Thinking Football is a great channel. I believe Brian and Seth have referenced it as one of their channels that helped them learn the Ravens defense. They have quite a few videos specifically about Ravens concepts I would highly recommend.
Devin finished 3rd in defensive rookie of the year voting and was on a star track on the Pittsburgh defense. Alas, that injury really sapped his speed.
Keon Sabb coming down to cover the Will Johnson blitz in the second half of Bama game. He rotates with perfect timing and he is the last man. If Burton beats him quickly, it’s a touchdown we likely can’t come back from. Instead Sabb makes a stop for no gain.
I think Mike McDonald and Jesse Minter have found a ton of creative options for the defense that don’t rely on blitzing as often is their unique spin. The base amoeba hybrid package is the same, but they run a lot of creative and confusing coverages behind it to mess with passing oriented attacks.
This is not original. It's the thing Jerry Sandusky was most known for before the other thing. It's what Dick LeBeau made his Hall of Fame career on. It's what Michigan ran as its base defense the last time we imported a Ravens defensive assistant in 2011-'12. Bob Davie is credited with coming up with it when trying to counter the Run 'n Shoot. Even without the talent disparity, the Amoeba's origins made it particularly well-suited to combat an Air Raid run by Hal Mumme's son in Game 1, let alone a Run 'n Shoot coached by a June Jones quarterback (who until last year was coaching under Hal Mumme's son) in Game 2.
I think this coaching staff and team has shown us that we should take more solace than any other team in America in “not knowing”. We have traveled through so much adverse “not knowing” circumstances in the last four years. I believe whole-heartedly in their ability to come out the other side and make us proud this next year too. The characters may be different (losing JJ and maybe JH), but I think key cultural figures will keep us strong in the “not knowing” to come.
Bryan that was one of my favorite pieces of sports writing in a long time. You always convey a genuine, thoughtful, and incredible spirit in your writing. I’m sorry that life isn’t feeling that way right now on a daily basis.
You have been a major piece of Joy for me over the years. We really appreciate all that you have done for MGoBlog and I hope you ultimately write for many more years regularly. We are lucky to have you and Raj!
I’ve seen similar answers to you on the MGoBoard Mt. Rushmore answer. I think JJ doesn’t get enough credit for his role in our culture transformation. He was also here as a prodigy freshman and learned how to execute his role in the offense exceptionally well. He handled the transition from a former team captain very gracefully when it could have fractured a team. He is a talented QB that can win games and consistently leans into a team first identity despite it often not being in his own best NFL scouting interest. Ultimately, as much as it pains me, I would put JJ on over Mike narrowly.
*As an aside this was one of my favorite MGoBoard threads lately. Go check it out.
Thank you Seth for your inspiring and personal post. I am confident this will inspire a lot of MGoBloggers to give to several great initiatives, including anything we can to support Mott’s.
Wisconsin 21 - This was the first time I recall the 2021 team getting more hype for the main home tradition of their opponent as the away team. The players were jumping around in the third quarter for the jump around and it felt like the energy and swagger of this group lead by Aidan and Hassan was different.
Penn State 23 - This game was deeply cathartic for all the sign stealing shenanigans going on at the time. A loss would have been gutting in justifying the narrative. It felt so good to win with 32 straight second half rushes.
Nebraska 21 - I was at this game and it's the loudest I have ever heard a sports stadium. This also felt like a type of game we had lost in years past. However, the team came together and gutted out a tight win when we were only narrowly favored by 2.5 points on the road.
Sanristil at corner and McBurrows at nickel seems like it could be the best answer to Alabama. Josh Wallace has made some key plays this year so I would love him to prove me wrong.
There is a requirement the highest ranked G5 team gets a NY6. The Pac-12 should be particularly frustrated that they drew the G5 team both last year and this year (USC vs Tulane which they somehow lost lol). Feels like they could have rotated the G5 to Missouri or someone else.
I see the last several days as an unequivocal win for our championship probability added. Alabama and Washington knocked off two massive threats to how Michigan plays. Georgia in particular seemed the biggest threat. We will still have to beat two very good teams in January. We can absolutely do it.
