Enjoyed reading this blog post forwarded to me from my Rebel Friend Brad Downs.
http://www.redcuprebellion.com/2010/12/10/1861475/for-our-flagship-friends-from-the-great-lake-state
Go Michigan, Beat the Bulldogs.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Gator Bowl Prediction--Michigan vs. MSU
On this I'll defer to the facebook exchange on my facebook page the past two days. Cousin Ed has it exactly as I see it. First the link, then the transcript.
Facebook Link
Eric M. Nemeth I will be at the game. A clash of cultures I suspect.
Ed Lewan This is Mississippi States chance to put an M scalp on their wall. They better not blow it.
Michael Synk Southern Football Culture is entirely something else. The Bulldogs are a pretty good team. Up and coming. It will be something to watch.
Steve G. Peay Southern Football Culture? Damn Yankee...
Michael Synk And the gamesmanship begins, I love it.
Ed Lewan The only way Michigan wins is to outscore them say 56-48. Don't know anything about MSU but if they have any kind of a defense that can contain a healthy Denard Robinson they should win by 2-3 touchdowns. M is not a good football team. Defense is damn near worst in the country. What a shame......
Michael Synk Ed, you are predicting the game accurately.
MSU has a pretty stout defense. Used to playing spread teams. A primarily power running offense, ala Wisconsin, Big Powerful Linemen, good power runners. Throw Play action passes when they ...pass. We in trouble. Want a win but don't want one at the same time.
It's good to be a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, Beat the Bulldogs.
Facebook Link
Eric M. Nemeth I will be at the game. A clash of cultures I suspect.
Ed Lewan This is Mississippi States chance to put an M scalp on their wall. They better not blow it.
Michael Synk Southern Football Culture is entirely something else. The Bulldogs are a pretty good team. Up and coming. It will be something to watch.
Steve G. Peay Southern Football Culture? Damn Yankee...
Michael Synk And the gamesmanship begins, I love it.
Ed Lewan The only way Michigan wins is to outscore them say 56-48. Don't know anything about MSU but if they have any kind of a defense that can contain a healthy Denard Robinson they should win by 2-3 touchdowns. M is not a good football team. Defense is damn near worst in the country. What a shame......
Michael Synk Ed, you are predicting the game accurately.
MSU has a pretty stout defense. Used to playing spread teams. A primarily power running offense, ala Wisconsin, Big Powerful Linemen, good power runners. Throw Play action passes when they ...pass. We in trouble. Want a win but don't want one at the same time.
It's good to be a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, Beat the Bulldogs.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Final Week. Michigan 7 OSU 37
Thank God I didn't watch the game. By fluke of family holiday planning, I was driving home from Thanksgiving from Columbus during the game. But my son, who is a freshman at Wooster, attended the game with my niece and her boyfriend. He texted me updates until it got too demoralizing to send anymore.
From what I've read and from talking to Peter this morning, the game was pathetic. The Wolverines are a pathetic shell of former greatness. Read these these Tweets from Michigan Greats who play for the Arizona Cardinals and watched the game together (pulled from of Freep.com.).
From what I've read and from talking to Peter this morning, the game was pathetic. The Wolverines are a pathetic shell of former greatness. Read these these Tweets from Michigan Greats who play for the Arizona Cardinals and watched the game together (pulled from of Freep.com.).
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Week 10 & 11 Michigan 27-Purdue 16, Michigan 28- Wisconsin 48
Sorry for the delay in getting this post up. Too depressed about the outcome of these games.
Michigan vs. Purdue: Pathetic win. Neither deserved a victory. Michigan looked horrible. Purdue looked horrible. We were lucky to win. We'll have a winning season as result of this game so I should be thankful I suppose. But this game doesn't give me confidence in M winning either of our last two games.
Michigan vs. Wisconsin: Offense played okay, certainly scored enough points to win a game. But the defense wasn't present. Wisconsin rolled to victory. As will Ohio State this up coming Saturday. No defense means no victory when you play a good team. Ohio State is good.
Our offense is good but not dependable. It's an exciting offense that can score on any play from anywhere on the field. But can't be counted on. And certainly doesn't eat up time on clock. With our defense, the offense needs to stay on the field as long as possible.
Still, it's always good to be a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan Beat the Buckeyes!
Michigan vs. Purdue: Pathetic win. Neither deserved a victory. Michigan looked horrible. Purdue looked horrible. We were lucky to win. We'll have a winning season as result of this game so I should be thankful I suppose. But this game doesn't give me confidence in M winning either of our last two games.
Michigan vs. Wisconsin: Offense played okay, certainly scored enough points to win a game. But the defense wasn't present. Wisconsin rolled to victory. As will Ohio State this up coming Saturday. No defense means no victory when you play a good team. Ohio State is good.
Our offense is good but not dependable. It's an exciting offense that can score on any play from anywhere on the field. But can't be counted on. And certainly doesn't eat up time on clock. With our defense, the offense needs to stay on the field as long as possible.
Still, it's always good to be a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan Beat the Buckeyes!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Week 9. Michigan 67, Illinois 65
Hail to the Victors! Always love a Michigan Victory. Even an Ugly One like today.
Not a game to be proud of. For either team. The M defense only seemed to play for one play, the Illini's two point conversion on the third OT. Enough to to win. Not enough to be proud of. So much for RichRod's help coaching the defense this week.
Not sure why Robinson left the game. But somehow I was glad Forcier was in the driver's seat in OT.
Why didn't we go for two on our last touchdown in regulation. Would have won the game. The whole gang at Dan McGuinness was wondering the same thing.
I didn't see the first half. Spent the time helping Rotary pack 40,000 meals at a Stop Hunger Now event. Glad I didn't see the first half. Three Wolverine turnovers turned into points by the Illini. Would have been frustrated.
Wolverines football went on NCAA probation for the first time in its history this week. Not good RichRod. Mr. Brandon, hope you are disgusted with this and don't let being bowl eligible distract you from the truth.
In three years, We have only 5 Big Ten wins. We haven't beaten MSU or OSU in that time. The program is in disarray. No defense whatsoever. It's actually gotten worse in that time period and over this season.
Time to do what is needed.
Still...
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine
Go Michigan, Beat the Boilermakers (our last chance to have a winning season).
Not a game to be proud of. For either team. The M defense only seemed to play for one play, the Illini's two point conversion on the third OT. Enough to to win. Not enough to be proud of. So much for RichRod's help coaching the defense this week.
