Georgia Snowflakes: The Offense
December 31st, 2021 at 11:00 PM ^
JJ, Edwards, Anthony, Corum… I can’t fucking wait.
Proud of this team. They did the unthinkable in beating OSU and winning the BIG. Time to build. Onto Pasadena 2023.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:14 PM ^
Hell of a season and one nobody saw coming. Hats off to Cade for leading the team to the B1G championship!
That being said, JJ should’ve started the 2nd half. Prob doesn't change the outcome, but it may have been a more entertaining game, especially when you could have still used plays bringing his legs into play.
January 1st, 2022 at 7:50 AM ^
Corum didn't play well and fumbled. He also let down in the MSU game. But he was great vs OSU
January 1st, 2022 at 2:58 PM ^
He was great in so many games this year. Broke the long run against Washington, and had a huge first down early against Wisconsin
December 31st, 2021 at 11:00 PM ^
Skill positions all need to be open in the offseason quarterback, running back, wide receiver play the best players. With certain freshman you can see the difference with them compared to some other hard workers
January 1st, 2022 at 5:58 PM ^
December 31st, 2021 at 11:00 PM ^
Outmanned by a generational defense. We've been on the other end of that before.
This offense will get better. Tough day today, but excellent players coming back in most positions. The future is exceptionally bright.
The only really notable thing from this is that I think the best thing for the offense will be for JJ to upgrade his decisionmaking and pocket composure to cleanly win the job next year. The "higher ceiling" bit didn't really work for this season, but it *is* real.
Cade has been very good this year, though. But not national title good. That's ok. He beat Ohio State and won the B1G; he never has to take another snap to be a program legend.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:12 PM ^
I hope this doesn't come across as "throwing shade", but I'd be shocked if Cade isn't in the portal before Spring practice. He's shown he can play at a high (enough) level in a P5 conference, I can't see him taking a back seat to JJ after tonight's game. As an OSU fan, I've seen plenty of QB transfers that hurt, I just don't see Cade on your roster next year. The TP and Covid year will give him a whole lot of options.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:15 PM ^
Lol dumbass, this isn't osu.. players on the roster aren't selfish.. zero chance cade transfers in the off-season. He literally just won mich 12 games.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:23 PM ^
He was just stating his opinion in a respectful way. You don't have to be a dick just because he's a Buckeye.
I think part of the reason that Harbaugh has had a high volume of transfers is because he's very honest with players. It's clear that, as of now, McCarthy is starting out ahead in the QB battle for next year.
It wouldn't be selfish of McNamara to transfer nor would it surprise me. There are a ton of good programs that would love him as a starter and, should he stay, it's likely his role next year will be handing the ball off in garbage time. McCarthy got so much playing time this year because he brought something to the table that McNamara didn't. Now that McCarthy has learned the offense and has gained experience, McNamara doesn't offer anything that McCarthy doesn't.
January 1st, 2022 at 5:03 AM ^
Technically it *would* be selfish for McNamara to transfer... though that does not necessarily mean he should stay. There are numerous scenarios where he might choose to stay (even if he loses the starting role for next season) and others where he might want to leave (even if he is the presumptive starter).
No one wants to be stuck in an unfavorable situation, but the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Harbaugh might even be able to run a more even distributed & successful two QB system next year and retain them both... who knows?
January 3rd, 2022 at 9:44 AM ^
It's clear that, as of now, McCarthy is starting out ahead in the QB battle for next year.
Clear to who exactly?
