San Diego State Post Game

John T. Greilick / The Detroit News

I didn't expect this game to be boring.  I thought it would be a back and forth battle between two high powered offenses.   It turned out one offense was high powered in the first half and the other struggled the entire game.  The Michigan defense played well, maybe their best game since the opening win against UConn a year ago. 

Their counterpart on offense was a bit confusing all day.  Just like everyone wanted, the Michigan offense started fast and scored a quick 14 points in the 1st quarter and added one more touchdown in the second.  A 21-0 halftime lead seemed comfortable to the fans and maybe even comfortable to the players as the Wolverines slept through most of the third quarter.  They lost that quarter to SDSU and didn't put the game away until they won the 4th quarter 7-0. 

So Michigan started fast and started to fade late but found enough to win the game comfortably.  I'm not sure I understand the game plan on Offense.  I agree that it would be nice if Denard doesn't carry the ball 21 times a game and that Michigan gets some yards out of the RB position.  But where the hell is the short passing game?   Where are the screens?  Where are short routes?   I understand Denard is struggling throwing the ball but Michigan can't just rely on him running the ball and beating teams.  A good defense will take Denard away and what does that leave us?  Right now not much. 

Maybe Big Al isn't showing us everything? Maybe he is keeping things tight for Big Ten play.  Either way it looked like Michigan ran the same 3 plays most of the second half.  Those plays should be called Denard Go, because this offense is him and not much else.  Michigan had a total of 413 yards on offense and Denard had 293 of them.

On the other side of the ball, I thought the Michigan defense played one of their best games in recent memory.  They continued to stop Lindley (253 yards) and Hillman (109 yards on 21 carries) when Michigan would turn the ball over and give the Aztecs great field position.   This type of effort will go a long way in winning conference games, which start next week with the Little Brown Jug game.

Cheers and Jeers

Cheers:

• Holding SDSU to 7 points after losing the turnover margin 3 to 2.
• Craig Roh and Mike Martin putting pressure on Lindley all day.
• Welcome Blake "The Count" Countess! He had a very nice game for a true freshman.

• Denard and his running ability
• I thought the entire DL played well

Jeers:

• One dimensional/person on offense
• Troy Woolfolk and his ankle, hand, and other injuries.
• The 3rd quarter
• Turnovers
• Missed field goal
• The Passing Game
• 2nd half play calling on offense

If you had told me, Michigan would lose the turnover battle against SDSU I might have thought we had lost the game.  Instead, Michigan gave up just 7 points and 376 net yards.   Which is a testament to either a SDSU offense that had an off day or an improved Michigan defense.   I think the answer is somewhere in the middle between the two.   

Michigan's turnovers were not pretty, I feel bad for Stephen Hopkins because his last two carries have been fumbles and I expect his new role will include being a blocking FB for the rest of the year.  Denard also made some poor decisions on his two interceptions and missed some wide open guys. 

So Michigan is sitting here at 4-0 with still lots of work to be done.  The key is to get better each week and I clearly see improvement from the defense, now can the offense make the leap to be more balanced?  The schedule will only will get tougher as Big 10 play starts next week and the Wolverines will eventually have to go on the road at some point.

Trial By Fire for the Wolverines

- Authored by BHB Reader Voice of Reason

What we can say is that the coaches are learning how their players respond under fire just like we are. Plus, in spite of the defense giving up tons of yardage in the first quarter in all three games, one key difference has been Greg Mattison has been able to stop the bleeding or at least slow it down to a trickle. GREG couldn't do that even with his super bowl rings.

In fact, there is not a single top 25 football team that did not give up some points and yardage to the “nobodies” that they've played thus far. In the past three years, we've gotten so use to our defense bleeding like a sieve that when we see another team complete a significant play against us, we feel, "Oh, no not again!" But you know what, no one is expecting Michigan to win the national championship any way this year, but it's safe to say that we're moving in the right direction. If Michigan’s defense is “average” this year, it would be light years ahead of the last three years, and should keep Michigan in most of their games.

I believe in the old adage, "You don't win titles with freshman and sophomores; you win with juniors and seniors." Michigan has juniors and some seniors, so that helps but their current depth depends upon freshman and sophomores, who are great for "your future" but not good for the here and now. So what does that mean? Michigan’s defense may get burned while our youth is on the field trying to catch up, but that’s where we are for this year.

However, because of Michigan’s upper class experience, those guys overall are mature enough to understand and adjust from their mistakes because they are well coached. However, it's going to take this season before they master the system on both sides of the ball.

Nevertheless, we can still see how their confidence has grown and how they didn't give up even after a tough start...which is huge. They are developing a swagger on both sides of the ball which is needed in order to play in the Big Ten. All of our opponents have started the game by “punching Michigan in the mouth” to start the game to see if Michigan would back down. In fact, ND was beating Michigan like Clubber Lang beat Rocky Balboa in their second fight but more importantly, Michigan hung in there and won the game.

What am I saying? Under some solid coaching, this Michigan team is growing up. They may not win every game, but I don't expect any blow outs even if we lose. It would be as a result of natural growing pains and no embarrassing losses to the little sisters of the poor as we had under RR. So in that respect, Michigan football is coming back. Go Blue!

Eastern Michigan Post Game

John T. Greilick / The Detroit News

What did we learn?

