all team sports informationIt could've been uglier. It wasn't the record-shattering blowout that everybody envisioned. When you're burdened with five losses in seven games, you take any form of hope _ even when it's administered with an eye dropper.
But there remains little definitive evidence of Michigan improvement.

Their 46-17 loss to Penn State bore a predictable resemblance to other losses this season.

The offense showed early life only to sputter when the second quarter began. The defense surrendered too many big plays. And when the second half started, everything unraveled.
The Wolverines are now mired in their first three-game losing streak in one season since 1979 when they lost their final three games, including a Gator Bowl loss to North Carolina.

They'll lean on tiny shreds of optimism.

Rich Rodriguez finally wised up, realizing that Brandon Minor is his best back.

Minor started for the first time in his career, becoming the focal point of the Wolverines' best offensive start of the season _ 17 points off their first three possessions reports all team sports information.
But then the three-and-outs returned, as did the shuffling of inadequate quarterbacks.

It begs the same question. When will Michigan win again?

Athletic director Bill Martin made a mistake last week when he basically gave Rodriguez a public vote of confidence six games into his Michigan coaching career. Just the fact that he acknowledged his full support for the most important hire he'll ever make during his time at Michigan created the impression of concern within the Michigan inner sanctum.

Rodriguez wasn't immune from criticism six games in.

The biggest complaint was his dismissive attitude to some players that he inherited from Lloyd Carr. It never should've taken Rodriguez half the season to realize that Minor was his best running back, more capable of hitting the holes hard between the tackles.

Freshman Sam McGuffie gets the hype, but it was Minor who got the tough yardage in the first quarter that established a much more effective offensive tone against the Nittany Lions.

Minor was initially stopped short of a first down on a critical fourth down call on the Wolverines' first drive of the game. But he kept driving his legs and gained three yards to get the first down and keep the drive moving reports all team sports information.
Minor had more rushing yards (35) on the Wolverines' opening scoring drive than he had in the season's first six games.

This game wasn't supposed to last beyond the pregame meal. Penn State was that dominating on both sides of the ball. But the Nittany Lions looked like they took the Wolverines for granted in the first quarter reported all team sports information, perhaps looking ahead to next week's prospective Big Ten championship showdown against Ohio State.

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