September 19th, 2021 at 12:08 PM ^
Cornelius says hi as does Baldwin. The passing game is going to be fine. Not elite but fine.
September 19th, 2021 at 12:28 PM ^
In 1997, 3 of the top 5 players in receptions were running backs. The 4th was a tight end. Streets led the WRs with 2 catches per game. My point is, there’s more than one way to skin a cat.
All and Corum provide nice targets in the passing game. CornJohn and Baldwin are capable.
September 19th, 2021 at 12:39 PM ^
I'm fine with all that but the 97 defense makes a lot of things possible.
September 19th, 2021 at 8:06 PM ^
Only one thing to say: Charles Woodson. Explains much about 1997…..
September 19th, 2021 at 11:09 AM ^
Stats! Almost as good as winning!
September 19th, 2021 at 1:07 PM ^
You're in luck - we have those too.
September 19th, 2021 at 3:09 PM ^
No I mean this fanbase has a weird association with rankings, stats, etc. over actual wins. Michigan hasn't beaten anyone yet, it shouldn't matter if they're unranked or #1, we'll know if they're any different from teams in the past in a few weeks.
September 19th, 2021 at 11:14 AM ^
Is the new SP+ out yet?
September 19th, 2021 at 11:14 AM ^
#6 in FPI, 53.7% chance to beat OSU, 25.4% chance to make the CFP
September 19th, 2021 at 11:20 AM ^
Early season stats don’t mean much. Not on account of anything Michigan’s done or not, but because the top will always be loaded with creampuff schedules.
Both WMU and UW won last night, FWIW. So while it’s not like PSU beating Auburn or Oregon beating OSU, they just might be better than how we made them look.
September 19th, 2021 at 10:54 PM ^
This is the problem with Michigan fans though, anyone Michigan beats convincingly "isn't any good" and "let's see what happens when they play so and so"
September 19th, 2021 at 11:24 AM ^
Definitely a great start but the real tests are ahead of us
September 19th, 2021 at 11:25 AM ^
Plain and simple it don't mean nothing till they can show they can do it away from Michigan Stadium.
September 19th, 2021 at 11:32 AM ^
I'll say the same thing to you as I would any Notre Dame or Oklahoma fan. Be careful for fools gold. As most Michigan fans already know they really haven't played anybody yet. We absolutely can be optimistic for taking care of the teams that they should have in such a manner, but let's pace ourselves with the excitement.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:06 PM ^
no. don’t tell me what to do. i’m going to get jigged up about it.
there are only so many autumn days of football in life.
besides you cant get to 15-0 without being 3-0 first
September 19th, 2021 at 2:04 PM ^
You're not most Michigan fans I guess. And you literally didn't read anything I said because in no way did I say not to be optimistic just cautious.
September 19th, 2021 at 2:30 PM ^
It seems like everyone just completely disregarded snarling wolverine's post. The point is, previous seasons with early season wins still had warning signs that the team was far from elite. Competitive into the second half against MAC and other lower conference teams, offense or defense that don't execute consistently, and other signs of dysfunction. So far this year, we really haven't seen much. The three wins have been convincing, no matter who the opponents are. History has shown that good teams blow inferior competition out, and it's generally repeatable even as the schedule gets harder. It's rare that big wins don't translate to a pretty good team - or "fools gold" as you would say.
September 19th, 2021 at 11:39 AM ^
There's a long way to go. I gently celebrate the wins but mostly I am just trying to keep my emotions in check. Let downs will happen, because that's how it goes, we are not going to run for 300+ yards per game and hold our opponents to 10 points. But hopefully the let downs don't result in losses.
September 19th, 2021 at 11:39 AM ^
This is good. Would be good to get this information every week.
September 19th, 2021 at 11:40 AM ^
Don't get too excited. We've played nobody. And we've seen his movie way too many times.
Great wins.
Team looks as it should so far but just relax.
September 19th, 2021 at 12:23 PM ^
"We've seen this movie too many times"
Yeah, but it's like Road House. Crappy, but you gotta watch it.
September 19th, 2021 at 6:48 PM ^
But offense is calling plays that work (for reasons other than bigger and stronger). That is an unfamiliar feeling for me.
September 19th, 2021 at 11:46 AM ^
The running game has been fun to watch. It should be the focal point of the offense. Something that has stuck out to me is a deliberate attempt to get the ball to the best players and in interesting ways. Corum’s active use in the passing game is a shift from how running backs were used in previous years. Cade isn’t perfect but I think the wide receiver group is limiting the passing game. Continue working the passing game on early downs and hope the receivers improve.
September 19th, 2021 at 11:57 AM ^
I got that same feeling about the WR group. Cornelius Johnson is emerging as they main go-to guy at this point. Saw two good TE catches and we'll need more from them as well.
How about Corum and Haskins on a few plays at the same time in the backfield? Hopefully, the coaches have something like that up their sleeve. Talk about an option play...
September 19th, 2021 at 1:02 PM ^
After the Washington game I thought the team should base their offense in the wishbone with Haskins and Corum. The reality is I don’t care how the formation looks but I want the opposing defense to account for Michigan’s two best offensive players most plays.
