It was really good to see the Wolverines bounce back from the tough loss to MSU. I didn't get a chance to post my predictions prior to the game. Busy week of learning and work. But I was feeling better about the loss after learning about State's victory against Wisconsin the previous week. MSU is better that we may have thought they were. We were in the game all the way.
This is what is great about the Purdue game. On defense, we continue to see six or seven bodies are rushing to the ball. Great pressure. Great blitzing. Recovery from the previous game. Continuing to improve. On offense, I'm most impressed with the development of the Toussaint. Finally a running back who outgains Robinson. I hope to see this continue. We need the balance this brings to the offense. Robinson played better at QB, and doesn't have to carry the whole team on his back. We are beginning to look like a Michigan Football Team again.
The Future Outlook: I'm more confused than before, mostly because of what the rest of the Big Ten is doing. Ohio State beats Wisconsin ("I'm not dead yet"). Nebraska whips MSU. Penn State the only undefeated team in Big Ten Play. Iowa and Illinois playing schizo ball.
We could finish the season 3-1 or we could finish 1-3. No real way to tell.
Hopefully we continue to improve and get wins at Iowa and Illinois. Nebraska will be a battle for the ages. And the Big Game will be the Big Game.
What I'm most amazed at this season is this. We pretty much have the same team as last year. Same players with the same relative talent. What a difference a good coaching staff makes. Coaching men. Leading them. Teaching them to lead. The confidence is there. The swagger is back. We got game. The rest of the season looks like fun. Can't wait.
It's good to be a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, Beat the Hawkeyes
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Michigan vs. MSU. Reality finally hits.
The essence of this game and the future for the Wolverines can be summed up in the following description of the key play of the game:
The Wolverine D, just forced a second fumble, giving the offense the opportunity to tie the game and change the momentum and take control. On fourth down and a very short one for the first down we line up. And run a play action pass play, with Denard Robinson getting sacked. First down Spartans.
Why would you call a play action pass play in this situation? Maybe the coordinator saw and opportunity to score and wanted to take it. Here's how I see it. The coordinator and staff didn't have confidence in the ability of the offensive line to create the foward surge needed for a sneak or a run up the gut to succeed. We hadn't succeeding in doing anything of the sort thus far in the game, and had failed to do so last week in goal line situations against Northwestern last week. Either that or they were spooked by the dominance of the MSU box to try it. Probably both.
Our offensive line is good, and getting better, but not great. The MSU front four and linebacker core is strong, fast, determined, and mean. We are not good enough to win the battle of the line against a great defensive box like MSU's. That's why they won the game and deserved to win.
Our defense played well enough to keep us in the game. Cousins and the MSU offense was good but not stellar up to this point. After this let down by our offense, the game was over. The defense needed the momentum shift to inspire them to keep stopping the Spartans. The rolled over us from this point on.
This is the weakness of the Wolverines. Our offensive line, although much better than last year, just isn't good enough to compete for a title. Maybe next year.
Five games left. We will win at least two, maybe three. Four is doubtful. Five is impossible. I'm curious to see how well Nebraska fares against MSU. Right now I think MSU wins that match up. We should be able to beat Purdue, and Illinois. Nebraska, Iowa, and OSU are maybes. OSU is a little better than maybe, but not much. It will be the game that redeems their season. Or not.
The team will learn from this, and improve. Glad I live in Memphis, far away from most Spartans.
Still, It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, Beat the Boilermakers. (bye this week for us).
BTW: I've lost a bit of respect for MSU, despite their deserved victory. Trash talk is okay. Dirty play (numerous late hits, intentional facemasks, punching a player, etc.) has no place in the game. It's done to intimidate, and rev up one's courage. But it's false courage. The player who both face masked Denard in the pile up after the whistle on one play, and punched another player after the whistle on a different play, should be suspended for at least one game, voluntarily by D'Antonio and by the Big Ten is he isn't man enough to do it. The other late hits were very intentional. D'Antonio should man up and suspend this player and warn the others. Otherwise, he's a d___ and an embarrassment to MSU and the Big Ten.
And what about those goofy uniforms we wore. Ugly. Didn't mind the white pants. And I liked the undershirt sleeves with Victors and Valiant on the inside seems. But the jerseys made us look like pansies. And let's get rid of the numbers on the helmets too.
The Wolverine D, just forced a second fumble, giving the offense the opportunity to tie the game and change the momentum and take control. On fourth down and a very short one for the first down we line up. And run a play action pass play, with Denard Robinson getting sacked. First down Spartans.
Why would you call a play action pass play in this situation? Maybe the coordinator saw and opportunity to score and wanted to take it. Here's how I see it. The coordinator and staff didn't have confidence in the ability of the offensive line to create the foward surge needed for a sneak or a run up the gut to succeed. We hadn't succeeding in doing anything of the sort thus far in the game, and had failed to do so last week in goal line situations against Northwestern last week. Either that or they were spooked by the dominance of the MSU box to try it. Probably both.
