By Gennaro Filice, SI.com 

Michigan trails Utah 22-10 at the half, and the Wolverines are lucky it's even that close.

Predictably, the Michigan offense has struggled. Former walk-on Nick Sheridan (who beat out Steven Threet for the starting QB job), ran Rich Rodriguez's spread with relative aplomb through the first few drives, but then the offense completely stalled. And Sheridan, who definitely possesses a walk-on arm, threw an unforgivable interception with less than two minutes in the half. Utah took advantage of the miscue, scoring with 18 seconds left in the second quarter.

But Michigan's ineptitude on the offensive side of the ball was expected. The surprising aspect of this one is the lackluster performance by Michigan's defense. Loaded with talent up front and at both corner spots, the Wolverines' D was supposed to carry this team through the first half of the season. Utah QB Brian Johnson enjoyed a prolific first half, completing 15-of-23 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown. If the Utes didn't settle for field goals on three straight drives, this game would be much more lopsided.

For Michigan to have a chance in the second half, Tim Jamison, Brandon Graham and the rest of the Michigan D-line must get to Johnson. With the way this offense is running, the Wolverines D may have to pitch a second-half shutout.