Last Saturday's win vs. Last Year's 1st game (Minny)
Do you think it was the same? Different? Were there things setting off red flags last year that aren't this year (or vice versa)?
Personally, I think there were two big differences:
1.) McNamara looked far more poised overall than Milton did. Even though Milton did a good job against Minny last year, Cade just seemed to be more fluid for the role. For lack of better word, he looked more "deliberate," if that makes sense.
2.) Defense actually made adjustments and adapted. Whereas Brown's one-trick-pony blitzes had success against Minny (and little elsewhere), Coach Mac had success in several different strategies. And considering WMU's QB is a solid player, that says a lot. I didn't feel like we were getting beat over stupid repeat blitz packages.
My thoughts. What say you?
September 6th, 2021 at 11:43 AM ^
Neither win means Jack shit. Both teams were inferior teams that Michigan beat.
There has been a lot of chest thumping over a WMU win. The real test will be the road games against the top teams in the league. That hasn’t changed
September 6th, 2021 at 12:38 PM ^
Chest thumping over the team looking good against inferior competition is vastly better than the sad sack moping that's been going on here for the better part of a year.
No one thinks differently about the conference games than before. However this is a message board for people to discuss the team and it is possible to read tea leaves from wins against lesser competition.
September 6th, 2021 at 12:39 PM ^
I think the question is whether folks believe you can tell whether this year’s team has improved over last year’s team. Respectfully, your response does not have much nuance.
September 6th, 2021 at 1:17 PM ^
The WMU game may end up just as meaningless, but they aren’t the same. Minnesota had opt outs and starters out all over the place with COVID last year. Hell, they were pooching KO’s because all their kickers were out. WMU more or less had their whole team.
September 6th, 2021 at 11:52 AM ^
The WMU win felt different to me, Cade is a way better QB than Milton for one thing.
The defense did make adjustments and I feel like they will improve as the season matriculates, the players seemed more into the game and atmosphere instead of the apathetic attitude they had last year.
But, it's one game, keep improving and stay focused and don't take anything for granted.
September 6th, 2021 at 11:59 AM ^
Agreed.
The attitude seems different to me. Everyone on this team knows how big this season is. The coaches made adjustments, players were dialed in all day.
Next week obviously will tell us a lot more about this team, but so many small things made me feel very optimistic on Saturday.
I don’t give a shit what happened in game 2 of last year. This is a different team.
September 6th, 2021 at 1:46 PM ^
Welp, I think a lot of people kinda DO give a shit what happened in game 2 last year!
It set a tone for the rest of the season, and for many is the signature game of the Harbaugh era, as it showed we just haven't gotten better in many of the ways he was hired to make the team better.
All that said, game 2 this year is an opportunity to flip that script (admittedly UW losing to Montana took some luster off any potential win).
I thought the team looked energized & prepared vs WMU, loved the offense when Cade opened it up, and am devastated that our Captain & playmaker is finished for this season!
September 6th, 2021 at 11:14 PM ^
All that said, game 2 this year is an opportunity to flip that script (admittedly UW losing to Montana took some luster off any potential win).
I think the players are programmed to respect every opponent. I believe all they really see is the University of Washington, a big time Pac12 and P5 team coming to the Big House in prime time to try to make some noise. The meaning of a win against Washington, regardless of their loss to Montana, would be a nice springboard for the players.
September 6th, 2021 at 1:28 PM ^
I'm still hesitant to say anything about Cade. He only attempted 11 passes and two of those were batted down at the line of scrimmage. Why did he attempt so few passes? Is it because the coaching staff doesn't trust him?
Also he didn't pull the ball once on the zone read for a QB sneak. Why not?
I am concerned we have the same issues at QB we have been seeing since 2019 when Gattis showed up. I hope I'm wrong and they are just saving Cade from getting dinged up against a lesser opponent
September 6th, 2021 at 1:42 PM ^
We obviously can’t know for sure, but I’m guessing he only had 11 attempts because we were controlling the game after the first series and wanted to establish the run. Time will tell but I wouldn’t expect to see lots of passes this year (unless we’re trailing in games and in catch up mode). He looked to be in full control of the offense, so I don’t think it was a lack of trust. Time will tell, though
September 6th, 2021 at 1:55 PM ^
You're just looking for reasons to worry if you're implying that the coaches don't trust McNamara. And as for his number of passes, 1) working on the running game when up big is a good thing, and 2) are you suggesting that McCarthy shouldn't have gotten the opportunity for game experience?
As for your assertion about seeing the same QB issues ever since Gattis showed up? McNamara has been much more decisive than Patterson and Milton were. Hoping he can keep making quick decisions as the season goes on--it will keep some strain off of the OL.
September 6th, 2021 at 2:46 PM ^
I think maybe gaining over three hundred yards on the ground may explain the lack of passes.