December 31st, 2021 at 11:27 PM ^
If anyone was going to stay in a situation like this I think it would be Cade. Just seems to have that rock solid quality. That said, no one stays these days. So I agree with you. This game felt like a passing of the torch we knew was coming eventually.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:49 PM ^
It's ironic that we probably wouldn't be in the semifinal game with JJ as our starter this year, but we also never had a chance in the semifinal game with JJ not being our starter
January 1st, 2022 at 2:19 AM ^
Not looking forward to facing JJ the next couple of years... he sailed a few and missed some other throws, but the arm talent was clearly there. Freshman mistakes (ala CJ Stroud for us this year) that will get cleaned up... He's a baller, can't argue that.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:41 PM ^
Yeah I hate to be already penciling in the guy who finally beat OSU and won the big ten to transfer minutes after the season ended, but it seems the writing is definitely on the wall at this point. Cade's from Reno so wouldn't be surprised to see him show up at a Pac 12 school soon and be a quality starter for them
December 31st, 2021 at 11:36 PM ^
The only really notable thing from this is that I think the best thing for the offense will be for JJ to upgrade his decisionmaking and pocket composure to cleanly win the job next year. The "higher ceiling" bit didn't really work for this season, but it *is* real.
I would argue that J.J. has slightly better pocket composure even though he flees it more often. Tonight especially we saw him make throws when the pressure was on him. In similar situations McNamara took the sack. When you look at those throws, they're ones that McNamara wouldn't dare throw—and with good reason. McCarthy's arm talent gives him the ability to get rid of the ball when it would be too risky for McNamara to do so.
I agree the future looks extremely bright and Cade can be proud of what he accomplished this year. It sucks the season ended with a blowout loss, but it was still the best season we've had since Hoke's first year. Fortunately, unlike Hoke's first year, we didn't depend on a heavy dose of luck in half our games to achieve success.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:40 PM ^
the best season we've had since Hoke's first year
Hoke didn't win the Big Ten. This was our best season since 1997.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:49 PM ^
Unquestionably. The only other season remotely in the conversation is 1999.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:58 PM ^
Yeah, you're right.
January 1st, 2022 at 12:23 AM ^
No doubt. B1G championship,12 wins, beat down of top OSU team, and tough road wins at UW/NU/PSU. Excellent season.
January 1st, 2022 at 11:00 PM ^
In 2003 we beat ND, MSU, OSU and won the Big Ten.
January 3rd, 2022 at 12:47 AM ^
Vs osu Cade was 13/19, ZERO tds and 1 pick. I definitely would not say that HE "beat osu". I wouldn't even say he "managed" that game very well but certainly not giving him the game ball like you.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:01 PM ^
Really did not like the M game plan on offense. Once it was obvious that base interior running was not going to work against the Georgia D-line, Gattis had nothing to turn to.
To have a chance Michigan would have needed a much more creative game plan.
Georgia came with a brilliant game plan on defense.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:09 PM ^
Georgia came in with brilliant PLAYERS on defense.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:19 PM ^
Georgia's d-line was great tonight (and all season). But the whole world knew that. So why was Michigan's game plan in the first half wasting a ton of first ad second downs with runs that were not going anywhere? In a playoff game against that d-line...you gotta have some creative ways to work around Georgia's strength.
Georgia came in with an offensive game plan that was designed to neutralize Michigan's strength on D--Hutchinson & Ojabo.
No reason Gattis should not have had a game plan to neutralize/minimize Georgia's d-line. Did not see much motion to scheme Michigan into quick passes with advantageous matchups on LBs or safties, for example.
January 1st, 2022 at 11:38 AM ^
Agreed, they used way too many plays that were slow developing. You can't do that against a defense like that, need quick plays to neutralize that rush. Look at what Georgia did to neutralize our pass rush, lots of screens that worked. Maybe they wouldn't work for us who knows but there should have been things planned for to slow down that Dline.
January 1st, 2022 at 1:18 PM ^
Uhh who wants to tell him about Georgia’s linebackers. Nakobe Dean is their Devin Bush and he may even be better especially in coverage. Their whole defense was stacked top to bottom.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:31 PM ^
Agree. This game had to be played downfield - just like Bama showed. Short passes and anything in the box were just playing into UGA’s strength. That front 7 is NFL stout (if not quite NFL speed). Very disappointed in Gattis to play “tight” when UGA is vulnerable to “loose.”
January 1st, 2022 at 12:02 AM ^
I somewhat agree with you but I think, in retrospect, the answer would have been putting McCarthy in much earlier. If you want to get "loose" and sling it around, you need a gunslinger.
