Backup QB
Harbaugh has made clear that he would like to keep Joe Milton’s red shirt this year. If I understand correctly he’s only played in one game. I’d like to see him play this week assuming we have the opportunity to use the backup. That would give him the ability to play next week as well and then have some experience for OSU assuming we need a backup (hopefully not). If he isn’t needed at OSU (or maybe Indiana) then he can still play in the Bowl game(s). One thing to consider is the possibility of two playoff games. I don’t think we ca beat OSU or compete in the Playoffs with Peters, unless the defense completely carries the team.
Any thoughts on how we should manage the issue of the backup now with Dylan out for the season?
November 5th, 2018 at 12:17 PM ^
Milton is not and will not be ready to play against OSU if Shea gets injured. This isn't a Tua situation--Milton completed 49% of his passes as a HS senior. It's Peters or nothing if Shea goes down.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:20 PM ^
Harbaugh just said that he’s being considered for the backup job this week. Also, Peters does not make us a competitive team in my view. I think Milton is a real possibility. Especially considering the fact that Peters has been passed by Dylan this year. I have no info, but, I’m concerned that he may have mentally checked out already this season and may not be mentally ready.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:25 PM ^
You have no info, but just assume a player has checked out and lacks the mental, I don't know, toughness for the team (which is effectively what you said)?
Sometimes I wonder why people think shitting on college athletes is cool just because they're unlikely to actually run into them.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:28 PM ^
I’m not shitting on the kid. But, in a day in age where it is the norm to transfer in a situation like his, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to consider the fact that he may be considering transferring. If that’s his frame of mind, a real possibility, then it’s fair to at least consider how focused he has been on his role with the team.
November 5th, 2018 at 1:02 PM ^
I think you have the motivation backwards. If Peters is thinking transfer, he absolutely wants a chance to light up some poor defense with Michigan's current offense. Could be the difference between transferring to a MAC school, or a program like LSU or UCLA with a chance to start. For that reason alone, I hope he gets a chance to shine after a game is in the bag. Dude deserves something for being a live tackling dummy last season.
November 5th, 2018 at 1:10 PM ^
Peters might very well be planning to transfer at the end of the year. Assuming that is true AND the M staff knows it....
To end up at the best school BP needs to show off his skills.
This game has been circled ALL year as THE game that he would get significant time (whether as 2nd or 3rd string) so I am sure he has been getting ready for it.
It also behooves M-recruiting/Harbaugh that his "cast-offs" succeed elsewhere post-Michigan, so I am sure they have been pushing him to stay sharp as well.
Prepping for time to show-out as a potential transfer is no different than normal game prep as far as I know. Number of reps with the Ones would vary based on depth chart but now that he is the nominal backup he has 2 weeks before OSU to shake off any rust.
We will be fine. We aren't guaranteed an L against OSU with either backup imo. However, we have very little chance versus 'Bama even with Shea. Chances approach zero with anyone else.
PS - It's "Day and Age"
November 5th, 2018 at 3:24 PM ^
You absolutely did shit on the kid. It's like when someone says "no disrespect, but..."
Just because you said the words (and after the fact, at that) "I'm not shitting on the kid", doesn't negate what you said.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:34 PM ^
"shitting on ____ is cool just because they're unlikely to actually run into them."
you just described the internet, friend :)
November 5th, 2018 at 1:21 PM ^
and some dark dark porn sites
November 5th, 2018 at 3:19 PM ^
I remember sitting in NUBS in the early 90's cruising different usenet groups. Back then, I was young and naive, and I was thinking 'Wow, with the way the internet is exploding people will be able to share ideas, and the best will rise to the top. This country will experience an explosion of productivity as people are able to use the internet as a sounding board to sniff out bad political actors and the marketplace of ideas really works for us to find truth....
I also was eagerly awaiting the next version of netscape, couldn't understand how anyone would think Amazon could beat Borders, a little jealous of the guy who brought his zip drive with him, and I was *SURE* that that one girl who lived on South Main was THE ONE....
I laugh at myself back then.
