What are the key questions you want to see answered on the field by this team?
Brian's reference to his upcoming 5Q5A post got me thinking about the key questions I want to see answered by the team this Fall. This team has big time potential, but there are a few things that will determine the success of the season. My focus is on questions that we won't know the answers to until we see the team play for real. My questions are below, I'm curious to see what everyone else thinks as well.
- How real is the offensive transition? There has been a lot of talk about "speed in space", going more up-tempo, and being more pass-oriented. Is this going to be a radically different offense from what we've seen in the past few years, or is the hype just talk and the offense will be largely the same, but with some different wrinkles?
- How good is Vincent Gray? JT Turner? And how far behind is Ambry? Based on recent reports and the information we've learned about Ambry's health, the CB position is the most concerning position group on this team. Outside of Hill, there are major question marks and unproven depth.
- How good is Dax Hill? Long-term expectations for him are still through the roof, but can he come in and make an impact now? If he can, that may help mitigate the lack of depth at the corner position.
- How real is the Jeter hype? How healthy is Dwumfour? After CB, the interior d-line is the next most concerning position group in my mind. The long-term potential is there, with Smith and Hinton looking promising. But the group this year could struggle, especially if Dwumfour is limited or out.
- How good are the linebackers? We've heard a lot of talk about how much they are competing and how deep they are, but how good are they? There is no Bush, and Ross seems promising. But Gil was meh last year, and the others (McGrone, Anthony, Glasgow) are unproven in competitive scenarios.
That's a lot of questions focused on the defense for me. The idealistic version of myself trusts Don Brown and his ability to elevate the guys who need development. There may be some positive surprises.
But the pessimistic version of myself, who has lived through the last 10 years of dong-punches and knows BPONE well, expects gaps and a step back from the defenses we've enjoyed the last two years.
There is a lot of optimism for the offense though. To me, the biggest reasons there are a talented and experienced QB, and an equally talented and experienced offensive line. Those two factors can mitigate a lot of other deficiencies in any offense.
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:35 AM ^
Can they beat Ohio State.
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:37 AM ^
At this point, this is the only question that matters.
August 22nd, 2019 at 12:30 PM ^
Except, possibly, how many talking heads on sports media mention how pathetic it is that the fans rush the field after celebrating the joy of amateur sports for weeks prior.
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:52 AM ^
This really is the $64,000 question. Beat Ohio. Period.
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:06 AM ^
Can this team make this website explode with joy on November 30, 2019 at around 3:30PM?
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:08 AM ^
I don't know why or how but his gif completely encapsulates my feelings on this topic.
August 22nd, 2019 at 5:39 PM ^
Is that Brian Kelly after the inevitable stroke?
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:07 AM ^
Minor thread-jack.
Michigan vs. MSU in an NCAA Twitter poll for All-Star team of the Decade. Currently 51%-49%:
August 22nd, 2019 at 12:29 PM ^
Currently at 50%/50%. Get out the vote, people.
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:13 AM ^
The only question that really matters at this point.
If Jimmy can't beat them this year, them with a brand new, young and inexperienced QB and a first time ever head coach, then I think it would be sadly safe to say he'll never beat em =(
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:30 AM ^
Top ranked QB recruits in the last 15 years according to 247:
1. Trevor Lawrence
2. Justin Fields
3. Terrelle Pryor
Whether Fields plays up to his potential or he still looks young and inexperienced in his 24th game is a big factor. If the latter and Michigan still can't win, that's a bad sign for the future. If the former, OSU is going to be very tough again this season.
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:39 AM ^
Keep going down that list.
4. Russel Sheppard
5. Ryan Perriloux
6. Xavier Lee
7. Tebow
8. Jeff driskel
Seems to be about a coin flip between all timer and player who nobody has heard of after 5 years
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:53 AM ^
I don't know where you came up with those names. If you want to go back 20 years you can add Vince Young and Brock Berlin.
Here's who 247 lists: https://247sports.com/Sport/Football/AllTimeRecruitRankings/
4. Matt Barkley
5. Jimmy Clausen
6. Mark Sanchez
No real misses up that high, but plenty among other highly ranked QB recruits. Which side Fields lands on is largely out of Michigan's control.
August 22nd, 2019 at 12:04 PM ^
Shea is 12th on that list. Interestingly, TTB believes Shea is nowhere near as good as Tua, in Magnus’s write up for how well DPJ’s numbers will be this year. Instead of worrying about Fields, I prefer Shea, our WRs, our OL and the D live up to their hype—and that they all have their best game every game forward.
August 22nd, 2019 at 1:42 PM ^
Never is a really long time
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:17 AM ^
Closely followed by, will beating Ohio State repair the emotional harm done over the last decade.
August 22nd, 2019 at 12:15 PM ^
Decade? Try fifteen years. To answer that question - only partially. We need to actually beat them consecutively, which hasn't happened since the 90s. It's fucking pathetic.
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:36 AM ^
And we have a winner. This is all that matters. Harbaugh has done everything expected in his first 4 years at UM EXCEPT beat OSU. We are good again, we are solid and respected again...we are NOT elite.
2016 and 2018 were good but not playoff seasons because...couldn't beat OSU. Sure, Iowa and Notre Dame..., but if we can't beat OSU, we aren't beating Clemson, Bama, Georgia anyways.
Become elite, beat OSU, and start building towards a perennial contender, the same way Dabo has done with Clemson.
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:40 AM ^
If you want us to be comparable to Clemson, are you ok with our coaches throwing bags of cash at blue chip recruits and pumping our guys full of PEDs?
