Western Michigan, their defense
Western does not have a tough defense. Here's their defensive ranking over the last 3 years:
2017
#53 overall: #54 rush #64 pass
2016
#25 overall: #45 rush #32 pass
2015
#80 overall: #87 rush #68 pass
The reason for the better numbers in 2016? An little easier schedule than usual.
Michigan should score a lot of points on them. I just hope to see a big improvement in cadence in the offense, over 2 days ago, as they do it. Even when the backups get in later in the game.
Link to stats: http://www.espn.com/college-football/statistics/team/_/stat/total/position/defense/sort/totalYards/year/2017
Will James Hudson be starting on the offensive line this weekend?
Photo: Melaine Maxwell, MLive
Photo: Rachel Lenzi, Land of 10
September 3rd, 2018 at 9:56 AM ^
Go Back to the skinny M hats and atire.
Wear the maize pants on the road.
And all will get better.
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:17 AM ^
Where is the tire to be worn?
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:05 AM ^
I doubt we’ll have any real trouble.
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:10 AM ^
If we play one of those tight games against an inferior opponent, that will be another indication this season is not going to end well. They better come out strong and bury WMU.
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:16 AM ^
Yes, it's time to put Hudson in. Runyan can't handle speed and no amount of coaching will overcome his liabilities at LT.
Warriner has shown the ability in the past to get improvement during the season (see 2014 OSU), so hopefully he can do the same this year.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:09 AM ^
Runyan can’t handle speed, power, or change in direction. He is Ulizio 2.0.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:46 AM ^
Thats what happens when you have a guard at tackle going against top notch DL. All for having guys that are physically able to make a difference and get them reps during the weaker part of the schedule.
If the OL is getting run over all the same, I would rather have the younger dudes start reaching for the ceiling.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:34 AM ^
If Hudson was it, then he would have been starting week one. Obviously the coaching staff likes Runion over Hudson. It’s asking a lot for a defensive guy to move to offense, this move will take time.
September 3rd, 2018 at 12:08 PM ^
Not so sure. I can see the coaches rolling with a more experienced player in week 1 against a tough opponent in a hostile environment, and then breaking in a younger guy with a higher ceiling after that. Time will tell.
September 3rd, 2018 at 12:11 PM ^
Reports were that it was very close and the coaches went with the experienced player on the road in a night game. That won't be the case on Saturday.
Even if he does not start, Hudson should get a lot of game reps.
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:33 AM ^
stop posting
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:15 AM ^
I think he’s drunk
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:53 AM ^
Sky Panther/Mineral King/MichiganFan1984 et al is usually drunk. That is why he has tunnel vision on one thread with all his accounts and makes mistakes switching between accounts etc
Now he is going to scour other people's content to try and make it look like he is a legit poster that adds value to this blog with this account and then some sort of "hey guys I just had a baby" with the MichiganFan1984 and get upvotes because everyone loves to talk about themselves.
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^
All I want to see is at least one of Hudson or mayfield starting. At very least that’ll give us all a slight glimmer of hope. Also, unrelated, but have there been any rumors on who we’re gonna play as a home night game this year?
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:48 AM ^
Nebraska I believe
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:40 AM ^
We should have played western first. Now it will be another month before we know if things are as bad as we all assume they are.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:11 AM ^
I agree. I like years when they open with a weaker opponent or two because it gives the coaches a chance to see their kids in live game action, study the issues and correct them before taking on a tougher team in week 2 or 3. It's kind of like a spring training game in baseball.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:15 AM ^
This is exactly what I have been saying as well. Won't really know too much until Wisconsin comes to town, though a Nebraska win would be impressive.
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:40 AM ^
There cannot be any harm in letting Mayfield and Hudson get snaps in the next 2 games. Especially if we’re up by 3-4 possessions.
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:56 AM ^
Yep. Let's see what they can do. If they're worse than what we're seeing now at least I'll know it's time to stock up on booze.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:28 AM ^
I am not sure how it is possible to not have 2 highly functioning tackles for this length of time at Michigan. It doesn't make sense to me. It is so frustrating
September 3rd, 2018 at 12:14 PM ^
I agree but I gotta point out loosing Newsome to injury and missing out on Wilson made is probably the cause.
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:41 AM ^
As a Western alum and Michigan fan i watch both teams closely.
Key losses on D were Sam Beal, CB-NFL Supplemental Draft, Darius Phillips,CB (TDs at MSU-fumble return & punt return) NFL draft, Robert Spillane, LB - UFA Titans, Steven Clark, best DT, medically retired.
4 big losses on all levels to a defense that wasn’t great last season. Major issues: Pass rush still nonexistent, containment of a running QB-see Syracuse game, coverage vs taller receivers. Those weaknesses play right into the wheelhouse of Patterson’s strengths. I expect a dominant performance from UofM.
I am not convinced that the former hero QB is a very good coach, similar to the prevalent thoughts on this board. Tim Lester and his howdy doody smile are infuriating. Bonehead decisions cost us last year. Not sure he is up to the task at Kzoo???
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:59 AM ^
That is some substantial losses.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:30 AM ^
So basically, Runyan and JBB will have "bounce back" games against weak DE's. Or is that even too optimistic?
I'd take Hudson at a minimum; but would love to see both Mayfield and Hudson in the 2nd half this week. Enough is enough.
September 3rd, 2018 at 12:15 PM ^
I think Mayfield will be a good one eventually, but I have zero interest in him starting as a true frosh. Let him get his 4 games in and redshirt the rest of the way.
