The whole reasons a large group of fans (myself included) enjoys college football more than pro football is that you can really learn about a kid and watch them grow and develop over several seasons. You can really get invested in the players with the knowledge that (unlike the NFL) your favorite player will still be there in a few seasons.
You destroy that, and you destroy a large reason why people watch college football, imo.
It's not insignificant. My lurking of ND message boards over the last month indicate that he was originally in competition for the CB2 slot, but now was basically locked as the starting nickel. He's also their best defensive playmaker when healthy (he's been injured a lot) and was also likely to be one of their kick returners.
Fortunately, I think that ND (like Florida last year) is significantly overrated. Their D will be good, as they return a lot of starters to a good but not great defense that had poor safety play. But their offense will struggle to start the season, and our defense is beastly. They're starting a mediocre QB, lost their only proven WRs, and lost two first-round draft picks from their OL. Don Brown is going to dial up the pressure and Wimbush is going to be under fire from minute 1. Queue up the Yakety Sax.
I am just hoping we don't get two quick classic Mo fouls, where they're not really fouls (bumps or reaches) but still not intelligent to risk those fouls, and Mo does it anyway. Might as well start every game by walking up to the ref and saying "Hey, would you like me to sit for most of the first half? I'm cool either way, just let me know"
Agree, but to be fair, he got fouled a LOT of times going to the basket and didn't get foul calls. The game was way over-reffed, but for some reason they weren't calling anything on Gray's drives to the basket. The contrast was stark with the rest of the players on both teams, who got a foul call the second they stepped toward the basket.
I agree. Every time I see Metellus on the screen, he is making a big mistake. I'm sure it's just perception, but I feel like you can trace half of the big plays on us this season to a mistake by Metellus. He'd better be the best off-screen player on the team to somehow make up for all the mistakes I've seen him make on my TV.
Agreed, but if Winovich comes back, we get better at both DEs. So equally nasty, just in a different way...less push up front, more pressure on the edge. Besides, Don Brown will always send blitzes up the middle anyway.
I kind of agree, but from another perspective. Peters was adequate, and compared to Speight and O'Korn even looked good. But objectively, he primarily managed the offense and didn't make that many plays with his arm. I think it's likely that McCaffrey could have done damn near what Peters did this season, and expect a full-fledged QB battle. I hope whoever emerges is capable of winning games with his arm, as opposed to simply "managing" the offense.
Agree. This has been a disappointing season for all, but most of this cannot be put on JH. When you lost your LT last season so you gotta shift your C over to LT... then you lose your QB and most promising WR (I'd argue Perry is the best, but Tarik was certainly quickly overtaking him)... things are generally not going to turn out great.
Look, JH isn't perfect. For varied reasons, we don't have enough tackles on the roster, and we don't have the caliber QB we want on the roster. And the offensive playcalling has been shitty (and in the case of the pass game, continues to be shitty). But JH is a damn good coach and no doubt working 110% to fix these problems. Based on JH's impeccable resume, there is nobody more capable of doing so. Anybody suggesting that we'd be better off going in another direction, or that JH's seat should be even remotely hot, is taking crazy pills.
Winovich will feast on Chewins. They'll need to double with Higby to neutralize.
Hurst will crush whoever starts at RG, whether an injured player or a backup, so Allen will need to double here.
Finally, Gary will beat any freshman tackle, even if they're not marked a trouble spot. They'll need to double with the TE or RB.
So basically, they don't have a single one-on-one matchup on the OL they can win. Any time they try to block with 5, Gary or Winovich is going to be one-on-one against an underclassman tackle, which is a BIG WIN. On the other hand, when they are blocking 6 on 3, our blitzers will be free and clear.
It is going to take a miracle for Sparty to move the ball with any consistency. They'll get some chunk plays, but sustained drives seem incredibly unlikely.
The kid was offered as a 2019 recruit, and, after committing, decided to reclassify to 2018. In that circumstance, I don't think the coaching staff can be faulted for backing out of a scholarship offer. We promised you a 2019 offer, you weren't in our plans for 2018.
