Michigan Monday is up
https://theozone.net/2019/09/michigan-monday-maize-blue-raiders/
The intro:
The No. 7 Michigan Wolverines played with their food a little bit on Saturday, but easily defeated the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 40-21.
Not a lot of substance since this is a week 1 win.
A small excerpt regarding tempo:
The tempo may not have seemed all that much faster to some people, but I can promise you that it was. For example, I generally watch the games on YouTube and I use the ‘L’ key to fast-forward 10 seconds after every play. In previous years, I would just hit the ‘L’ key three times quickly to move ahead 30 seconds. By that point, a quarterback would just about be ready to call for the ball. Now, I can still get two ‘L’ mashes in, but if I go a third, I’ll usually have to back up a bit. So there you go — scientific proof that this offense is legitimately faster than in previous years.
Always worth a read...
September 2nd, 2019 at 9:31 PM ^
My favorite part:
What Does It All Mean?
It means that when Jon Runyan and Donovan Peoples-Jones get back, Michigan is going to have one of the most explosive offenses in the Big Ten.
Sometimes, however, it’s a poorly-wired explosive.
Shea Patterson is basically a frayed wire who can do exactly what you’re asking him to do most times. But other times, that fray can let a spark loose that dooms the entire operation. You never know when that spark is going to happen and you never know if it is going to catch on to something.
And he usually has a good eye for Michigan's weaknesses:
Fortunately, Michigan gets a week off after Army to prepare for a Wisconsin offense that is going to find out just how soft Michigan’s middle is or isn’t.
Assuming Army doesn’t just show us on Saturday.
His writing is worth the read as usual.
September 2nd, 2019 at 10:04 PM ^
Michigan's most significant weakness, by a big margin, is DL. The B1G power teams are going to own that battle. We will need 40+ points to beat Wisconsin, Iowa, PSU, MSU, ND and OSU. Tall order which I am rooting for but not hopeful. Lucky to finish reg season at 8-4. If we can get a 10 win season that would be outstanding.
September 2nd, 2019 at 11:39 PM ^
I agree. I'm worried we're going to get smashed by Wisconsin on the ground. If that happens I don't have a lot of confidence our offense is going to execute well enough on the road to compensate. If we can pull that one out it will completely change my outlook. Unlike you I'm not too worried about having to score 40 against MSU. I think 21 will do in that one.
September 3rd, 2019 at 4:31 AM ^
I am worried about Wisconsin smashing us on the ground too. However, we may be able to win even if we don’t put up 40 points.
First, we might be able to get away with stacking the box as I don’t know that their QB can mount an effective passing game.
Second, if we can put them in 3rd & long situations a lot or otherwise open up a 3 score lead at some point, it’ll likely force them to abandon the run due to time constraints.
Basically, we have a chance to do to them what other teams have done to us over the past few years.
September 3rd, 2019 at 8:34 AM ^
I agree. My biggest concerns are really at Wisconsin, at PSU (white out), ND and OSU. Beating Wisconsin on the road would change that view.
September 3rd, 2019 at 7:47 AM ^
"Lucky to finish reg season at 8-4" means you think this team is most likely going 7-5. Presume you put a billion dollars on the season win total under.
September 3rd, 2019 at 8:24 AM ^
Is that the same MSU that just averaged 2.7 YPC against Tulsa?
We had some guys out with injury, take a deep breath. The DT's may sink the season but drawing that conclusion after game 1 is a bit drastic. Massive success in game 1 is usually the result of having 1.) lots of returning starters and/or 2.) Running the same system/coaching continuity (offense/defense) that you have been for several years.
We all saw the 2016 team peak early, week 1 blowouts of bad teams aren't where conference championships are going to be won and lost.
September 3rd, 2019 at 4:05 PM ^
Agreed 100%. I am really trying to figure out how some are coming to the conclusion the d will give up 40+ to a team that couldn't even move the ball on Tulsa, from a game where the d didn't give up an actual drive in non garbage time. It is insane. I know we as Michigan fans have got dong punched alot in recent years but that is just non logical negativity.
September 3rd, 2019 at 8:41 AM ^
This will be there Achilles heel. Not dogging the Dline, but you need a Glasgow or Hurst like talent to stuff the middle. Plenty of edge talent, but Wisconsin will live in the middle of the Dline...I could easily see four "L"s if the speed in space does not prove to be as electric as we are all hoping. The irony, the defense was what kept Michigan in games the past few years, now it looks like O will have to carry the 2019 team. The silver lining, is it looks like the O can do it. Hope I am wrong about Dline, but power teams could eat them alive.
September 3rd, 2019 at 9:25 AM ^
I don’t disagree with this but am hoping otherwise. I didn’t realize how fucked we are from a defensive tackle standpoint. I know we lost Solomon but come on! How did we go from so deep to converting a fullback in one year? Here’s to playing a line full of super fast defensive ends and hoping for the best.
September 3rd, 2019 at 3:53 PM ^
I would literally bet my entire bank account that all of those teams aren't going to score 40+ on this defense. MSU really? They barely mustered 300 yards against Tulsa. Your takes are ridiculously negative, just insane.
September 2nd, 2019 at 10:28 PM ^
His style is as familiar now as the leaves of fall. Equal parts insightful, respectful and concern troll-full. He knows what he's doing. It's the road to The Game. The Monday before, he will become a different writer.
September 3rd, 2019 at 8:23 AM ^
This article is a fair assessment. I swear the "dropped" passes to Bell were reps with DPJ - just a bit too hot for the slower receiver as DPJ is a burner. DPJ coming back is a big need for Wisconsin. Runyan healthy would also be a plus for the B1G schedule. But not sure what we are going to do about DT. Both Mason and Kemp looked under-sized to play DT / NT. The 2nd half sets with Hutch on the interior seemed more powerful and effective. That could be a solution until Jeter and Dwumfour are healthy.
September 3rd, 2019 at 8:48 AM ^
Bell has good speed and clearly separated from his defender. He Just dropped the ball! Think it was just a blip, not a trend in my mind. Bell will be fine and I’m sure if he’s open like that again he’ll bring it in
September 3rd, 2019 at 8:45 AM ^
I think the biggest thing we’ll learn in the coming weeks is that if Lavert can just slide inside on Nickel situations and have Gray come in and leave Hawkins at Safety.
September 3rd, 2019 at 9:39 AM ^
Speaking of Eddie McDoom, happened to catch a few minutes of the Wiscy-USF game at the precise moment that Eddie McDoom dropped a sure first down that hit him in the hands.
September 3rd, 2019 at 10:29 PM ^
I think there's a reason he was mostly a one-trick-pony at Michigan doing the jet sweeps. Super quick & agile, but probably has hands of stone.
September 3rd, 2019 at 11:43 AM ^
As usual, a good read, he says some of the same things we were during the game.
"The interior line continues to move more people than Two Men and a Truck" was a good line
September 3rd, 2019 at 4:00 PM ^
The people acting like this defense will give up 40+ to any non cupcakes need to get their heads examined. Their was no aspect of the d that looked like a disaster. Mason being used situationally when Dwumfour and Jeter are back will not doom this defense. Is the d-line going to be a stepback? Almost certainly. That is different than thinking it will be rich rod level or something. Most teams in the country would still take the talent UM has on the d-line in a second. Also the secondary concerns have a much better prognosis now with Thomas back and already looking good/making plays.