There are a couple of reasons why you play an EMU early in the season.  Its good to get another check in the win column but you also hope to learn more about your team and your players.  So the question remains did we learn anything on Saturday about the 2011 Wolverines?

I think we did, here are my observations:

• Have you heard the saying, that you have to run to set up the pass?  Michigan needs to run the Spread to set up the Pro Style offense.  Al Borges seems to have one game plan in mind and then throws that out the window after two drives. 
• Hawthorne has locked down one of starting LB roles.  He has a nose for the ball and is pretty quick.
• Michigan still needs Cam Gordon to get better soon. Jake Ryan did some good things but I think that's Cam job when healthy.
• Raymon Taylor was the first freshman DB off the bench.  Which was a surprise.
• Michigan is feeling good about landing a RB in the 2012 class, why? Thomas Rawls got a few meaningless snaps.  Which would wipe out his redshirt unless he gets a mysterious back injury. 
• Both lines have improved but still have a long way to go.
• Al needs to give Denard some easy throws to start the game, he is so hyped up he is trying to throw the ball through a brick wall.
• Vincent Smith needs more touches at RB.

How is this team different then last year?  I'm not sure we are ready to answer that yet.  They seem fundamentally better on defense but still have a ways to go.  The slow starts concern me on both sides of the ball.  Defense I can understand but it seems Al Borges is trying to fit something into the offense that just isn't there.  I really need to see Michigan's WR's integrated better and some more creative running plays.  Sure you don't want to show a ton against The Eagles but I would like to see some more consistency out of the offensive unit.   Where is Roy Roundtree?  Not enough stuff to the TE's?  It seems to me, Denard is missing the open guy.

I have the same feeling I did last year.  It's good to be 3-0 but with too many question marks.  Look for Michigan to break the top 25 this week with a good SDSU team coming to town next week.   On Saturday we might have learned more about Michigan's rivals and the rest of the Big Ten, then we did about our own Wolverines.

Notre Dame Post Game: Minute to Win It

David Guralnick/The Detroit News

I'm not sure I have the proper words to explain what happened last night.   I thought the final score would be about right, I just didn't expect Michigan to score all of it's points in the 4th quarter.  

The Tale of Two Halves

I thought Big Al called a terrible first half.  Not even trying to run the ball with the running backs and not doing anything to fool the ND defense with some creative run calls or screens.   The ND defense said to Denard and company "beat us through the air" and Michigan replied, "sorry we can't."

The loss of Troy Woolfolk was huge.  Side note:  Can we get a mobile bubble unit for this kid?  A padded bubble?  Since it seems Brady Hoke went to the Lloyd Carr school of misleading injury information, It looks to me that Troy had a sprained ankle, broken hand or fingers and now a cut or broken nose.  The Michigan coaches need to figure out how to keep him healthy because he maybe  is the most important guy on defense.

What was the deal with man coverage on Michael Floyd?  To go back to my earlier question; It was like the Michigan defense asked ND to beat them with Michael Floyd and Brian Kelly responded, sure!  No offense to JT Floyd or Courtney Avery but they can't cover Michael Floyd 1 on 1 under any circumstances.   The only person that had an outside chance would have been a healthy TWolf and he clearly wasn't. 

The first half of the game went to Notre Dame and without some big changes on both sides of the ball, it looked like it could be a blowout at half time. 

Watch Me Do Me

Nobody is going to confuse Denard's passing game with Andrew Luck's but after hating the play calls in the first half it seemed Al, thought to himself; "we need this kid to make plays even if ND won't let us."   In the 3rd quarter, Denard started to get "creative" and it helped with field position but it really wasn't giving Michigan any points.    The game was clearly on his shoulders to win or lose.   He fought hard but still wasn't sharp throwing the ball and wasn't getting any help from his wide receivers either.

On the other side of the ball, I kept wondering, "how the hell are we still in this game?".  It felt like Michigan was down 41-7 when it really was only 24-7.  The Michigan defense played well in spurts and the ND turnovers were the only reason, Michigan had a shot at the end of the game.   It seemed every time, Michigan blitzed ND had the answer with a short pass right at the guy that was blitzing.  Even when Mike Martin dropped into coverage (really?) they ran up the middle.  That formation on the last drive where it looked like Michigan was bringing everyone, which was a clear attempt to fool Tommy Rees failed and should have been the difference in the game.   When Michigan shows a blitz from Kovacs or a linebacker too early, they sometimes have to check back out of it.   Rees ate them up every time. 

In the 4th quarter the football gods were shinning on the Wolverines for keeping this game close.  The jump balls mostly went Michigan's way and even fumbles were bouncing to Denard for touchdowns.   The bottom line is, if ND CB's played the ball in the air better or didn't blow a coverage on Gallon on the last drive, the end result would have been different.  But who cares, I will take this exciting victory!

Denard played like he could through the air and on the ground.  He won the game for Michigan and the defense did enough to keep the Wolverines in shouting distance.

