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Dang - what other jobs do…

Dang - what other jobs do you make millions of extra dollars for being fired?  If I get horrible test scores, etc as a teacher - I wouldn’t get even $15 of a buy out. 

Dang - what other jobs do…

Dang - what other jobs do you make millions of extra dollars for being fired?  If I get horrible test scores, etc as a teacher - I wouldn’t get even $15 of a buy out. 

Dang - what other jobs do…

Dang - what other jobs do you make millions of extra dollars for being fired?  If I get horrible test scores, etc as a teacher - I wouldn’t get even $15 of a buy out. 

As a coach and teacher of…

As a coach and teacher of young adults - there is no point where pushing/slapping another is appropriate… especially when true self defense was not at stake. I don’t care what is said or how, save the frustration for the locker room or the drive home. It is the price of being in the profession. 

This game will be won by…

This game will be won by Edwards and All. It is going to be our passing games ability to get guys open creatively against their linebackers (flat, pop pass, wheel routes) that will move the chains and score the points. I would use those two to abuse the linebackers and make them have to think about the passing game, to then open up the rest of the playbook. 

How long until we see an…

How long until we see an Edwards-cat package. Knowing he can throw the ball 50 yards on a dime plus the extra hat on hat…. Will be interesting. Probably next year, but I think with McCarthy on the team that won’t be needed this year. 

I hope Meyer finds enough…

I hope Meyer finds enough NFL success to stay. I do NOT want Meyer to come back to college just in time for Saban to retire (or Day to go to the NFL) and have Meyer step into a program opening where he can do his crap some more. 
 

I hope Day stays around and becomes the next Cooper. 

And we get all those…

And we get all those offensive weapons back (minus Haskins) + Bell

We had our second string in……

We had our second string in…. Can’t be accused of running up the score when your second string is moving the ball and scoring on your first string. 

I have barely have watched…

I have barely have watched any non-Michigan football. How are OSU's Tackles? We need Hutchinson & Ojabo to destroy the OSU tackles and make Stroud amazingly uncomfortable in the pocket. If we cannot do this... we are in for a long event. Also, how well can McDonald disguise coverages?

We have done an alright job dialing up an offensive plan, just not executing it well (drops, penalties, etc). We have the right tools, just need everyone to do their job.

#3: execution. There were…

#3: execution. There were plays that were there to be made that the players didn’t make - especially in the passing game after Cade got hit. Now, that doesn’t excuse the “run up the middle because we can even though we can’t”. But if we hit on those opportunities that were there, they would have been more first downs and also a TD. Could have caused the safeties to play differently. 
 

Honestly, this game made me count the minutes until JJ could take the field - as I don’t think Cades arm strength is enough to win the big time games. 

Yea - rough day across the…

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Yea - rough day across the…

Yea - rough day across the top 25. Georgia Tech beat UNC. NC State beating Clemson….

At least we won. Win and advance. 

The the rhythm and…

The the rhythm and effectiveness of Corum & Haskins was the reason the game was decidedly ours. They kept making the plays needed to keep the ball and limit Washington’s opportunities to claw back - especially with their late surge of desperation throws mixed with our DBs “Freshman Jordan Lewis Luck”. 
 

it would have been nice, but thinking back over the game and how it unfolded - I can’t think of a particular place or even play in the game that I would have seriously wanted any other RB to take that place. I expect 1-2 full quarters or Edwards in this one. 

It did look like we were…

It did look like we were purposefully staying away from their two stud DBs. 
 

Missing on wide open guys gave me hives (as did Cade keeping on the read option when the DE stayed home and Corum could have taken it to the house.)

I was ok with the ground and…

I was ok with the ground and pound (especially when I heard that Washington’s LBs said “you won’t be able to run like that on us” During the week) especially with the chance to get more linemen game experience - which is good for building quality depth. Bo and Woody must have smiled from football Valhalla on those 20+ straight runs  

Or at least I was until I went back to look at when we did pass the ball. Cade missed WIDE open people, choosing instead to make the more difficult throw. They have me hives about what will happen when someone is able to stop our run game OR can put score us our defense.

That…. Is on Gattis…

That…. Is on Gattis. Different story

i was pleased with how many times ours RB created their own plays dispute Eh play calling

Yes, they are good. But, I…

Yes, they are good. But, I have lost count of the number of times I yelled at the screen about open holes, missed cut, etc. Sooo many opportunities that were missed routinely in previous seasons that our guys made all game today. I can probably count on one hand “missed cuts/reads” by our RB

In NC, They take PTO $$ out…

In NC, They take PTO $$ out of your paycheck and hold it.  Any PTO I get back when I retire is money I should have had in my bank account that the state got to hold on to (and earn interest) that I will be then getting back. 

