Michigan 33, Florida 17
Ty Isaac repeatedly broke into the open field. [Chris Cook]
The score doesn't do it justice.
Outside of two no good, very bad plays, Michigan put it on Florida. The Gators offense had no answer for Don Brown's defensive strategy, which was to bring heat from all angles around a three-man line, eschewing a DT in favor of speed an unpredictability. Two first-half pick-sixes by Wilton Speight, a bizarre illegal formation penalty that negated Michigan's first touchdown, and a blocked punt not only kept Florida around, however, but allowed them to take a 17-13 lead into halftime.
Eventually, the score reflected Michigan's dominance. The offense turned up the tempo on their opening drive of the second half, springing Ty Isaac free for 18 yards on a fourth-and-one to set up a Karan Higdon touchdown plunge. While the offense could only muster two Quinn Nordin field goals—and two Nordin missses—after that score, the defense hardly required help. They held the Gators to a total of 192 yards and capped the scoring when Noah Furbush dove on a fumble forced by Chase Winovich in the end zone.
Yes, the defense technically returned only one starter, and that starter, Mike McCray, missed a couple series early for reasons unclear. They hardly missed a beat, stiffening up in the red zone to hold Florida to a field goal on their first drive of the game, then outscoring UF's offense 7-0 the rest of the way. Maurice Hurst, Rashan Gary, and Chase Winovich made a three-man line feel a whole lot like a four-man line to the Florida offensive front; linebackers Devin Bush and Khaleke Hudson often flew into the backfield unimpeded; the young secondary didn't let anything get over the top. Michigan finished with six sacks, 11 TFLs, four forced fumbles (one on special teams on a great rip by Ambry Thomas), and five pass breakups. They were aggressive. Florida had problems.
Chase Winovich's strip-sack effectively ended the game. [Cook]
The offense would've fared nearly as well if not for those two Speight interceptions; the first bounced right to Duke Dawson off the hands of Kekoa Crawford, and the other sailed over an open Grant Perry into the hands of CJ Henderson on the ensuing possession. The next two drives were turned over to John O'Korn, who could only get Michigan into position for a 55-yard Quinn Nordin field goal.
Save for that stretch, Michigan moved the ball with regularity against a strong UF defense. Running back Ty Isaac put forth the best performance, rushing for 114 yards on only 11 carries, repeatedly breaking into the secondary as the coaches dialed up running plays on passing downs. With sacks removed, Michigan ran for 6.1 yards per carry, which kept the offense moving despite an uneven day in the passing game.
We saw flashes of what the aerial attack can look like. Tarik Black exploited a Florida bust for his first career receiving touchdown in the first half and added an impressive catch from O'Korn down the sideline; Grant Perry had a couple tough catches over the middle; Sean McKeon picked up a couple first downs on catch-and-runs; Nick Eubanks had a big play up the seam late to help seal the game. There are a lot of weapons, and while many of them are still getting acclimated to college ball, it's easy to see the potential.
Michigan overcame some self-inflicted adversity to get past their first of four major tests slated for this regular season. The next one, at Penn State, doesn't occur until mid-October. If the Wolverines hold this form while cleaning up some of the more heart-stopping mistakes, they have a great chance of heading into that game 6-0. Consecutive home games against Cincinnati and Air Force should allow them to carry this momentum into conference play.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:01 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:39 PM ^
I've watched Speight. He doesn't struggle to be mediocre. He ranges from mediocre-to-decent. He was mediocre today, but still made some important and crucial throws, and was at times let down by his receivers.
He's also a redshirt junior, which means he has development still to go. If you want compare/contrast, consider John Navarre at the same point in his career. At this time in 2002, John Navarre played an abominable game at Notre Dame that would make Speight look like a savant.
The ultimate goal is unlikely to be achieved this season due to the youth and development of the team. Next season? It's entirely reasonable to think that Michigan can win a title with Speight, who at that time should have almost two full seasons of development and refining, and will be surrounded by a team that is much stronger.
As it happens, Bama wins titles with Speight-level QBs all the time.