September 19th, 2021 at 4:43 PM ^
Totally agree about Johnson....he may be emerging into the #1. I would keep an eye out for Baldwin too, since he is coming back from an apparent ankle injury and should improve and get more involved in the weeks to come.
September 19th, 2021 at 11:48 AM ^
I think this is a solid team. I like how they took downfield passing shots yesterday. Obviously would like to know how we perform on 3rd and 8, need to throw it situation, against a top 20 defense.If Ronnie was healthy, would feel much better about those eventual situations.
I also believe our ceiling is higher and floor is lower with McCarthy based on when he has been in games, but with no Bell leading the offense, probably have to stick with the more mature Cade - especially if we can keep getting explosive plays out of the running game.
September 19th, 2021 at 11:51 AM ^
Yeah - but - remember how Revenge Tour ended?
Also all those seasons where we started great and then hit the Big Ten wall?
Nice start guys - keep at it.
September 19th, 2021 at 12:08 PM ^
Also all those seasons where we started great and then hit the Big Ten wall?
Under Harbaugh?
September 19th, 2021 at 11:51 AM ^
Heaven forbid fans getting excited about a win.
Let’s keep this train rolling. Go BLUE! Beat Rutgers!
September 19th, 2021 at 11:51 AM ^
While the numbers are gaudy, this team is off to a very good start. Take WMU; they beat Pitt 44-41. That team has a good offense and our guys held them to 14 while both of their TD drives came from Michigan penalties. That last TD drive was against 2nd and 3rd stringers in for Michigan.
Michigan will pose a greater test to the Rutgers defense than a test to our offense. This could be a better passing day for Cade as he smoked Rutgers last year. The Michigan defense will be a big test to the Rutgers offense and I like our chances.
To soon to handicap Wisconsin; Go Blue!
September 19th, 2021 at 11:55 AM ^
Don't like being a pessimistic/realist, but 27th in total defense against Western, Washington and NIU is just sorta ok...
September 19th, 2021 at 12:04 PM ^
Garbage-time stats by WMU and NIU hurt that ranking a bit.
To borrow a basketball term, our reserves haven't done the best in KenPom time.
September 19th, 2021 at 12:45 PM ^
When NIU picks up 34% (68 of their 208 total) of their offense against 4th string / walk ons and Western gets one of their TD drives (~39% - 75 of their total 317) against 3rd/4th string defense. That impacts the overall total. FYI Washington had 343, so that is 868 total and 143 were against the 3rd/4th string lineups.
With that being stated, and final defense that finishes in the top 25 would be a huge success this year.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:01 PM ^
LOL at thinking you're a realist. (And you're welcome to be a pessimist if you like living that way.) Look at the data. That's what's real.
27th is great with our schedule and that 2nd and 3rd stringers have given up garbage time yards and TDs.
How many teams in the AP top 5 have wins over teams that have beaten power 5 teams? Two. Not Alabama. Not Oklahoma. Not Iowa. UGA does, and Clemson's win was over a pitiful GaTech, who also lost a home game to NIU. OSU's win was over Minnesota.
September 19th, 2021 at 12:12 PM ^
I have a feeling this year Wisconsin is going to have done to them what they have done to so many others over the years. Michigan’s backs are great to elite. I believe Michigan will run for over 300 yards against them and a close game at halftime will end up being a few scores win for Michigan as they wear Wisconsin down.
September 19th, 2021 at 12:41 PM ^
Those fuckers in Madison have it coming. Hope to start fast in that hostile environment.
September 19th, 2021 at 12:53 PM ^
I believe this team is being constructed and groomed to play in environments like that--to take the other team and the fans out of it.
Power running, breakaway running, good crisp passing game there when you need it, grind, move the chains, and even if you don't score take time off the clock, give the defense a rest, and wear them down.
Different feel and it feels way more methodical than ever in the last 6 years.
September 19th, 2021 at 12:33 PM ^
Michigan fans #1 in finding reasons to be pissy even after a win for the 651st week in a row.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:11 PM ^
I don't know what you've been reading today...
September 19th, 2021 at 12:40 PM ^
Blake Corum is unreal. He is a threat to house it each time he touches the football.
September 19th, 2021 at 12:50 PM ^
We seem to be burdening ourselves with all these comparisons to other teams, and as we ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS find out--
Things work out on their own in their own way.
I think it's silly and a waste of time.
THIS team right here seems to have an edge and a different way about them--plus they really ARE playing for redemption.
And who knows how that's affecting Harbaugh (in a positive way) and the other coaches.
I also like how they are trying to establish an identity and get good at something--Basic Football.
Again, as a lifelong skeptic and complainer, I like what I see and don't think this team compares at all to any other Harbaugh has had. Particularly because those other teams were still full of players other guys recruited.
September 19th, 2021 at 1:28 PM ^
Great, we’ve played poor competition, great but let’s win a game on the road
September 19th, 2021 at 2:57 PM ^
All great stats except 30 something in SOS depending on what source you're looking at.
With that, SOS is difficult to go by 3 games in, so let's keep doing this against good teams.