It’s a fair question. Along…

It’s a fair question. Along the lines of, “Why did Jesus help me find a parking space or Sammy score a TD, but didn’t help the starving child find food or stop the molester/rapist.” 

The system setup here is kinda weird….

With that said, I wish the scientists speedy research in finding a cause, cure and prevention for this horrid disease - and for health and well being for Coach Richt. That is a tough road ahead for him and his family. 
 

I hope UCLA wins so that the…

I hope UCLA wins so that the team we lost to goes to the Finals. I think we would have competed well with Gonzaga - would have loved for Howard to have had that moment of knocking off the #1 undefeated.

Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda... but didn't make the open baskets.

Johns plays such a different…

Johns plays such a different role then Livers... so when Livers went out They had to reconfigure their sets. However, by the end, with a reconfigured offense that has sets to maximize his abilities, I became impressed with Johns general level of play. What had been a huge weakness became a strength. An off season of work, and schemes, he could have a biiiiig year. 
 

Q: Are you allowed to use…

Q: Are you allowed to use your hand and just shove the defender off of you? I have seen at least 5 times where Michiganc was playing tight D and UCLA straight up shoved (especially Mike Smith).

Man, that was some humble…

Man, that was some humble pie from all the people who said last week, "Michigan without Livers can't Win. I had them losing last week in my bracket. I have them losing next week in my new bracket."

 

Michigan was stone cold awesome. Howard is THE Coach of the Year. Period.

Yea. When LSU was body…

Yea. When LSU was body checking Hunter out of bounds with multiple people.... but then Hunter does the same thing and gets called as the LSU player goes flying. 

I am as excited as any that…

I am as excited as any that MSU & OSU lost... but with Purdue getting taken to OT in round one, will the Big Ten be viewed as overrated? 

Is there a “double forfeit”…

Is there a “double forfeit” option? Or “floor opens and swallows the teams temporarily so they cant declare a winner? 
 

I don’t like rooting for either to win. At least in football I was ok cheering for Northwestern.  

RB is a position that is…

RB is a position that is affected by every other:

  • Offensive Play calling (running into loaded fronts or being highly predictable)
  • QB/WR Play (inability to complete passes downfield)
  • OLine play (Inability to block)
  • THEN quality of RB

The only time I have seen the quality of running back make a difference are their ability to see cut back lanes, missing obvious holes, or falling down when a finger touches them...  But, those holes are only there if the OC, Oline, QB and Receivers are all doing their part. There is a reason the RB is one of the easiest positions for RB to come in and find success.

Michigan looked exhausted…

Michigan looked exhausted when they stepped onto the court. They looked like a team in the middle of a hard run. Nothing was falling, not moving much around the perimeter, even an airballed free throw. 

Those are signs of exhaustion. Best thing to do (imo) is to get these guys rested.

Michigan had some HORRIBLE…

Michigan had some HORRIBLE luck early. If a few more of the good looks Michigan had early would have fallen - this game would have been won by 35.

Thank you! I have tried to…

Thank you! I have tried to find some highlights to get a feel... but you could make a highlight reel of any team that has good moments. I appreciate the analysis.

I was talking to my sister,…

I was talking to my sister, who is in HR about this today (she is a PSU alum): Organizational Structure. OSU  - through a combination of luck and skill - has done a superb job of transitioning leadership and succession planning. Their last "major overhaul" institutionally was Tressell. Tressell laid a foundation and reworked the athletic department for sustained football success. They lucked out with Meyer - because it is rare to have a coach who just happened to be a national champion winner sitting around who wanted to come back to Columbus. From Meyer, they already worked on hiring an positioning coaches for successful transitions. Even a program like Wisconsin, who ALWAYS overperforms their recruiting rankings has managed this well. The second thing is OSU's ability to recruit and manage their depth chart. They have a balanced and deep roster at practically every position.

If I was the AD, the first thing I would fix is the recruiting plan. I would mico-manage that to make sure we have a sound system of identification of talent, understanding depth, and building program relationships at the high school level (I feel Harbaugh did a good job of this when he arrived with the camps... and then it all fell apart and never go back on track). Then, I would look at single points of failure and how we can build systems that are dynamic to change with the landscape of college football, while also avoiding perpetual rebuilding.

It will all depend on how…

It will all depend on how the assistant coaching positions are managed + Recruiting coordinator. If Harbaugh lands a "Charlie Strong" type DC, brings in Hart to coach RB, while personally taking over QBs (why wasn't he doing this before??) while pulling in some grad transfers... Then I am willing to play "wait and see". If we wiff on the assistants, then its an unqualified disaster.

