This Week’s Obsession: Improvement Week
THIS ARTICLE HAS A SPONSOR: When I need advice with planning my finances I use Nick Hopwood, our MGoFinancial Planner from Peak Wealth Management. Then he sends me breakdowns of what he learned from going to hear one of Michigan’s coaches speak.
That’s not how our deal is supposed to work. Our deal is Nick is the guy I go to for financial strategies, and he gets to ask us Michigan questions on your behalf. Anytime it’s a Nick question, we’ll let you know. Anytime you’ve got a financial question, let Nick know. And while you’re at it, if you also have Michigan question you’d like to be given the full MGoBlog treatment, well, Nick’s buying!
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Nick’s Question:
Biggest change you hope comes through during the bye week?
Brian: All of these answers are going to be about the offense because the defense doesn't need to improve. It can only go down.
BiSB: I can say a defense thing if we really need one.
Seth: More blood? They should turn the blood code on.
Brian: No need.
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Brian: Anyway, mine is Hello Donovan Peoples-Jones. With Black out and Crawford scuffling Michigan turned to Grant Perry and Nate Schoenle as outside targets two weeks ago, and this was fine. Both guys got open underneath for some catch-and-runs; both were reliable targets with good hands.
Neither really threatens to blow the top off a defense, and that's where DPJ comes in. If Michigan is going to get safeties out of the box they're going to have to be more reliable at getting behind them when they get more aggressive, and DPJ is their best bet in that department. He's got everything except the precision, and even that lack of precision is manageable on fly routes. Put the fear of God in the opponent and underneath stuff will open up, like magic. No time like the present for DPJ against MSU's questionable secondary and aggressive safeties.
[The rest of our Wish List after the jump]
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Seth: I think we all want to see them learn how to run inside zone correctly consistently. We've seen a ton of zone so far this year--like it's now their base running play. And we've seen it get very close to being executed correctly, but with too many easily fixable mistakes, e.g. Onwenu leaving for the next level while Ulizio still needs help.
The counters to zone already work well: they're not a bad Power team now that opponents aren't squaring off on it, Duo is a Harbaugh specialty, and the crack sweep game is a fleshed out package unto itself. Just get the base play down and we're in business.
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David: I would like to see better Pass Pro.
The most frustrating part of the whole experience is that it has been hard to pinpoint the fulcrum of this problem. While there are definitely have been issues on the right side of the line, Kugler, Bredeson, and even 4th year starter Mason Cole have all had issues at one time or another. While its been somewhat expected that the tight ends -sans Wheatley- would struggle blocking, watching the RBs misidentify blitzers has also been both frustrating and puzzling. Evans is still rather young and slight of build, but both Isaac and Higdon have had a couple of years in this system (and watching De'Veon Smith). Perhaps communication has been the issue or the protection schemes have changed, either way there have been too many free runs into the backfield. Michigan has already lost a starting quarterback for a significant portion of time. They do not need to get down to Brandon Peters. Because he's the worst.
Hopefully, an extra week of practice and more devoted time to some fundamentals will shore up some of the issues. If not, M could be in for a tough road on offense when the schedule picks up in a couple weeks.
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Seth: Okay I looked online and if Bush does the following pre-snap motion: Down, Up, Left, Left, A-gap, Right, Down, we get this screen:
But I can’t find Blood Mode on it.
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BiSB: Right now, it feels like the only things that is working reliably in the passing game are mesh, waggles, and John O'Korn Running In Circles Until Something Happens. I don't know how to fix that, but I'd like to see more of the *Promised Pep Hamilton Passing Revolution*. We were expecting to see the backs get much more involved in the passing game this year, and to see more 4- and 5-wide and empty formations. However, if anything, Michigan's backs are *less* involved in the passing game, at least as receivers. Last year Michigan's backs averaged about 4 receptions and 4.8 targets per game. This year, those number are 1.5 catches and 2.5 targets per game. This is especially glaring given how mediocre the backs have been in pass protection. keeping DeVeon Smith in to block made some sense. Ty Isaac might help a bit more lined up in the slot.
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Adam: I'd like to see an improved kickoff return unit. There were some blocking issues the first couple of weeks that left the returners with few choices once they had secured the ball, and now that the returners have more time they're making questionable-to-bad decisions that have cost Michigan at least 30 yards of field position.
