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Ivory CoastWhittingham Seeks Better Focus From Young Michigan Squad
Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham wants more consistency and energy from his young team as they prepare to face a tough Iowa defense.
Building a Culture
Michigan is off to a 3-0 start under new head coach Kyle Whittingham, but the 18th ranked Wolverines are still finding their footing. Whittingham noted that his roster has the youngest average age in the Big Ten, which has contributed to some erratic performances.
The Wolverines have struggled with consistency. They needed a favorable replay review to get past Western Michigan in their opener, relied heavily on their defense to beat Oklahoma, and had to overcome early turnovers against UTEP on Saturday.
Whittingham said he is still trying to establish the right mindset. "We're still working on the culture and getting things instilled that way and the expectations," he said. He wants his players to rise up when they face adversity.
Finding the Energy
The young Wolverines have played three poor halves of football out of six so far. They struggled in both halves against Western Michigan and had a slow start against UTEP, falling behind 14-7 in the second quarter.
However, they showed their potential by scoring twice before halftime and dominating the second half 35-0 to finish with a 52-17 victory.
Whittingham pointed out that the team lacks older players. He wants to see more consistent passion and energy throughout the entire game instead of letting the team's enthusiasm fade.
Iowa Defensive Challenge
Michigan will open Big Ten play on Saturday when they host 17th ranked Iowa. This will be a major test for the young offense. Iowa boasts the best defense in the nation, allowing just 4.3 points and 176.7 yards per game.
There is some good news for Michigan. The offense had its most productive game of the year against UTEP, and quarterback Bryce Underwood played his best game of the season.
Starting running back Jordan Marshall is dealing with a nagging injury that Whittingham called a concern. However, the junior is expected to keep playing through the issue.
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