September 6th, 2021 at 4:40 PM ^
Cade was flawless and graded out higher to PFF (the fussiest graders on earth) than literally any Power 5 passer last week. He’s also been a consistent, accurate passer in the past with the exception of when he’s been too hurt to throw. I don’t know what the future holds for him, but we as a fan base should applaud good quarterback play when we see it
September 6th, 2021 at 1:52 PM ^
Sometimes losing players is addition by subtraction. We had some bad attitudes in the locker room recently but this team seems to have each other’s backs. It’s very refreshing and is reflected in the on-field performance. WMU may be a MAC team but they have a lot of experience and Elebe is a legit good QB. We dominated them and that felt really good.
September 6th, 2021 at 3:04 PM ^
What examples do you have from last year or, “recently” of players not having players backs? What examples can you cite from yesterday that are dramatically different?
the generic assertions you make don’t seem fair to the program without evidence.
September 6th, 2021 at 3:45 PM ^
Probably Milton when he got benched and was telling his teammates he was going to score 50 against them. There are 125 personalities on a football team, not everyone is going to be happy.
September 6th, 2021 at 5:35 PM ^
You’re making this assessment after a single win against an overmatched opponent. You could have said the same thing after Minnesota last year. Nobody can tell what the team really is until it faces adversity and tough opponents.
September 6th, 2021 at 11:53 AM ^
Michigan was playing walk ons on defense last year. We will be better.
September 6th, 2021 at 1:22 PM ^
This team (or last year’s) would benefit greatly from Ryan Glasgow. The last time we beat Ohio State, we started both Will Heininger and Jordan Kovacs.
September 6th, 2021 at 11:56 AM ^
Impossible to know. (Partially because I can't remember any specifics from last year as I have tried to wash it from my memory.). The key is now responding when there is a scout and when your Plan-A doesn't work. Losing Bell adds a layer of adversity too.
Washington won't look like they did this week so when they try something different we have to adapt also. If we stay healthy, I am cautiously optimistic. Give me a game manager QB that can run the playbook and avoid mistakes and a competent defense and we can hold our own.
September 6th, 2021 at 12:12 PM ^
Apparently Washington was out their top 4 receivers for the game. That would be like taking Bell, Johnson, Baldwin and either Wilson or Henning out of the WMU game. We wouldn’t have had quite as potent of an attack. Washington, depending on who they have back, may look much different this Saturday.
September 6th, 2021 at 12:20 PM ^
According to their 247 board, they don't expect to have any of them back. But we'll have to wait and see on that one.
September 6th, 2021 at 12:41 PM ^
Why were/are the out?
September 6th, 2021 at 12:47 PM ^
All of them are injured
September 6th, 2021 at 1:17 PM ^
That's some awful "Angry WR Hating God" stuff right there.
September 6th, 2021 at 1:49 PM ^
Hmm.....so Giles Jackson isn't one of their top four WR?
September 6th, 2021 at 1:54 PM ^
I will take it!
September 6th, 2021 at 6:47 PM ^
Just straight box score wise, the 2020 and 2021 openers were pretty similar. More similar than I remembered before I looked at the two box scores. On offense:
2020: 256 yds rushing at 8,2 ypc, 5 TDs, long rush of 70yds... 15/22 from Milton for 225, 1 TD, 0 INT
2021: 335 yds rushing at 7.8 ypc, 3 TDs, long rush of 74yds... 13/17 from Cade/JJ, 3 TD 0 INT
And on defense:
2020: 129 yds rushing, 3.1 ypc...18/31, 197 yds passing, TD, INT
2021: 126 yds rushing, 3.9 ypc...20/37, 191 yds passing, TD
So overall...much better QB play this year, slightly better rushing last year. Slightly worse rushing defense this year, passing defense about the same.
As it was last season, week 2 will really tell us more about this team.
September 6th, 2021 at 11:57 AM ^
Very good point on the adjustments. I always liked Brown, but my biggest concern with him is that he always seemed to be a guy that had difficulty adjusting when he couldn't just stuff you with his scheme. Yeah, his scheme worked most of the time, and worked incredibly well. But when a team came up with a way to beat it, he didn't seem to have good answers.
Other big difference is that we are now running an NFL defense, which is predicated on disguising coverages and confusing the opposing QB. Brown seemed to mostly have us line up in press-man with a crazy number of blitzes and dared you to beat us. The big identifier for QBs was "where is the blitz coming from", not "what is the coverage".
For the most part that worked, but when it didn't, egad.
September 6th, 2021 at 1:55 PM ^
Yep, it worked great against lesser competition but got badly exposed against top teams. Ryan Day won’t “drop 100” on Macdonald’s defense.
September 6th, 2021 at 11:57 AM ^
Jump on the September hype train…chu chu!
September 6th, 2021 at 12:07 PM ^
You spelled choo choo wrong.
Jump on the train, it's more fun than jumping in front of it.
September 6th, 2021 at 12:02 PM ^
It’s too early to say.