Not sure why Robinson left the game. But somehow I was glad Forcier was in the driver's seat in OT.
Why didn't we go for two on our last touchdown in regulation. Would have won the game. The whole gang at Dan McGuinness was wondering the same thing.
I didn't see the first half. Spent the time helping Rotary pack 40,000 meals at a Stop Hunger Now event. Glad I didn't see the first half. Three Wolverine turnovers turned into points by the Illini. Would have been frustrated.
Wolverines football went on NCAA probation for the first time in its history this week. Not good RichRod. Mr. Brandon, hope you are disgusted with this and don't let being bowl eligible distract you from the truth.
In three years, We have only 5 Big Ten wins. We haven't beaten MSU or OSU in that time. The program is in disarray. No defense whatsoever. It's actually gotten worse in that time period and over this season.
Time to do what is needed.
Still...
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine
Go Michigan, Beat the Boilermakers (our last chance to have a winning season).
Monday, November 1, 2010
Michigan 31, Penn State 41
Not much to say. Penn State was the better team in all respects.
Their offense, lead by the second sting (and walkon) QB and Royster, racked up 41 points. Pretty much scoring when they wanted to. Previously they haven't scored in the Red Zone. 6 of seven times today.
Our offense played pretty good, good enough to win if we had defense.
Our team is dysfunctional. How dysfunctional you may ask? In the post halftime interview, RichRod was commenting about how poorly the offense was playing and couldn't get into the rhythm needed to score. Not one word about the defense letting PS score 28 points.
I can't see the Wolverines winning another game this season.
We know what we need to do. Let's do it.
In spite of this:
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine,
Go Michigan, Beat the Illini
Their offense, lead by the second sting (and walkon) QB and Royster, racked up 41 points. Pretty much scoring when they wanted to. Previously they haven't scored in the Red Zone. 6 of seven times today.
Our offense played pretty good, good enough to win if we had defense.
Our team is dysfunctional. How dysfunctional you may ask? In the post halftime interview, RichRod was commenting about how poorly the offense was playing and couldn't get into the rhythm needed to score. Not one word about the defense letting PS score 28 points.
I can't see the Wolverines winning another game this season.
We know what we need to do. Let's do it.
In spite of this:
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine,
Go Michigan, Beat the Illini
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Week # 7 Michigan 28 Iowa 38
Pretty close on my pregame call. Only four points off. We actually almost had a chance to tie the game.
Almost only works in horseshoes and hand grenades.
How can a team be pretty much be out of the game the entire game, but have better stats that the winners. In so many categories our stats were better: Total Yards, Rushing Yards, Passing Yards. In many categories we were worse: Turnovers, Interceptions, Penalties and a blocked FG attempt that Iowa converted into a touchdown shortly afterwards. And of course the score.
It's because our defense can't stop anyone from scoring. After our short lived lead in the first quarter, Iowa scored four unanswered touchdowns. And it's also because the offense turned over the ball 4 times including 3 interceptions. For anyone watching Michigan the past three seasons years this isn't new.
Our coaches stubbornly try to run this cockamamie 3-3-5 defense. We have good personnel and a couple of stellar ones. But this defense doesn't work and tier one football teams. We stubbornly keep trying to run it because it's the one RichRod loves. But instead of installing something that will work with the players we have we keep at this one. This doesn't do anything for the team. It just demoralizes the players.
Don't give me the nonsense that the players are young (which is probably true). RichRod claims he needs his kind of players for both the offense and defense. He's had three years to get them and teach the existing ones how to play it. No progress. I would say our defense is worse than last year. He sticks with it prove he's right.
The coaching staff coaches a system, not the team. They don't adjust the systems to the players we have. Michigan football has always been about coaching the team.
Denard Robinson lost any chance at the Heisman today. And maybe his starting position. Under Tate Forcier the offense looked sharper than under Robinson. Under Robinson the offense has become one dimensional, that being Robinson. He's still exciting to watch and gets 10 yards when you think he can only get 5. But he can't break the big run against big time defenses. I noticed that with Forcier at QB, the receivers run better more difficult pass routes with more energy than when Robinson is at the helm. The recievers seem restricted to patterns that are limited to Robinson's passing ability. We finally completed a post pattern(Forcier to Hemingway) for a touchdown. The receivers know that Forcier can get the ball to them many different ways. With Robinson, he can pass and has a strong arm, but he can't deliver to the more difficult patterns, and only when he show run first and the db's commit leaving a receiver open.
Maybe Robinson should be playing running back with Forcier or Gardner at the helm. At quarterback he's pretty much playing running back anyway. At least today he was. It was getting predictable.
With our bye week, we won't have to worry about losing next Saturday.
We don't have a chance at victory against OSU or Wisconsin. We have "maybe" victories against Penn State, Illinois, and Purdue. But can't count on any of them. I'm backing my season projections down to 6-6.
Hope we are actively recruiting a coach that coach and lead can whichever players he has and makes them play their best. Instead of ones who coach a system like the ones we have right now. Next week I'll blog on that subject. And why this makes selecting the next Michigan Coach really difficult.
Still,
It's always good to be a Wolverine.
Go Michigan, beat the Lions (Nittany).
PS. Go Wisconsin, keep beating the Buckeyes.
Almost only works in horseshoes and hand grenades.
How can a team be pretty much be out of the game the entire game, but have better stats that the winners. In so many categories our stats were better: Total Yards, Rushing Yards, Passing Yards. In many categories we were worse: Turnovers, Interceptions, Penalties and a blocked FG attempt that Iowa converted into a touchdown shortly afterwards. And of course the score.
It's because our defense can't stop anyone from scoring. After our short lived lead in the first quarter, Iowa scored four unanswered touchdowns. And it's also because the offense turned over the ball 4 times including 3 interceptions. For anyone watching Michigan the past three seasons years this isn't new.
Our coaches stubbornly try to run this cockamamie 3-3-5 defense. We have good personnel and a couple of stellar ones. But this defense doesn't work and tier one football teams. We stubbornly keep trying to run it because it's the one RichRod loves. But instead of installing something that will work with the players we have we keep at this one. This doesn't do anything for the team. It just demoralizes the players.
Don't give me the nonsense that the players are young (which is probably true). RichRod claims he needs his kind of players for both the offense and defense. He's had three years to get them and teach the existing ones how to play it. No progress. I would say our defense is worse than last year. He sticks with it prove he's right.
