michael morris

Substitution Notes: DT rotation featured lots of Graham in the 5-2, and plenty of Benny and Grant rotation even in the 1st Q. DE was Morris and a mix of (in order of snaps) Harrell, Upshaw, Okie, and a drive each for D.Moore and McGregor. LB was Colson and Barrett exclusively until garbage time. Will Johnson got starter snaps at CB with Turner, with Green rotating in for both. Safety was Moore and Moten, who gave up a couple of drives to Quinten Johnson. Here's the roster for the last drive for depth chart purposes: DL Grant, Benny, Rooks, Juice, and Guy. LBs Rolder and Velazquez except one snap for Mi.Pollard. CBs Ger.Green and Kechaun Harris. Perry (probably technically the nickel since it was 5-2 personnel) and Q-Jo at safety.

Formation Notes: Reminder that  a parenthetical in an offensive formation is a player covered, and a hyphen is motion. They often motioned WRs to backfield spots so I noted those with the player and then the position he motioned to, examples: "H-F" (slot receiver motions to fullback) or "Z-R" (flanker motions to running back). They also tried a lot of unbalanced formations. I used "TO" for tackle-over, which is when they flip a tackle and a TE, e.g. this is "Pistol FB TO".

Note the guy at the bottom of the formation is a TE and eligible receiver. I called Michigan's reply "46 Bear" but purists point out a Bear front means the nose and both guards are covered so this doesn't count. To me three DL to one side, three LBs to another and a safety (Moore on the top hash) at linebacker level like he's Doug "46" Plank is a 46 Bear.

[After THE JUMP: The shortest show yet.]

A ho hum demolition of yet another sub-par program has us all feeling pretty confident, but I'm finding something in the charting that's of real concern. It's not a huge surprise, given this was the main issue with the team going into the season. But it was the source of most of Nebraska's yards, and relates to issues that Michigan's had all year in pass rushing and containing the quarterback. So I thought I should show you what I've been seeing.

On this play alone, we can see not one major pass-rushing issue but, but three:

1. Guys who have other skills but are Not Good at edge rushing
2. The hammer has no anvil
3. They're losing lane integrity

We'll tackle them one at a time.

[After THE JUMP: Leave it to a Michigan fan (this one) to find something to fret about after Nebraska]

Things discussed:

• Two RPS plays to beat Penn State: Mesh and Mesh beater.
• Clifford got Devin Gardner’d. Mike Morris blew a guy up.
• PSU had two dudes at DE too: Ryan Hayes *struggled*—have to give him help. Why are you running empty on 3rd and 11?
• 4th and 2: Michigan can’t play down 3 guys on a side, no matter what they think. Should have audibled to the left because PSU was misaligned.
• Running game: PSU brought down a safety so Michigan went even heavier, 10 guys in the box, and turned those safeties into linebackers.
• Schoonmaker vs Honigford? I don’t think it makes enough of a difference.
• Haskins: He is who we are. Draft prospects? Come back?
• Best DE combo in Michigan history? Seth mentions Maentz and Kramer.
• Ohio State Lucy talk from Craig and Sam. Ohio State fans are going to be there because Michigan sold them tickets last summer.
• Seth on fandom: It’s rewarding to believe in something.
• Basketball talk: Houstan couldn’t shoot and couldn’t stay in front of his guy, and played 39 minutes!? We think he should go in the 4 rotation, put Williamson and Bufkin at the three.

[Hit the JUMP for the player, and video and stuff]