Confidence of this team
September 4th, 2017 at 11:55 AM ^
September 4th, 2017 at 11:55 AM ^
They certainly have things to work on and smooth out but they have potential to be a very hard team to deal with.
I think they will be better at closing out teams. They missed opportunities on offense to seal the game, defense had to do that, but I feel like the O line will be a better run blocking unit. I think last year's offense would have put together more 3 and outs. They didn't slam the door when they had chances but they seemed to be able to possess the ball a little more. I think they are getting there.
September 4th, 2017 at 12:03 PM ^
I agree but the 97 team was bailed out by that defense in several games too. Shore up the right side of the line and this team could be special this was against what was supposed to be a very good Florida D right out of the gate! There were mistakes but we have the best coach in the country to fix those mistakes
September 4th, 2017 at 12:08 PM ^
Players aside, I feel confident in assuming that this coaching staff could coach circles around the '97 staff. That has to count for something.
September 4th, 2017 at 12:20 PM ^
I would agree, love Lloyd and the championship he brought us but he struggled with a mobile QB what Don Brown has done in 2 seasons is amazing. The maize uniforms really stood out in how much Gary, Bush, Winovich and company were in their backfield
September 4th, 2017 at 2:14 PM ^
I actually think the offense had a better game than the stat line indicates, because defense is Florida's strength. Randy Shannon is no Don Brown of course, but he's definitely in the top 10% of defensive coordinators nationwide. Rolling up 433 yards on a Randy Shannon defense with SEC athletes is no small accomplishment.
September 4th, 2017 at 11:59 AM ^
The biggest improvement comes between the first and second game of a season, if that holds true this defense is scary. Crawford should have caught the 1st pick six it was high but should have been caught as far as Speight goes it was a big stage right out of the gate really like a road game, there was a lot of noise for both teams on offense and defense because of the split crowd. I think he was a little amped up which is usually the reason a QB over throws and he did over throw most of the game , he missed wide open recievers on several throws that would have been TDs. That being said he's our QB no one complained about him through the 1st 9 games last year until he was injured against Iowa. The future is bright Who's got it better than us?
September 4th, 2017 at 12:00 PM ^
Someone forgot to inform Don Brown that he lost nine starters. I am okay with this.
September 4th, 2017 at 12:06 PM ^
All systems go. thank goodness our home uniforms coming up.
September 4th, 2017 at 12:12 PM ^
you'd never know we were marching out a bunch of new starters out there. They were all over the field like everyone was a 3rd year returning starter. If you told an oblivious UF fan after the game that we returned all 11 starters from last year, they would've believed you.
September 4th, 2017 at 12:21 PM ^
Nordin lofted the kick with more arc on his 55yarder that barely cleared the uprights.i think if he had driven it more, it would've been good from further out--like 60 yards. less likely for defense to block it if he gives it more air...
either way, i think we have a not-so-secret secret weapon now with a kicker with range...now he just has to become automatic from those distances and not miss any more...
September 4th, 2017 at 6:29 PM ^
September 4th, 2017 at 12:32 PM ^
September 4th, 2017 at 12:38 PM ^
Great game. Great start. Harbaugh and the other coaches will keep building. Beat osu.
GO BLUE!!
September 4th, 2017 at 12:40 PM ^
September 4th, 2017 at 12:45 PM ^
September 4th, 2017 at 1:00 PM ^
I have great confidence that the offense will score lots and lots of points this year. Contrary to early concerns, it looks like the OL will be more than adequate.
Not sure about the defense. While the D looked good on Saturday, so would most defenses against one of the worst offenses in FBS football. Harken back to the shutout loss against Notre Dame, they thought they had some kind of defense following that game. That defense would end giving up 379 points on the season. I am in no way implying that the 2017 Michigan D is as horrible as the 2014 ND defense, I just think we need to see how they perform against living breathing offenses before we allow our confidence to soar.
September 4th, 2017 at 3:38 PM ^
The defense held Florida to less than 200 yards, kept them out of the endzone, and only gave up a single field goal. Not including the final drive during garbage time, the defense only allowed Florida to cross midfield two or three times the entire game. That's an impressive accomplishment against an SEC team that perennially signs top 10 recruiting classes on both sides of the ball, even if its offense isn't its biggest strength.
September 4th, 2017 at 1:38 PM ^
We were whooping their asses. They knew it. We knew it. Turn those two pick sixes our way and it's 47-3. Add that bullshit alignment call and it's 51-3.
September 4th, 2017 at 1:51 PM ^
September 4th, 2017 at 1:48 PM ^
Both of these two moments could have been daggers for a "young" team, but in spite of the narrative, this isn't your average young team, Harbaugh has them ready.
Going back to 2015, one of the first things that jumped out about Harbaugh's style was that suddenly there was no quit in these guys, and it is only further evolved now, It really makes it even more fun to watch these teams.
September 4th, 2017 at 6:59 PM ^
September 4th, 2017 at 5:18 PM ^
September 4th, 2017 at 7:11 PM ^
It's going to be a great year. The young players have some time to figure it out with the next few games before any other tests. I think the team really grew up on Saturday and it should continue for the next few weeks.