Does anyone know why Crawford is still back there returning KOs? I mean, even if you ignore DPJ, we have a roster full of fast athletes, and KR is much easier than PR as you're not fielding in traffic. There has to be SOMEBODY better than Crawford, who isn't one of the top 10 athletes on the team and hasn't once looked dangerous.
Agree. Efficiency is everything. Anybody who would rather stand in line for a urinal doesn't really understand that one of the primary purposes of a stadium bathroom is to let you get back to the game.
My feeling about this game: 80. FINALLY WE HAVE A QB THAT CAN RUN THIS OFFENSE OMGGGGG
My feeling about the season YTD: 45. 4-0 is totally expected. Our inability to block anyone on run or pass is a bit unexpected. J'OK's emergence bumps this number up, but I still can't see us beating PSU, Wisky or OSU unless we make serious progress on the OL. And losing to those 3 would make this a bit of a bummer of a season.
Certainly possible, but would be disappointing. At this point, it's become clear that we need Speight to get on track to obtain our season goals, and this is one of the only remaining opportunities to work out the kinks. So I think we could certainly stick to the run game and have a high win percentage on this game, but I think it would do us a disservice down the line.
Certainly possible this happens on Saturday, but it will make me a very sad panda.
True. Worth noting that the mortal enemies of long-developing trick plays are "Aggressive pass rush" and "Disadvantage against opponent's DL" and Michigan has both. Our defense is basically Brohm's worst nightmare. They will get some chunks, and Brohm will attempt to scheme around our overwhelming advantage at DL v. OL, but ultimately the inevitable happens, and both QBs eventually get erratic and/or ground into the dirt.
And that's a damn good thing too because otherwise, a day full of trick plays just might do our young DBs in.
I gotta say, I love the kickoff 1 yard deep in the end zone the best. Most returners will bring it out, but they often hesitate before doing so. It's gotta fuck with a returner's mind to get every ball just slightly inside the end zone.
This is my impression as well and I don't understand it. If you're experiencing lots of pressure... and ESPECIALLY if you're struggling with your accuracy in addition... STOP TRYING TO FORCE THE TOUGH THROW WHEN THERE ARE GIMMIES OUT THERE.
He has overlooked Perry on an open short route so many times on 1st and 2nd downs. Speight is not absolved of all blame for ending up in tough 3rd and long situations all the time. He needs to remember that he has ONE receiver with stickum hands, and that receiver is his safety blanket.
Personally, it is not the young guys I'm disappointed with. Black and DPJ have had growing pains but have been better than expected. Same with Hill.
It is the guys I thought would have grown over the last season that are disappointing. Guys like Speight and Crawford are killing drives with boneheaded mistakes we cannot afford. Some of them could learn from the work ethic and drive we're seeing from the youth!
Moderately happy with the season overall. I mean, we're 3-0.
Quite unhappy with the AF game. This was our last real chance to work out the kinks, and we didn't even get close to accomplishing that. Right side of the line still a mess, Speight's accuracy is still pretty awful. And while I'm grateful we didn't lose anybody to cut blocks, our starting RB and 2nd best WR got dinged. I can't recall feeling worse after a win since JH was hired.
Agree. Speight was abysmal with fades...I think each and every one ended up uncatchable out-of-bounds. I understand the idea that you would rather put it too far out than too far in, put it in a place where only your receiver can get it... but some of them weren't even tight coverage. He has to get better if he is going to keep throwing fades.
This is helpful thanks. Obviously no criticism on my part, Brian does an awesome job and can take his time. Just would like to know to avoid replacing the F5 sticker on my laptop keyboard. :)
Also, why are TAs charted as bad? Personally, I am always pleased when a QB surveys his options, sees nothing available, and makes the smart decision to throw it away and live to fight another day. Speight did that several times in the right moment Saturday, and it made me happy. Dude may have accuracy issues (and not just the throws to TacoPants - did he throw a single fade inbounds?), but his mental game is very encouraging.
If you read Winovich's comments, he noticed that the OT was sliding further and further to the outside every time he'd pass rush, so he was saving the inside move for a big moment. Really clever play by Winovich.
