This is dead-on. We don't have to pound it up the middle to win and "move the ball enough." That's the huge difference between this years' offense and previous iterations - there are a lot of ways Gattis and co. can hurt you, and they will adjust as necessary.
To me it'll be about attacking the edges with our run game and screens, which should open up the middle of the field a bit for intermediate throws and inside runs.
I hear ya on this, I just don't think we'll be beating OSU for a while. If M were to go 11-1, would you be disappointed (earnest curiosity here, not sarcastic)?
I'm worried about the O-line too. Losing Collins sucks but we should have some guys that can step in to help stem the loss of production (Black, Sainristil, Jackson). I think McCaffery or Milton will be better than Shea was this year, if not only because they've had a full season to learn the offense.
I am so tired of this dude pretending that outright pessimism/thinly-veiled contempt for this program is in fact learned realism. Everybody knows we haven't beaten OSU and haven't won a B1G championship. And, labeling everybody that's optimistic about this team as "Harbaugh kool-aid drinking idiots" who want to just bury our heads in the sand is just irritating. You're a self-loathing fan. Go away.
Agreed. Blaming the offensive ineptitude on a lack of understanding or fundamentals is ridiculous. It's the same system that's been in place since 2015.
I'm confused why Harbaugh is sticking with Pep. We know he is capable of making great coaching hires (Brown, Warriner), so why not cut bait with Pep and try somebody new that has demonstrated success in the college game?
Agree that recruiting is the main thing holding us back, but not sure that it has to do with academic issues. The fact is, M has been extremely average over the last decade and has been synonymous with dysfunction and unrealized potential.
Harbaugh took over a progam that was sick. He's building it back up, but it's going to take time. Also, let's keep in mind he's won 10 games in 3/4 years; at most other schools they'd build a statue for you for that kind of record.
I think as we rack up more 10+ win seasons and maintain continuity with the coaching staff we'll be able to make up ground quickly in the talent department, and that will certainly translate to results on the field.
I love that he said it. It feels different than us driving a spike into the field in Spartan Stadium or even Mike Hart's infamous line. This team is good. They know they're good, and they don't give a fuck if you know it. Confidence is better than fake humility.
It's gonna be a dogfight, but for the first time in years, it feels like we can actually win going into this game.
I'm surprised that Evans started today. He doesn't run hard and is a huge liability in pass pro. He's great when he has space but I'd rather have Tru in there on passing downs.
Last weekend we saw Mayfield at LT and Hudson at RT. If Hudson is taking more reps with the 1s, who is he replacing...JBB or Runyan? Has to be Runyan...right?
Exactly this. The previous regime put too much emphasis on loyalty and not enough on performance. Let's not pretend Swenson won't have the opportunity to play elsewhere. Meanwhile we free up another scholarship.
If the guy from the board is telling the truth, what's the big deal here?
Yes the timing could have been better, but it's not as if they're revoking his scholarship. They were simply being honest about PT and let the kid make the decision for himself. Could it be possible Harbaugh and Co. alerted him well-before now and it took him this long to make a decision?
Basically, I don't think we have to question the integrity of our staff or how they're conducting their recruiting search. It doesn't look good after an initial glance but as Brian noted we're not operating with all of the information and in all likelihood he'll land somewhere great where he can look forward to PT. Best wishes to the young man.
Excellent as always. Interesting that Ross isn't getting many snaps. I know he's a bit undersized, but he seems athletic and and shown good instincts occasionally.
He did end up getting the single best recruit we've had in decades, but I agree with you. Also he couldn't help any of his guys develop, so who cares if you have highly-ranked recruiting classes.
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Certainly below Bo and Lloyd (considering the modern era), but I think he can be proud of what he accomplished.
This is dead-on. We don't have to pound it up the middle to win and "move the ball enough." That's the huge difference between this years' offense and previous iterations - there are a lot of ways Gattis and co. can hurt you, and they will adjust as necessary.
To me it'll be about attacking the edges with our run game and screens, which should open up the middle of the field a bit for intermediate throws and inside runs.
I hear ya on this, I just don't think we'll be beating OSU for a while. If M were to go 11-1, would you be disappointed (earnest curiosity here, not sarcastic)?
I'm worried about the O-line too. Losing Collins sucks but we should have some guys that can step in to help stem the loss of production (Black, Sainristil, Jackson). I think McCaffery or Milton will be better than Shea was this year, if not only because they've had a full season to learn the offense.
Parlayed Tulsa and Cincy and won a whopping 40 dollars last week.
I've been using it for about two years. Prior to that we were using Hulu and switched to YouTubeTV in the middle of a game because Hulu was so awful.
Never had problems with streaming quality. Highly-recommended.
I am so tired of this dude pretending that outright pessimism/thinly-veiled contempt for this program is in fact learned realism. Everybody knows we haven't beaten OSU and haven't won a B1G championship. And, labeling everybody that's optimistic about this team as "Harbaugh kool-aid drinking idiots" who want to just bury our heads in the sand is just irritating. You're a self-loathing fan. Go away.