September 6th, 2021 at 12:02 PM ^
Yes, it is different. They practiced much more than last year, fans, a season certainty...
Last year all teams suffered from covid uncertainty. As fans, we need to understand that.
September 6th, 2021 at 1:57 PM ^
I think it’s a lot more than that, you may be selling this team short based on that metric.
September 6th, 2021 at 12:03 PM ^
Play one game at a time. There will be different and greater challenges week to week.
September 8th, 2021 at 8:00 AM ^
Naw....why must they play only one game at a time? Why not 2 or even 3 at a time. Get the season over before the first frost.
September 6th, 2021 at 12:06 PM ^
If I remember I did not attend last year’s opening game so that was different
September 6th, 2021 at 12:07 PM ^
So it was all YOUR fault! :D
September 6th, 2021 at 12:07 PM ^
I'd rather not think about last year AT ALL.
September 6th, 2021 at 2:16 PM ^
Username does NOT check out
September 6th, 2021 at 12:14 PM ^
I like Milton and hope that he has a great season at Tennessee. I will be watching games with him in there and rooting for him.
I know Milton can throw it over a mountain, but from 2020 pre-season talk of him starting onward, I was concerned that coaches were making the wrong choice (arm strength over accuracy). For trying out new QB's, I'd prefer ones who threw a huge number of passes in high school with high completion percentage.
So, I'm happier with Cade in there. I think he's a better QB. He is accurate, hits receivers in stride on long passes instead of overthrows, has more touch on passes (so fewer drops from bullets), and misses fewer open guys on reads. McCarthy, too, of course.
Losing Ronny Bell is a big hit. We have a lot of other talented receivers who are going to have to step up.
I think that defense will be better than 2020. But I can't tell yet how much better until we see more games. I'm completely fine with a defense that is is less dominant against worse teams and better against the best teams, if that's how it ends up working.
I think 2021 will be a lot better than 2020, and I'm greatly looking forward to it.
September 6th, 2021 at 1:03 PM ^
I liked Milton and was excited for him. He has a ton of ability. But I think the problem with him was that they started coaching him. It seemed like as soon as he won the job over McCaffery and had the one good game against Minn, he started getting the vast majority of attention of Harbaugh and co. and he promptly got worse. And with awful play-calling, play design and game/clock management the staff didn't exactly put him in a position to succeed either. Then they panicked and benched him. The same thing seemed to start happening with McNamara before the season mercifully came to an end.
I'm hoping that's in the past now and the staff is all on the same page for 2021. And I hope they don't freak out at the first sign of adversity. They have good options in McNamara and McCarthy, so if Harbaugh can keep them focused they should be in good shape. Go get 'em and GO BLUE!
September 6th, 2021 at 1:26 PM ^
Last year McNamara’s play regressed because he got hurt, not because he got coached.
September 6th, 2021 at 1:48 PM ^
Yeah, coaches made Milton worse. That is the dumbest thing I've read on here and there are a lot of dumb things posted on this site.
Milton is Shane Morris. Strong arm inaccurate QB. Both completed 50% or less passes in HS. Inaccurate HS QBs do not become accurate in college.
If you watched Tenn the other night you would have seen the same Milton. Inaccurate and tentative running the ball.
September 6th, 2021 at 1:59 PM ^
"But I think the problem with [Milton] was that [the coaching staff] started coaching him." So what do you think they should have done instead???
September 6th, 2021 at 2:33 PM ^
"Panicked and benched him" are you kidding me, Harbaugh was very patient with Milton, left him in a lot longer than I would have, gave him every opportunity to show he deserved to be there.
September 6th, 2021 at 1:59 PM ^
Milton won’t be starting for Tennessee after a few more weeks. Enjoy it while you can. I will be watching as well but he is the same QB we had in Ann Arbor last year.
September 6th, 2021 at 11:13 PM ^
So if you’re watching games with Milton, does that mean he’s not going to play? Also, if you’re in there with him, doesn’t that mean you’re going to Tennessee games? That’s your first paragraph, if you consider two sentences a paragraph?♂️. Either way, Losing Bell hurts, and the defense is better! Like Saban says, “a good defense is important, but a great offense is better in college football nowadays.” Hang 35+ every game with a decent defense, and it’s hard to lose.
By the way, since you and Milton watch games together, can you ask him for me, does he miss Ann Arbor?
September 6th, 2021 at 11:32 PM ^
It wasn’t just Miltons arm strength, he was a great scrambler/runner as well. High school talent can be tough, and honestly outside McNamara, nobody thought he was ready last year. The coaching staff did no favors for Milton, or any player, as last season was like Rich Rod’s first year! Down right embarrassing with our talent. Our coaching sucked at best, and going to overtime with Rutgers. I’ll leave it at this, our coaching sucked at best last year. Jimmy has this season to right the ship, period. I find it hilarious he took a major pay cut for how bad he’s sucked the las 4 years!