There was that question going in on how Michigan would manage this disconnect between Patterson's kinda wild style and Harbaugh's more conservative style. It winds up being a compromise using much more shotgun than Harbaugh usually uses, but still maintaining a ball control style. One series would be shotgun, another under center. Three plays shotgun, three plays center. It was inconsistent and messy. In reigning in Patterson, I don't know that you get the best of him, and he seemed frustrated. There are a lot of questions remaining, but I think ultimately they'll find something that works. I'm just not sure in what year.
There's no question these changes impacted the offensive line. They were never in sync, even on running plays. They didn't seem comfortable. Snaps and timing were a serious issue. Notre Dame took advantage, too. On many occasions when Michigan went 4 or 5 wide, Notre Dame would go Cover 1, man up on the outside and throw everyone else on the LOS to confuse Michigan's blocking schemes. Sometimes Michigan simply got confused, others they didn't have adequate numbers. It was a brilliant gambit in an opener. It was also made possible because Notre Dame showed no respect to Michigan receivers and tight ends. That's an area to watch for in coming weeks.
Defensively, Michigan was fine. A few big plays in that first quarter really hurt, but otherwise they were very solid. 2.8 ypc against a mobile QB is good. That's still a very dangerous defense.
