to end up a bowl team

Maryland - probably headed for a bowl

Overall I agree with your underlying message.  We haven't beaten anyone really good so far this year.  Next 4 weeks will show if we are for real.