The coaching staff coaches a system, not the team. They don't adjust the systems to the players we have. Michigan football has always been about coaching the team.
Denard Robinson lost any chance at the Heisman today. And maybe his starting position. Under Tate Forcier the offense looked sharper than under Robinson. Under Robinson the offense has become one dimensional, that being Robinson. He's still exciting to watch and gets 10 yards when you think he can only get 5. But he can't break the big run against big time defenses. I noticed that with Forcier at QB, the receivers run better more difficult pass routes with more energy than when Robinson is at the helm. The recievers seem restricted to patterns that are limited to Robinson's passing ability. We finally completed a post pattern(Forcier to Hemingway) for a touchdown. The receivers know that Forcier can get the ball to them many different ways. With Robinson, he can pass and has a strong arm, but he can't deliver to the more difficult patterns, and only when he show run first and the db's commit leaving a receiver open.
Maybe Robinson should be playing running back with Forcier or Gardner at the helm. At quarterback he's pretty much playing running back anyway. At least today he was. It was getting predictable.
With our bye week, we won't have to worry about losing next Saturday.
We don't have a chance at victory against OSU or Wisconsin. We have "maybe" victories against Penn State, Illinois, and Purdue. But can't count on any of them. I'm backing my season projections down to 6-6.
Hope we are actively recruiting a coach that coach and lead can whichever players he has and makes them play their best. Instead of ones who coach a system like the ones we have right now. Next week I'll blog on that subject. And why this makes selecting the next Michigan Coach really difficult.
Still,
It's always good to be a Wolverine.
Go Michigan, beat the Lions (Nittany).
PS. Go Wisconsin, keep beating the Buckeyes.
Michigan vs Iowa--Not much to say
Iowa by at least two touchdowns. Would like it to be different but just can't see it.
Iowa has the best defense in the nation. Better than MSU's. And they have had a chance to watch film from last week's game and learn how to contain Robinson.
Michigan has the worst defense in the nation. Won't be able to stop Iowa. If Robinson completes those interceptions he through last week, we might get a chance. Running backs have to step up too.
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, beat the Hawkeyes
Iowa has the best defense in the nation. Better than MSU's. And they have had a chance to watch film from last week's game and learn how to contain Robinson.
Michigan has the worst defense in the nation. Won't be able to stop Iowa. If Robinson completes those interceptions he through last week, we might get a chance. Running backs have to step up too.
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, beat the Hawkeyes
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Michigan 17 Michigan State 34
Kudos to MSU for playing a fine football game. Solid in all respects. Go beat the Buckeyes will you!
As I suspected, although I couldn't admit in my last post (it's hard for me to predict a Michigan defeat), the Michigan Wolverine's 5-0 start was a facade. It was fun while it lasted. We were exposed for what we are, a good Mid-American Conference football team. We finally played a team with a stout defense and our high flying spread offense came back to earth. And although our defense played poorly, it played better that I've seen all season giving the offense several opportunities to score. And they didn't. The failure to win is entirely the offense's fault.
The "S" on Denard Robinson's chest was missing today. He played an okay game not a good one. Three interceptions, two in the end zone. The MSU defense was able to contain him on the run. In the first half Hopkins, Shaw and Vincent did pretty good, keeping us in the game. But we really didn't break any big plays. And we are a big play offense. We ground it out pretty good. But came up short.
Our offense, although improved from last year, is too dependent on Robinson playing a "Heisman" type of game. He didn't have one, we really weren't in the game.
Our defense played better than ever, but that's not saying a whole lot. Still vulnerable to a good quarterback like Cousins. Good gang tackling. But individual tackling ability remains spotty. Got beat on four excellently executed big plays. But we had several stops and even one three-and-out after giving the ball up, each time giving the offense opportunities to score and change the momentum, as a good defense should. We haven't seen this before. So the defense is improving. The offense, basically because of the stout MSU defense, took a step backward.
I love the spread when Robinson is playing well. But its time to question whether the big "RichRod" experiment is working. 0-3 against MSU means we are the little sister, or at least they are the big sister. I don't see us dominating any of the remaining games on our schedule, although we might sneak a victory out of one or two of them. Best we will get to is 7-5 overall and 3-5 in conference. Not acceptable. RichRod has had time to teach his system and get his kind of players. He's still struggling with winning, and he is struggling to get and keep the players.
I hope the AD is recruiting his replacement. More analysis on this subject in a blog later in the week. But you can grasp how I see it from a previous post I made in my business blog http://get-in-synk.blogspot.com specifically the post titled "Michigan Failure through the Eyes of Jim Collins." Notice the date of the post.
It's how all the mighty fall and this is why the Mighty Michigan Football program has fallen too. Time to make a change. The sooner the better.
Will face a tough Iowa team next week. I seem to remember we almost snuck a victory out of the last year. We are over matched. Will require more improvement out of the defense and the offense (read Robinson) playing magnificently.
It's Good, to Be, a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, Beat the Hawkeyes!
As I suspected, although I couldn't admit in my last post (it's hard for me to predict a Michigan defeat), the Michigan Wolverine's 5-0 start was a facade. It was fun while it lasted. We were exposed for what we are, a good Mid-American Conference football team. We finally played a team with a stout defense and our high flying spread offense came back to earth. And although our defense played poorly, it played better that I've seen all season giving the offense several opportunities to score. And they didn't. The failure to win is entirely the offense's fault.
The "S" on Denard Robinson's chest was missing today. He played an okay game not a good one. Three interceptions, two in the end zone. The MSU defense was able to contain him on the run. In the first half Hopkins, Shaw and Vincent did pretty good, keeping us in the game. But we really didn't break any big plays. And we are a big play offense. We ground it out pretty good. But came up short.
Our offense, although improved from last year, is too dependent on Robinson playing a "Heisman" type of game. He didn't have one, we really weren't in the game.
Our defense played better than ever, but that's not saying a whole lot. Still vulnerable to a good quarterback like Cousins. Good gang tackling. But individual tackling ability remains spotty. Got beat on four excellently executed big plays. But we had several stops and even one three-and-out after giving the ball up, each time giving the offense opportunities to score and change the momentum, as a good defense should. We haven't seen this before. So the defense is improving. The offense, basically because of the stout MSU defense, took a step backward.