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:00 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:10 PM ^
Well, he has some tools. He understands the offense and knows the reads. That's the "command" we heard harped about regarding Peters. He is also calm and deals very well with his protection breaking down.
He is not above missing the occasional read, and his accuracy is inconsistent. For whatever reason, that inconsistency has so far been more pronounced away from home. But because it's inconsistency and not abject inadequacy, the possibility exists (whether it actually happens, I don't know) for him to improve significantly.
In a season I still believe will mostly be a stage setter for a run at a title next year, I'm fine with this. The chances are really good that our QB position is improved next season, and everything else will be, too.
September 2nd, 2017 at 11:22 PM ^
In my mind here is the problem, name one game against a great team that Speight played great? I am not saying, "good enough to win," but actually played great.
Colorado, Penn State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio State, Florida State, Florida...All average or worse QB peformances against the meat of the schedule.
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:55 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 2:54 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:05 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:29 PM ^
It's so easy for QBs to be overanalyzed to death for every mistake. Every QB on every team makes mistakes. Wilton demonstrates poise and confidence and does not let setbacks deter his cool. Decisions on the fly are very encouraging. Very happy he's our guy.
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:49 AM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:22 PM ^
Alabama and OSU win with QBs that are worse than Speight. A defense like this with a ground game and you are golden.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:54 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:58 PM ^
We need a better ground game to live like that.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:10 PM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:57 AM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 1:41 AM ^
don't think the offensive line is quite where it needs to be just yet.
September 3rd, 2017 at 11:37 AM ^
We were really good with an above average Jake Rudock by the end of '15. We are really good with an average Wilton Speight right now. What is this program going to look like when we have an excellent quarterback?
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:15 PM ^
I saw this game as a high-risk one for the reasons you stated. After watching the D perform, even if Florida had their suspended WR and RB I still think we win by at least a TD, maybe two if the flukey plays and turnovers don't occur.
September 3rd, 2017 at 1:45 AM ^
don't think they would have made any difference. Michigan was 5 touchdowns better than Florida.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:40 PM ^
When Florida couldn't settle on a QB I figured Brown would destroy them. But otherwise this wasn't the sort of game you should bet on because it was going to be sloppy, high variance and thus unpredictable. I didn't predict back-to-back pick-6s, but I knew some form of madness was going to happen, and hoo body it did.
I'm greatly relieved that Michigan settled down without Harbaugh going into a turtle shell, but he really couldn't afford to this time. The defense protected a 9-point lead until very late, and then put it away themselves. The offense moved the ball but only one TD was earned through execution. One was the coaches exploiting an opportunity when UF brought in a freshman safety who promptly busted, and the last TD was by the defense. Nordin attempted 6 FGs and three were 50+ yards. The ball moved, but in fits and starts.
As we expected, this is a rather volatile offense. The good news is that the good is reproducible and the bad is preventable, so overall the offense should improve over time, which is exciting, considering what they showed. But it's worrying the "veterans" like Crawford, Speight, O'Korn and Perry had the worst "WTF are you doing" moments.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:43 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:50 PM ^
I consider "execution" relevant when a play hinges on a player being asked to do something relatively difficult. Exploitation is the opposite, doing easy things because the opponent has a glaring weakness.
That TD pass was totally the perfect call, beautiful really, but it happened because the secondary completely lost track of Black. The pass itself was a relatively easy toss-and-catch and the coverage was hopelessly out of the play. I mean, the offense executed, but what they executed was relatively easy, which was the whole point of jumping on the secondary's disarray.
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:37 PM ^
but I might be exploiting a logical fallacy instead of executing sound reason.
September 3rd, 2017 at 2:39 PM ^
is simply making the play you are expected to make within the design of the play...nothing extraordinary about it.
