Washington likely our opponent. Penix has incredible touch. Thoughts?

Submitted by Buy Bushwood on January 2nd, 2024 at 12:27 AM

Hard to root against Washington.  And thank you for taking out one of the all-time coaching frauds Steve Sarkisian. UW, much like UM, has been underestimated all year.  And yet they are 14-0 and obviously an elite team.  They're hard to figure out.  Other than Penix, they don't seem outstanding anywhere, and yet they win.  They have been in relative control all night against a Texas team that many thought was the best in the country.  

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rc90

January 2nd, 2024 at 12:33 AM ^

Why do I keep seeing shots of Penix on the sidelines, facing away from the camera, bent over a bench, looking like he is going to throw up?

I would guess Barner and Tuttle would have some insights here.

Joined: 02/15/2016

MGoPoints: 8534

MIMark

January 2nd, 2024 at 12:33 AM ^

I'd have rather played Texas. Might legit get 8 sacks on Ewers.

But Washington. What I've said all year long still stands - they are a one trick pony. Now that one trick is damned good - Penix has outstanding accuracy and they have four or five receivers that would be the #2 receiver on OSU behind MHJ.

They are like a better OSU and also an OSU lite. Their pass offense is better. Their O line is better. Their QB is far better. Their receiving corps top to bottom is better. But OSU is better in every other unit.

Run the ball, dominate time of possession. See how Penix reacts when facing the best defensive line he's seen all year.

Joined: 05/05/2009

MGoPoints: 3735

MIMark

January 2nd, 2024 at 1:01 AM ^

Meaning they have one way to win - pass for a thousand yards and hope the opponent cannot keep up. As opposed to Alabama, who can win with QB runs, power runs, deep passes, suffocating defense, turnovers, time of possession, frenzied drives, they can do any of it. The scariest teams are the ones that can beat you multiple ways. 

Joined: 05/05/2009

MGoPoints: 3735

B-Nut-GoBlue

January 2nd, 2024 at 1:30 AM ^

UW ran for 157 yards against Oregon on the Pac12 championship.  They can run the ball.

Now...their horse RB Dillon Johnson limped off the field in the closing minutes of tonight's game and that would be a huge blow if he were to not be available (he will...but how healthy we shall see).

Joined: 09/30/2011

MGoPoints: 43753

KO Stradivarius

January 2nd, 2024 at 12:33 AM ^

These other conferences don't play much defense, so their offenses look like basketball on grass.  I think we keep the game close and become a constrictor slowly squeezing them until they can't breathe while applying more pressure to their defense with our running game which they cannot stop because their defense is soft and then we can throw deep with play action and sack their QB because their OL is soft because they never play anyone else with a good defense and they are complacent and overconfident and...what was the question? 

Joined: 12/16/2014

MGoPoints: 30720

Indy Pete - Go Blue

January 2nd, 2024 at 12:34 AM ^

Penix continues to rise to the occasion - penetrating deep into his opponents.  They are good, but we are also good - really good. Will be a challenge, and I think our men will be up for it.

Joined: 01/23/2018

MGoPoints: 157904

Ghost of Fritz…

January 2nd, 2024 at 12:35 AM ^

I prefer Washington as the opponent.  Washington's D is a MUCH better matchup for us than Texas' D.  They will score with Penix and their receivers.  But Michigan's D will at least slow them down.  Michigan has the best D in the nation and they have not seen anything close to that.  Plus, Washington's dline is just not that good so Michigan should be able to run and control the clock.

Joined: 10/04/2014

MGoPoints: 23880

mgobleu

January 2nd, 2024 at 1:03 AM ^

This is where I’m at. Our secondary is gonna get got by Penix a time or two, but their run game will struggle and they really will be a one trick pony.

With their pass defense I could see JJ having big game, and the run game will get to take whatever it wants. 

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 38428

The Mad Hatter

January 2nd, 2024 at 12:37 AM ^

I think Sark is a good coach now that he's off the sauce.

Penix throws a great deep ball, so we need to take that away and knock put him on his ass.

Minter will be ready. Jaybaugh and Moore better be too.

Joined: 02/17/2015

MGoPoints: 112109

907_UM Nanook

January 2nd, 2024 at 12:38 AM ^

Penix hasn't been touched tonight. We need to get pressure & hit him, he's fragile. Obviously will be tough with his OL winning the Joe Moore this year. And obviously defend Odunze & Polk on the deep ball.

Joined: 04/01/2018

MGoPoints: 15403

lebriarjr

January 2nd, 2024 at 12:39 AM ^

If 〽️ dominates both line of scrimmages and controls the ball, the wolverines will win.  
 

Washington is a better team than Bama. 
 

〽️ wins its first natty since 1997. 

Joined: 02/03/2016

MGoPoints: 5642

WolverineHistorian

January 2nd, 2024 at 12:39 AM ^

I had to look it up because I don’t know much about Texas geography.  But Houston is just a 60 minute drive from Texas’ campus.  So it’s nice to know we won’t be playing a team that will basically have a home game…kind of like all the Rose Bowls we played against USC.

However…Penix is scary good.  He was always good when he was at IU but he’s just a freak of nature now.  Nobody is going to be able to contain him.  We have to outscore them.  I’ll have to research how good Washington’s defense is because nobody really plays defense in the PAC 10.

Also, it’s obvious we can’t make all the special teams mistakes we had tonight.  

Joined: 08/10/2009

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