Totally forgot about him. My God he was terrible.
I would rather have Pep over Debord and Drevno over Borges. Not even close on either account.
Agreed. Blaming the offensive ineptitude on a lack of understanding or fundamentals is ridiculous. It's the same system that's been in place since 2015.
I'm confused why Harbaugh is sticking with Pep. We know he is capable of making great coaching hires (Brown, Warriner), so why not cut bait with Pep and try somebody new that has demonstrated success in the college game?
HELL YEAH
FWIW, Michigan's defense was ranked #1...clown
Agree that recruiting is the main thing holding us back, but not sure that it has to do with academic issues. The fact is, M has been extremely average over the last decade and has been synonymous with dysfunction and unrealized potential.
Harbaugh took over a progam that was sick. He's building it back up, but it's going to take time. Also, let's keep in mind he's won 10 games in 3/4 years; at most other schools they'd build a statue for you for that kind of record.
I think as we rack up more 10+ win seasons and maintain continuity with the coaching staff we'll be able to make up ground quickly in the talent department, and that will certainly translate to results on the field.
I love that he said it. It feels different than us driving a spike into the field in Spartan Stadium or even Mike Hart's infamous line. This team is good. They know they're good, and they don't give a fuck if you know it. Confidence is better than fake humility.
It's gonna be a dogfight, but for the first time in years, it feels like we can actually win going into this game.
I thought the OL played better than expected. A few coverage sacks but people weren't in Shea's face all night.
I'm gonna go get the papers, get the papers
Ha! Not too far off...
I wish I shared your optimism re: Nebraska. That team scares me with a healthy QB...and as we saw today (and at ND), we struggle against mobile QBs.
Here's hoping I'm wrong!
I'm surprised that Evans started today. He doesn't run hard and is a huge liability in pass pro. He's great when he has space but I'd rather have Tru in there on passing downs.
Exactly! Last year we would not have capitalized on those mistakes and it would have been a very close game.
Last weekend we saw Mayfield at LT and Hudson at RT. If Hudson is taking more reps with the 1s, who is he replacing...JBB or Runyan? Has to be Runyan...right?
HOT TAKE
I'm really high on Hawkins. He comes down hard on running plays and is better than Metellus in coverage IMO.
I was fairly impressed with Mayfield's pass pro during his limited playing time, and Shea is the real deal.
Your medal is in the mail. Bad guy that covers up abuse gets fired = time to celebrate.
HOT TAKE. Ugh.
Overall I think it's a great landing spot for him. Always great to see one of our guys taken in the first round.
I think the easy solution would be to not click on the thread.
I hope John left out the part where he mentions something about the Super Bowl in response to Coach's zinger.
WTF with Marc
Savior of the program. What is the appropriate amount of time to wait before commisioning the statue?
Exactly this. The previous regime put too much emphasis on loyalty and not enough on performance. Let's not pretend Swenson won't have the opportunity to play elsewhere. Meanwhile we free up another scholarship.
If the guy from the board is telling the truth, what's the big deal here?
Yes the timing could have been better, but it's not as if they're revoking his scholarship. They were simply being honest about PT and let the kid make the decision for himself. Could it be possible Harbaugh and Co. alerted him well-before now and it took him this long to make a decision?
Basically, I don't think we have to question the integrity of our staff or how they're conducting their recruiting search. It doesn't look good after an initial glance but as Brian noted we're not operating with all of the information and in all likelihood he'll land somewhere great where he can look forward to PT. Best wishes to the young man.
And still one more to go this week, according to Ahmir!!!!
FYI, if you vote too much in a small period of time, you'll be locked out. Down by ~60 votes last time I checked.
HOT TAKE
"...one truth is that as a pendulum is in the negative state, it's always building energy for its eventual move back to a positive arc."
Excellent as always. Interesting that Ross isn't getting many snaps. I know he's a bit undersized, but he seems athletic and and shown good instincts occasionally.
I don't think so man. Like you said, he wasn't bashing the officials directly, rather the lack of clarity in the rulebook.
He did end up getting the single best recruit we've had in decades, but I agree with you. Also he couldn't help any of his guys develop, so who cares if you have highly-ranked recruiting classes.
He was so painfully mediocre here. I honestly hope he gets hired someplace so his name is associated with someting OTHER than Michigan.
Coming from a guy with maybe the worst special teams units in Michigan history...
I actually watched the live feed of Hand's commitment ceremony at work...threw my headphones down and did about 5 laps after he chose Bama...
From Mad Max: Fury Road (link to youtube clip).
Such a badass movie.
I honestly don't get it. Gedeon looked incredible in the OSU game a few years back. To me he looks a bit more athletic than Bolden.
Here's
UM: 42, UNLV: 10
Here's hoping we have 0 turnovers, and that De'Veon keeps rumbling.
Getting my braces on. My dad and I couldn't believe what we heard on the radio during our drive to the orthodontist. So sad.
Just saw his tweets, and re-tweets. Ugh. Jimmy will be none too happy.
Thanks for posting, very level-headed commentary.