November 5th, 2018 at 3:07 PM ^
Peters himself said last year that he "kinda checked out" when he was told he was going to be third string. It was a Buamgardner article that was put out last year. I don't think its totally unfair to be worried about that.
November 5th, 2018 at 4:44 PM ^
Exactly. Good grief people. Enough with the player social justice warrioring. Nobody berated the kid. They merely suggested that his mental state of awareness could be in question, given the fact that it’s already happened once before.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:29 PM ^
Wow, you do more with no information than most people do. Pretty impressive.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:59 PM ^
He/she is probably on a ballot tomorrow.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:34 PM ^
Because you have seen Peters play with a serviceable OLine? I haven't seen it, and until I do, I will refrain from criticizing his play. Especially when he is still a member of the team, and last time I checked, he is.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:44 PM ^
Good point. With our current run game he wont have to pass a lot. Just don't turn the damn ball over is all we ask.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:49 PM ^
I hope Peters revenges this post, hopefully in garbage time.
November 5th, 2018 at 2:27 PM ^
Personally, I believe Peters or whoever the back-up(s) will get in significant work over the next two weeks.
I expect as soon as we get 2-3 scores ahead, Harbaugh will replace Shea. Less time in = Less chance to get injured.
I expect mass replacements or at least very deep rotations at the earliest opportunity for all the starters. I wouldn't be surprised by 2nd quarter if we are 3 tds up.
November 5th, 2018 at 1:53 PM ^
Exactly this. I think most rational observers would have said Peters might have been enough to win versus OSU last year, with a far less developed O-Line. The last two years, M has outcoached OSU significantly and even serviceable QB play could have won that game. If Peters has remained sharp in practice and the film room, it wouldn't be ideal, but the kid can win us that game, especially with how our O-Line has evolved.
November 5th, 2018 at 10:41 PM ^
Not shitting you, but “Exactly this” is not a sentence, and is a dumb way to start replies. Just say “I agree” instead.
Thanks.
November 5th, 2018 at 3:05 PM ^
From a decent sample size, a think a sample size big enough to draw some conclusions / strong opinions, Peters is nothing more than a game manager. He isn't going to make any plays with his legs that Shea or McCaffrey can. He isn't going to light a defense up. You just hope he doesn't lose you the game.
November 5th, 2018 at 3:12 PM ^
Alabama won NCs year over year with game managers.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:57 PM ^
I still believe we beat OSU with Peters last year. Peters, behind a functional OL and running game can beat OSU this year.
He might not be as mobile as Patterson, McCaffrey or Milton, but they can still use read option with him to help open running lanes. He might be very effective also because they wouldn't expect read option with him.
November 5th, 2018 at 1:01 PM ^
I think Peters is better than the board is assessing him. He made some mistakes last year, was hurt, and in an offense that didn't help him out that much. I think he would do better this year, which should be enough to win all things considered.
November 5th, 2018 at 1:11 PM ^
Peters is more mobile than people perceive. Is he known to have the best dunk?
November 5th, 2018 at 3:06 PM ^
None of us has seen Peters play with a competent OL in front of him. I’m going to think outside the box and let JH decide who gives us the best chance to win.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:22 PM ^
We were also told that Milton was a pocket passer and guess what happens during his 2-3 plays? Yup, designed runs.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:49 PM ^
Idk where people get the impression that Peters is bad and unplayable. Sure, he's not as good as Shea or DMac, but he's not unplayable. He completed 53% of his passes last year and looked very average with very young receivers and a bad OL. Throw in another year of development and I think he'll be better.
November 5th, 2018 at 1:14 PM ^
Yeah this offense is light years ahead of the one Peters was working with last year. I think he will do well if given the chance. I actually think with the WRs and TEs available now, this offense is built for a qb like Peters.
November 5th, 2018 at 6:37 PM ^
He does throw a pretty, accurate pass. It's the manner in which he gets turnovers that is concerning. But maybe with the better running game this year there would be less on his mind.
