There is hardly reason to celebrate this Michigan football team,
given its 1-2 play in its past three games. But despite not being
able to play for a national championship and for being on the brink
of elimination from the Big Ten title, there have been some good
things about these Wolverines halfway through the season.

Quarterbacks: B

Starter John Navarre was a "B" going into this season, and guess
what? He still is. Navarre's numbers (248.3 yards/game and 11
touchdowns) would suggest "A" or "A-", but unfortunately a
quarterback is judged by one thing: Wins. Navarre is four of six in
that department - hence the continual "B" that will follow him
around until he can produce two or three more victories like last
season's Outback Bowl. Backup Matt Gutierrez has played a very
limited role, but looks to be the heir apparent to Navarre.
Gutierrez has yet to even attempt a deep ball, leaving that the
only question of his talent thus far.

Runing backs: A-

Yes, Chris Perry is no longer the Heisman Trophy-winning back
that fans wanted him to be. But even despite the lesser stats in
the past few weeks, Perry has been producing even more than he
should (see offensive line). Backup David Underwood has settled in
at the No. 2 role, but his absence from bigger games like Oregon
and Iowa is noticeable. Pierre Rembert has seen quality time in
blowout wins and on special teams to return kicks.

Wide receivers: A

This is the most flashy, modest and under-ranked position on the
team. Explosive Braylon Edwards has done what he was advertised to
do: Make plays (36 receptions and six touchdowns). Jason Avant has
quietly made a name for himself with just two drops and 397 yards
in five games. Then there is soft-spoken Steve Breaston. The
redshirt freshman has taken the Wolverine nation by storm with his
punt returns and speed out of passing routes. Yet, as last week
against Iowa showed, teams are now focusing a lot of attention in
stopping the young phenom. Breaston's end-arounds and punt returns
were hardly a factor. The senior trio of Calvin Bell, Tyrece Butler
and Jermaine Gonzales have all played limited roles and will
probably stay in those roles for the rest of the season. Tight end
Tim Massaquoi has not been involved with Michigan's offense when
compared to past players at the position. Massaquoi's second-half
emergence will be a key if Michigan can reestablish its play-action
as its dominant form of pass, rather than just the straight
drop-back or shotgun at the end of the game.

Offensive line: C+

In all reality, this line is better than a "C+" but in terms of
expectations, Michigan's big nasties up front have had their share
of problems as of late. The line has allowed just nine sacks, but
seven of them have come in the Wolverines' two losses. And in those
games, Michigan managed just 71 net yards rushing. All the
300-yard-plus rushing performances against the cupcakes this year
won't make up for that.

Defensive front seven: A-

Michigan has answered the call all season, shutting teams down
when it needs to (i.e. getting the ball back for the offense to at
least attempt a comeback drive against Oregon and Iowa). The only
knock on this squad is its lack of game-changing plays. Defensive
end Larry Stevens has one safety, but the Wolverines have managed
just two fumble recoveries in six games. While the Wolverines have
just 15 sacks, they have forced opposing quarterbacks to throw the
ball away due to pressure at least five times each game - a
statistic not usually blown up enough.

Defensive secondary: B+

The Marlin Jackson experiment in the safety position has been a
success. Jackson, with Ernest Shazor, has been lighting up any
opposing wide receiver that tries to come over the middle, and both
are partly responsible for allowing just two touchdowns in the air
this season. Jeremy LeSueur has been a pleasant surprise at
cornerback for Michigan fans. He and opposite corner Markus Curry
have combined for nine pass deflections and three interceptions.
Depth at the corner position is a concern, though. No one beside
Leon Hall has seen much playing time - a problem given LeSueur's
recent injury to his left arm. There is plenty of depth at safety,
though, as Jacob Stewart has been seeing lots of quality game time.
Underclassmen Willis Barringer, Prescott Burgess and Ryan Mundy
have all been getting some action this season in preparation for
when their time comes. Like the defensive front seven, the only way
this crew improves its grade is to begin making plays for their own
scores or to set up easy offensive scores.

Special teams: C-