Joel Klatt touched on this question in his most recent podcast. He indicated he thought FSU would make it in this scenario. The CFP committee doesn’t choose the best four teams, they choose the path of least resistance.
Also, Texas’ main win would be substantially devalued as Alabama is no longer the almighty SEC champion.
They gave up: 20 Points to Charlotte, 37 Points to OSU, 27 Points to Illinois, 33 Points to Northwestern, 51 Points to Penn State, 27 Points to Michigan, and 24 Points to Rutgers.
They seemed more average than #20 to me. I think this shows a good example of how the Big Ten warps S+P defense measurements disproportionately more than other conferences.
I see the last few days as an unequivocal win for our championship probability versus what could have been. All the models still show Georgia as the main team that could have knocked us out. Alabama knocked them out for us. We have to beat two very good teams to close this out. We can absolutely do it.
Great read OP. I was born in the 90s and Gameday was a huge part of my childhood. Quote from ex-ESPN president “Lee Corso was a modestly successful college football coach who transcended what he did there to become this beloved, Mel Brooks–like nutty uncle.” I couldn’t agree more.
To me, the biggest shift ESPN GameDay made for the worse was going from a 2-hour turbocharged program to a 3-hour program. It was first an extra hour on ESPNU in 2010. Then all 3-hours on ESPN started in 2013. This just diluted the same content over 50% extra time. I kept watching for a few more years. It hasn’t been the same since.
Gary Hazelitt (Director of Equipment and Internal Operations) was speaking at U of M club of Ann Arbor for the Monday Luncheon at Weber’s. He mentioned the all white uniforms. He also indicated Mike Sanristil had a big say in picking the uniform colors this week!
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Thinking Football is a great channel. I believe Brian and Seth have referenced it as one of their channels that helped them learn the Ravens defense. They have quite a few videos specifically about Ravens concepts I would highly recommend.
Devin finished 3rd in…
Link
Devin finished 3rd in defensive rookie of the year voting and was on a star track on the Pittsburgh defense. Alas, that injury really sapped his speed.
Man, these posts do likely fit better in diaries but I am a lot more likely to see them in the MGoBoard. Great content as always!
You are my favorite of the non-front page posters.
Keon Sabb coming down to cover the Will Johnson blitz in the second half of Bama game. He rotates with perfect timing and he is the last man. If Burton beats him quickly, it’s a touchdown we likely can’t come back from. Instead Sabb makes a stop for no gain.
I think Mike McDonald and Jesse Minter have found a ton of creative options for the defense that don’t rely on blitzing as often is their unique spin. The base amoeba hybrid package is the same, but they run a lot of creative and confusing coverages behind it to mess with passing oriented attacks.
Stealing from Seth’s Neck Sharpies in 2022. LINK
This is not original. It's the thing Jerry Sandusky was most known for before the other thing. It's what Dick LeBeau made his Hall of Fame career on. It's what Michigan ran as its base defense the last time we imported a Ravens defensive assistant in 2011-'12. Bob Davie is credited with coming up with it when trying to counter the Run 'n Shoot. Even without the talent disparity, the Amoeba's origins made it particularly well-suited to combat an Air Raid run by Hal Mumme's son in Game 1, let alone a Run 'n Shoot coached by a June Jones quarterback (who until last year was coaching under Hal Mumme's son) in Game 2.
I think this coaching staff and team has shown us that we should take more solace than any other team in America in “not knowing”. We have traveled through so much adverse “not knowing” circumstances in the last four years. I believe whole-heartedly in their ability to come out the other side and make us proud this next year too. The characters may be different (losing JJ and maybe JH), but I think key cultural figures will keep us strong in the “not knowing” to come.
This and MGoBlog yearbook! I am set on birthday presents for all my Michigan family and friends this year.
Bryan that was one of my favorite pieces of sports writing in a long time. You always convey a genuine, thoughtful, and incredible spirit in your writing. I’m sorry that life isn’t feeling that way right now on a daily basis.
You have been a major piece of Joy for me over the years. We really appreciate all that you have done for MGoBlog and I hope you ultimately write for many more years regularly. We are lucky to have you and Raj!
