What will you consider a positive sign from today's game?
With the settling in of BPONE and a schedule that's looking much more foreboding given the product we've seen, what are the specific things you're looking for out of today's game, other than the obvious comfortable W, to climb a little bit out of the pit?
I'm looking for three:
1) a fast, aggressive defense that doesn't miss a gap - a return to disciplined D that's not surprised or easily fooled by what they see
2) use of the outside WRs on every drive and at least 2 deep shots per quarter - it's well past time to be using the full field to stretch defenses, because they can
3) enthusiasm from Harbaugh that looks more like last year - so far he looks like he did year 3 where he clearly was uncomfortable with things and it's clear the players pick up on it (which also makes me think the blog needs a new banner; the confused look he has on this one now feels like bad juju)
September 28th, 2019 at 10:38 AM ^
I second that.
Even then, it doesn't mean everything is fixed, but it would definitely be a step in the right direction.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:50 AM ^
We've wailed on these guys before, but by the end of the season still felt disappointment. I would be happier with improved execution, getting up on them big and winning 35-0, getting the second and third stringers in there, and winning with character, then moving on to the next game.
September 28th, 2019 at 11:46 AM ^
correct ^
September 28th, 2019 at 12:21 PM ^
Not realistic - Rutgers isn’t that bad and M is not good
September 29th, 2019 at 11:20 AM ^
This post aged like milk.
September 28th, 2019 at 9:57 AM ^
No fumbles/TOs and looking competent...Shea making readings would be stellar
September 28th, 2019 at 10:20 AM ^
This. 100 times this.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:45 AM ^
That's what i was going to say. No turnovers.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:47 AM ^
A vague sense of competence?
September 28th, 2019 at 9:58 AM ^
That's the problem . . . there is nothing really positive you can take out of today's game. Only negative.
If we bury Ruttgers, we won't be sure it's not just a Rutgers thing.
The only positive thing is more practice in a game situation I guess.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:00 AM ^
I agree with you on the big picture and on the value of live reps. At a micro level, there should be (ideally) positive take-aways from week-to-week improvement.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:40 AM ^
Seriously, win 79-0 and it's dismissed by, "It's Rutgers."
Anyways, what I want to see is them taking steps that will allow them a better chance to beat a quality opponent next week.
I want to see D-Linemen over/inside the guards on short yardage situations.
I want to see the correct reads (hell, I want play calls that at least HAVE reads) from Patterson or whomever is in at QB.
I want something that makes me believe they can win quality games this year. Contrary to the rampant negativity, we saw things in the 2nd quarter against MTSU that give reason for optimism. We saw a run defense do what it had to do against Army; stopping dive plays for losses or 0-1 yards is damn tough. Keeping them to 2-3 yards without the big plays is really all you can ask from this group.
Give us something to believe in. How's that?
September 28th, 2019 at 10:43 AM ^
Sure we can. The positive we take from this game is that if we dominate Rutgers we can leave the torch and pitchforks in the garage for another week.
What we do on the field today (if positive) doesn’t translate to the rest of the season but it still counts for Rutgers and it means that things haven’t gotten worse(for a week anyway). At this point, that’s about as positive as things are going to get, but I’ll take it.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:46 AM ^
If they can dominate Rutgers, that shows that the talent can live up to what people believe. That is a positive.
If we can get Milton some reps and get starters to rest for second half, then that is positive. I mean, c’mon, people have completely gone to the depths of despair in the first three games, arguing that the team still lacks talent and coaching.
if they do what people thought they’d do, that is a positive, for all the negativity stems from them not living up to expectations.
September 28th, 2019 at 11:51 AM ^
I think it can be used to get the teams confidence back and smooth over some of the negative chatter.
September 28th, 2019 at 9:58 AM ^
No turnovers and a running game
September 28th, 2019 at 9:59 AM ^
1.) Cover the spread...because it's Rutgers
2.) Absolutely 0 turnovers
3.) No hits on Patterson/Milton dropbacks
4.) Signs of "speed in space" (i.e. flare screens, bubble screens, creative playcalls)
5.) Give up no more than one touchdown or 10 points total
September 28th, 2019 at 10:07 AM ^
September 28th, 2019 at 10:14 AM ^
Because they should be able to beat Rutgers by at least 28 points. Also, their record against the spread and margin of defeat against the spread recently is insane. It's a metric showing how disappointing they've been.
September 28th, 2019 at 11:48 AM ^
Because they should be able to beat Rutgers by at least 28 points.
But then:
Also, their record against the spread and margin of defeat against the spread recently is insane.
So what point are you making? Seems like you’re arguing against yourself; that the spread is important but also worthless all at the same time.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:08 AM ^
Well said.....