January 1st, 2022 at 12:52 AM ^
Yes. This team was playing with house money and a decisive talent disadvantage. Loose, aggressive play-calling was the only option, especially once the score was 14-0.
That said, this was the most aggressive offensive season for JH. Hopefully it continues next season.
Go Blue.
January 1st, 2022 at 9:03 AM ^
What part of our season suggested we had a good downfield vertical threat that would have worried Georgia.
January 1st, 2022 at 6:35 PM ^
Worried them? Who knows/cares, but throwing downfield was the only effective way to move the football. I had my reservations about the game plan before the game, and it was painfully obvious after the first few drives that running had to be secondary to passing.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:02 PM ^
Coaching didn’t put them in a good position to win, can’t be mad at them for that.
January 1st, 2022 at 12:39 AM ^
This is dumb. The more talented players won and don't blame the coaches. Quick passes were dropped, the run game was blown up, swing passes had LBs coming like heat seeking missiles, and ever time they dropped back for a fade there were 2 defenders on top of them. What game plan would you have implemented? Let's talk Xs & Os. Jordan Davis ran down Blake Corum on a stretch play... They bought ? a great team over the last 5 years and that's it. Fastest defense I've seen in college.
January 1st, 2022 at 9:42 AM ^
I mentally checked out pretty quick in this game so I dont remember too much.
What I do remember very well is MULTIPLE player mistakes in the first drive that would've kept the chains moving.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:02 PM ^
Cade wasn't perfect tonight, but lots of incompletions that hit people in the hands.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:11 PM ^
Cade wasn't perfect tonight (0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble) but he was a stellar game manager and was not erratic in the backfield like JJ running away from sacks he should have taken.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:30 PM ^
not sure if serious...
December 31st, 2021 at 11:03 PM ^
Also, Georgia's defense is clearly good, but we did a lot of things wrong tonight that had nothing to do with what they were doing.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:12 PM ^
I'll bite. Explain:
December 31st, 2021 at 11:29 PM ^
I didn't mean anything particularly deep, dropped passes and Cade missing easy throws, receivers doing weird bad stuff on routes, etc.
IMO, the whole team played tight and nervous as hell, which, understandable, but also an unhappy surprise.
January 1st, 2022 at 3:27 AM ^
I agree. One team looked like they had been preparing all year to peak for this game; the other team - the team I/we root for - looked like they were playing their first game of the season. MAs, poor execution, lack of confidence, etc.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:04 PM ^
Yes, I took offense to what I watched.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:05 PM ^
So that defense is pretty good!
Nkobe Dean is all world.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:11 PM ^
Michigan dropped a million passes, Ryan Hayes decided to do anything other than protect the passer, and Cade decided to close his eyes before throwing the ball
Fuck Nakobe Dean. Michigan gave that game away
December 31st, 2021 at 11:22 PM ^
Yea it was all self-inflicted. Georgia defense and their studs had little to do with it. Sure.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:30 PM ^
A lot of those dropped passes came, I think, because the receivers were worried about getting popped immediately, or were trying to make a super-quick move to avoid the defender they assumed was coming a split-second after the catch. Georgia was just insanely quick.
When Michigan loses, everybody wants to blame somebody. As if, when we win, other teams don't do the same thing.
I think it's insane to think we could have beaten that Georgia team, tonight. We all want to think "if only," or "yeah, but ..."
.... but sometimes, the team that keeps you out of the endzone until garbage team while scoring every time they got the ball in the first half is simply the better team. It's ok. We'll get 'em next time.
Go Blue!
January 1st, 2022 at 12:22 AM ^
Sure, but none of that is a valid excuse for Georgia coming in with really smart game plans, an Michigan...not. Might as well give your team its best shot, no?
December 31st, 2021 at 11:44 PM ^
C'mon. We gave away that game as much as Iowa gave away the Big Ten championship game. Georgia is significantly more talented than us on both sides of the ball and they played a really clean game. We got whooped and it wasn't a fluke