IMO, the "sexual assault" charge was bogus, and had nothing to do with any physical contact between Perry and the girl, and everything to do with the fact that this girl was a MSU fan and knew Perry was a Michigan football player and wanted to get him in trouble. I find it extremely hard to believe it coincidence that this happened in East Lansing in a club line full of Sparties. What ulterior motives could possibly be in play, right? Jim Harbaugh is a just man and I trust him to make the right decision, which is not to let this false charge steal more of Perry's career. Perry obviously did the wrong thing running from the cops, and he's paid the price for that. Really unfair to the kid to penalize him any more.
According to JB, "Simmons will bring a veteran defensive presence." And Derrick Walton described Matthews as a "high-level athlete" who is a defensive strength. Practice reports agree on Matthews.
Surprise #1: Henry to DE? The more I think about it, though, the more I like it. Even after Mone's injury, I like our DTs better than our DEs. Glasgow and Wormley are both very solid, and Henry and Hurst have better moves than our DEs. I wouldn't mind seeing a steady diet of those 4.
Surprise #2: Lyons to backup safety? I had dismissed the practice reports because I mean...Lyons was the heir apparent at CB2, right? People were saying he was clearly an upgrade on Countess; he was an NFL guy who would compete with Lewis for the top CB spot... unless this is a JH bluff, these predictions were clearly way off the mark. This reading is further bolstered by the move of Jeremy Clark to CB, a position that would have had plenty of depth if Lyons were as advertised. I will be very disappointed of Lyons is not logging starting time somewhere on this defense.
Surprise #3 (related): Stribling at CB2? With no OR? Look, I loved Stribling as a freshman, thought he was this close to becoming a real difference maker. For his height and length, he was shockingly good at getting in a receiver's pocket, and showed a great ability to get his head around and make plays on the ball. But we haven't heard from him much since then, and he was conspicuously absent from any practice reports. Hopefully this means he's great, and not that Countess/Lyons has left us thin at CB.
the discussion on Scout is that the final defensive coach will be a Cbs coach, not an OLB/de coach. So that should alleviate some of your worries about the jackson hire. I share your concern about manning at CB but he is far from a lock at this point.
Agreed. We can debate whether his natural regression is the most likely scenario, but there's very little evidence to support that coasting is the "max upside." Seth certainly didn't make such a case. It is not mind-blowingly fantastic to imagine that an older coach who finally gains his dream job could be rejuvenated and put in extra effort.
We HAVE to check in with guys like Stoops, Malzahn, Briles... even if they're just going to say no. And ESPECIALLY if we strike out with Jimmy. We did a lot of things wrong in the first coaching search, but one of the things (perhaps the only thing) we did right was to drop a feeler to a top coach who didn't appear to have interest and a few dominos fell and next thing you know we have RRod. Obviously it didn't work out here, but he was significantly better than the dregs we appeared to be down to post-Schiano.
Not interested in deviating from this list unless an unexpected name becomes available. So we need to call Bob Stoops. Call Malzahn. Call Art Briles. What's the worst that can happen? They say no. Big whoop.
Recent Comments
If we win, we jump them without a doubt. Absolutely zero question. So don't worry.
If we win, we jump them without a doubt. Absolutely zero question. So don't worry.
However, Baylor jumping 5 spots with a shitty win over Texas was a total joke.
The…
I agree with this.
The whole reasons a large group of fans (myself included) enjoys college football more than pro football is that you can really learn about a kid and watch them grow and develop over several seasons. You can really get invested in the players with the knowledge that (unlike the NFL) your favorite player will still be there in a few seasons.
You destroy that, and you destroy a large reason why people watch college football, imo.
It's not insignificant. My lurking of ND message boards over the last month indicate that he was originally in competition for the CB2 slot, but now was basically locked as the starting nickel. He's also their best defensive playmaker when healthy (he's been injured a lot) and was also likely to be one of their kick returners.
Gary…
So averaging it out...