Cheers and Jeers

Cheers:

• The Big House at Night a Michigan's fan delight
• 2nd half Denard
• Big Will showing some emotion and actually getting some meaningful snaps
• Jake Ryan and Brandin Hawthorne had some nice plays
• The 9-11 tribute
• ESPN for starting the game on ESPN news due to the other game running long
• The Michigan offensive line that keeps having good games
• JR Hemingway's effort that kept Michigan close in the first half and most of the second.
• 4th quarter execution on both sides of the ball

Jeers:

• Al Borges play calls and Denard's execution in the first half
• Michigan's D showing the blitz packages way too early
• Single coverage on Floyd
• Use of the running backs - (Hopkins carrying the ball scares me.  Give him some confidence carries against EMU not ND!)
• Dropping Mike Martin into coverage, let him do what he does!
• Paging Craig Roh
• Some WR drops

Today feels very similar to where we were last year.  2-0 with another last second win against ND.  Denard is all over the media and Michigan is headed for another good start.  It's the good middle and finish we are looking for as well.  I will take any win against a rival on national TV with a last second touchdown but let's not fool ourselves that this team could even play with the Wisconsin's of the world right now.

It's clear, Michigan has work to do on both sides of ball.  Being more consistent on offense because everyone is going to try to take away Denard's run game and finding the right defensive personnel.  I think this defense could be average but we need to find the right guys.   I didn't see much of Brandon Herron in the game and saw Jared Van Slyke a number of times.  The Michigan defense line needs to find a way to get pressure on the QB without blitzing on every down.

The Michigan coaches have plenty to work on and hopefully Eastern will give them a chance to work on few things next week.   Either way, I will take another great win over ND and it sure was fun watching the 4th quarter.   I think Hoke said, games like this is where legends are born.  On Saturday night the Legend of Denard Robinson wasn't born it just continued to grow. 

I'm betting many Michigan fans around the globe didn't get much sleep last night!   Go Blue!

Michigan Post Game: Wolverines Played UNLV Today

It's 2:30 EST and I have had enough.  The Indiana - Purdue match up is more interesting to me then watching Michael Jordan playing one on one with a 12 year old. 

First off: OSU those jerseys were terrible and should have stayed in the locker room.  The reds don't even match.  You look more like UNLV then you do Ohio State.  Lucky for you, it was your only mistake of the day.  Don't let Nike force you to do anything. 

• Its a complete embarrassment that Michigan doesn't have a kicker or punter on the trip.  Hagerup what ever you did, you cost your team at least 14 points in the first half. 
• Roy Roundtree, your 5 drops cost your team a closer game in the first half. Congratulations.
• Turnovers are what they are, game killers.
• Isn't it nice for Tate Forcier to remind us what 2009 felt like in the first series of the second half 
• The defense did all they could in the first half and the offense just shot itself in the foot every time.
• Michigan could have had the lead in the first half just by catching the ball, not fumbling, and being able to punt.  Was that too much to ask?  I guess it was.
• I was proud of the Michigan Defense in the first half but the game sort of had the feeling of the Lions- Patriots game on Thanksgiving.
• I thought the game was poorly officiated.

At the end of the day this game didn't matter to the 2010 Wolverines, 7-5 or 8-4 =  bowl game which was the goal for these young Wolverines.  It was clear Michigan had zero chance to win this game with the youth, injuries, and overall skill level it currently has.  It was the only game this year that I felt Michigan really didn't have a chance to win. 

Now the Wolverines can heal, recruit, and use the 2 weeks of bowl practice to get better.  I don't expect RR will be fired but he could.  RR you better find away to play some defense and beat the Buckeyes or your stay in Ann Arbor won't be too much longer. 

On a side note: When RR was at WVU it always seemed to me that his teams lost the big games,  I could be wrong but that was my impression.

One more game before the 2011 Dee and Denard show begins.

Michigan - Wisconsin Post Game: No Surprise

Well, I guess most of us expected that.  We thought Michigan might have a chance to pull an upset but it was clear after Michigan ran out of the tunnel that wasn't going to happen.  (I will address that in a minute)

If Michigan had a bad defense or even an average defense they would be in these games.  They have an awful defense that is lined with true freshman doing the best they can against a very well balanced offense, where the QB only missed a couple of throws all day.   Mix that accuracy in with a power running game and you have yourself a huge miss match. 

7-5 is Michigan's record this year heading into the Bowl Game.   You could see it in the eyes of RR after the game in his press conference that this year is really wearing on him.  A defense that has only stopped UConn and Purdue and a list of injuries that would make your head spin.   So you think the Wolverines are going to be able to be competitive in C-Bus next week with these potential players either out or coming back from injury:  Lewan, Roh, Stonum, Martin, Gallon, not to mention the guys that are already out for the year? 

We all sort of expected 7-5 at the beginning of the year and this team delivered just that.  7-5 = a Bowl Game, 8-4 = a Bowl Game, 9-3 = a Bowl Game.  So does it really matter?

Here are the things that concerned me watching the game at the Big House yesterday:

• RR continues to coach like he has a defense or kicking game.  Which really confuses me.  The play calling was way too predictable in the first half.  Wisconsin was putting a safety in the box and basically letting Michigan's talented WR's be down field in single coverage and Michigan continued to run the ball  or throw short slants with very little luck.   I mentioned this early in the year: THIS TEAM CAN'T WASTE OFFENSIVE POSSESSIONS AND THINK THEY WILL WIN THE GAME.   It's not possible.  Michigan can't come from behind because the defense can't stop anyone.   A field goal on 4th and 6?  Really?  I would rather have Denard running or throwing then kicking a field goal of any length.   3 doesn't help anyway because a Michigan defensive stop means the other team kicked a field goal.   If Michigan is going to win games, they are going to be shoot outs. 

