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Michigan Football vs UCF: 5 Takeways From the Wolverines Romp

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Michigan football team took care of business against another weaker opponent in UCF, but what did we find out about the Wolverines?

The Michigan football team got a little more competition this week from the Central Florida Knights, but at the end of the day, the result was the same.

The Wolverines crushed an inferior opponent Saturday at the Big House, knocking off UCF by the score of 51-14. The offense was good again, although the run game was not firing on all cylinders. The defense, minus some key pieces, also played well and despite allowing two touchdowns, there is nothing to necessarily panic about.

At this point in the college football season, it’s still hard to determine just how good you really are. The Wolverines may have a better idea next week, when they will host an improved Colorado team, or they may find out after that, with consecutive home games against Penn State and Wisconsin.

We did find that Michigan football has even more young players to be excited about and that some of the returning ones, are just as good, if not better than they were a year ago.

Overall, after two games, the Wolverines have to be pleased with their start. The defense is flying around, they are controlling the line of scrimmage and the quarterback position is producing.

More challenges lie ahead, but to delve deeper into what we saw Saturday, here are five takeaways from the Wolverines 37-point victory.

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Running quarterbacks are still an issue

Up tempo offenses have given the Wolverines fits in the past and Michigan struggled with it again a little bit on Saturday.

Yet, one of the things that caused the Michigan defense the most problems and what could be an issue moving forward, was the running quarterback. UCF signal caller Justin Holman didn’t do much on Saturday, but he ran seven times for 46 yards, while his backup also managed eight for 21 and that’s with sacks included.

That’s a total of 67 yards on 15 carries, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but trust me, J.T. Barrett is a lot better than Holman is and unless Michigan fixes that flaw in its defense, it’s one that could continue to cause fits.

When it came to defending the pass, the Wolverines were as good as ever. Both UCF quarterbacks managed just six completions as a team on 22 attempts. They totaled just 56 passing yards. But, when it comes to mobile quarterbacks, there is still work to do.

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Wilton Speight looks legit

Speight got his first season as the starting quarterback of Michigan football off to a good start last week against Hawaii and he built on it Saturday in the trouncing of UCF.

Speight was just 10-of-13 for 135 yards against the Rainbow Warriors, this week, the offense was on his shoulders and he delivered, completing 25-of-37 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns.

For much of the spring and fall, some had the idea that Speight would be nothing more than a game manager. A guy that could be counted on, not to screw it up.

Well, he is starting to get rid of that notion and if he can keep playing this way for the next few weeks, he may dispel it completely.

Obviously, having one of the most talented groups of pass catchers in the country helps, but hey, someone still has to get them the football.

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan is loaded at wide receiver and tight end

Coming into the season, we knew that the Wolverines were talented at both the tight end and wide receiver positions and through two games, that has proven to be true.

On Saturday, it was apparent once again that Jake Butt, Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson are all headed to the NFL next season and who knows, they might end up being early picks.

Darboh led the way for all the pass catchers in the game with eight catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns, one of which can been seen below.

Yet, Chesson also had a solid game for the Wolverines as Speight found him four times for 84 yards and Butt also got his work in, hauling in seven receptions for 86 yards and two scores.

With the way Speight is playing right now and the high level of play the Wolverines are getting from their receivers, it’s hard to imagine many teams be able to slow down this offense right now.

And with talented, young receivers like Grant Perry and Eddie McDoom emerging, things look like they will be good for some time.

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan football still has a lot of coals in the fire at running back

De’Veon Smith returned to the starting lineup this week for the Michigan offense, but once again he was less than stellar, rushing just 10 times for 38 yards.

Yet, even though Smith failed to impress, nobody else really did either. Chris Evans, the breakout star from the win over Hawaii, had a solid game, but was hemmed in and limited to just 35 yards on nine rushes.

As a team, the Wolverines managed a paltry 119 yards on 41 attempts. Of course, that has to do with both the running backs and the offensive line, which had some struggles against the Knights.

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However, the biggest takeaway here, as far as Michigan football is concerned, is that there is none and probably will be no true No. 1 back for this team all season.

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The defense while stout, still has room to improve

Going into the UCF game, I predicted that Michigan football would get the shutout against UFC, after giving up three points to Hawaii last week. But sadly, I was mistaken as the Wolverines surrendered two touchdowns.

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In addition allowing two touchdowns, which both came on long runs, the Wolverines should be ashamed that UCF, yes UCF, was able to compile 275 yards on the ground, out-gaining Michigan in that area by more than 150 yards.

There were still plenty of things to be happy about. Mike McCray was all over the place for the second straight week and the pass rush, even without Taco Charlton, was fierce. Jabrill Peppers also continues to make plays all over the field.

Yet, if Michigan does struggle to stop the run as the season goes on, especially with Wisconsin coming to the Big House soon, it could be an area of concern.

Right now, it’s hard to find things that need to improve for Michigan, but the one thing we all know is that after two cupcakes, the Wolverines need to be tested.

It’s anyone’s guess if that will come at home next Saturday against Colorado (1-0).

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