Crawford's performance against Cincinnati was fine, but he followed that with an Air Force game in which he made a bad decision to take it out of the end zone and a bad open-field read of his blocking. They trotted him out to field touchbacks in the first half against Purdue before trying Ambry Thomas on the opening kick of the second half, and he promptly fielded, hesitated, and carried the ball out with six Purdue players inside the 20-yard line. There's some reason for optimism since "don't carry it out when you're six yards deep in the end zone and can clearly make out the uniform manufacturer's logo on the opponents' jerseys" seems very teachable, but it's a lesson all of Michigan's returners could use.
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Seth: Okay I figured it out. During the first quarter you need to get TFLs from gaps in the following sequence: A-B-A-C-A-B-B.
That turns on blood mode.
October 6th, 2017 at 10:36 AM ^
MOAR BLOOD!
October 6th, 2017 at 10:39 AM ^
Mattison looks thrilled to be in the sponsor picture.
October 6th, 2017 at 10:41 AM ^
October 6th, 2017 at 11:15 AM ^
NES reference. +1
October 6th, 2017 at 11:55 AM ^
It's a Konami reference (which includes Contra) and is used for two player mode. The standard single mode version is the same without the Select Button being pressed.
October 6th, 2017 at 12:20 PM ^
They're expecting that, so these days if you input that sequence instead of getting 30 extra plays your QB self-destructs. Remember Speight @ Iowa?
Also, it's just a quibble, but you don't need to input "BA" twice, and football is an 11-player game so you have to hit Select another nine times before hitting Start, but you need a vastly overpriced peripheral that allows you to connect 10 controllers to the 1P port. We couldn't find one, but rumor has it Don Brown used our pizza money to buy a Game Genie on eBay and simply gave Devin Bush max speed.
October 6th, 2017 at 10:45 AM ^
October 6th, 2017 at 10:50 AM ^
October 6th, 2017 at 11:19 AM ^
I'd like more than one, but only after safties.
October 6th, 2017 at 10:51 AM ^
Nick, I need Estate Planning services and am not in Michigan (or the Midwest, if that matters). Do you do that? Specifically, I'm looking into the best way to transfer assets to my kids, while minimizing taxes and am not sure what the best investments are (traditional vs. whole life...). Thanks!
October 6th, 2017 at 11:36 AM ^
Sell everything to them for a dollar.
Hope they don't abandon you in a rat infested old folks home.
October 6th, 2017 at 12:05 PM ^
October 6th, 2017 at 12:24 PM ^
1. Whole life insurance - get as big a policy as you can afford from the highest quality life company you can find. Cash value grows with the market and payout is free upon death.
2. Rental properties - when you die the cost basis gets reset and your heirs can sell tax free.
3. Max out the annual gifts to them and any grandkids if you have them.
4. If you have your own company, hire them and max out retirement accounts. I have colleagues who do this when their kids are 16 - hire them for the summer at minimum wage but then can max out their retirement account contributions. Compounding interest, tax free, will do amazing things for them.
5. Pay for their education (and any expenses you can stomach) for as along as you can afford it so they are debt free.
October 6th, 2017 at 2:06 PM ^
734-681-7575 or [email protected]
I work with people nationwide and look forward to speaking with you!
October 6th, 2017 at 11:03 AM ^
ummm...maybe mattison doesn't trust nick?
October 6th, 2017 at 2:08 PM ^
LOL, he doesn't look happy to you? I took a second pic hoping he would smile and it didn't turnout either.
October 6th, 2017 at 2:27 PM ^
Does he know the image is being used for promotional purposes? Frankly, the picture makes me think more of an autograph hunter than a financial advisor.
October 6th, 2017 at 8:07 PM ^
We were at the U of M Club of Ann Arbor on Monday at lunch. Each week we have a member of the football staff as a speaker as well as a coach of a different sport. If you're in town on Mondays, you should come check it out!
October 6th, 2017 at 11:06 AM ^
October 6th, 2017 at 11:11 AM ^
I'd like to see the offense not turn over the ball. That would be a big improvement.