The problem is there is no "slam dunk" hire. A couple "intriguing" hires like Campbell (ISU) or Fickell (Cincy), but other than that......... No one that I think "changes the game" when OSU is running on NFL levels of recruiting. 

Ours is "over/underthrowing…

Ours is "over/underthrowing wide open guys that would be 50 years WR plays."

1 & 2. Great recruiting -…

1 & 2. Great recruiting - especially of Ohio - with a specialty in Defensive linemen. Someone who knows and understands Defensive line recruiting. With the spread and power spread, so much relies on insanely awesome defensive linemen being being to win their matchups without much support against the run... while being disruptive to the pass. We are currently seeing what life without good DTs looks like and it is not good.  As for regions: Our best eras came from taking a share of Ohio and PA recruits who cared about Big X football and understood the rivalries, etc. Being from the area, knowing they have to go home and wear their Maize & Blue in hostile territory gives a deeper sense of pride that you cannot coach into someone who grew up on Clemson or Georgia or USC football.

3. Good Schematics. I am actually beginning to lean towards a coach who prefers zone coverages, using a killer dline to pressure the QB. OSU is recruiting to have a yearly track meet against teams. That will be nearly impossible to play effective man-to-man all game unless we have a stable of elite CBs (see the killer dline comments). We need to have the offense doing effective speed in space and scoring points, with the defense forcing teams to constantly make good decisions against a variety of coverages, work their way down the field, and try not to get eaten alive by the ferocious dline. 

4. Younger with a chip on shoulder/something to prove. Someone who wants to make a name for themselves, wants to be recognized for their game, wants to be noticed to become a head coach. I want the energy and enthusiasm of someone who is hungry. If it could be someone who has experience of working with programs that have faced OSU style spreads would be nice... 

The key to modern defense:…

The key to modern defense: Deep & dominant dline - speed at your other positions. If you don’t have a dominant d line that can create pressure on its own, all other strategies will fail. Having space fillers is no longer enough. 
 

The rest is about having speed to keep up the track meet at the rest of the positions - long enough for your dline to get to the QB. 

Also untrained, but some…

Also untrained, but some thoughts

  • with our no huddle, they send out their base formation, look at how the defense is aligned - then make the play call/adjustment. 
  • Respecting the deep ball. With this in mind, when the defense doesn’t have to respect the deep ball, they can keep all 11 near the line of scrimmage. They can over commit to the run and short passing. This kills all options at the line other than “throw deep” or run a doomed play. 
     
  • when Cade hit Johnson wide open deep, the game changed. Safeties and LB played back more, opening up more running and short pass options == 5 TDs (and 3 missed field goals). 
     
  • I think we saw more speed in space with Cade until the first OT. First OT was classic Harbaugh. But without the ability to stretch vertically (which we haven’t been able to do since... Ruddock?) any of our schemes are screwed 
Single biggest issue -…

Single biggest issue - Recruiting. We are a tire fire in that department. We should not be this thin (or dysfunctional) at the D-Line & Cornerback... And O-Line. We should be at a point where we are "reloading" each season, not "rebuilding" every 2-3 seasons. 

The defense is a combo of…

The defense is a combo of Misfit recruits and young back ups/walk on. Add in Avery opting out + Covid the injuries on the line & McGrone & Hawkins... == shit show.

I wonder with Milton if he…

I wonder with Milton if he is a practice all star. I could see him “wow” in practices with killer plays... but then it fall apart if game. 

Looks like we got a QB. I…

Looks like we got a QB. I wonder if Milton is a “Practice Player.” I could see a situation where he looks phenomenal in practice.... but then wets the bed in games. 
 

Also - please don’t do the goal line run with the QB from the shot gun anymore. Please. No. That is why god created snapping from under center. 
 

finally - Imagine this offense with Nico, DPJ, Tarik, Cesar Ruiz. We graduated a lot of parts, had others not come back and still more get injured. I will be curious how this group of Freshman will be when they are seniors, because they are getting a Loooooooot of playing time. 

What will it take for Gattis…

What will it take for Gattis to just come out 4 wide the rest of the game? There should not be another between the tackles run the rest of the game with this o line

Who could Michigan…

Who could Michigan legitimately get that would be an improvement?

Whyyyyyy have we not thrown…

Whyyyyyy have we not thrown anything beyond 10 yards? They are stacking the line with all 11 defenders inside 12 yards of the line of scrimmage....

I certainly understand their…

I certainly understand their mentality - divide evenly. Maybe it was a "we don't have puff games, so we want to see everyone in competition"? I know some coaches like the "stable" mentality... that has never been my personal preference, but that is just me. It is not right or wrong - and clearly they have not paid me any money to participate in the program. 