I love the spread when Robinson is playing well. But its time to question whether the big "RichRod" experiment is working. 0-3 against MSU means we are the little sister, or at least they are the big sister. I don't see us dominating any of the remaining games on our schedule, although we might sneak a victory out of one or two of them. Best we will get to is 7-5 overall and 3-5 in conference. Not acceptable. RichRod has had time to teach his system and get his kind of players. He's still struggling with winning, and he is struggling to get and keep the players.
I hope the AD is recruiting his replacement. More analysis on this subject in a blog later in the week. But you can grasp how I see it from a previous post I made in my business blog http://get-in-synk.blogspot.com specifically the post titled "Michigan Failure through the Eyes of Jim Collins." Notice the date of the post.
It's how all the mighty fall and this is why the Mighty Michigan Football program has fallen too. Time to make a change. The sooner the better.
Will face a tough Iowa team next week. I seem to remember we almost snuck a victory out of the last year. We are over matched. Will require more improvement out of the defense and the offense (read Robinson) playing magnificently.
It's Good, to Be, a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, Beat the Hawkeyes!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wolverines vs. Spartans
A hard one to predict. The Wolverines haven't played against a real defense yet this year. The Spartans haven't played against an offense like ours this year. Both won close games against Notre Dame our only common opponent. State's offense is good but not intimidating, but the Michigan Defense plays a "break don't shatter" style of defense (we don't have one, at least I haven't seen evidence of one).
I'm going with home field advantage and a serious need for revenge as my very unscientific keys to the game. The Spartans are feeling haughty about being 5-0 and their win streak against the Wolverines. So Michigan is going to pull this one out in close but high scoring game.
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, Beat the Spartans!
I'm going with home field advantage and a serious need for revenge as my very unscientific keys to the game. The Spartans are feeling haughty about being 5-0 and their win streak against the Wolverines. So Michigan is going to pull this one out in close but high scoring game.
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, Beat the Spartans!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Week #5 Michigan 42, Indiana 35
I think we have to embrace a paradigm shift with Michigan Football and the spread with Denard Robinson and Rich Rod. Consider the following stats:
Indiana's time of possession: 41:47
Indiana's # of first downs: 31
Indiana converted 11 of 19 third downs to Michigans 2 of 7
Indiana's 480 yards of passing.
How do we end up winning with these stats? I know, the most important stat is the final score and if it's the winning one why should one worry? But I do.
I love this big play offense and Denard Robinson, wouldn't trade it for anything. Forget the Heisman, Denard for Pope. We can score from anywhere at any time with Robinson at the helm. Forget all that ball control nonsense we learned so well from Schembechler, Moeller and Carr. Don't need it. Don't need a defense either. The defense isn't suppose to shut down the opponent, it's just supposed to make sure the score is tied with a minute left for the offense to score. Slow them down, make them take a long time which wears them out so our offense who barely plays(but can score) is fresher at the end of the game and score last to win.
I'm having a hard time with this new paradigm.
It's a painful football game to watch. Delightful when we have the ball, and agonizing when we don't. Really agonizing.
Our defense had good athletes. They gang tackle well. Stop the run pretty well. Useless against the pass. They play like individuals. Not as a team. Out of position often on pass coverage. Like they don't know how to adjust to how the play develops or how their teammates react to the play. They play like they aren't aware of anyone else's responsibilities. This is either poor coaching (I think so, Gregg Robinson should be worried about his job) and a poor scheme (who else runs a 3-3-5) or both (probable). Could it be that Rich Rod doesn't really care about the defense, convinced that he has the players he needs on offense to over come anything the defense lets happen. He's focused on getting the right talent for the offense and teaching them how to run it perfectly which they just about do. But how about getting the defense to play well.
My suggestion. Like he made Forcier play without wings on his helmet until he thought he was more serious about his commitment to the team, the defense should practice in pink helmets this week and Coach Robinson should wear a tutu in practice. Until they all learn how to man up and play defense like men. They have had three years.
Still I love the Wolverines and the outcome. Great away game victory over a team that had a great offense too, and had real revenge on their minds as motivation. They will improve as a result of this game.
Next week vs. MSU, a team with both a defense and an offense. They beat a real good Wisconsin team. If men show up on defense, we have a chance to steal this game at home.
My prediction for the season stays the same. 7-5. No progress with the team this week. I remain unmoved. I want better results, I just don't see it. Still in the old paradigm.
With rhythm and feeling now....
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, beat the Spartans.
Indiana's time of possession: 41:47
Indiana's # of first downs: 31
Indiana converted 11 of 19 third downs to Michigans 2 of 7
Indiana's 480 yards of passing.
How do we end up winning with these stats? I know, the most important stat is the final score and if it's the winning one why should one worry? But I do.
I love this big play offense and Denard Robinson, wouldn't trade it for anything. Forget the Heisman, Denard for Pope. We can score from anywhere at any time with Robinson at the helm. Forget all that ball control nonsense we learned so well from Schembechler, Moeller and Carr. Don't need it. Don't need a defense either. The defense isn't suppose to shut down the opponent, it's just supposed to make sure the score is tied with a minute left for the offense to score. Slow them down, make them take a long time which wears them out so our offense who barely plays(but can score) is fresher at the end of the game and score last to win.
I'm having a hard time with this new paradigm.
It's a painful football game to watch. Delightful when we have the ball, and agonizing when we don't. Really agonizing.
Our defense had good athletes. They gang tackle well. Stop the run pretty well. Useless against the pass. They play like individuals. Not as a team. Out of position often on pass coverage. Like they don't know how to adjust to how the play develops or how their teammates react to the play. They play like they aren't aware of anyone else's responsibilities. This is either poor coaching (I think so, Gregg Robinson should be worried about his job) and a poor scheme (who else runs a 3-3-5) or both (probable). Could it be that Rich Rod doesn't really care about the defense, convinced that he has the players he needs on offense to over come anything the defense lets happen. He's focused on getting the right talent for the offense and teaching them how to run it perfectly which they just about do. But how about getting the defense to play well.
My suggestion. Like he made Forcier play without wings on his helmet until he thought he was more serious about his commitment to the team, the defense should practice in pink helmets this week and Coach Robinson should wear a tutu in practice. Until they all learn how to man up and play defense like men. They have had three years.
Still I love the Wolverines and the outcome. Great away game victory over a team that had a great offense too, and had real revenge on their minds as motivation. They will improve as a result of this game.
Next week vs. MSU, a team with both a defense and an offense. They beat a real good Wisconsin team. If men show up on defense, we have a chance to steal this game at home.