I’ve seen similar answers to you on the MGoBoard Mt. Rushmore answer. I think JJ doesn’t get enough credit for his role in our culture transformation. He was also here as a prodigy freshman and learned how to execute his role in the offense exceptionally well. He handled the transition from a former team captain very gracefully when it could have fractured a team. He is a talented QB that can win games and consistently leans into a team first identity despite it often not being in his own best NFL scouting interest. Ultimately, as much as it pains me, I would put JJ on over Mike narrowly.
*As an aside this was one of my favorite MGoBoard threads lately. Go check it out.
Thank you Seth for your inspiring and personal post. I am confident this will inspire a lot of MGoBloggers to give to several great initiatives, including anything we can to support Mott’s.
Wisconsin 21 - This was the first time I recall the 2021 team getting more hype for the main home tradition of their opponent as the away team. The players were jumping around in the third quarter for the jump around and it felt like the energy and swagger of this group lead by Aidan and Hassan was different.
Penn State 23 - This game was deeply cathartic for all the sign stealing shenanigans going on at the time. A loss would have been gutting in justifying the narrative. It felt so good to win with 32 straight second half rushes.
Nebraska 21 - I was at this game and it's the loudest I have ever heard a sports stadium. This also felt like a type of game we had lost in years past. However, the team came together and gutted out a tight win when we were only narrowly favored by 2.5 points on the road.
Sanristil at corner and McBurrows at nickel seems like it could be the best answer to Alabama. Josh Wallace has made some key plays this year so I would love him to prove me wrong.
There is a requirement the highest ranked G5 team gets a NY6. The Pac-12 should be particularly frustrated that they drew the G5 team both last year and this year (USC vs Tulane which they somehow lost lol). Feels like they could have rotated the G5 to Missouri or someone else.
I see the last several days as an unequivocal win for our championship probability added. Alabama and Washington knocked off two massive threats to how Michigan plays. Georgia in particular seemed the biggest threat. We will still have to beat two very good teams in January. We can absolutely do it.
Joel Klatt touched on this question in his most recent podcast. He indicated he thought FSU would make it in this scenario. The CFP committee doesn’t choose the best four teams, they choose the path of least resistance.
Also, Texas’ main win would be substantially devalued as Alabama is no longer the almighty SEC champion.
Surprised by Maryland at #20 for defense.
They gave up: 20 Points to Charlotte, 37 Points to OSU, 27 Points to Illinois, 33 Points to Northwestern, 51 Points to Penn State, 27 Points to Michigan, and 24 Points to Rutgers.
They seemed more average than #20 to me. I think this shows a good example of how the Big Ten warps S+P defense measurements disproportionately more than other conferences.
Marvin’s last college football game was a loss in Ann Arbor. I think Egbuka will opt out as well.
I see the last few days as an unequivocal win for our championship probability versus what could have been. All the models still show Georgia as the main team that could have knocked us out. Alabama knocked them out for us. We have to beat two very good teams to close this out. We can absolutely do it.
Bet. To be the man you gotta beat the man!
I actually didn’t realize it used to be 90 minutes! That would be the perfect length if it was about the fan experience.
Great read OP. I was born in the 90s and Gameday was a huge part of my childhood. Quote from ex-ESPN president “Lee Corso was a modestly successful college football coach who transcended what he did there to become this beloved, Mel Brooks–like nutty uncle.” I couldn’t agree more.
To me, the biggest shift ESPN GameDay made for the worse was going from a 2-hour turbocharged program to a 3-hour program. It was first an extra hour on ESPNU in 2010. Then all 3-hours on ESPN started in 2013. This just diluted the same content over 50% extra time. I kept watching for a few more years. It hasn’t been the same since.
Gary…
These look clean!
Gary Hazelitt (Director of Equipment and Internal Operations) was speaking at U of M club of Ann Arbor for the Monday Luncheon at Weber’s. He mentioned the all white uniforms. He also indicated Mike Sanristil had a big say in picking the uniform colors this week!
This game was as watched or more than 2 out of the last 3 CFP title games.
2023 Georgia vs TCU: 17.22 Million
2022 Georgia vs Alabama: 22.56 Million
2021 Alabama vs OSU: 19.07 Million