September 4th, 2018 at 12:55 AM ^
I agree, I don't think he is physically ready to take on the best Defense Ends just yet. Let him play some against inferior talent and ease him into the position. He needs a year to mature, gain weight, and get stronger in the weight room. He looks to "have it", just need to be patient.
September 3rd, 2018 at 12:13 PM ^
Major issues: Pass rush still nonexistent
Ah, sweet nectar.
September 3rd, 2018 at 2:32 PM ^
I’m a WMU alum (played as a walk on) and Michigan fan. Lester’s hire was a reach by Kathy Beauregard. Time will tell how he does. His hire came at a time where WMU pockets ran deep, because they wanted to retain Fleck, and they could have ponied up to hire a much greater coach.
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:43 AM ^
From my single viewing of the game while drinking, it seemed like JBB was serviceable enough to stay instead of playing a true freshman. I fully support replacing Runyan with Hudson right now. Hudson has more upside and based on Saturday's performance, any immediate benefit to playing Runyan must be pretty small.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:30 AM ^
The issue is that Hudson is backing up JBB on the right side and Mayfield is the back up LT. Not sure how comfortable the staff is putting Hudson at LT, but I think it's worth a shot for a few possessions!
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:47 AM ^
Although I am not at practice to see what the coaches see it seems getting Hudson reps at tackle would be smart.
ND will have one of the best defenses we face all year but both Runyan and JBB got thrashed.
Higdon was awful in pass protection. He showed no want to or toughness. He was paper
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:54 AM ^
Higdon struggled in many facets of the game. He did struggle mightily in pass blocking, and similarly to a couple seasons ago, his lack of vision missed UM out on some big play possibilities.
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:47 AM ^
Giddy up! 1-1!
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:49 AM ^
We might not be able to glean a whole lot from the WMU game, but hopefully it is as we expect - a blowout - and not one of those games which begins to get interesting after errors. What I wouldn't mind seeing, and I am sure others may agree, is a little experimentation up front on offense because this is the sort of game where you're supposed to be able to test a theory or two.
September 3rd, 2018 at 12:17 PM ^
I'm of two minds with regard to how Michigan should approach the WMU game. One part of me wants Michigan to go back to fundamentals and make sure those are burned into muscle memory. In other words, flawlessly executed fundamental football. The other part thinks some experimentation is in order.
My fear is Michigan will win something like 35 - 14, but will show cracks: turnovers, allowing sacks, dropped balls, etc. I'd rather Michigan win by a smaller margin but do so without dumb mistakes, then have a massive blowout with shades of goat rodeo.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:03 AM ^
Syracuse had a very easy day on offense last Friday. We should as well.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:11 AM ^
That’s what worries me. If Jon stays in at LT and the rest of the O cruises it looks like we are fine but then we get to Nebraska and it’s a revolving door again. I say take the lumps now atleast with Hudson and get him ready for Big play. He atleast has the size to play tackle. I’m having nightmares seeing Jon blocking Bosa and that line and MSU.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:22 AM ^
Syracuse offense is vastly different than Michigan offense. Cuse offense runs Briles system which puts a lot of bind on the DBs in coverage and they run uptempo which pose problem for defense who don't communicate quickly and well.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:08 AM ^
If Michigan wants to restore some hope it NEEDS to blow out WMU. A 27-13 sort of win will not be acceptable.
Ideally, Michigan will roll up a comfortable lead and have time in the second half to put Hudson et. al. in on the line to see what they can do. Leading by seven in the third quarter will show that little to no improvement is being made, and fans would be correct to continue sounding the alarm.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:12 AM ^
Hudson might be starting.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:15 AM ^
I hope he does. If JBB hasn't found it yet he never will.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:08 AM ^
It will be nice to see Shea have a little more time for decision making this week. Glad we don't play Syracuse this week.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:13 AM ^
For what it's worth, SMU got blown out by North Texas, so both Michigan needs to coast in both of these next two.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:21 AM ^
Western Michigan has quite a few NFL talent from 2016. They had Darius Phillips, Sam Beal, Keion Adams who all went to the NFL. They also had Corey Davis, Jarvion Franklin on the offensive side. WMU's talent level was above what you would expect from a MAC level team.
Now, they're nowhere near as talented as they were under PJ Fleck and losing Sam Beal to the Supplemental draft didn't help matters.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:49 AM ^
Really stoked for the WMU game! If you can’t win against decent teams on the road and you can’t beat your rivals, bring on WMU, Toledo, and UMass.
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:58 AM ^
Toledo is a rival too. So is Akron.
September 3rd, 2018 at 12:20 PM ^
The Akron game of 2013 was the canary in the coal mine -- a W, but one that showed the fundamental flaws in the team. I fully expect Michigan to notch a W, and I certainly hope they do so in such a way that the 2013 Akron game has no points of comparison.
September 3rd, 2018 at 12:16 PM ^
I'm really sick of hear about "Michigan should" do this or do that based on some stupid metric from last year. I'm also sick of reading posts about win predictions, crystal balls, star ratings, practice hype, and winning national championshipS. None of that stuff matters at all except to create false expectations for our fanbase, and an inevitable letdown when the team, the team, the team doesn't play like it "should".
September 3rd, 2018 at 12:43 PM ^
I was at Western’s game against Syracuse and their defense looked very bad, especially the secondary. Should be a good day for Patterson