Biggest surprise through first 5 games?

Mealer. I didn't have any idea he would go to center. Not only is he passable, he is doing a good job, which is pretty cool, being this is his first year in the position. People forget too quickly what a disaster the beginning of the VT game was when Molk was out. I think that Mealer and Lewan are doing a fine job. If the rest of the OL improves, this will help in many ways. Having a solid pocket allows Denard to pass (think, Funchess pass last game) and getting some push will open lanes for Fitz. All of these things start with Mealer.

The receivers have been much better than I expected, especially the Devins.

The RB's have done worse than expected, especially Fitz.

Seeing Mealer at C and Barnum at G ... and it's working

Ash and Black not being able to crack an already thin DL rotation.

Ross and Bolden getting legit P.T. with proven veterans in front of them.

Burning RJS's redshirt; and to a slightly less extent, Richardson's.

Gardner's relatively smooth, and effective, transition to WR, even so, not getting snaps at QB

they won 11 games last year. waiting for the bubble to burst, might not burst.

Aside from Taylor, I think QWash is the most surprising. In the preseason, folks were freaking out about the d-line, calling it the major question mark on the team, and QWash was entirely an afterthought. People were surprised and worried to hear that he was starting in the week before the Alabama game, shocked when they saw him getting significant penetration against ND, and now places in the Michigan blogosphere have posts titled "Quinton Washington for President."

I was really concerned given the opener but they seem to be giving denard enough time.  I know that we haven't gotten the backs going and part of that is on the OL but Denard is doing just fine on the ground.  This makes me think that defenses are forcing Denard to handoff.

This is my first double post, I swear.

We thought WR was a weakness, and it's actually pretty good.

We thought RB was a strength, and it's actually been quite weak.

those who list Funchess as the biggest single player surprise. The biggest game surprises for me were the extent of Alabama's complete dominance, and the turnover fest at ND. I still believe ND is so over-rated, and yet we marched on them and gave it away, over and over. sigh

After doing not much of anything in his first few years, I at least thought he was one of those Position Switch Starters = Doom types, but he's actually been really solid this year. Like way way better than I thought he'd be.

Funchess doesn't surprise me as much (possibly thanks to MGoBlog). We all knew there was opportunity to catch the ball. I just don't think I expected him to have such good hands. That behind the shoulder catch against Purdue was nasty

He might not be the biggest surprise, but Kwiatkowski is really helping at TE.  Great to see a walk-on work for all those years and then finish his career starting.  Nice story.

Kwiatkowski... getting it done...one play at a time.

the sheer horridness of denard's play in the nd game. for a guy who has caused unending nightmares for that team the last 2 years, he handed them the game in an atrocious fashion. maybe its karma, but that was easily the worst game of denard's career thus far. also, the devins have exceeded all my expectations.

Losing Countess early in the first game was a shock. I really thought he'd have a great season.

You knew it was coming, but I'm surprised by how well Gardner has played at reciever. Even with all the hype, I never really expected him to adapt to the position so well, he's getting noticeably better every game. 

Q Washington holding down the nose tackle position is great too. I was really worried about the lines and it looks like we will be ok if not good.

I've been surprised at times at how inflexible Borgess' play-calling has been.  He showed that tendency last year at times, so I'm surprised he didn't learn from it.

And agree with the surprise both at Funchess' talent, and the lack of utilization.  But I'm hoping they are saving him up for a big game like MSU where he will go off.

Single biggest surprise

• Devin Funchess. He looks like a prototypical NFL receiving TE in the making. Rarely does a 3-star recruit become an immediate impact player as a true freshman.

Honorable mention

• Mike Kwiatkowski. Coming into the season, TE was thought to be one of the biggest areas of concern for the offense. Those concerns have not just been alleviated, but obliterated.

• Ricky Barnum and Elliot Mealer. Starting Mealer at C and switching Barnum to G was thought to be a bad sign. Turns out both have been pretty solid at their respective positions. 

• Raymon Taylor. The kid is making the most of the opportunity.

• Jake Ryan. I knew he would be good. I didn't know he would turn into an emerging star.

• Quinton Washington. No one expected him to be Mike Martin after switching from the O-line, but he's playing the best football of his career right now. I think he'll finish with 3-5 sacks.   

Non-surprise

• Devin Gardner's emergence as a dependable WR shouldn't be surprising, since there was plenty of buzz about his receiving skills throughout the offseason (along with that infamous video). 

Disappointments

• Fitz. Because obviously.

• Will Cambpell. Yes, he's improved and has emerged as a dependable DT, but it looks like he'll never live up to the massive hype that he came in with. 

• Roy Roundtree. It's probably not fair since Funchess and Gardner are better suited for the offense that Borges is transitioning to, but it is what it is. I hope the coaches can find a way to get him more involved without decreasing the production from Funchess and Gardner. 

I was surprised at the utter lack of ability to stop Alabama's running game.  Even late in the game when they had a comfortable lead.  The Defense has recovered, but that was a surprise at the time.  Even with our questions on the DL.

I'm harkening back to Tim Sullivan's Friday nights lights thing. I remember an Inkster vs Highland Park game, where Tim was scouting Devin Gardner. I recall posters or Tim or both talking about a kid on Highland Park who was very athletic and why wasn't M looking at him. Lo and behold a few years later those two, Devin Gardner and Highland Park's own, Raymon Taylor, are two of M surprises of the 2012 season. Good work Tim

Does it surprise anyone that Taylor now seems to be a more highly regarded player than Hollowell?  When the 2011 recruiting class came in I thought it was Countess and Hollowell.  I am surprised coming into the season that Taylor has replaced Avery, although after seeing Taylor against Bama in the first game, I immediately thought he just looked quicker, more physical, and more athletic...not a knock on Avery, just a compliment on Taylor.  But, looking at recruiting class I thought Hollowell was the higher regarded recruit and am surprised now he seems to be burried on the depth chart as a guy that doesn't look like he'll ever be a starter.

Denard not really improving as a passer. I had hoped his second year in AB's offense would be similar to his second year in RR's offense.

I thought he would be a massive flop (yes, I can be a negative Nancy sometimes). But he has held his own. I'm impressed.

Gallon - dude comes up with the ball - for his size he's amazing.

Devin's - I'll take two Devin's on the field any day of the week.

 

Duds

Fitz - maybe he is a second half of the season kind of player

 

But I guess that Q's emergence as a solid NT has been the reason.