• Coming out Flat:  This is a huge problem.  Ever since the Michigan State game, Michigan has come out flat in every big game.   I'm not sure if it's practice, pre-game speech, the night before, warm ups, youth, but this needs to change.   You can see it when they come out of the locker room that they are not ready to play.  Which in turn equals, drop balls, interceptions, fumbles, and 3 and outs on offense.   This is on RR and staff.  This team was ready to play coming out against UConn and ND but ever since then this has been a huge issue.  You can tell a lot about a team on how they run out of the tunnel.  

• Defense - I'm getting a little tired hearing about the youth on defense.  RR and Staff have been here 3 years now and they should have recruited many more defensive players if they saw this would be an issue two years ago.   I agree that Carr didn't recruit defense like he should have in his last few years, but depth issues on defense now are clearly on RR.   There should be a lot more sophomores or juniors playing and there just isn't.  This team couldn't tackle at all yesterday.  Does Greg Robinson make it to the Bowl Game?  I'm not sure he should. 

• Did Wisconsin beat Michigan once, twice or three times?  Wisconsin man handled the Wolverines physically.   Michigan can expect the same treatment next Saturday as well.   The Wolverines are injured physically and mentally and I think they will have a hard time finding the motivation to pull an upset next weekend.  These players haven't beat Ohio State and if they continue to come out of the locker room without any confidence, it will get real ugly early next weekend.   I'm betting the Vest is having a discussion right now with his assistants, "should we have Pryor throw the ball at all? I think we could put 42 on them without ever putting the ball in the air."   At this point, the Wolverines can look forward the 2 weeks of bowl practice, getting healthy and hopefully getting better.  

Michigan Football: 3-0 in Indiana

If you were home on your coach watching the game yesterday, consider yourself lucky.  I was in West Lafayette and the 40% rain turned into 100% and the high of 70 degrees turned into cold.  

Michigan was just as un-predictable as the weather.  They opened the game looking like they would put up 45 points and won by just 11.  Michigan has a serious issue with 10 turnovers in 2 games.  That will get you beat when your playing better teams.  The next two weeks, Michigan plays 2 top 10 teams and 10 more turnovers will equal two blowouts for the Wolverines. 

There's not much to say about the game on Saturday.  It was nasty weather and a win is a win.   Michigan this year as swept through the State of Indiana with a 3-0 record (ND, IU, and PU) and now has 7 wins with Wisconsin at home next week.   What's the deal with rain, Rich Rodriguez and the State of Indiana anyway?  Here are the games Michigan has played in the rain in Indiana the last 3 years:  2 games at ND, this year at IU and this year at Purdue.  

The Michigan defense gave up only 16 points which is the fewest since the UConn game (10).   The Michigan D was without maybe it's two best players in Mike Martin and Jonus Mouton but was still able to hold the Boilermakers to 256 total yards.  So the big question is: was it the weather, Michigan's D, or Purdue's offense?  I think the answer lies somewhere with all 3.   The Michigan Defense didn't give up anything easy, got some turnovers and even scored.  7 of Purdue's points came off a Denard pick 6.

It was an ugly win on an ugly day, but after the last two years I will take any win that Michigan can get.  It also gets Michigan's win total to 7 wins which many experts predicted at the beginning of the season. 

Now back to the famous "Cheers and Jeers":

Cheers

• Michigan was clearly the better team and played like it most of the time
• The Michigan fans were louder then the Purdue fans for most of the game
• Michigan won the game
• 7 wins = winning season and better bowl game
• Michigan was even in the turnover margin
• The defense gave up just 16 points and under 300 total yards
• A 72 yard punt.  Well done Hagerup!
• Danny Hope lost

Jeers

• Turnovers is a huge issue
• The only time a Michigan player should kick a ball is during an extra point, punt, or kickoff.   A missed extra point, really?
• All Purdue points came off Michigan turnovers
• The weather
• Mike Shaw's injury.  I was in the second row in the end zone and the players had to walk right by us to get to the locker room.  Mike was being helped by two players and was clearly not looking good.  He seemed "drunk' which would lead me to believe he had a serious concussion.  I hope I'm wrong and Mike is doing well.
• Taylor Lewan penalties.  Come on, bro.  Those are drive killers.

A win is a win and Michigan now has 7 of them.  I'm sure all of us Michigan fans slept well last night.  Now on to a Wisconsin a team that put up 83 points against IU.

Touchdown Panda!

Since the last 3 weeks we have been Sad Panda, I thought I would give you a little Touchdown Panda today!

Random Thoughts:

• I was just kidding about scoring 70 points in yesterdays post
• Can a Defense play better then the week before after giving up 65 points this week?
• I had a strange feeling that Tate Forcier would win a game for Michigan this year. 
• I really hope Denard is ok.  He seemed pretty good jumping around after the sack on the last play. 
• I really think Taylor Lewan is the next Jake Long, but his two penalties and specially the last one almost cost Michigan the game.
• More Mike Shaw please. 
• Weird things that go through your mind after a win like that while watching LSU and Alabama:  What if LSU fired Les Miles and he came to Ann Arbor as Michigan's new DC?  I know it's a crazy thought, but talk about the best of both worlds. 
• I was not happy that Michigan went for the field goal in the 3rd when they were up a touchdown. 
• I thought Ray Vinopal and Courtney Avery played pretty well at times. 

Bowl Game Baby!  Bowl Game!

Enjoy the rest of your night with an adult beverage!

