OldDad67

January 11th, 2022 at 8:54 PM ^

I've tried, but I fail to see any weakness in our offense next year. The only question might be the loss of Haskins, but that loss actually could turn into a gain with more playing time for Edwards. The line seems solid and should actually improve, and our tight ends and receivers are absolutely loaded. Can't wait.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

January 11th, 2022 at 9:22 PM ^

Let me offer 3 - and it’s purely greed by even listing these:

1. Power back per your Haskins point. Who can pick up 3 yards when we need 1?  [Yes, the start of Leroy Hoard’s great quote.]

2. Elite WR.  We have a group of very good, deep and athletic WRs but we’re missing the 1st or multiple 1-2 round guys who can shred almost any defense.  Clemson, Bama and OSU have been nearly unstoppable in big games with these guys - when healthy.

3. Elite OL. This squad had an excellent OL, but in the biggest moment with UGA’s elite DL the OL was not effective enough. Of the 3 missing areas, we are probably closest to this area.

Ronswanson13

January 11th, 2022 at 10:20 PM ^

Well said.

I do worry about those tough yards that Haskins got us so often this year, but I’m also very high on Edwards and think overall the offense has enough upside to overcome it.

Agreed 100% on the WRs. The simple fact is that none of our starters would have started for Ohio State. To be fair, that’d be the case for the vast majority of WRs nationwide, but the point remains that we don’t have a true #1. There’s no Braylon Edwards. There’s not a player that you must target several times a game and not a player that the opposition circles. Not yet. I’m very high on Anthony in the little we seen from him and hope to see him earn starter reps this season. He has the best pass catching ability and range on the team from what I’ve seen.

To be fair to the O-line, nobody was effective against Georgia’s defensive front. Well, Bama got to their secondary the first game, but as we see last night in the rematch - Georgia was too much. That’s not a normal college front 7. But it is fair to say that Michigan probably doesn’t have a 1st round talent on their line. No dominant tackle. But it’ll still be a really good college line and probably the best in the B1G.

MJ14

January 11th, 2022 at 10:27 PM ^

Andrel Anthony might be a year away but he’s your elite receiver. Bell comes back and will be an All Big Ten receiver and CJ is a fine number 3 wide receiver. Through in the rest of the crew and Michigan's receiving room will be great next year.

Offensive line biggest weakness was Vastardis against Georgia. Michigan brings in the Virginia transfer who graded out even better than Vastardis did and Vastardis was a very good center. Plus you get a healthy Zinter all year who will be one of the best guards in all of college football. The offensive line next year will be the best in the Big Ten and probably one of the top 5 in the country. Oh and also basically no one held up against Georgias defensive line. Young was just crazy mobile in the 1st game they played. That’s why a mobile QB is so important. You could see a huge difference when JJ was in against Georgia and moving around when he needed to. 

Corum is a lot like Hart and can get a few extra yards. I don’t think you’ll find anyone like Haskins on the team next year but you won’t find a guy like Haskins most places. Edwards brings an ability to break huge plays and catch out of the backfield. Don’t sleep on Dunlap being a guy that can get a yard or two when absolutely needed though . But again that will be the biggest drop off on offense. But I think you’ll see a much more electric passing game and Michigan won’t need to grind a bunch of short yardage out against stacked boxes. Which makes a huge difference . 

OldDad67

January 11th, 2022 at 10:32 PM ^

In my defense, we just finished number three in the nation and my comments were in regard to how our offense would compare to this year's. In no way do I think that we are on the level of Alabama or Georgia at this point, and may probably never be. I think we have every reason to believe that next year's offense will be not only as good as, but better than, this years.

Gree4

January 12th, 2022 at 9:27 AM ^

3. Look at the stats for UGAs DL vs Alabama's DL - they did the same thing to an "elite" OL at Bama. While I agree you need ELITE to win it all, Georgia's DL might be one of the best we will see in a long long time. 

Also - I raise you Georgia's LBs were fast and "elite". If one of Georgias DL gets blocked, the LB picked it up from there. Overall that defense was top notch and it shut down UM and Bama. Give Georgia credit where its due. 

Ronswanson13

January 11th, 2022 at 6:39 PM ^

Well Georgia for starters.

But I agree that Michigan is in good shape here. Between his one handed snag vs Iowa to his one handed diving catch that didn’t count against Maryland, Schoonmaker showed pass catching abilities down the stretch that I frankly didn’t know he had.

The offense has all the ingredients for next season. Time to put them all together and make a good offense even better.

Sam1863

January 12th, 2022 at 7:20 AM ^

You make a fair point about the underclassmen. I remember thinking "Wow, what an idiot" about several of them when I was a senior.

At the same time, I liked being a college student. By the time I got to 22 I was a much better student than I was when I was an 18-year-old freshman dipstick. And since all my requirements were completed (all my "have to" classes, as I thought of them), my classes were more interesting. And I had a goal, and a sense of purpose.

All in all, college was one of the best times of my life. I've certainly had worse.

mexwolv

January 11th, 2022 at 6:35 PM ^

All these guys returning has to be a good sign.

I have such great expectations for our offense next season, I do not want anything getting in the way.