Watching Michigan play pretty well against Alabama, what really sticks out to me is the offensive line. Those boys are big, strong, flexible and well-coached on their assignments. They are able to push the Alabama defense back or open up a hole.
Our O-line could do that against inferior competition, but against any team with at least an average defense, we just could not get a push downfield, nor open a hole with any consistency. So many, many of our runs were for a loss, no gain or just a yard. Until we get an O-line playing like these top 15 caliber bowl teams are putting on the field, we have to win by making no turnovers, no penalties, trick plays, whatever. Just lining up and going head to head, we are going to be a 6-6 or 7-5 team, regardless how talented our QBs, RBs and WRs are.
Oh, and notice how all these January bowl teams (or Texas last night) switch it up and go under center once in a while? Makes you think that is something to emulate as well!