Grades: The D's here aren't for the Michigan football team's defense

OFFENSE It’s fair to wonder whether the Big Ten’s top-ranked offense was a product of Michigan playing poor defenses (Notre Dame, Eastern Michigan, Indiana) in light of Saturday’s performance. The Wolverines finished with 28 net yards rushing, had two turnovers and couldn’t move the ball with any regularity until the final five minutes of regulation. Grade: D

DEFENSE An improved pass rush forced three turnovers, but Michigan couldn’t stop MSU when it mattered. The Spartans had a 10-minute drive in the first quarter, converted a number of long third downs and nearly doubled their per-game rushing average with 197 yards. Grade: D SPECIAL TEAMS Jason Olesnavage was Michigan’s only offense in the first half, making two field goals, one into a stiff breeze. But the fake punt on fourth-and-inches deep in Michigan territory was a terrible call, read or both, and the Wolverines had a holding penalty on a kick return. Grade: D COACHING Even if Mesko decided to run the fake punt on his own, he shouldn’t have that option that deep in the field. Beyond that indefensible decision, Michigan was slow to adjust to a Spartan defense fixed on stopping the run, and Rich Rodriguez made questionable use of backup quarterback Denard Robinson. Grade: D Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.