My prediction for the season stays the same. 7-5. No progress with the team this week. I remain unmoved. I want better results, I just don't see it. Still in the old paradigm.
With rhythm and feeling now....
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, beat the Spartans.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Calling the Game Against Indiana.
Two undefeated teams facing each other in their first Big Ten games. What's at play here? Let's evaluate.
Schedule so far: Indiana played 3 cupcakes. Michigan played one cupcake (Bowling Green) and three average teams. Advantage Michigan.
Motivation: Indiana has been stewing for a year after getting robbed by a bad interception call by a ref and Michigan scored on the very next play to win. This game is a statement for them. Advantage Indiana.
Stats: Offensively, Michigan. Defensively about even(if the Wolverine Defense improves this week). Advantage Michigan.
Quarterbacks: Denard and company vs. Chappell. To close to call.
Betting Odds: Michigan by 10 (brand betting not by really looking at it) Advantage Indiana
Here's my call and you can hold me to it: Michigan by 18 if the defense improves. If not, whoever has the ball last wins.
It's good to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, Beat the Hoosiers!
P.S. Had a great time teaching The Victors to the Downtown Memphis Rotary Club. Some of them are upset with me as they can't get that snappy ditty out of their heads. Right Ham?
Schedule so far: Indiana played 3 cupcakes. Michigan played one cupcake (Bowling Green) and three average teams. Advantage Michigan.
Motivation: Indiana has been stewing for a year after getting robbed by a bad interception call by a ref and Michigan scored on the very next play to win. This game is a statement for them. Advantage Indiana.
Stats: Offensively, Michigan. Defensively about even(if the Wolverine Defense improves this week). Advantage Michigan.
Quarterbacks: Denard and company vs. Chappell. To close to call.
Betting Odds: Michigan by 10 (brand betting not by really looking at it) Advantage Indiana
Here's my call and you can hold me to it: Michigan by 18 if the defense improves. If not, whoever has the ball last wins.
It's good to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, Beat the Hoosiers!
P.S. Had a great time teaching The Victors to the Downtown Memphis Rotary Club. Some of them are upset with me as they can't get that snappy ditty out of their heads. Right Ham?
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Week #4: Michigan 65 Bowling Green 21
All that I have to say has to be filtered by the realization that Bowling Green is now 1-3 and currently has to be considered a second division Mid American Conference Team.
The Wolverines answered two important questions for me today.
The first: Does the Michigan Offense go down when Denard goes down? Not hardly. If I were an upcoming opponent I would be much more scared of the Michigan offense today then last week. Previously you could hope that by knocking Denard out of the game you dealt a death blow to the Wolverine offense.
We were barely grazed by the blow today.
Gardner then Forcier then back to Gardner and we hardly lost a step. Granted the offense is truly scary to face with Robinson at QB. But now it's a total offense not just Denard this and Denard that. Both sub QB proved their passing mettle. Four running backs had more that 50 yards rushing, 6 backs in all contributing to a rushing total of 282 between them. 255 receiving yards spread between 9 receivers with only 3 incomplete passes. (I know, it was against the Falcons). The offense improved, the running backs stepped up.
I'm not worried about Denard going down anymore. Of course I want Denard to always start. And extremely glad he'll be back next week. He is truly a genius with wicked running skills, great arm, and he's a real live Heisman Candidate if Michigan can win some games and he doesn't get seriously hurt. But losing him, didn't hurt us at all today. The offense can roll without him.
Second Question:
Will the defense improve? They did. Better tackling. Better running to the ball. Forced two turnovers. Better team play. Good practice for them today. But did they improve enough to face the Big Ten starting next week. No. Lots of mistakes. They let the Falcons make it a one touchdown game in the first half, needlessly. They need more improvement. With another game like this against Indiana next week, we might see them toughen up enough to enable our supercharged offense to carry the day each week and have a winning Big Ten Schedule for the season.
The announcer said something significant today, a great offense with a crummy defense only delivers can deliver no better than fifty percent odds to win against a good team. The team with the ball last wins those games so it's a crap shoot. Just like last year. The defense has to improve.
Speaking of last year: At this point last year the Wolverines were 4-0 and ended up losing the rest of their games except Delaware State(1-AA doormat). So I'm still skeptical of just how good we are. I'm upgrading my prediction from 6-6 to 7-5. We should beat both Indiana and Illinois and pick off one other game. Let's see some improvement on defense next week against the Hoosiers. It will be a tough game because they felt they got robbed last year and will be up for us at their home stadium.
The real evaluation of the team comes the following week against Michigan State.
With Rhythm now...
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, Beat the Hoosiers.
The Wolverines answered two important questions for me today.
The first: Does the Michigan Offense go down when Denard goes down? Not hardly. If I were an upcoming opponent I would be much more scared of the Michigan offense today then last week. Previously you could hope that by knocking Denard out of the game you dealt a death blow to the Wolverine offense.
We were barely grazed by the blow today.
Gardner then Forcier then back to Gardner and we hardly lost a step. Granted the offense is truly scary to face with Robinson at QB. But now it's a total offense not just Denard this and Denard that. Both sub QB proved their passing mettle. Four running backs had more that 50 yards rushing, 6 backs in all contributing to a rushing total of 282 between them. 255 receiving yards spread between 9 receivers with only 3 incomplete passes. (I know, it was against the Falcons). The offense improved, the running backs stepped up.
I'm not worried about Denard going down anymore. Of course I want Denard to always start. And extremely glad he'll be back next week. He is truly a genius with wicked running skills, great arm, and he's a real live Heisman Candidate if Michigan can win some games and he doesn't get seriously hurt. But losing him, didn't hurt us at all today. The offense can roll without him.
Second Question:
Will the defense improve? They did. Better tackling. Better running to the ball. Forced two turnovers. Better team play. Good practice for them today. But did they improve enough to face the Big Ten starting next week. No. Lots of mistakes. They let the Falcons make it a one touchdown game in the first half, needlessly. They need more improvement. With another game like this against Indiana next week, we might see them toughen up enough to enable our supercharged offense to carry the day each week and have a winning Big Ten Schedule for the season.
The announcer said something significant today, a great offense with a crummy defense only delivers can deliver no better than fifty percent odds to win against a good team. The team with the ball last wins those games so it's a crap shoot. Just like last year. The defense has to improve.