November 5th, 2018 at 2:23 PM ^
Let's be realistic. If we lose Patterson, we're screwed. Neither Peters or Milton has enough experience to beat any playoff level team.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:17 PM ^
Guys, Peters isn't THAT bad. Yes, he's more of a pro style and won't be as effective with RPO, but I have to imagine he's better than a true FR with accuracy issues.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:22 PM ^
I agree that Peters isn’t too bad. I just think we are in trouble if he’s needed in a close game or to start a game.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:28 PM ^
We didn't have a functional offensive line last year. Bad form dissing our backup QB based on little to no knowledge. With a functioning line, experienced WRs and another year of experience in the system Peters will do great if called upon.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:32 PM ^
I totally agree with you West Quad
November 5th, 2018 at 12:46 PM ^
this is true of just about every backup quarterback in the country.
November 5th, 2018 at 1:58 PM ^
You think that we'd be in trouble with a RS sophomore, but in less trouble with a true freshman?
November 5th, 2018 at 12:24 PM ^
Seriously. The recency bias on Peters is nuts. He looked solid trending towards good until he got hurt. Odds are, if Shea goes down we're screwed, but it's not like that probably wasn't the case with DCaf either.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:33 PM ^
Let's also keep in mind that the OL and WRs last year were a shitshow. It wasn't just Peters; Speight had a year of pretty decent starting experience and he looked bad too before getting hurt. I'd bet that if we were forced to play Peters for extended time this year, he'd be a lot better than last year.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:48 PM ^
What was great about <100 yards and .5 TDs a game?
52% completion percentage. Those are the numbers we have made fun of Lewerke, Hornibrook, and McSorely for putting up.
November 5th, 2018 at 1:26 PM ^
He was 36 for 63 (57%), 4 TD, 0 INT in the 4 games where he played meaningful time before he got hurt. Given our OL and pass pro last year, that's the definition of solid.
Also, where in the hell are you getting the 0.5 TDs/game. Are you counting games he's come in in garbage time or something?
November 5th, 2018 at 3:21 PM ^
You've got it backwards. Lewerke completed 25%, not 52%. Hornibrook and McSorley wish they got close to 50%, even 40% would have been an improvement.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:35 PM ^
We would've beaten OSU with Peters last year and there's a good chance we hold on to beat Wisconsin, too if he isn't injured.
November 5th, 2018 at 1:16 PM ^
"and there's a good chance we hold on to beat Wisconsin, too if he isn't injured."
That and if a B1G reply official actually looks at the television camera on the touchdown review to see the difference between a left foot coming down first versus both feet coming down simultaneously.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:39 PM ^
Serious question - are people here actually saying RPO when they mean read option? The only thing we've ran that I recall looking like an RPO is the touchdown to Gentry this weekend.
November 5th, 2018 at 1:27 PM ^
To be fair, you need mesh point for RPO, so it does kinda imply read option with a QB threat to run.
November 5th, 2018 at 1:39 PM ^
I don't think we've seen much RPO, but if they're going to run it, they're setting up for it and probably saving it for OSU. You're right that we really haven't seen much true RPO this year, but I'd be surprised if we don't see it down the stretch.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:45 PM ^
Earlier this season at one of his pressers, I believe JH talked about how Shea, Dylan and Brendon were all doing very well with RPOs. All of them have been practicing for this. Let’s give BP the benefit of the doubt before we slam him.
From all accounts, it was really close between him and DCaff in the fall. DCaff got the reps in early games because BP was injured, then did well enough to earn the backup position.
Let’s assume that BP has progressed since last year and would do a fine job if he were called on to come into the game.
November 5th, 2018 at 12:52 PM ^
Don't we also assume we'll be getting a pretty good look at Peters in the next two weeks; fingers-crossed those games work out well for us, we'd anticipate the 2nd string QB getting some, if not a lot, of run in at least one of those games, and we'll have a much better sense of Peters' skills and progress after last year with a better OL...
November 5th, 2018 at 6:44 PM ^
I doubt Peters has gotten many reps in practice and the only pass he threw this year was picked in the end zone.