Our offensive line is good, and getting better, but not great. The MSU front four and linebacker core is strong, fast, determined, and mean. We are not good enough to win the battle of the line against a great defensive box like MSU's. That's why they won the game and deserved to win.
Our defense played well enough to keep us in the game. Cousins and the MSU offense was good but not stellar up to this point. After this let down by our offense, the game was over. The defense needed the momentum shift to inspire them to keep stopping the Spartans. The rolled over us from this point on.
This is the weakness of the Wolverines. Our offensive line, although much better than last year, just isn't good enough to compete for a title. Maybe next year.
Five games left. We will win at least two, maybe three. Four is doubtful. Five is impossible. I'm curious to see how well Nebraska fares against MSU. Right now I think MSU wins that match up. We should be able to beat Purdue, and Illinois. Nebraska, Iowa, and OSU are maybes. OSU is a little better than maybe, but not much. It will be the game that redeems their season. Or not.
The team will learn from this, and improve. Glad I live in Memphis, far away from most Spartans.
Still, It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, Beat the Boilermakers. (bye this week for us).
BTW: I've lost a bit of respect for MSU, despite their deserved victory. Trash talk is okay. Dirty play (numerous late hits, intentional facemasks, punching a player, etc.) has no place in the game. It's done to intimidate, and rev up one's courage. But it's false courage. The player who both face masked Denard in the pile up after the whistle on one play, and punched another player after the whistle on a different play, should be suspended for at least one game, voluntarily by D'Antonio and by the Big Ten is he isn't man enough to do it. The other late hits were very intentional. D'Antonio should man up and suspend this player and warn the others. Otherwise, he's a d___ and an embarrassment to MSU and the Big Ten.
And what about those goofy uniforms we wore. Ugly. Didn't mind the white pants. And I liked the undershirt sleeves with Victors and Valiant on the inside seems. But the jerseys made us look like pansies. And let's get rid of the numbers on the helmets too.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Michigan vs MSU--Tough one to call.
Would love to see us go into their house and blow it down. Not likely.
Who has the better coaching staff? We do.
Who has the better players? Sad to say, but with a few exceptions, they do.
Who has the most motivation? We do.
MSU will dominate the line of scrimmage. Their quarterback will challenge our defense. We will be in real hostile territory for the first time this season.
We beat ND, they lost to ND.
We got D&D. We got momentum. We got continuing improvement week to week. We got real motivation, can't lose four in a row to our step sister.
Michigan by two touchdowns. M will be in control the whole game but won't be able to put it out of reach until the fourth quarter.
It's good to be a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, Beat the Spartans.
Who has the better coaching staff? We do.
Who has the better players? Sad to say, but with a few exceptions, they do.
Who has the most motivation? We do.
MSU will dominate the line of scrimmage. Their quarterback will challenge our defense. We will be in real hostile territory for the first time this season.
We beat ND, they lost to ND.
We got D&D. We got momentum. We got continuing improvement week to week. We got real motivation, can't lose four in a row to our step sister.
Michigan by two touchdowns. M will be in control the whole game but won't be able to put it out of reach until the fourth quarter.
It's good to be a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, Beat the Spartans.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Michigan 42 Northwestern 24.
I always love a Michigan Victory.
We played a great half of a football game. God, I love the halftime adjustments Borges and Mattison make. We played some shutdown defense. The offense looked pretty good in second half. Robinson settled down and played a great second half. Devin Gardner looked right at home too. Great catches by all the recievers. Glad ours can jump higher than theirs. Love that when we put our minds to it we can shut them down and pretty much score when we want to.
But what was this fiasco in the first half. We looked ridiculous and lost. Liked the first 3 and out, and the subsequent touchdown. The rest of the half we looked like a high school team. 3 really bad interceptions. Sloppy tackling. We were lucky to not be down by more.
Our rushing game sucks. Other than Robinson, our running backs contributed only 62 yards, none of it really impressive, although Shaw had a good couple of runs in a row in the second half.
Time for a mid season review and update of my preseason predictions.
We are really a lot better than last year. I'm really impressed with what Hoke and staff has done with basically the same team as last year. Great coaching really makes a difference. Especially on defense. They are playing over their heads, talent wise. They are tackling strong when they want to. They play together well. They know what each other is doing and reacting well.