Speaking of last year: At this point last year the Wolverines were 4-0 and ended up losing the rest of their games except Delaware State(1-AA doormat). So I'm still skeptical of just how good we are. I'm upgrading my prediction from 6-6 to 7-5. We should beat both Indiana and Illinois and pick off one other game. Let's see some improvement on defense next week against the Hoosiers. It will be a tough game because they felt they got robbed last year and will be up for us at their home stadium.
The real evaluation of the team comes the following week against Michigan State.
With Rhythm now...
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, Beat the Hoosiers.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
My Guess on Michigan vs Bowling Green
3-0 Michigan vs 1-2 Bowling Green. Big Ten vs MAC. Used to be easy to call these games.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Michigan is good enough to contend for the MAC Conference title, so we should win.
We'll score about 40 points. With no defensive improvement we should let the Falcons score just under 30.
Wondering if the defense will improve. Haven't seen improvement all seasons. By improvement I mean playing consistently as a team, not as individuals on a team. They haven't played together so far.
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, beat the Falcons.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Michigan is good enough to contend for the MAC Conference title, so we should win.
We'll score about 40 points. With no defensive improvement we should let the Falcons score just under 30.
Wondering if the defense will improve. Haven't seen improvement all seasons. By improvement I mean playing consistently as a team, not as individuals on a team. They haven't played together so far.
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, beat the Falcons.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Getting a good kicker isn't all that hard.
See this post by Michigan fan and grad, John Branston, from the Memphis Flyer.
Interesting comments on the state of the kicking game in general and a few digs at the kicking problem at Michigan.
http://www.memphisflyer.com/CityBeatBlog/archives/2010/09/21/josh-jasper-can-kick
Go Blue!
Interesting comments on the state of the kicking game in general and a few digs at the kicking problem at Michigan.
http://www.memphisflyer.com/CityBeatBlog/archives/2010/09/21/josh-jasper-can-kick
Go Blue!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Week #3 Michigan 42 UMass 37
A win is always a win, no matter how ugly, so I'll take it. This was ugly.
I'm worried about even finishing at .500 based on this game. Great offense, no defense. Good teams have to have some sort of cohesive defensive play. Mouton, Floyd, Kovacs, and Ezeh are all good players, making individually good plays. But they don't add up. The secondary play is non existent. We couldn't stop the run either. Our great offense is going to have to out sprint every team we play because no lead is truly safe with this defense.
Should I say it? Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson is the problem. The defense looks confused on just about every play, and always seems a second or two too late. Don't get me started on the poor tackling. The defense has been unprepared for three games in a row now. The defense is not going to get better.
The offense not only looked great, but better as well. Denard Robinson didn't have to carry the entire offense this week. Shaw had 125 yards rushing, more than Robinson with 104. And Robinson, a little shaky at first, was effective as a passer, even throwing down field for completions. I'm impressed. We should be when an offense can put 45 points on the board.
Do we know what to do on special teams? They are unspectacularly unspecial. Can't really tell when we will see another field goal. Punt coverage is foolhardy.
Add this all up and I still think 6-6 is a stretch for this team. Should beat Bowling Green next week. Should beat either Indiana or Illinois. That get's us to 5-7, maybe 6-6. We might get lucky against one of the other opponents. I hope so.
UMass was ranked 16th in the FCS Rankings going into this game. This game doesn't hurt their rankings. Seems to me a good FCS team is capable of competing with an average FBS team, which Michigan is. Michigan is over-ranked in the polls. We are an average Mid American Conference team.
Denard Robinson remains a Heisman Candidate in my book. Not the leading candidate, but in the hunt at least for now.
Looking forward to Bowling Green. Could be our last "for-sure" victory.
With rhythm now....
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, beat the Falcons (BGSU)
I'm worried about even finishing at .500 based on this game. Great offense, no defense. Good teams have to have some sort of cohesive defensive play. Mouton, Floyd, Kovacs, and Ezeh are all good players, making individually good plays. But they don't add up. The secondary play is non existent. We couldn't stop the run either. Our great offense is going to have to out sprint every team we play because no lead is truly safe with this defense.
Should I say it? Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson is the problem. The defense looks confused on just about every play, and always seems a second or two too late. Don't get me started on the poor tackling. The defense has been unprepared for three games in a row now. The defense is not going to get better.
The offense not only looked great, but better as well. Denard Robinson didn't have to carry the entire offense this week. Shaw had 125 yards rushing, more than Robinson with 104. And Robinson, a little shaky at first, was effective as a passer, even throwing down field for completions. I'm impressed. We should be when an offense can put 45 points on the board.
Do we know what to do on special teams? They are unspectacularly unspecial. Can't really tell when we will see another field goal. Punt coverage is foolhardy.
Add this all up and I still think 6-6 is a stretch for this team. Should beat Bowling Green next week. Should beat either Indiana or Illinois. That get's us to 5-7, maybe 6-6. We might get lucky against one of the other opponents. I hope so.
UMass was ranked 16th in the FCS Rankings going into this game. This game doesn't hurt their rankings. Seems to me a good FCS team is capable of competing with an average FBS team, which Michigan is. Michigan is over-ranked in the polls. We are an average Mid American Conference team.
Denard Robinson remains a Heisman Candidate in my book. Not the leading candidate, but in the hunt at least for now.
Looking forward to Bowling Green. Could be our last "for-sure" victory.
With rhythm now....
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, beat the Falcons (BGSU)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Preview of the Wolverines vs the Minutemen, Sept 18th.
Both teams are 2-0. Michigan having played Connecticut and Notre Dame. UMass having beaten William and Mary and Holy Cross. FBS vs FCS. This is a payday for UMass and a practice for Michigan. I hope.
After the James Madison victory over Virginia Tech, not to mention that debacle against Appalachia State a few years ago, I suppose you can't be too careful about opponents like this.
My recommended game plan: On offense let Denard run the offense full out for one quarter maybe a little more, long enough to put the game out of reach, then only let him pass or hand off. Get those running backs and recievers lots of work so they can pick up the slack and our offense becomes multidimensional. Get the backup QBs some time, especially Devin Gardner. We know Robinson is going to get knocked out at some time this season, so we need a backup with a good attitude and some snaps under his belt ready to go.
Defense. All out all game. Their goal should be a complete whitewash. No points allowed. Gain confidence, figure out their angles to the ball, work on better pursuit to the ball and get the tackle right the first time, wrap them up.