I am, but most around here aren't.
August 22nd, 2019 at 2:58 PM ^
Certainly...as long as everyone else is doing it, why not? Don't give me this holier than thou nonsense about rules of the game.
Rules are... don't get caught!
August 22nd, 2019 at 5:43 PM ^
Unilateral disarmament seldom works, eh Wichita?
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:53 AM ^
End thread. There are NO other questions that mean a damn thing other than that one.
None.
August 22nd, 2019 at 12:17 PM ^
BINGO!! The one and only question I have!!
August 22nd, 2019 at 1:13 PM ^
This!
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:36 AM ^
My questions are related to depth. Who are the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th corners. Who are the 3rd, 4th, and 5th DTs. Will a RB step up and be a capable feature guy? Will the DEs be able to not take too big a step back without Chase and Rashan?
Also, will the WRs be healthy?
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:52 AM ^
I'm curious why I haven't heard of Jaylen Kelly-Powell moving over to corner yet. I believe he practiced there and as a slot corner the last couple of years... If he isn't going to win a spot at safety this year, why hasn't he been moved to corner?
August 22nd, 2019 at 12:35 PM ^
He has.
Zordich said in the spring that Kelly-Powell was practicing at corner. Harbaugh mentioned him there when he spoke about Ambry Thomas' condition. Sam Webb has talked about him at corner and nickelback. He's listed as the 3rd CB on every depth chart prediction I've seen lately.
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:38 AM ^
Is the OL good enough against a great DL like Sparty's or the Buckeyes?
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:54 AM ^
Agree! A quick passing attack and RPOs can help mitigate some concerns, but Michigan's tackles will face a very solid list of defensive ends in the Big Ten, and eventually, Patterson will need some time to deliver the ball on some key third downs. Here's hoping Mayfield (maybe Stueber later on) and Runyan can hold up. I'm enthusiastic about the interior O Line.
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:40 AM ^
is the Popeyes' spicy chicken sandwich worth the hype?
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:43 AM ^
I feel like we should be asking you that question.
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:47 AM ^
Good point, I'll report back after lunch
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:52 AM ^
Ruiz: "54's the Mike! Chick-Fil-A's chicken sandwich sucks!"
OSU MLB #54: "WAIT WHAT?? Popeye's is the WORST!"
Onwenu: "Get in my belly!"
Ruiz: "Time to eat!"
OSU DT: "Your mom said she likes Popeyes!"
Patterson: 100 yard TD pass to DPJ, to put Michigan up 77-0 in the second quarter.
August 22nd, 2019 at 1:21 PM ^
99 yd TD pass seem implausible to me. That would mean OSU would have driven far enough to have a punt be down at the one.
August 22nd, 2019 at 2:22 PM ^
Here's the scenario:
- OSU kicks off. Touchback.
- 1st and 10 from UM 25: offensive holding.
- 1st and 25 from UM 15: offensive holding again.
- 1st and 35 from UM 5: Shea takes the snap, scrambles, launches the ball from the goal line...DPJ catches it at the OSU goal line for the touchdown.
100 yard TD pass.
August 29th, 2019 at 1:59 PM ^
First of all, why do we have to hold?
Second, the holding from the 15, would result in half the distance, so ball on 7.5.
Third TD passes are measured from the line of scrimmage and the distance in the air is irrelevant.
Other than that, totally plausible.
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:10 AM ^
What I can tell you is that Popeye's Cajun Chicken is not worth it at all. Literally zero Cajun flavor and just pure "hot".
What you need is some Bojangles'! Best fried chicken and biscuits I've had from a fast food joint and hands down the best Cajun Chicken I've ever had. Too bad the closest one is Kentucky though :/
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:18 AM ^
The movie Little Nicky taught me that Popeye's chicken is the shizznit.
August 22nd, 2019 at 12:46 PM ^
That movie taught me Popeyes chicken is fuckin awesome
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:24 AM ^
I had Bo Jangles this summer for the first time. That place is legit.
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:45 AM ^
Bo Jangles is pretty good, but has nothing on Zaxby's or Canes in my opinion.
August 22nd, 2019 at 6:29 PM ^
Dude, raising canes is the jam. Best chicken.
August 22nd, 2019 at 2:23 PM ^
+50 for the Bojangles love. That place is a-maize-ing and it sucks that they are nowhere near Pittsburgh, or anywhere for that matter up north except the lone store in Reading PA of all places.
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:23 AM ^
Maybe there are some nice ones out there, but just driving past, the two Popeyes in my area are definitely two of the last places I would pick, and that includes the fish place where the homeless people fight in the parking lot and the laundromat that sells fried chicken out the back door
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:26 AM ^
Well, then you my friend have not tried their red beans and rice. It makes my mouth water as I speak it.
August 22nd, 2019 at 12:07 PM ^
My grandma might slap me for saying this but the best red beans and rice I have ever eaten, and it's not even close, is O.T.'S Up-N Smoke BBQ in Battle Creek, MI.
I have gone there to order just sides of red beans and rice for dinner
August 22nd, 2019 at 12:08 PM ^
No, definitely not. I have not tried their anything, because by the exterior alone instead of red beans and rice it looks like they'd serve you roach eggs and rats.
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:24 AM ^
I am curious to hear your feedback. I am a spicy tenders with blackened ranch kind of guy, but this sandwich has definitely peaked my interest
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:55 AM ^
Yes it absolutely is. Very tasty. Would recommend.
August 22nd, 2019 at 12:56 PM ^
Had the original chicken sandwich from Popeyes yesterday....it was pretty good!