Michigan is for Real (Joel Klatt Show)

It might be semantics, and I know that Klatt referenced beating Ohio; however, I think the defensive scheme and players on that side of the ball - are operating under an "NFL approach".  This is immediately evidenced by the last two DC's - and, their backgrounds.

I would view Michigan's defensive scheme to be "multiple" - designed to be flexible enough  to defend most college offenses.  I give the Bucks credit, they are a strong offensive team - and, over roughly the past 15+ years have been balanced running / passing the ball with a solid OL.

The regular season finale in Columbus has potential to be a great game.  But, there are four more regular season games between now and then.  One play, series, and game at a time. Go Blue!

I was one of Don Brown's biggest critics, and rightfully so.  People, including many on this fanbase and blog, loved the fact that we "statistically" looked good - as he beat up on the lesser teams badly, but we got out-smarted / out-played by the better teams and didn't win anything meaningful while he was here.  So glad he is gone!

I think that last statement is on point. It really feels like the way we have been playing and calling defense since Brown left is completely geared towards beating ohio.

Last year, definitely. That defensive was absolutely geared to stopping OSU. With two elite, first round NFL talents at DE, we earned the right to rush four (and still terrorized Stroud and OSU's OL), being able to drop the other seven players into coverage and make them repeatedly work their way down the field.

This year, I'm not so sure, especially if the DEs can't get pass rush against good OLs. The way the Amoeba D is described (blitzes that can come from anyway, lot's of man coverage, etc.) sounds a lot like Don Brown's D, which is emphatically NOT the way to defend against the Ryan Day offense. Now granted there are a couple caveats. First, despite how much it's talked up, the Amoeba seems more like a change-up than a base D. Second, part of the problem Brown had against Ryan Day was probably Brown specific. They coached together, so Day came in already very familiar with Brown's scheme, and Brown was both very open about his concepts (his BC playbook was publicly available on the internet) and stubborn to change. It's like Brown took the approach that you couldn't learn how to attack his D in a week (similar to how Beilein could terrorize teams on short turnaround), except it seems clear that OSU prepared for Brown's D all year (I swear their OL seemed to know our blitzes better than we did).

So I really hope we can get organic pass rush from the DEs so we can leave players back in coverage, like we did last year. Or that Minter can come up with some blitzes that OSU doesn't see coming. But if we can't get after Stroud, who'll pick us apart without pressure, it seems like outscoring them in a shootout would be our only path to victory.

Michigan is currently an 8.5 point underdog against the Bucks.  I LOVE that line.  I hope the line grows to 15 points in favor of the Bucks.  I hope the media, including Meyer, start to show the Bucks incredible love.   Please - begin, or continue, the mantra that the Bucks are unbeatable.

I'm hoping that their shared belief that we can't win in the shoe will leave them unprepared when they get punched in the mouth again.

This team can absolutely beat OSU and we will be the best team they have faced by a significant margin.

I like Klatt’s last point which is Michigan better beat MSU or it doesn’t matter.

Let’s keep adding nails to Tucks Coffin and not give him room to breathe. 

A mix as you would expect. Lots saying they basically don’t give a shit what we do, they are going to smoke us. Some acknowledging that we look good and they are concerned. Last year was last year. It was epic. But it doesn’t mean anything this year. A win in Columbus this year would be 10x harder and thus 10x better than last year. 

I had to laugh at #3. Bucknut insecurity regarding Michigan maybe isn't at Sparty level, but they're obsessed with us and we always have their attention even in years where there's little chance of Michigan being competitive.

Wondering what their fan base is thinking. 

From what I've seen, they don't have a lot of familiarity with that verb.

Well they are getting pressure, but one of the issues I’ve seen, especially against Maryland and PSU, was letting the QB escape.

Granted, Tagovailoa and Clifford are more mobile and can do things with their legs, but there were several instances in both games where the DL had those two dead to rights, and somehow, someway, they escape the sack, escape the pocket altogether, and get into some open space to do some damage. That didn’t seem to happen much last year.

Well, any OL we dominate is a bad OL. So, you may have to wait until OSU to find a decent one. 

I think it's the DC hires and actually having good QBs finally.  Rudock was good but not as good as Cade or JJ, and he was a one season transfer, seems like we have continuity now and defense and offense both clicking at the same time.

Skeptic of Harbaugh since 2017? I was glad that UM was actually beating anyone they should beat and be competitive against good teams,.after RR and Hoke era. I think people just had way too much expectation for him.

It is weird that it appears the fire is back in Harbaugh's belly. There were a couple of years where he got docile. Not sure if it was his penchant to want to flirt with the NFL or if there was something going on between him and the leadership at U of M, or if his dad who had publicly said that he wanted him to tone it down that was getting into his head, but something is definitely different. You have to be who you are and the real Jim is a fiery hard nosed football coach not unlike the guy who mentored him.

I think our secondary is better. We miss Dax but we are better at every other position.

1690, How many college teams do you think are successful with ANY game plan - against Top 25 competition - if they don't have an OL that's at least "above average".

It all starts in the trenches, on both O & D.   Whether it's protection or pressure - run or pass - if your OL isn't effective in doing what the play calls for, the offense won't be effective.