UMass will be up for the game but intimidated by the Michigan Tradition and the Big House. The video of the coach on the UMass site indicates he's wondering why this game was scheduled.
So am I.
With Rhythm now...
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine
Go Michigan, Beat Massachusetts!
After the James Madison victory over Virginia Tech, not to mention that debacle against Appalachia State a few years ago, I suppose you can't be too careful about opponents like this.
My recommended game plan: On offense let Denard run the offense full out for one quarter maybe a little more, long enough to put the game out of reach, then only let him pass or hand off. Get those running backs and recievers lots of work so they can pick up the slack and our offense becomes multidimensional. Get the backup QBs some time, especially Devin Gardner. We know Robinson is going to get knocked out at some time this season, so we need a backup with a good attitude and some snaps under his belt ready to go.
Defense. All out all game. Their goal should be a complete whitewash. No points allowed. Gain confidence, figure out their angles to the ball, work on better pursuit to the ball and get the tackle right the first time, wrap them up.
UMass will be up for the game but intimidated by the Michigan Tradition and the Big House. The video of the coach on the UMass site indicates he's wondering why this game was scheduled.
So am I.
With Rhythm now...
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine
Go Michigan, Beat Massachusetts!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Week 2 : Michigan 28 Notre Dame 24
Give me some oxygen baby. I need it after watching this game. It was as exciting of a football game as one could want. Maybe too exciting. This is what College, Michigan, and Big Ten Football is all about.
You got to love a come from behind victory at Notre Dame when Michigan scores on it's last series, after the Irish embarassed our offense and defense for almost the entire second half. Especially after the Irish scored on a 98 yard pass play to take the lead with two minutes remaining.
Michigan stepped up and played to win and did against incredible odds. What a character building experience.
Denard Robinson is an incredible football player. A genius with speed and game face. Setting records for total yards that are out of this world. He'll be a Heisman candidate before long if he keeps it up and Michigan keeps winning. And he's only started two games so far. What will happen when he gets more experience like this under his belt. Watch out.
At the same time in spite of this incredible victory, I'm not changing my predictions much for the season. I don't really see us going better than 6-6. Call me pessimistic if you want.
Just before the game I was giving a speech to students of the University of Memphis, on Leadership and the book, Good to Great, by Jim Collins. In my talk I reviewed one of the key characteristics of great leaders that Collins studied in his book. The willingness of the leaders to "Confront the Brutal Facts." I can't help myself. So lets confront the brutal facts of this game.
We missed three(?) field goals.
The Irish Defense stopped us cold for almost the entire second half.
Our offense is one dimensional, Denard Robinson, albeit one helluva dimension.
The Irish ran roughshod over our defense the entire second half. Imagine if their starting quarterback hadn't sat out the first half with an injury.
The Irish were able to make second half adjustments to stop us and to move on us. We didn't do the same. RichRod has failed to prove that his staff is capable of this for two years now. This is a coaching problem. This used to be a characteristic of Michigan Football, that scared other teams. No longer true.
We can't throw the long ball.
Our running backs are average at best. After a team adjusts to Denard and our offense we don't have another real running threat. Yet. They are getting better.
We can't run up the middle or with power.
Any good team watching the film of this game will be able to duplicate Notre Dame's efforts in the second half. We have to improve to keep winning.
I'll admit the offense improved since last week. Not the defense. We could win a lot of games and we can lose a lot of games. We have to keep learning and improving. Not Denard, mind you, the rest of the offense has to, and the defense has to and the coaching staff has to.
Still after a barn burner like this one, you can't help saying....
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, Beat the Minutemen(UMASS)!
Aside to the Ohio State Club of the Mid-South: It's pretty rude to walk into our football gathering and cheer against us at our own party. Bad Form. If the goal of the three fans of yours who did this today was to make enemies with us, Mission Accomplished. Oh How I Hate Ohio State!
Go Blue! Hail to the Victors!
You got to love a come from behind victory at Notre Dame when Michigan scores on it's last series, after the Irish embarassed our offense and defense for almost the entire second half. Especially after the Irish scored on a 98 yard pass play to take the lead with two minutes remaining.
Michigan stepped up and played to win and did against incredible odds. What a character building experience.
Denard Robinson is an incredible football player. A genius with speed and game face. Setting records for total yards that are out of this world. He'll be a Heisman candidate before long if he keeps it up and Michigan keeps winning. And he's only started two games so far. What will happen when he gets more experience like this under his belt. Watch out.
At the same time in spite of this incredible victory, I'm not changing my predictions much for the season. I don't really see us going better than 6-6. Call me pessimistic if you want.
Just before the game I was giving a speech to students of the University of Memphis, on Leadership and the book, Good to Great, by Jim Collins. In my talk I reviewed one of the key characteristics of great leaders that Collins studied in his book. The willingness of the leaders to "Confront the Brutal Facts." I can't help myself. So lets confront the brutal facts of this game.
We missed three(?) field goals.
The Irish Defense stopped us cold for almost the entire second half.
Our offense is one dimensional, Denard Robinson, albeit one helluva dimension.
The Irish ran roughshod over our defense the entire second half. Imagine if their starting quarterback hadn't sat out the first half with an injury.
The Irish were able to make second half adjustments to stop us and to move on us. We didn't do the same. RichRod has failed to prove that his staff is capable of this for two years now. This is a coaching problem. This used to be a characteristic of Michigan Football, that scared other teams. No longer true.
We can't throw the long ball.
Our running backs are average at best. After a team adjusts to Denard and our offense we don't have another real running threat. Yet. They are getting better.
We can't run up the middle or with power.
Any good team watching the film of this game will be able to duplicate Notre Dame's efforts in the second half. We have to improve to keep winning.
I'll admit the offense improved since last week. Not the defense. We could win a lot of games and we can lose a lot of games. We have to keep learning and improving. Not Denard, mind you, the rest of the offense has to, and the defense has to and the coaching staff has to.
Still after a barn burner like this one, you can't help saying....
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, Beat the Minutemen(UMASS)!
Aside to the Ohio State Club of the Mid-South: It's pretty rude to walk into our football gathering and cheer against us at our own party. Bad Form. If the goal of the three fans of yours who did this today was to make enemies with us, Mission Accomplished. Oh How I Hate Ohio State!
Go Blue! Hail to the Victors!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Michigan Notre Dame Prognostications
What I want is a huge victory. I'll settle for a win.