Michigan Monday: Things I learned on Saturday

When I sat down on my couch on Saturday, I had Christmas like thoughts running through my head.  The weather was warm and it felt like a great day for upsets.  I turned on the Illinois - Michigan State game on the BTN and this thought danced through my head:  Could Michigan State, Iowa, and Ohio State all get upset today?

Well, we know only Ohio State went down in a football game that I hope all the Wolverines watched.   Why you ask?  Not because both teams remain on Michigan's schedule (that is a good enough reason to watch) but Wisconsin gave us all a text book example on how to upset a highly ranked team at home.   The young Wolverines need to take that class and read that book a couple of times.

Back to my list of things I learned on Saturday that was strangely educational:

• For the young Wolverines, the more things change the more they stay the same.
• Illinois is an improving team and out played Michigan State for close to 3 quarters but couldn't score touchdowns.
• Michigan State seems to be a team dedicated to not beating themselves.  They just wait for the other team to make a mistake and then win the game. 
• The Minnesota Golden Gophers Athletic Department has a crystal ball.  They started writing a press release firing Tim Brewster on Friday if he lost on Saturday.  They did and he got fired.
• Michigan for the second straight year made Indiana look much better then they really are. 
• Purdue always seems to play better after their first string QB goes out with an injury.
• Kenny Demens is the answer at middle linebacker for Michigan.
• Watching Michigan play this year is not good for my blood pressure
• The Michigan coaches need to spend more time at practice - the soccer team's practice.
• I'm still really upset about Devin not redshirting
• Michigan needs both Denard and Tate this year  
• David Molk might be just as important to the Michigan offense as Denard is
• This ABC/ESPN mirror thing is strange.  I had the Michigan game on both ABC and ESPN channels.  I can't get Texas and Nebraska?
• Speaking of Nebraska, I was real worried about them joining the Big Ten last week, now I feel better.
• I would like to see a replay of the Auburn - Arkansas game. 
• The Big Ten champ this year might have 1 or 2 losses.
• My lucky shirt from week 1-5 isn't lucky anymore.
• Those new Tech Fit jersey's didn't look any different
• Michigan's defense can make an average offense look good.
• Greg Robinson might not be the answer at DC.  Even I knew the draw was coming on 3rd -16 and the whole Ezeh - Demens thing is mystifying. 
• Michigan should put their starting offense line in for field goals.  Big Will blocking?  I know he was an offensive lineman in high school but come on.  Iowa had their first team defense line in.

Michigan - Iowa Post Game

Sad Panda/Groundhog Day 2009.  We have seen this movie, it doesn't end well for the Wolverines. 

That's how I feel hours after this defeat.  No moral victories, we are not UMass.  Bottom line, Michigan can not win games turning the ball over, the defense can't hold anybody and can't afford extra possessions.  The Michigan defense can't get stops or turnovers to even out the mistakes.

I have a number of random thoughts that I need to get out:


The penalties are just ridiculous and un-disciplined football

I believe football games are won and loss on talent, coaching, and momentum.  Taylor Lewan is clearly a future star on this team but his 20 yards in penalties in the first half were drive killers that maybe game killers.

Did anyone notice as soon as Ezeh was put back into the game, Iowa started moving the ball on the ground?  I thought Kenny Demens played pretty well today.

I'm so tired about hearing this defense is too young, some of the upperclassman on defense are the worst players.

The 3-3-5 does not seem to be working at all.    If your facing Michigan and don't have a good RB, just move your second string cornerback or something and he can go for 200 yards and 3 TD's.

Don't fool yourself about the comeback.  This game was over when Vincent Smith put the ball on the ground in the 3rd quarter.   Michigan's offense can score but you lose too many opportunities when you turn the ball over.

Both Denard and Molk are out with injuries, not good.

This Iowa team was primed to be beat today and Michigan let them off the hook with turnovers and penalties. 

These are going to be two very long weeks for the Wolverines.  They better dig deep and see if they can get some wins before they face Wisconsin and Ohio State.  Greg Robinson needs to figure a way to get some stops and RR needs to find a way to hold on to the damn ball.

Michigan - Michigan State Post Game

So what happened?

This was a strange game for Wolverines fans.  Clearly, one team played well and one team played poorly.  Sure, State has a better defense then Michigan but Michigan clearly beat themselves on Saturday with bad decisions and mistakes.  If Michigan is going to have one of the worst defenses in the country they can not waste offense possessions. 

One team had 3 turnovers, with two of them coming in the end zone and one team didn't turnover the ball at all.  That is pretty much all you need to know about the game.  Denard looked like a QB making his 6th start on Saturday and Cousins didn't.  Denard picks in the end zone were late, bad throws where he stared down his intended target.   If you show up to a shoot out and run out of bullets, you not going to do very well.  That was the story for the Wolverines on Saturday.

Instead of Cheers and Jeers today.  I am going to state my top concerns with the Wolverines through 6 games.

#5:  Michigan was not sharp at all on Saturday - Are the practices "too physical" during the week?  Wide receivers were dropping balls all over the place.   This team was either too tight on Saturday or just plain too tired.

#4:  Michigan 5 wins has come over poor teams.  UConn lost to a pretty bad Rutgers team on Friday, Indiana got their head handed to them in Columbus, and ND barley beat Pitt. 