Doing well offensively as well, but I would like the offense to be a little bit more than the Denard Robinson show. The offensive line is better, providing great pass protection. Denard seems to have all the time he needs. But on the rushing game they are average. Don't see a surge at the snap. Ever. The running backs don't have any holes. We need that big fullback-type. Couldn't punch in the end zone from inside the 5. Have to rely on misdirection to score. But I suppose I shouldn't complain. We scored in the red zone each time. Denard's passing is perplexing. He has the time to get his feet set, when he does he's as capable as anyone. But when he doesn't get his feet set each pass seems to be a Hail Mary. Especially the long ones. Kudos to Junior Hemingway for going up and bringing it down. Sign him up as an outfielder on the baseball team. But it would be nice to see a deep receiver led a little bit.
This is a good team, and will be in every game from here on in and have a chance of winning each one. It's going to be so much more fun than last year. But we aren't a team that can dominate the rest of the way. Our remaining opponents are much better than Minnesota and Northwestern. I think we can only count on splitting the rest of our games. Maybe we'll get lucky and win a few more. Everyone will gunning for us and we are still learning as a team. With lots of luck we might be able to play for the Big Ten title. I want it, but I don't see it. Here's hoping I'm wrong. Mid Season adjustment. 9-3, maybe 10-2.
We learned a lot about the Wolverines in this game, and we aren't ready yet, next year. Prove me wrong against Michigan State.
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, beat the Spartans.
We played a great half of a football game. God, I love the halftime adjustments Borges and Mattison make. We played some shutdown defense. The offense looked pretty good in second half. Robinson settled down and played a great second half. Devin Gardner looked right at home too. Great catches by all the recievers. Glad ours can jump higher than theirs. Love that when we put our minds to it we can shut them down and pretty much score when we want to.
But what was this fiasco in the first half. We looked ridiculous and lost. Liked the first 3 and out, and the subsequent touchdown. The rest of the half we looked like a high school team. 3 really bad interceptions. Sloppy tackling. We were lucky to not be down by more.
Our rushing game sucks. Other than Robinson, our running backs contributed only 62 yards, none of it really impressive, although Shaw had a good couple of runs in a row in the second half.
Time for a mid season review and update of my preseason predictions.
We are really a lot better than last year. I'm really impressed with what Hoke and staff has done with basically the same team as last year. Great coaching really makes a difference. Especially on defense. They are playing over their heads, talent wise. They are tackling strong when they want to. They play together well. They know what each other is doing and reacting well.
Doing well offensively as well, but I would like the offense to be a little bit more than the Denard Robinson show. The offensive line is better, providing great pass protection. Denard seems to have all the time he needs. But on the rushing game they are average. Don't see a surge at the snap. Ever. The running backs don't have any holes. We need that big fullback-type. Couldn't punch in the end zone from inside the 5. Have to rely on misdirection to score. But I suppose I shouldn't complain. We scored in the red zone each time. Denard's passing is perplexing. He has the time to get his feet set, when he does he's as capable as anyone. But when he doesn't get his feet set each pass seems to be a Hail Mary. Especially the long ones. Kudos to Junior Hemingway for going up and bringing it down. Sign him up as an outfielder on the baseball team. But it would be nice to see a deep receiver led a little bit.
This is a good team, and will be in every game from here on in and have a chance of winning each one. It's going to be so much more fun than last year. But we aren't a team that can dominate the rest of the way. Our remaining opponents are much better than Minnesota and Northwestern. I think we can only count on splitting the rest of our games. Maybe we'll get lucky and win a few more. Everyone will gunning for us and we are still learning as a team. With lots of luck we might be able to play for the Big Ten title. I want it, but I don't see it. Here's hoping I'm wrong. Mid Season adjustment. 9-3, maybe 10-2.
We learned a lot about the Wolverines in this game, and we aren't ready yet, next year. Prove me wrong against Michigan State.
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!
Go Michigan, beat the Spartans.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Wolverines vs Wildcats. M wins by at least 15, maybe 24. .
Let's face it, other than the Notre Dame Game, Michigan's season has been a cakewalk. A cakewalk at home. The team is exciting to watch. Improving each week on both defense and offense, especially defense. We have momentum.
But this is a road game against a schizophrenic Northwestern team. A team that is better than it's 2-2 record. Dan Persa, an NFL first rounder, is back at QB with a good game under his belt. Their offense will be good. If he can finish the game, we will have to play our best. The Wildcats can put points on the board. Our secondary will be stretched.
The defense should be up to the task. I would love to see another donut hung on the scoreboard. I doubt it. But we dominate here.
I want to see another balanced game offensively. Good passing from Denard. More D & D sets. And more rushing yards out of our running backs than out of Denard.
Time to find out if Michigan is real or memorex. Last year at this time we were 5-0 and ranked and finished 7-5. We'll learn a lot about how good we are today.
It's always good to be a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, Beat the Wildcats!
But this is a road game against a schizophrenic Northwestern team. A team that is better than it's 2-2 record. Dan Persa, an NFL first rounder, is back at QB with a good game under his belt. Their offense will be good. If he can finish the game, we will have to play our best. The Wildcats can put points on the board. Our secondary will be stretched.