The Michigan Faithful needs a big -a__ whomping victory that shows them that this team can be believed in. And what better place than in South Bend. The offense needs to score at will and control the game. The defense needs to swarm the ND quarterback and welcome him to big time and Big Ten College football. shutting downn their offense. We waited through two years of turmoil. Time to end this right now. End the doubts. Engender loyalty. Renew our passions in Michigan Football.
Not going to happen tomorrow. Notre Dame is motivated to win. They have just about as much to prove as Michigan does. It will be a head to head battle and a close game that I hope will be a Michigan Victory.
My son says the key to victory is beating up the Notre Dame quarterback. He's a high school superstar who hasn't really been hit hard so far. Bang him up a bit with a few sacks and clean hits and rattle him and the Notre Dame offense goes down. Michigan Victory.
I think this is the key also. Would like to see it happen. Don't think so. The 3-3-5 didn't show the ability to do this against Connecticut last week. Unless a massive improvement we won't see it tomorrow. It's anybody's ball game right now.
Prove me wrong Rich Rod. Play with excellence and with passion tomorrow.
The Michigan Faithful needs a big -a__ whomping victory that shows them that this team can be believed in. And what better place than in South Bend. The offense needs to score at will and control the game. The defense needs to swarm the ND quarterback and welcome him to big time and Big Ten College football. shutting downn their offense. We waited through two years of turmoil. Time to end this right now. End the doubts. Engender loyalty. Renew our passions in Michigan Football.
Not going to happen tomorrow. Notre Dame is motivated to win. They have just about as much to prove as Michigan does. It will be a head to head battle and a close game that I hope will be a Michigan Victory.
My son says the key to victory is beating up the Notre Dame quarterback. He's a high school superstar who hasn't really been hit hard so far. Bang him up a bit with a few sacks and clean hits and rattle him and the Notre Dame offense goes down. Michigan Victory.
I think this is the key also. Would like to see it happen. Don't think so. The 3-3-5 didn't show the ability to do this against Connecticut last week. Unless a massive improvement we won't see it tomorrow. It's anybody's ball game right now.
Prove me wrong Rich Rod. Play with excellence and with passion tomorrow.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Week 1: Michigan 30, Connecticut 10
A Meechigan Victory. Outcome of the Game Never in Doubt. Exciting Offense. Mistake free football. Played a pretty good team too. So why am I underwhelmed?
Watching the game at Dan McGuinness' Pub was an indication. Normally a boisterous experience, no one spontaneously started singing Victors after any of the TDs. Clearly we enjoyed that Denard Robinson was running the Spread like clockwork. But we were somewhat disbelieving of the success, or at least suspicious of it. RichRod's boys ran off 4 straight wins to start last season. Only to stall and never get better through the rest of the season. Don't want to get burned again. I'm bitter that after a lifetime of winning seasons and bowl games, we had to go through the drought we did the past two years. I feel I'm owed something better this season that what we aren't getting. Here's to hoping Rich Rod really does have the right players and is coaching them instead of just coaching a system. Coaching at Michigan is about coaching Michigan Men the Michigan Way. Not just football. We need to see significant improvement each week if we want a winning season and to beat the Buckeyes. I don't see it happening.
Denard Robinson played mistake free football with confidence. Running was genius. Passing was confident and controlled. Never went long, but it probably wasn't in the game plan. Cool and collected. Not mercurial like Forcier
Smith and Shaw and Odom show promise. Offensive line didn't appear to have even on misplay. Controlled the line. Great execution. But not from a power perspective. Must improve if to contend with the big guns of the Big Ten.
Defense was lucky. A dropped pass on our 5 and a forced fumble kept Connecticut from making it a game. They were knocking on the door. Pass rush was okay. Only one sack, but rushed their quarterback's throws many times. But if Connecticut's receivers could have caught the ball we were toast. Dropped at least 7 passes that were catchable. Backs seemed confused. I'm doubtful the a 3-3-5 can hang against a power team.
Special Teams. Shoddy. Pour punt returns. Missed field goal and PAT. Kick off coverage average. Kickoffs good, except for the first one.
Coaching staff. Didn't seem like they made many adjustments as the game went on. But I'll give them credit for the passing display in the second half.
I hope the old adage is true that the most improvement made by a team is between the first and second games. Lots of improvement will be necessary to beat a motivated Notre Dame team next week at South Bend.
Go Michigan, Beat the Irish.
It's good to be a Michigan Wolverine
Watching the game at Dan McGuinness' Pub was an indication. Normally a boisterous experience, no one spontaneously started singing Victors after any of the TDs. Clearly we enjoyed that Denard Robinson was running the Spread like clockwork. But we were somewhat disbelieving of the success, or at least suspicious of it. RichRod's boys ran off 4 straight wins to start last season. Only to stall and never get better through the rest of the season. Don't want to get burned again. I'm bitter that after a lifetime of winning seasons and bowl games, we had to go through the drought we did the past two years. I feel I'm owed something better this season that what we aren't getting. Here's to hoping Rich Rod really does have the right players and is coaching them instead of just coaching a system. Coaching at Michigan is about coaching Michigan Men the Michigan Way. Not just football. We need to see significant improvement each week if we want a winning season and to beat the Buckeyes. I don't see it happening.
Denard Robinson played mistake free football with confidence. Running was genius. Passing was confident and controlled. Never went long, but it probably wasn't in the game plan. Cool and collected. Not mercurial like Forcier
Smith and Shaw and Odom show promise. Offensive line didn't appear to have even on misplay. Controlled the line. Great execution. But not from a power perspective. Must improve if to contend with the big guns of the Big Ten.
Defense was lucky. A dropped pass on our 5 and a forced fumble kept Connecticut from making it a game. They were knocking on the door. Pass rush was okay. Only one sack, but rushed their quarterback's throws many times. But if Connecticut's receivers could have caught the ball we were toast. Dropped at least 7 passes that were catchable. Backs seemed confused. I'm doubtful the a 3-3-5 can hang against a power team.
Special Teams. Shoddy. Pour punt returns. Missed field goal and PAT. Kick off coverage average. Kickoffs good, except for the first one.
Coaching staff. Didn't seem like they made many adjustments as the game went on. But I'll give them credit for the passing display in the second half.
I hope the old adage is true that the most improvement made by a team is between the first and second games. Lots of improvement will be necessary to beat a motivated Notre Dame team next week at South Bend.
Go Michigan, Beat the Irish.
It's good to be a Michigan Wolverine
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