#3:  Are there 3 more wins on the schedule?  Maybe.  As of right now, Illinois, Penn State, and Purdue look winnable.  But many Michigan fans are feeling a bit of Deja vu from the 2009 season.  Where Michigan was undefeated until they lost to MSU and didn't have a win over a D1 opponent the rest of the year.  Illinois and Purdue had surprising wins on Saturday.

#2:  The Defense is the worst in D1 against the pass.  Enough said.

#1:  This team is not getting better.  One of the things you look for in young teams is, are they getting better from week to week?   I don't see that in the Wolverines right now.  The senior linebackers are clearly not a strength on defense.  Obi ran right out of his gap on Baker's 61 yard TD to start the MSU scoring.  If he didn't move at the snap, Baker would have ran right into him.   I see Cam Gordon playing better then week one but I'm not sure you could say that about many more Wolverines.  Taylor Lewan has showed he is a  good player on the offensive line.

Sub topics under this heading of "not getting any better"

• I'm also not seeing creative play calling on offense.  Those option read runs on first down are killing me.  Those worked on the first drive but didn't work anytime after. 

• The "Denard Effect".  Denard has been an incredible player this year but we have to remember he made his 6th start on Saturday and is still a very young QB.  His 3 picks were all very poor decisions, that he should of thrown away or just ran with it.   In the post game press conference, he said, he "just got too excited".  With that said, when Michigan is down in by 3 scores in the second half, RR clearly had to throw and should of called on Tate to try to bring the team back.  With the all the press Denard has been getting, "how do you pull him?"  That is a coaches decision and one RR didn't make on Saturday. 

• Someone please tell me why Devin Gardner is not red shirting this year?  I would understand if Denard or Tate went down.  But at this point, a handful of plays and some time against BGSU seems like a wasted opportunity to get him another year of eligibility. 

So where do we go from here?

Michigan needs to protect against the implosion of 2009 by trying to stay focused.  They are one win away from being bowl eligible and now need a win again against a team they weren't expected to beat.  That opportunity is at the door with Iowa coming to the Big House next week.  As it sits right now, Michigan won't be favored to win against one of the best defenses in the country. 

Like I said before, there are some opportunities for wins on the schedule but there are also opportunities for a 2009 collapse.  The road they take will define this team in 2010.

Michigan - Indiana Post Game

photo courtesy of John T. Greilick / The Detroit News

I went to a football game in Bloomington, Indiana yesterday and a track meet broke out.  Denard is clearly the most exciting football player in the country and he continues to impress everyone, whether it was the second play of the day or the final one. 

Michigan's offense accounted for 574 yards on offense on Saturday with their quick strike offense.  The problem lies with Michigan's defense that gave up 568 yards of total offense as well.   The Michigan offense is explosive and they will have to be to keep up with their young defense.  This is a crazy stat:  Michigan finished the game with 18:13 it total time of possession, IU 41:37.  The Michigan defense was on the field more then twice as long as the Indiana D and still won the game!   You have to give a tip of the hat to Mike Barwis and staff.  If you would see a stat like that in the box score you would think it was a 42-7 win for the team with 41:37 of possession time. 

Most of you watched the game, so I will just quickly move to the cheers and jeers:

Cheers

• Denard = Unbelievable.  The IU crowd would cheer when he was stopped for a 5 yard gain.
• Junior Hemingway had a great day and a big catch on the final drive. 
• The Michigan offense line.  Was strong in pass protection and run blocking.
• Mike Martin = Beast

Jeers

• Offensive play calling in the second half.   When the D got stops, I thought Michigan was much too conservative in playing calling.   IMO, Michigan had a chance to put the game away and was too predictable on the read option hand offs to Smith instead of mixing up the plays. 
• Michigan's bend but don't break defense will hurt Michigan against teams with a better defense.  IU could throw that WR screen every play for 8-12 yards each time.  I know why Michigan's DB's play off the line so much, but at some point you have to stop that play.  
• Pass rush was hot and cold all day.  You can't let a senior QB stand back there and pick apart your defense.  Michigan needs to pressure the QB to protect it's young secondary. 

Like all Michigan fans, I have big concerns regarding Michigan's defense.  I don't like the "prevent" style that Greg Robinson is playing.  Yes, at times that is a good strategy other times it gives up a lot of first downs.    At some point you have to put Michigan's young cornerbacks in bump and run.  Those WR screens were killing Michigan all day and I didn't see Michigan do anything to stop it.   At some point you have to see if these kids can make some plays.   

I am happy to be 5-0 and heading into a big game against MSU next week.   The defense needs a better strategy on getting stops.  Michigan can't keep it's defense on the field for 40+ minutes and think they will win to many more games this year.  Next week will the best defense Michigan has seen all year, so it should be interesting.

Michigan - BGSU Post Game

Well that was more like it.   We got want we wanted but it just came a week late.  Michigan got all 3 QB's in and all 3 looked pretty good.   Tate went 12-12 in throwing the ball and Denard was lighting it up on the ground before he went out with a knee injury.  65-21 is an obvious mismatch but it's good to be 4-0 heading into October and The Big Ten season.

Devin looked pretty sharp throwing the ball and even had a long bomb dropped by Junior Hemingway.   The defense played well for most of the game.   

So what did we learn from this game?  Not much in my opinion.  BGSU was not a very good team.  Their backup QB seemed to struggle most of the day.   Michigan got whatever they wanted on offense and didn't punt all day long.  They didn't even attempt a field goal.  

