Somehow, Michigan Hanging With OSU

It took Michigan 21 minutes to get a first down in the Horseshoe on Saturday afternoon - and yet, heading into halftime the Wolverines are within a touchdown of No. 10 Ohio State.

The Buckeyes had a slow start as well on Saturday, with Terrelle Pryor throwing a terrible interception on OSU's first drive, setting up Michigan in the Buckeyes' red zone. But, highlighting Michigan's offensive issues today (and all season), the Wolverines could not put any points on the board.

Ohio State broke through twice later on, both on big plays. Beanie Wells burst through the Michigan line for a 59-yard TD run, and a couple possessions later Pryor hit Brian Hartline for a 53-yarder and a 14-0 lead. After Michigan stuffed Ohio State on a 4th-and-3 from the Wolverines' 35, though, Michigan responded - turning its first first down into a long touchdown drive.

Still, Michigan's issues are on display again. And Pryor has had a couple more freshman moments than we're used to seeing.

First, the Wolverines. Running back Brandon Minor has been really the lone bright spot for the bumbling Michigan attack. On that touchdown drive, he found some space for a 36-yard run, then punched in a TD on fourth-and-goal from the one.

But anything Minor's getting - and anything Michigan does on offense - is basically happening in spite of quarterback Nick Sheridan. The Wolverines finally picked up that initial first down on a great effort by receiver Martavious Odoms, and Michigan basically stuck to the ground after that. Say what you will about Rich Rodriguez's coaching missteps this year, but it's pretty apparent that he's working against a gigantic obstacle minus a competent QB.

Speaking of competent quarterbacks, Pryor completed one of his poorer halves of the year, hitting on just 3-of-8 passes. Of course, the long post route bomb to Hartline was good for a TD, so that's bumping his stats up, but Michigan appeared to fluster him early.

Not only did the Wolverines get that very early pick off Pryor, but they've attacked him repeatedly and put him on the ground - not an easy thing to do. Pryor had seven rushes for negative-three yards in that first half - definitely well below his normal rushing proficiency.

We'll have to see if the Michigan defense can keep that up for another 30 minutes. Even if the Wolverines do that, the offense will have to muck together a couple more scoring drives. Hard to believe that will happen, but there's at least a little life for the maize and blue.