September 28th, 2019 at 10:16 AM ^
Stealing yours....
1, 4, 5, 3, 2
September 28th, 2019 at 10:27 AM ^
They are not going to cover the spread
September 28th, 2019 at 10:01 AM ^
I want to see some cockiness out of our team. Crush their souls and make sure they know it's coming. I'd be seriously disappointed if they didn't throw jump balls to our big guys.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:03 AM ^
I agree with 2 of your 3 sentences but I don't want them to be cocky. They don't have shit to be cocky about right now.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:08 AM ^
I get that but at some point you have to let go of the disaster last week. We need more of that dawg mentality on defense. Confidence is contagious
September 28th, 2019 at 10:56 AM ^
I'd rather them play cocky and confident than play knowing they're shit, which they likely are.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:39 AM ^
Cockiness?? No...I saw DPJ get cocky after two catches last week. One got him a personal foul, and the other was in a game in which Michigan was getting hammered.
I hope to see a very easy win with no turnovers, and the team keeping their mouths shut, because they're beating Rutgers.
September 28th, 2019 at 11:58 AM ^
Confidence, not cockiness. There is a difference.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:01 AM ^
Patterson takes the field wearing the prescription eyeglasses he obviously lost over the summer.
September 28th, 2019 at 11:32 AM ^
Or he comes off the field after over throwing a wide open receiver on third down and Harbaugh gives him his Woody glasses to wear and he lights it up, like the goalie in Kicking and Screaming
September 28th, 2019 at 10:01 AM ^
No turnovers would be great.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:02 AM ^
Nothing. This is Rutger. Whipping them will be as telltale as Maryland ‘s first two games were telling. See that Maryland PSU score?
September 28th, 2019 at 10:10 AM ^
If we put up similar stats as PSU did last night, I'd be less pessimistic.
Sean Clifford was 26/31 with almost 400 yards and ran it at 7+ YPC - if Shea could even come close to that (read: completion percentage above 70% on 25+ throws and 300+ yards) I'd maybe look up from the bottom of BPONE and see if there's some glimmer of light above.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:12 AM ^
I disagree. Since this is just Rutger they need to come out firing on all cylinders. We need to see a competent offense, multiple play drives that stretch the field and our playmakers and offensive line showing up.
That would be something to build on. They really haven’t had much to build on in the 3 games they’ve played so far.
Getting some confidence before playing the Fighting Ferentz’ would be good because Iowa is going to be physical. Need some kind of confidence before that game.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:13 AM ^
Locksley and Gattis are yet more proof that when you recruit like Alabama does, there is a really really really really really really really really really (really) big margin of error.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:47 AM ^
That's an understatement.
September 28th, 2019 at 11:27 AM ^
Wow, even ped state 2nd / 3rd string defense shutout Maryland. Don brown, did you see that?
BTW, FUCK ped state and all their delusional joepa loving fans and all the paternos and field goal franklin!!!
September 28th, 2019 at 10:04 AM ^
1.) The offense from the second quarter of MTSU returns and it looks smooth. Lots of deep shots and we score with ease.
2.) Quarterbacks run the ball effectively.
3.) Charbonnet runs for over 100 yards at 6 ypc.
4.) The interior defensive line looks stout and the freshman look like serviceable backups at least.
5.) No fumbles.
6.) The defense dominates.
It's just Rutger, but we haven't been able to execute a full game yet on offense. Let's make it happen.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:05 AM ^
Coming within 14 pts of the spread.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:06 AM ^
A good sign would see the #2 ranked defensive tackle mazi Smith actually get decent minutes...
Every other school in the country finds a way to get their top prospects playing time, yet we have a fucking fullback playing tackle
Also what the fuck happened to Luiji ? I know he's been hurt first couple of years, but seeing chase young dominate is fucking sad when they both were in the same class
September 28th, 2019 at 10:43 AM ^
Yeah, I'm with you on Smith. I get that typically most freshman suck and DT is a very tough position but other teams do it and when the alternative is a converted fullback it becomes very worrisome.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:07 AM ^
Milton throwing the ball well is about it.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:07 AM ^
No injuries.
Everything else, save major changes to coaching personnel and/or philosophy, is meaningless in a Rutgers scrimmage.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:07 AM ^
Me not watching.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:07 AM ^
1. No turnovers on offense.
2. A solid downfield attack, that opens up the run game.
3. Emotionally fired up o-line.
4. Dominate defensive line
September 28th, 2019 at 10:08 AM ^
Offense- some explosion. 7 TDs.
defense- I want to see 3+ sacks and 8+ TFLs, my biggest concern through 3 games defensively has been the lack of negative plays they are forcing.
September 28th, 2019 at 10:08 AM ^
Not fumbling on the first drive