This game was good for confidence on both sides of the ball after a pretty humbling week against UMass last week.  All the running backs found holes and ran the ball well.  It was good to see Fitz Toussaint, Mike Cox and Stephen Hopkins get some touches at RB.   I would like to see Mike Cox be the goal line/short yardage running back. 

Let's quickly get to the Cheers and Jeers:

Cheers:

• The Michigan offense was un-stoppable
• Michigan finally got some pressure on the opposing QB and recorded 3 sacks
• Michigan got to go deep in the depth chart
• Confidence should be high going on the road to IU next week
• Defense seemed to be more aggressive this week

Jeers:

• Michigan seems a bit banged up with Denard going out with a knee and Shaw getting tripped in the 3rd quarter.  Shaw's injury could last into this week.  He was limping coming off the field after the game.  RR said Denard will be ready to play at IU next weekend.
• The Michigan defense did give up a big play on a 71 yard screen for a touchdown.
•  No punts or field goals mean our kickers didn't get any more confidence
• Devin's redshirt is for sure gone

Michigan played well and blew out a team they should of blown out.  It's difficult to see Denard go down in such a mismatch but it gave Tate a chance to show he isn't dead or transferring.  I still don't understand why they would blow Devin's redshirt unless they fully believe they will need him this year.   I guess he could always redshirt next year? 

So Michigan is again 4-0, just like last year.  The Big Ten season is now on tap with  a trip to IU next Saturday and then huge games against MSU and Iowa at home.  Michigan needs to prove they can win on the road and start off the season the right way.  IU likes to score points and they will test Michigan's defense.  Let's hope some of the guys banged up at linebacker will be back for next weeks game.

Let's also hope Denard's injury isn't serious and he will be 100% next week.

Go Blue!

Enjoy some photos from the game:

Barwis and Big Will

 Mike Martin

 Denard after the game

The last drive of the game

UMass Post Game

photo courtesy of John T. Greilick / The Detroit News

So how did that go?  Did you feel like the Toledo game or maybe even the App. State game again.  I sure had flash backs and that uneven feeling in my stomach.  The Wolverines didn't show up today.  This clearly is on the coaches.  Greg Robinson and whoever coaches the special teams failed miserably today.    RR also failed on that second to last drive on the third down and 1 call when Smith is tackled for a two yard loss.  A drive with points ends the game and UMass hadn't stopped the Michigan offense in the second half.  The punt was blocked and UMass scored soon after. 

With that said, let's get to the cheers and jeers.

Cheers:

• Michigan won the game and scored 42 points
• Mike Shaw went over 100 yards and 3 TD's 
• Darryl Stomun had a good day receiving with 2 TD's

Honorable mention goes to Jordan Kovacs.  He had a pick and a strip.  He also had a pretty big MA on a touchdown. (could have been Mouton's fault)

Jeers:

• Michigan Special Teams are a mess. The kickoff return is the only unit that is somewhat playing effectively.  The kicking game is terrible.  The kickoffs are short line drives and I'm not sure if we could make a 20 yard field goal from the middle of the field.   Punting is not much better with the blocked punt almost costing Michigan the game.  The punt return was a comedy of errors.
• Greg Robinson:  When Michigan plays an FCS team you would expect that Michigan has better talent then the other team.  Michigan needed to man up on the WR and stop the run.  UMass ate up the zone most of the day and the Michigan rush hardly ever pressured the passer.
• UConn lost to Temple.  That win now doesn't look so good.
• Mistakes all over the field:  Missed coverages, penalties, fumbles after interception, dropped snaps, block punt, and so on.
• Not getting time for the backups.  The starters had to play the entire game.
• The linebackers had a pretty poor day
• Way too many missed tackles

I could go on, but it's too depressing.  A win is a win for this team as much as it feels like a loss.  A couple of things to take from this game.  Michigan has a long way to go on defense.  Michigan might have been a bit lucky in it's first two games on defense (UConn is not that good and ND had 2 back up QB's and a starter probably playing with a concussion). 

Not being able to kick field goals will cost Michigan a win this year.  They have to find someone to put the ball through the up rights.  The kickoffs have to have some hang time.  I'm not sure what is going on with that unit. 

I know the Michigan coaches didn't want to introduce anything new on offense for this game, but success is not measured by not showing your future opponents something and getting Denard less hits.   If there was a line on this game (estimated at 21-28 points for Michigan) it wouldn't have been close.   UMass also has given every team Michigan plays a blue print on how to score points on Robinson's defense.

If you want to take a positive from this game, a win is a win and maybe this will be a wake up call for Bowling Green next weekend.  Right now the trip to Indiana is much more in doubt then it was 24 hours ago.

Michigan Post Game: ND

Photo courtesy of Daniel Mears / The Detroit News

Rivalry games are were legends are born.  Last year we were a little pre-mature to give that label to Tate Forcier.  On Saturday, it's hard not start to put that label on Denard Robinson.  He put up an unbelievable performance against a Notre Dame defense that was playing pretty well all day.  His passes were sharp, and his running ability and speed is just unbelievable.  As I was watching the game, I kept thinking Florida wanted him as a cornerback and not a QB.  Thank you Urban Meyer, Thank you! 

What I was most impressed by Denard was his ability to protect the ball.  He did have one fumble that was recovered by Michigan but his decision making during the passing game was outstanding.  That pass to Roundtree on the final drive was perfect.   It's hard to believe that this was just his second game starting at QB.  502 yards is legendary.  Any win in South Bend is a good win.