Gary - 1st team
Winovich - 2nd team
Solomon - 2nd/3rd team
Dwumfour - 4th team
Every starter made it. Impressive.
Double post, don't know how to delete
Fortunately, I think that ND (like Florida last year) is significantly overrated. Their D will be good, as they return a lot of starters to a good but not great defense that had poor safety play. But their offense will struggle to start the season, and our defense is beastly. They're starting a mediocre QB, lost their only proven WRs, and lost two first-round draft picks from their OL. Don Brown is going to dial up the pressure and Wimbush is going to be under fire from minute 1. Queue up the Yakety Sax.
Thinking maybe there was a miscommunication, that JH didn't plan to reveal that bit of information so early, and Sam thought it was ok to print.
I am just hoping we don't get two quick classic Mo fouls, where they're not really fouls (bumps or reaches) but still not intelligent to risk those fouls, and Mo does it anyway. Might as well start every game by walking up to the ref and saying "Hey, would you like me to sit for most of the first half? I'm cool either way, just let me know"
Agree, but to be fair, he got fouled a LOT of times going to the basket and didn't get foul calls. The game was way over-reffed, but for some reason they weren't calling anything on Gray's drives to the basket. The contrast was stark with the rest of the players on both teams, who got a foul call the second they stepped toward the basket.
I agree. Every time I see Metellus on the screen, he is making a big mistake. I'm sure it's just perception, but I feel like you can trace half of the big plays on us this season to a mistake by Metellus. He'd better be the best off-screen player on the team to somehow make up for all the mistakes I've seen him make on my TV.
Agreed, but if Winovich comes back, we get better at both DEs. So equally nasty, just in a different way...less push up front, more pressure on the edge. Besides, Don Brown will always send blitzes up the middle anyway.
I kind of agree, but from another perspective. Peters was adequate, and compared to Speight and O'Korn even looked good. But objectively, he primarily managed the offense and didn't make that many plays with his arm. I think it's likely that McCaffrey could have done damn near what Peters did this season, and expect a full-fledged QB battle. I hope whoever emerges is capable of winning games with his arm, as opposed to simply "managing" the offense.
Agreed. If healthy, Black is a top-10 lock on this list, definitely higher than DPJ.
Our offense has 1 dangerman and 3 cyan circles. Including a beautiful cyan halo at QB. Goddamn that's depressing.
But seriously, is Crawford really a cyan circle given that he's a pretty good blocker? I'm not sure I understand how this works.
Agree. This has been a disappointing season for all, but most of this cannot be put on JH. When you lost your LT last season so you gotta shift your C over to LT... then you lose your QB and most promising WR (I'd argue Perry is the best, but Tarik was certainly quickly overtaking him)... things are generally not going to turn out great.
Look, JH isn't perfect. For varied reasons, we don't have enough tackles on the roster, and we don't have the caliber QB we want on the roster. And the offensive playcalling has been shitty (and in the case of the pass game, continues to be shitty). But JH is a damn good coach and no doubt working 110% to fix these problems. Based on JH's impeccable resume, there is nobody more capable of doing so. Anybody suggesting that we'd be better off going in another direction, or that JH's seat should be even remotely hot, is taking crazy pills.
Agree. Looking at the chart:
Winovich will feast on Chewins. They'll need to double with Higby to neutralize.
Hurst will crush whoever starts at RG, whether an injured player or a backup, so Allen will need to double here.
Finally, Gary will beat any freshman tackle, even if they're not marked a trouble spot. They'll need to double with the TE or RB.
So basically, they don't have a single one-on-one matchup on the OL they can win. Any time they try to block with 5, Gary or Winovich is going to be one-on-one against an underclassman tackle, which is a BIG WIN. On the other hand, when they are blocking 6 on 3, our blitzers will be free and clear.
It is going to take a miracle for Sparty to move the ball with any consistency. They'll get some chunk plays, but sustained drives seem incredibly unlikely.
The kid was offered as a 2019 recruit, and, after committing, decided to reclassify to 2018. In that circumstance, I don't think the coaching staff can be faulted for backing out of a scholarship offer. We promised you a 2019 offer, you weren't in our plans for 2018.