October 6th, 2017 at 11:17 AM ^
MSU from scoring a touch down on the first drive, I think the game will get out of hand in favor of UM. My new prediciton, not that anyone should listen to an avatar from the Shining, is UM by 2 touchdowns. The fourth quarter sparty will make a garbage touchdown.
October 6th, 2017 at 11:58 AM ^
likely determines whether we cover or not. (Just for giggles, I would like to know in how many of the last ten he has managed that, in how many that has been difference.)
October 6th, 2017 at 11:21 AM ^
When the oline is having problems preventing pressure on the QB, it's kind of hard to send the running backs out on routes. I'm guessing they've been keeping the running backs in the pocket to help protect the QB. Of course, the pass blocking by the running backs hasn't been anything great either.
October 6th, 2017 at 11:24 AM ^
Better pass pro as an entire unit would be my pick. We're down to a back up QB for the forseeable future, and as much as I'd like to see what Peters can do, I'd prefer that to be during the tail end of blowouts than with the game on the line.
October 6th, 2017 at 11:32 AM ^
We may continue to see max protection flavored formations given our backups at QB. I don't sense a comfort level with Peters in anything more than spot/mop-up duty.
October 6th, 2017 at 2:31 PM ^
they have been using the TEs in the passing game, especially against Purdue. If the TEs are running routes, they aren't staying in to block on pass plays. With how well this oline has performed in pass protection I don't think too many people want to leave those 5 guys alone without help from either a TE or running back.
October 6th, 2017 at 12:18 PM ^
Max protect seems like a recipe for disaster. The more guys we have blocking, the more confused we seem to be. Get the minimal number of guys on the line and they seem to be ok. Spread 'em out and throw wide....our RB's can't pick up the blitz so may as well use them to catch and run.
October 6th, 2017 at 1:52 PM ^
Totally agreed.
More bubble and swing passes please.
October 6th, 2017 at 1:37 PM ^
Frey was interviewed on the Sam Webb Inside Schembechler Hall podcast and he said something like "some times when you keep a TE in to protect, they'll send an extra LB to pass rush. Sometimes if you keep your back in for pass pro, they'll send another guy." So, I think they understand that max protect isn't always going to be a magic bullet and it'll just depend on how the opponent is playing them.
October 6th, 2017 at 11:38 AM ^
I think more five wide sets would be great. Really neutralizes a pass rush and confuses coverages. Honestly, I just want us to start running Washington State's offense.
October 6th, 2017 at 12:19 PM ^
MIke Leach and Don Brown as our coordinators would make me SO happy.
October 6th, 2017 at 11:44 AM ^
October 6th, 2017 at 11:49 AM ^
UM - 27
MSU - 7
October 6th, 2017 at 2:19 PM ^
27-8 though, you know for dignity.
October 6th, 2017 at 2:33 PM ^
and I think you have it. We'll get our TD's and FG's. State won't get a TD. Brown is going to sick the dogs of war on them and by the end of the game, our bodies will hurt in sympathy of theirs
October 6th, 2017 at 11:55 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 6th, 2017 at 12:03 PM ^
Hugh White was born in 1876. Probably just feeling nostalgic.
October 6th, 2017 at 2:29 PM ^
I think the 3-Tech is so funny in this picture -- pointing at the formation as if (i) his teammates might not see it; and (ii) pointing at any portion of it might have some beneficial effect.
"Guys! Look out for the... for the... what the...!?"
October 6th, 2017 at 11:53 AM ^
I'd be in favor of having the coaches tell returners to never take it out of the endzone. The risk-reward just seems way out of wack now that a touchback puts the ball on the 25.
October 6th, 2017 at 11:55 AM ^
October 6th, 2017 at 12:18 PM ^
Problem is, we need a pass game to open up the run. Best schemes in the world don't work against 10-11 in the box like State will show. You need the threat of a passing game to open up space for runners.
October 6th, 2017 at 1:58 PM ^
Chuck it to Zach gentry; Thats what O'korn did on all out blitz and got 30+ yard beautiful catch.
This does risk injury to QB though
October 6th, 2017 at 12:25 PM ^
Agreed on KOR and Crawford scuffling, but wasn't it Thomas who made the hesitant and poor decision to bring it out?
October 6th, 2017 at 12:46 PM ^
What is BISB's defense thing?
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