Michigan 49, Minnesota 24
They really thought Minnesota was going to do it like that?
They really thought Joe Milton wouldn't be a huge upgrade on Shea Patterson?
They really thought the Gophers could match up with Michigan's team speed?
They really thought a two-page playbook could flummox Don "Dr. Blitz" Brown?
They really thought a team with one good receiver could beat one with four good running backs?
They really thought Ed Warinner wouldn't have the offensive line mashing faces?
Who's they? Who cares. The experts. The Gameday pickers. The doubting family members. The haters and losers. The important thing is they were wrong, Michigan kicked Minnesota's ass, and now we cut a wrestling promo because we're giddy after a long and delightful day of college football.
Sure, the promo probably begins after Michigan is down 7-0 following a blocked punt the Gophers quickly turned into a score, unless you're looking to build dramatic tension. It took one offensive snap for Michigan to even the score.
MICHIGAN 70-YARD HOUSE CALL?
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 25, 2020
pic.twitter.com/QI6SBM0jrW
They said the offensive line might be an issue. Michigan rushed for 264 yards, averaging 8.8 per carry, and allowed one sack.
The Wolverines took the lead when Michael Barrett, the new starter at VIPER, fired off the edge untouched for a strip-sack on Tanner Morgan and the ball popped into the hands of defensive tackle Donovan Jeter, who rumbled for a touchdown from 15 yards out. The Gophers covered 79 yards on the ensuing drive but could only muster a field goal.
In another game-altering play, Barrett fielded a short kickoff and blew through the initial wave of defenders, going 66 yards to set up the offense with first and goal. Two plays later, Milton hit Ben Mason in the flat and the fullback went airborne to get the pylon, bringing the score to 21-10 at the end of the first quarter.
Running back Mohamed Ibrahim, on his way to a 140-yard evening, capped another protracted drive with a touchdown run. Again, Michigan responded. Milton used both his arm and his legs to move the Wolverines into scoring position, where Hassan Haskins made easy work of a wildcat keeper.
It's fair to say PJ Fleck, perhaps doubting his defense's ability to stop Michigan, perhaps concerned by his team's lack of starting special teamers for reasons, overreacted to a perceived shift in momentum when the Wolverines forced a three-and-out. The Gophers ran a fake punt run to one of the up-men; Haskins read the play and met it with great force, giving the Wolverines only 29 yards to cover with three minutes until halftime. Four plays later, Haskins again rushed for a touchdown.
What had been a nailbiter was now 35-17 at the half. Michigan never looked back. Milton and Chris Evans piled on short second-half touchdown runs; the Gophers found the end zone only once more. The defense forced Fleck's RPO-heavy offense to lean on the give to the running back, and while that produced a good day for Ibrahim, the rest suffered. At the end of the night, the visiting Wolverines held a commanding edge in both yards (481-326) and yards per play (8.6 to 4.5).
Crow about Michigan being underrated. Holler about Minnesota being a paper tiger. Don't let them tell you there's some self-owning going on by making the second statement. Both can be true. Plus, they were wrong before, and we don't listen to them anymore.
Michigan is an emphatic 1-0 after a season-opening road win against a ranked team. Next week, they face a Michigan State team that's an emphatic 0-1 after losing at home by double digits to Rutgers. The wrestling promos will continue unabated.
October 25th, 2020 at 9:15 AM ^
We don’t listen to them anymore.... great quote.
ESPN talking heads pushing agendas. The halftime show consisted of them talking about Clemson, Alabama, Ohio state and Notre Dame. Then after the commercial they talked about those teams again. Show me one Michigan or Minnesota fan who gives a shit about even one of those programs. ESPN will push their bs no matter what. I stopped listening to them a long time ago. Loved to see that quote here.
October 25th, 2020 at 9:18 AM ^
I noticed that too but I'll enjoy flying under the radar. ...Just keep WINNING BABY!
It matters more at the end of the season than the beginning.
October 25th, 2020 at 11:18 AM ^
I watched the World Series at half time instead of the SEC fellation.
October 25th, 2020 at 9:15 AM ^
Given all the hype and expectations about our team and some of the big play makers, they managed to exceed by the margin of victory. How much can Michigan improve from week 1 to week 2 and against a demoralized sparty team?
Sparty is clearly overrated as is their HC. Michigan was underrated prior to kick off against Minny, who was minny compared to Michigan.
Take it one week at a time and enjoy the ride. Let's see the Maize and Blue SMASH sparty!
October 25th, 2020 at 11:42 AM ^
Overrated?? Who is overrating sparty??? They just lost at home to Rutgers and turned the ball over 7 times!
October 25th, 2020 at 4:58 PM ^
I didn't realize they were rated at all.
October 25th, 2020 at 9:20 AM ^
I think "they" is this here doom message board LOL
October 25th, 2020 at 9:25 AM ^
I loved seeing Big Joe Milton keep his eyes downfield when running from the pocket.
October 25th, 2020 at 10:13 AM ^
As good as the offense looked, remember that it's not only the QB that is inexperienced. Corum, Henning, and Wilson are all freshmen (of 'freshmen WRs suck fame). Sainristill, Jackson, and All hardly played last year. Wait and watch as they all gain experience through the season, as they grow with Milton. Speed in space is here, it's healthy, and it's still new!
