There was one game, above others, that defined Scott Shafer as Michigan’s defensive coordinator. It was the Purdue game. The Boilermakers had scored just six points in the week before in a home loss to Minnesota. The following week, they didn’t score until the final minute against Michigan State. In-between against Michigan, though, they scored 48 points. They did so with backup QB Justin Siller, who began the season at running back.
The Red Sea parted for Juice Williams in the second half against Illinois. It was a bad first half vs. Utah.
Michigan had the lead against MSU - and lost it. How did Toledo’s Nick Moore catch 20 passes against the Wolverines? Good question.
It didn’t work out with Shafer, but it should by no stretch of the imagination take head coach Rich Rodriguez off the hook. Shafer was his choice. Rodriguez really seem to have a grip on what went on defensively. It is, ultimately, his responsibility. He did little to stem the tide last season. The same cannot happen next. This will be Rodriguez’s most important hire. And he must do a better job of overseeing it.

Random Thoughts

- Not that Javon Ringer didn’t deserve his spot as a first-team All-American, but it is noticeable how the terrain has changed for running backs. In the days of the power-I formation, Ringer’s statistics likely wouldn’t have been good enough. The spread offense has made college football so very different.

- Weirdest baseball off season development: The Orioles pursuing Mark Teixeira. It makes no sense from their standpoint nor from his standpoint.

- In the you heard it here first department: I would be surprised if the Red Wings don’t beat San Jose Thursday night.