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:57 AM ^
If they continue to play this well, off to the NFL they go.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:07 PM ^
Couple of things, first that ineligible reciever penalty was crap, and even everyone in the booth said so, second; I do not know if anyone else noticed that after that first drive of the second half the pro florida perspective in the booth disappeared, and they realized that Michigan was about to manhandle the boys form Gainsville.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:02 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:09 PM ^
The D is exciting. Speight still needs work. Love our RBs. The WRs and TEs are going to be special. The right side of the OL needs work.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:25 PM ^
right now, at least that is what Harbaugh thinks. I think he will be good enough with all the tools that he has around him.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:05 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:08 PM ^
I don't recall seeing him on the field at all, but did see him dressed on the sidelines.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:15 PM ^
He started the game but then they went with a 3 man line and played more of a 3-4 press scheme. Than and Hurst, Gary and Chase were eating the Florida OL for lunch, and not many long drives to need players to swap out.
Take out the last drive by UF and they only had 23 plays in the first half and 27 plays in the second half. VS UM 38 plays in first half and 43 in the second half
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:13 PM ^
But Dr. Blitz went 3-man front after the first series, I think.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:11 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:22 PM ^
There was a lot to like in this game - a young and ascendent defense with guys like Bush (a soph) playing lights out. As time went on our young DB's improved and were making plays on the ball. On the other side, behind a young offensive line our RB's played great - good ball control and strong running. And of course, one has to be optimistic by our FG even though it was indoors.
BUT, and it's a big BUT, I don't see any improvement in Speight from last year. It's the same ol', same ol', weird motion, high release, with no touch. His inability to throw, and deer in the headlight panic is not something one expects from a senior. People put the hate on JR, but he had solid fundamentals and was coming into a completely new system. Over time, he progressed and showed improvement. With Speight, I see nothing other than what it is and there is no way we can compete against Ohio, PSU, and sParty with these performances. Was he secretly playing for Florida? He scored more points for their offense than the Florida offense did. Tell me that I am wrong but unless this guy has a sudden "Happy Gilmore" moment, I see a lot of unhappy wolverines.
INSTEAD OF DOWN VOTING, REFUTE ANYTHING I SAID!
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:25 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:04 PM ^
September 3rd, 2017 at 2:49 PM ^
can be the same or different than panic. Speight's second pick and that wildly missed TD opportunity was total loss of composure. Games are won more by making a very high percentage of the routine plays that become available-than making the highlight reel.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:55 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 11:42 PM ^
Speight is a Senior. His playing eligibility is redshirt Junior. He also reclassified from a 2013 recruit to a 2014 recruit due to injury so he is an old redshirt junior.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:32 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:46 PM ^
One of the picks was flat out Crawford's fault. He had both hands on the ball and it actually was a great throw. 100 % on Crawford. Second one on Speight. Speight audibles and throws the ball over Crawford's head. Didn't really like that one. The one thing and probably the most important is that Florida probaly has the best or second best defense we play this year. The throw to Eubanks was a pro level throw dropped right in the bucket. Speight is also pretty smart. Not his best game, but against a very good defense he only gave up the one pick six. Can't even believe you put sparty on there. Yes I believe you will see better QB's in the future, especially McCaffery but Speight may just surprise you. I saw zero panic from Speight so consider yourself refutted.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:59 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:06 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:10 PM ^
I like Speight as a QB. His pocket presence and ability to extend plays is a real plus. His ability to run for the 1st down when necessary is a plus, with his supposed 23 lb weight drop he may be able to do that even more. He often puts the ball right where the receiver needs it.
But then he goes and overthrows his recievers at least a half-dozen times today, with the inevitable negative results. If he can clean that up and show much better consistency then he'll give us everything we need to win the big games this season.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:03 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:13 PM ^
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:20 PM ^
I beg to differ. Florida has a solid run defense but its secondary is average. Speight can't throw. He has a weird release and no touch and misses more consistantly than he hits. He panic's easily and is not very mobile and can't extend the play (he's no Ben). He went 11/25 for 181 yds and 2 pick 6's (one of which he owned) and -9 yds running. Zaire who was always pressured went 9/17 for 106.
This team is great, Sp8 is not and it is going to cost us.
September 2nd, 2017 at 8:28 PM ^
You say Speight is panicky but O'Korn had little pressure and still scrambled into pressure. This is the first game so we'll see they can get Speight cleaned up but to say O'Korn would be better with no evidence other than you just don't like Speight isn't "proof."
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:20 PM ^
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