He changed the equation, not Michigan.
Don't we usually get a "dude of the week" type thing in UFR? Wanted to see if Winovich supplanted Bush this week.
Does anyone know why Crawford is still back there returning KOs? I mean, even if you ignore DPJ, we have a roster full of fast athletes, and KR is much easier than PR as you're not fielding in traffic. There has to be SOMEBODY better than Crawford, who isn't one of the top 10 athletes on the team and hasn't once looked dangerous.
Agree. Efficiency is everything. Anybody who would rather stand in line for a urinal doesn't really understand that one of the primary purposes of a stadium bathroom is to let you get back to the game.
Just downvoted every single person who tried to change this into a climate change thread.
And yes, you each deserved it.
My feeling about this game: 80. FINALLY WE HAVE A QB THAT CAN RUN THIS OFFENSE OMGGGGG
My feeling about the season YTD: 45. 4-0 is totally expected. Our inability to block anyone on run or pass is a bit unexpected. J'OK's emergence bumps this number up, but I still can't see us beating PSU, Wisky or OSU unless we make serious progress on the OL. And losing to those 3 would make this a bit of a bummer of a season.
Not if Speight throws a pick 6 or turns it over inside our own 30. Could easily see them getting to 23 if we help them with points or short fields.
Certainly possible, but would be disappointing. At this point, it's become clear that we need Speight to get on track to obtain our season goals, and this is one of the only remaining opportunities to work out the kinks. So I think we could certainly stick to the run game and have a high win percentage on this game, but I think it would do us a disservice down the line.
Certainly possible this happens on Saturday, but it will make me a very sad panda.
True. Worth noting that the mortal enemies of long-developing trick plays are "Aggressive pass rush" and "Disadvantage against opponent's DL" and Michigan has both. Our defense is basically Brohm's worst nightmare. They will get some chunks, and Brohm will attempt to scheme around our overwhelming advantage at DL v. OL, but ultimately the inevitable happens, and both QBs eventually get erratic and/or ground into the dirt.
And that's a damn good thing too because otherwise, a day full of trick plays just might do our young DBs in.
I gotta say, I love the kickoff 1 yard deep in the end zone the best. Most returners will bring it out, but they often hesitate before doing so. It's gotta fuck with a returner's mind to get every ball just slightly inside the end zone.
This is my impression as well and I don't understand it. If you're experiencing lots of pressure... and ESPECIALLY if you're struggling with your accuracy in addition... STOP TRYING TO FORCE THE TOUGH THROW WHEN THERE ARE GIMMIES OUT THERE.
He has overlooked Perry on an open short route so many times on 1st and 2nd downs. Speight is not absolved of all blame for ending up in tough 3rd and long situations all the time. He needs to remember that he has ONE receiver with stickum hands, and that receiver is his safety blanket.
Personally, it is not the young guys I'm disappointed with. Black and DPJ have had growing pains but have been better than expected. Same with Hill.
It is the guys I thought would have grown over the last season that are disappointing. Guys like Speight and Crawford are killing drives with boneheaded mistakes we cannot afford. Some of them could learn from the work ethic and drive we're seeing from the youth!
Moderately happy with the season overall. I mean, we're 3-0.
Quite unhappy with the AF game. This was our last real chance to work out the kinks, and we didn't even get close to accomplishing that. Right side of the line still a mess, Speight's accuracy is still pretty awful. And while I'm grateful we didn't lose anybody to cut blocks, our starting RB and 2nd best WR got dinged. I can't recall feeling worse after a win since JH was hired.
Agree. Speight was abysmal with fades...I think each and every one ended up uncatchable out-of-bounds. I understand the idea that you would rather put it too far out than too far in, put it in a place where only your receiver can get it... but some of them weren't even tight coverage. He has to get better if he is going to keep throwing fades.