Cheers:

• Denard Robinson of course.
• Michigan's offense line.
• Michigan's corners Floyd and Rogers didn't allow Michael Floyd to beat them.
• I thought Jonus Mouton played very physical all day.
• Roy Roundtree coming back from injury and having a good day.
• Brian Kelly's decision to go for a touchdown at the end of the half.  Those 3 points he took off the board were the difference in kicking a winning field goal on the last drive or losing the game.

Jeers:

• Penalties were drive killers all day.  I thought Cullen Christian's on the last drive was going to cost Michigan the game.  I think Michigan's puts up at least 14 more points without the penalties.
• Cam Gordon:  I have to cut the young man some slack since he is a redshirt freshman starting at a new position but you can't let those WR's/TE's behind you.  He is a big hitter but needs to wrap up on tackles.
• The final drive was ridiculous.  For ND to even have a shot at winning was poor defense. 
• I'm not sold on the 3-5-3 defense right now, mostly when it comes to pressuring the QB.  Michigan can't get pressure on any QB with just 3 guys rushing.  Michigan had 3 inexperienced QB's playing for ND and most of the time they had a ton of time to make decisions.  If Michigan puts more pressure on these guys they would have made more mistakes or taken a few sacks.  Keep the 3-5-3 but have a 4th defender rush the QB on passing downs.  Michigan has to protect it's young secondary with a pass rush.

BHB Prediction:  Was a Michigan win at 28-21 (final was 28-24) and be worried if Dayne Crist becomes Joe Montana.  He didn't but when he went out, Joe's son Nate Montana came in.  Weird. 

As we all know, this was a great win for the Wolverines and get them off to an 2-0 start for the second year in a row.  Michigan comes home for two games against UMass and Bowling Green.  In these games, I would like to see Devin (if he is not going to redshirt) and Tate get some snaps at QB.  Everybody and their brother are concerned what happens to Michigan if Denard goes down.  Those backups need some game experience this year and Denard needs a break from getting hit 28 or 29 times a game.

This was a good/great win but Michigan still has plenty of things to work on before Big Ten play.
Anyway you slice it Michigan is playing better football and Rich Rod's vision is starting to take shape in Ann Arbor. 

Go Blue!

Wolverine Weekend: UConn Post Game

Now that's more like it.  Michigan found a QB and some toughness against UConn.  The defense played well in holding UConn to 10 points and the Michigan offense seemed un-stoppable.

Michigan was prepared to play on Saturday and the winter/summer of discontent clearly motivated the Wolverines.   We try not to get too up or down from the results of an opening game but if your a Michigan fan, the game on Saturday started to remind you of years past. 

Anyway you slice it, yesterday was a near prefect premier for the new Big House and the 2010 Michigan Wolverines.

Now on to the much anticipated first "Cheers" and "Jeers" of the 2010 season:

Cheers:

• Clearly Denard Robinson played a near perfect game in his first start.  No turnovers or big mistakes was huge.
• The bend but don't break Defense played well just giving up 10 points.
• The offensive line dominated
• No first game mistakes: 1 penalty and no team turnovers.
• Over 113,000 at the Big House
• Brock Mealer Walking!
• James Rodgers at CB seemed like he has been playing CB for years.

Jeers:

• Tate's sideline pouting and playing the "transfer card" as soon as he doesn't play.
• The possibility of blowing Devin's redshirt for 2 plays.  (I believe he still is eligible to redshirt)
• I thought the play calling got a bit stale at times in the 3rd quarter, I would like to see the WR's get more involved in the offense.
• Kicking game.  I hope it was because of the wind more then Gibbons. 
• Punt Return. Same as above.  I would really like to see Gallon return a kick but he made a couple poor decision.

Honorable Mention:

• Carvin Johnson played well before going down with an MCL injury.
• The linebackers were much improved in my mind.
• Craig Roh played well
• Jibreel Black didn't play a ton but got a couple QB pressures.
• Cam Gordon had a couple good hits but he needs to wrap up on his tackles.
• Mike Shaw and Vincent Smith combined for over 100 yards on the ground

Information from Tate's dad on him saying that "he is out" after the game on Saturday (courtesy of TomVH from Mgoblog):  "As Tate's father, and someone who would advise him, a transfer isn't something I want to be a part of. Sometimes you think, man, do they want him there, but we don't think that's the situation. Rich Rodriguez has also been straight with us."

"This is a good growing experience. The way I see it, it's a long season. You saw today that they're going to need two quarterbacks. The Big Ten schedule is a tough schedule."

"We knew some disciplinary actions were coming down the pipe, so we kind of saw some things that others didn't. Not everyone knows and sees everything that goes on on the inside."

Here is my take:  I think RR was sending a clear message to Tate by not playing him (when Denard went down).  The way Denard runs and runs so often, Michigan will need two QB's this year for sure.  Maybe Devin is the clear #2 or maybe it's the way RR is showing Tate that he has to work hard everyday.  Either way, I expect Michigan will need Tate and I believe Tate needs Michigan.  Leaving would be a huge mistake.   I'm still holding out hope that Devin can earn a redshirt this year. 

It's fun seeing Michigan play Michigan football again.  Let's hope that can continue against the 1-0 Irish next Saturday.   Go Blue!