As for the defense, I'm not as down on them as most seem to be. I thought the DB's (corners, specifically) held up quite well against one of the league's best passing offenses. Sure they got beat a few times - that even happened to Lewis, Long, and Hill occasionally! But they survived quite easily with a true freshman at safety (Paige), and a guy getting his first playing time ever (save for a couple of late plays in blowouts) in Gemon Green.
The DT's were an improvement over last year - and that is exactly what we hoped for! I don't know why everyone is crapping on them so much, we knew they weren't going to be world beaters. We just wanted them to show up and clog the middle, and they largely did just that.
Settle down people, this was a really good road win that is only the start. Growth is still in the cards...
October 25th, 2020 at 10:14 AM ^
This was awesome and even better it kept this particularly annoying narrative at bay:
PJ Fleck is a better coach than Harbaugh who delivers more for less. Rabble Rabble
Harbaugh just went into his stadium and kicked his ass. I agreed with Ace and thought Minnesota was a paper Tiger and thought this felt like the BYU game where everyone convinced themselves to be terrified of BYU and then Michigan boat raced them. While this wasn’t quite a boat racing, it was a hell of a nice showing and I look forward to watching these guys going forward.
October 25th, 2020 at 10:30 AM ^
Very enjoyable win.
Pluses: Offense especially Joe, use of speed in space and playcalling, Michael Barrett
Minus: Kicking Game
Question: Dax!
Looking forward to beating the crap out of Sparty next week.
October 25th, 2020 at 10:57 AM ^
on the bench... for GOOD reasons
I LOLed.
Milton looked good! He was frequently hitting guys in stride. Still not sure if we have a downfield passing game. It looked like Cornelius Johnson barely played til late in the game so I guess we're a bunch of little speedy guys now.
October 25th, 2020 at 11:19 AM ^
Speed in space?
It was speed all over the place!
October 25th, 2020 at 11:42 AM ^
This result was ACCEPTABLE!
October 25th, 2020 at 11:47 AM ^
Gardner for QB coach
Would probably help in-state recruiting, too
October 25th, 2020 at 12:27 PM ^
Where are my muppets at? Are muppets not a thing anymore?
October 25th, 2020 at 12:47 PM ^
A lot of positives to be sure... to be honest, not surprised they won, but was surprised about the margin and how convincing the win was.
Barrett looked excellent, to the was great to see. Will have to see more games from the corners to really know one way or another...the crossing route issue may still be an issue...
As with all the young players, hoping for them to get more comfortable in the system and their roles...
October 25th, 2020 at 1:03 PM ^
Barrett deserves huge props for avoiding a targeting call on the QB sack Jeter TD. He got his head to the side which showed awareness. So often a free shot like that makes it hard to keep your head off the target.
October 25th, 2020 at 1:09 PM ^
Looking forward to watching Joe Milton's progression this season.
Also, really hoping that Dax Hill is OK.?
October 25th, 2020 at 1:15 PM ^
I see the sniper kitten struck again.
October 25th, 2020 at 2:24 PM ^
a good win and i am glad michigan football is back
but it will not make it a big deal between road and home this year.
October 25th, 2020 at 3:31 PM ^
Would like to put up 60 pts on little'Bro
October 25th, 2020 at 6:01 PM ^
People aren't talking about Gemon Green enough. He went out there at a questionable position and looked better than Gray
October 26th, 2020 at 10:27 AM ^
He looked like our #1 CB by the end of the game.
Question spot leading up to the game, first time he's challenged he concedes a big gain. I think a lot of people's gut reaction was like "oh here we go, he's bad". Maybe that one play even colored a lot of peoples opinion of him.
But on closer look, he's in great coverage on that play. And while it's not called all the time, that looked like OPI to me. Probably let up a few more catches, but for the most part, stuck close to his guy all night. Even defended a few fades/slot fades pretty damn well. By the end of the game, he was in man coverage against Bateman on 4th & Goal when everyone knew the ball was going his way.
October 25th, 2020 at 9:09 PM ^
I'm still slightly disappointed that this wasn't a Muppets game:
road win against ranked team in the season opener. Let's not pretend any combination of 2 of those 3 things isn't rare, let alone all 3.
Also, I think that we got to watch a game this year at all is pretty Muppet worthy.
October 26th, 2020 at 9:35 AM ^
I'm not blind....
Been saying this all year...
This is the return of the Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverine program, to the national stage, the way we want it. OSU is on notice... the game is ON.
October 26th, 2020 at 10:17 AM ^
Takeaways from the game:
The rotation at the skill positions is going to bug me all year long. While it worked great today, and we need the depth to be ready in case of a covid strike, it'd be really nice to see guys be able to get into a rhythm. Especially Charbonnet, who seems like a guy who will do more damage late after grinding you down all day.
Green is at least as good as Gray. Idk if that says better things about Green, or worse things about Gray.
It's a great thing that we have 2 scholarship kickers, and 2 scholarship punters on the team. Please keep them separated from each other at all times though. Minnesota not being able to kick the ball past the 30, or punt the ball past the first down marker was back breaking for them.
This season is going to be weird/drunk as hell.
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