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.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
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?
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