With that said, I  see we have a wealth of talent at the position, and it will be hard with wanting to get them all on the field. I hope to see them also appear in the slot with the threat of screens orbit/sweeps, motions, etc to mess with the defense. I LOVE how Gattis always has something going in both directions of the field - so that the linebackers have to respect from sideline to sideline. If I was a DC, thought of Corum/Henning/Evans moving towards wide open space with the ball would give me hives.

Kudos to Harbaugh, for being willing to evolve. This is the happiest I have been as a Michigan fan in a while.

I agree.

Defense - it will…

I agree.

Defense - it will be hard to know what is what until Minnesota plays someone else. Good elements, but some cause of concern when looking @ OSU (I am always concerned of late about Indiana, but I am glad we get them weeks before OSU as opposed to the week before OSU).

What I loved about Gattis' scheme was that it allowed "average play" to create great yards. So often, since the Carr years really, our great play relied on great players being great. The story the essentially embodies this classic Michigan ideal comes from the 80s: Our OLine lining up at the goal line, telling the MSU defender "It is coming to this gap, and there is nothing you can do about it" before escorting the RB into the endzone untouched. When our technique wasn't perfect, or when we were not athletically superior, the plays don't work. Our worst plays were the ones where we lined up with 7 big guys and tried to run - got blown up 70% of the time. This was the first time (even more apparent upon rewatching) that the scheme allowed our players to have an average day with great results. SOOO many times, I would pause the screen and see 3 wide open options, and NOTHING Minnesota could do about it because they were trapped. Any move in any direction would make a bad situation worse. Add to that Milton being willing and able to run safely run... Damn. And we did this with a bunch of freshman/sophomore WRs, plus two tall WR/TEs in All & Scho. (I can only imagine if we could have added Nico, DPJ, and Black to this mix....) But, other teams have made small speed work for them when the scheme is right and we might just have the right scheme. 

Hot Take Snowflakes  upon…

Hot Take Snowflakes  upon Rewatch:

  • Play Calling Got Yards. I cannot recall the last time we had plays where the structure of the call created favorable match ups. It didn't rely on everyone "manning up" and beating their guy. SO many plays had multiple people open. It wasn't a question of if it was going to be a big play, but which Wolverine was going to make the big play. Plays were we reverted to out muscling, we got pushed around (18:14 on 3rd & 2)
    • If things continue to blossom, Would people be open to Gattis being promised the Head Coaching job if he sticks around until Harbaugh retires?
  • Team SPEED. Our WR & RB have SPEEEEEEEEEEED. I think next week vs. MSU is going to be a track meet.
  • Charbonet: I get we have a couple good runners in Haskins, Zach, Evans and Corum. However, if I was Zach and just ripped off a 70 yard run to then basically sit the rest of the game? The next play was 3rd-2 running into a loaded box where it was obvious we were running and blown up.  I didn't feel they did Zach any favors or gave him any other good looks the rest of the game. I am a believer in RB's needing to get into a rythm and warming up.
  • Milton: Wow. Very few poor decisions. Calm, composed, electric, cannon, speed... Get touch on that deep ball we will be putting 70 on the board weekly. It will be fun to watch him grow up with Jackson, Corum, Wilson, Zach, Henning, All, Wilson... This is could be fun
    • Side note: Was pleasantly surprised with Cade McNamara. Obviously only a few throws, but better than I thought.
  • Defense: ... .... I am going to make myself feel better by thinking that Minnesota beat Auburn, in their 3rd year of PJ's coaching, and that Ibrahim is going to the NFL. This may be a year where the pressure is on the Offense to outscore everyone, and the defense just needs to get an extra stop or two (or turn over) for the win.
This is the first time in…

This is the first time in.... forever that I felt the scheme created yards. The scheme made openings. There was limited predictability which allowed us to win easier matchups because we had numbers advantages. We did not have to be superior athletically to score.... because when we had to man up into loaded situations it did not go well. 
 

Room for growth (Like Milton’s deep ball... how come we cannot get a QB to hit their deep post routes consistently) but I was very pleased at what this will mean long term. 
 

side note: what happened with Charbonnet? 70 yard run then.... bench? I would ask to talk to the coach about why not a few more touches to get into rythem. Then again, I was never a “running back by committee guy”

I agree. Two words 

Jake…

I agree. Two words 

Jake Butts. 
1 game cost every thing

.... because we will be…

.... because we will be facing OSU who has a QB that will throw for 450 and 5 TDs. A sound running game will be important, but we need more then that to keep up (especially in a depleted secondary)