The defense should be up to the task. I would love to see another donut hung on the scoreboard. I doubt it. But we dominate here.
I want to see another balanced game offensively. Good passing from Denard. More D & D sets. And more rushing yards out of our running backs than out of Denard.
Time to find out if Michigan is real or memorex. Last year at this time we were 5-0 and ranked and finished 7-5. We'll learn a lot about how good we are today.
It's always good to be a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, Beat the Wildcats!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Michigan 58 Minnesota 0. Wow.
I didn't watch the game yesterday, was selling Christmas Wreaths on behalf of the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality at the Greenline Block Party. They are a good deal. Go to this link to order one on-line. Back to the game.
How do you say perfect. A perfect shut out. A perfectly balanced offensive attack. Yes it was against Minnesota, the current doormat of the Big Ten (not us this year) but it was a game we needed to have. Built confidence on all parts of the team. We've been improving each and every game, and it came together yesterday. No more easy games though.
Liked that we ran a few plays with Devin Gardner at QB and Denard Robinson at half back. It must scare the s--t out of opposing defenses to see that line up. And I bet we see it more often. Let's call it the D&D formation.
Liked that Denard completed 11 passes in a row and 15-19 without an interception
Liked that two running backs had more yards that Denard, and that he only ran 6 times.
Liked triple threat Vincent Smith. Run, catch and throw. Way to go.
Like the defense playing all out the entire game, not letdown in the third quarter when the game was out of reach for Minnesota. Even with the second team playing most of the second half.
Liked that the defense held the Gophers to 94 yds rushing and 104 yards passing.
Loving the forced turnovers.
Don't like? What's not to like.
The season gets harder from this day forward. Our opponents know we are for real, even though we are still improving. Tough stretch of away games with only on home game in the middle of it. We must step it up a notch. Keep the learning going. Learn to win and then wallop on the road. Win against Northwestern (a schizo team if there ever was on) a Wallop on MSU.
As always, it's great, to be,a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, beat the Wildcats.
And I found out the other day that I'm going to the Nebraska game. Can't hardly wait.
How do you say perfect. A perfect shut out. A perfectly balanced offensive attack. Yes it was against Minnesota, the current doormat of the Big Ten (not us this year) but it was a game we needed to have. Built confidence on all parts of the team. We've been improving each and every game, and it came together yesterday. No more easy games though.
Liked that we ran a few plays with Devin Gardner at QB and Denard Robinson at half back. It must scare the s--t out of opposing defenses to see that line up. And I bet we see it more often. Let's call it the D&D formation.
Liked that Denard completed 11 passes in a row and 15-19 without an interception
Liked that two running backs had more yards that Denard, and that he only ran 6 times.
Liked triple threat Vincent Smith. Run, catch and throw. Way to go.
Like the defense playing all out the entire game, not letdown in the third quarter when the game was out of reach for Minnesota. Even with the second team playing most of the second half.
Liked that the defense held the Gophers to 94 yds rushing and 104 yards passing.
Loving the forced turnovers.
Don't like? What's not to like.
The season gets harder from this day forward. Our opponents know we are for real, even though we are still improving. Tough stretch of away games with only on home game in the middle of it. We must step it up a notch. Keep the learning going. Learn to win and then wallop on the road. Win against Northwestern (a schizo team if there ever was on) a Wallop on MSU.
As always, it's great, to be,a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, beat the Wildcats.
And I found out the other day that I'm going to the Nebraska game. Can't hardly wait.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
The Little Brown Jug. Michigan keeps it in a big victory over Minnesota
Sorry for the late post. Been busy and won't even watch the game today.
Michigan needs a big breakout game and today is the day. We've seen improvement every week of the season. Today it all comes together. The 100 playing of the Little Brown Jug Game is today. First Big Ten game today. Minnesota will up for the game but isn't up to the task.
It's all going to come together today. Big Michigan Victory to start the Big Ten Schedule. Denard will have a big day. The defense might just hang a donut. If Minnesota scores it will be on the scrubs. Running backs will have a big day.
I have no evidence that this will happen. Just got a feeling.
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, Beat the Gophers!
Michigan needs a big breakout game and today is the day. We've seen improvement every week of the season. Today it all comes together. The 100 playing of the Little Brown Jug Game is today. First Big Ten game today. Minnesota will up for the game but isn't up to the task.
It's all going to come together today. Big Michigan Victory to start the Big Ten Schedule. Denard will have a big day. The defense might just hang a donut. If Minnesota scores it will be on the scrubs. Running backs will have a big day.
I have no evidence that this will happen. Just got a feeling.
It's good, to be, a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Michigan, Beat the Gophers!
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