This is helpful thanks. Obviously no criticism on my part, Brian does an awesome job and can take his time. Just would like to know to avoid replacing the F5 sticker on my laptop keyboard. :)
Also, why are TAs charted as bad? Personally, I am always pleased when a QB surveys his options, sees nothing available, and makes the smart decision to throw it away and live to fight another day. Speight did that several times in the right moment Saturday, and it made me happy. Dude may have accuracy issues (and not just the throws to TacoPants - did he throw a single fade inbounds?), but his mental game is very encouraging.
You're the best, Brian. Been refreshing for this since Tuesday. Ahhh....football is officially back.
PS - is there an official schedule on UFR? It is my favorite feature of MGB and I would like to know what days it regularly goes up.
If you read Winovich's comments, he noticed that the OT was sliding further and further to the outside every time he'd pass rush, so he was saving the inside move for a big moment. Really clever play by Winovich.
+1 for 1108 Thugz
IMO, the "sexual assault" charge was bogus, and had nothing to do with any physical contact between Perry and the girl, and everything to do with the fact that this girl was a MSU fan and knew Perry was a Michigan football player and wanted to get him in trouble. I find it extremely hard to believe it coincidence that this happened in East Lansing in a club line full of Sparties. What ulterior motives could possibly be in play, right? Jim Harbaugh is a just man and I trust him to make the right decision, which is not to let this false charge steal more of Perry's career. Perry obviously did the wrong thing running from the cops, and he's paid the price for that. Really unfair to the kid to penalize him any more.
I agree. There should be repercussions for making charges that are later found to be clearly false.
Both are supposed to be good defenders.
According to JB, "Simmons will bring a veteran defensive presence." And Derrick Walton described Matthews as a "high-level athlete" who is a defensive strength. Practice reports agree on Matthews.
No real surprises on O; lots on D.
Surprise #1: Henry to DE? The more I think about it, though, the more I like it. Even after Mone's injury, I like our DTs better than our DEs. Glasgow and Wormley are both very solid, and Henry and Hurst have better moves than our DEs. I wouldn't mind seeing a steady diet of those 4.
Surprise #2: Lyons to backup safety? I had dismissed the practice reports because I mean...Lyons was the heir apparent at CB2, right? People were saying he was clearly an upgrade on Countess; he was an NFL guy who would compete with Lewis for the top CB spot... unless this is a JH bluff, these predictions were clearly way off the mark. This reading is further bolstered by the move of Jeremy Clark to CB, a position that would have had plenty of depth if Lyons were as advertised. I will be very disappointed of Lyons is not logging starting time somewhere on this defense.
Surprise #3 (related): Stribling at CB2? With no OR? Look, I loved Stribling as a freshman, thought he was this close to becoming a real difference maker. For his height and length, he was shockingly good at getting in a receiver's pocket, and showed a great ability to get his head around and make plays on the ball. But we haven't heard from him much since then, and he was conspicuously absent from any practice reports. Hopefully this means he's great, and not that Countess/Lyons has left us thin at CB.
This may have been the most worthless interview I've ever read. Kudos, Drevno.
Agreed. We can debate whether his natural regression is the most likely scenario, but there's very little evidence to support that coasting is the "max upside." Seth certainly didn't make such a case. It is not mind-blowingly fantastic to imagine that an older coach who finally gains his dream job could be rejuvenated and put in extra effort.
THANK YOU!!!
We HAVE to check in with guys like Stoops, Malzahn, Briles... even if they're just going to say no. And ESPECIALLY if we strike out with Jimmy. We did a lot of things wrong in the first coaching search, but one of the things (perhaps the only thing) we did right was to drop a feeler to a top coach who didn't appear to have interest and a few dominos fell and next thing you know we have RRod. Obviously it didn't work out here, but he was significantly better than the dregs we appeared to be down to post-Schiano.
Tier 1 - Jim Harbaugh
Tier 2 - Les Miles, Gary Patterson
Tier 3 - Dan Mullen, John Harbaugh, Todd Graham
Tier 4 - Mike Gundy
Not interested in deviating from this list unless an unexpected name becomes available. So we need to call Bob Stoops. Call Malzahn. Call Art Briles. What's the worst that can happen? They say no. Big whoop.