2015 Michigan Football: Getting Real Real, Real Fast

[Granite Sox]

D was stout, but Rudock was shaky against a bad team. This should have been an easy game for him, but UNLV figured out that Jake Butt is the key to the passing offense, blanketed him, and neutered any downfield attack. Rudock does fine throwing to the flats, but a good B1G D will sit on those routes and make Michigan pay.

I also found it interesting that Derrick Green is buried as the #4 RB behind Smith, Issac, and Johnson.

On a related note, I think the Michigan FBs have been underrated. They have been borderline phenomenal in Harb's offense. Kerridge, Houma, and Poggi have been tremendous blockers, and Kerridge and Houma have demonstrated decent hands as well. Wyatt Shallman was suppose to be a hot shot FB recruit, but he is no where to be found (unless I missed an injury).

 

[sachmoney]

Wyatt just underwent a minor procedure, which is why he is nowhere to be seen.

 

[twibnotes]

To win 8 or 9 and have a signature win or two, Rudock will need to hit a few deep balls here and there. I don't doubt he's the right guy to run the offense right now (bc Harbaugh), but he is leaving some big plays on the field, some very makable throws.

 

[twibnotes]

It never ceases -->

@ProFootballTalk: Is there a dollar figure for which Jim Harbaugh would leave Michigan for the Colts after one year, and would Jim Irsay offer it?

 

[WayBackVazquez]

Jabrill has been really unimpressive as a punt returner so far.

I listened to this week's game on the radio, and just now saw Jabrill's punt return. If he has a few more of thos in conference play, I'll be happy to eat some crow.

 

[sachmoney]

I listened to this week's game on the radio, and just now saw Jabrill's punt return. If he has a few more of thos in conference play, I'll be happy to eat some crow.

For reference:

 
I think that it's just a matter of time before he returns one for a TD.

 

[trotsplits]

I'm interested to see if UM plays more press coverage on defense. Or do we see more of the dime look against their big WR's?

 

[Zososoxfan]

I'm interested to see if UM plays more press coverage on defense. Or do we see more of the dime look against their big WR's?

 
I'm no football expert, but dime is a personnel package whereas press vs. zone is a coverage scheme, and they don't seem exclusive of one another. In other words, they could do a press coverage scheme with dime personnel, right?
 
In any event, BYU with Mangum has shown they have big play ability, but not a ton of extended drives. With the height of the WRs and the coverage ability of our CBs, I think UM will play a lot of 4-2-5 (which I believe is a dime personnel grouping), but Jabrill will really be asked to be a run supporter out of the secondary while covering the slot receiver. FWIW, BYU plays a lot of no huddle (although doesn't go at tempo, like IU), so defensive players will likely be rotated series-to-series, although BYU may be getting more settled playing with Mangum and the O could speed up. One thing to look out for is whether BYU DT Tuiloma plays, he's apparently a beast at NT and whether he plays could be a huge factor in the outcome.

 

[trotsplits]

 
I'm no football expert, but dime is a personnel package whereas press vs. zone is a coverage scheme, and they don't seem exclusive of one another. In other words, they could do a press coverage scheme with dime personnel, right?
 
In any event, BYU with Mangum has shown they have big play ability, but not a ton of extended drives. With the height of the WRs and the coverage ability of our CBs, I think UM will play a lot of 4-2-5 (which I believe is a dime personnel grouping), but Jabrill will really be asked to be a run supporter out of the secondary while covering the slot receiver. FWIW, BYU plays a lot of no huddle (although doesn't go at tempo, like IU), so defensive players will likely be rotated series-to-series, although BYU may be getting more settled playing with Mangum and the O could speed up. One thing to look out for is whether BYU DT Tuiloma plays, he's apparently a beast at NT and whether he plays could be a huge factor in the outcome.

Yes. Sorry. Scheme and personnel groupings are different. I get the impression they'd like to do more two/three-deep (esp against BYU, MSU and OSU) and allow Peppers to be a free-range destroyer of worlds (blowing up runs, screens, slants) from the slot. And, yeah, CB's can either press or zone - though I think we've been better in press as of late.  Especially Jourdan Lewis.  I'm having PTSD from the past couple years of watching our CB's take deep drops against everyone and I fear that's gonna happen against BYU WR's if were not able to body-up.  

 

[WayBackVazquez]

https://twitter.com/coachjim4um/status/647099858873151488

 

[WayBackVazquez]

Dominant first quarter. Other than one or two plays, Rudock has looked very good, a few nice runs by Smith, and Darboh is a major weapon. And the defense is absolutely physically superior to BYU's offense.

 

[tims4wins]

Can't overstate the impact Harbaugh has had on this team already. Unreal

 

[WayBackVazquez]

I wonder if we might get a single vote in the AP poll this week.

 

[WayBackVazquez]

LOVE the play call to end the half. Great to have a coach and a team that wants to play football.

 

[djhb20]

What an improvement. I'm going to have to find tickets for next week's game....

 

[WayBackVazquez]

Also loved Sean getting TB12's back hard when Idiot Spielman said Rodgers was playing QB better than anyone ever has.

 

[djhb20]

Spielman went to Ohio. He's genetically engineered not to say nice things about Michigan.

 

[WayBackVazquez]

AND...Smith hurts his knee when we're up 31. We just can't have nice things.

 

[tims4wins]

+350 in yardage. wow

 

[SoxJox]

THAT...is called a B1G thumpin'!!.  Congrats.

 

[sachmoney]

Besides the resounding win, I think that the most telling part of it is the quotes from BYU after the game. About how prepared Michigan was. About how physical Michigan was. About how well-coached Michigan was. About how well Michigan executed. Michigan dominated that game and BYU FELT IT. It's so awesome to be in that position again.

 

[WayBackVazquez]

Back in the AP Poll for the first time since mid-2013 at #22. Last team out of the coaches' poll. Sagarin has us at #15 (ahead of #28 MSU).

 

[Zososoxfan]

Yeah, expectations for this team just went way up. MSU and OSU are certainly tough games, and to a lesser degree, @PSU and @Minny are no breeze either. NW may be in there somewhere as well, but I'm thinking 8-4 is the floor now, up from 7-5. I think they probably land at 9-3, but 10-2 is no longer out of the question.

 

[sachmoney]

The defense is looking real good:
T 2nd Scoring Defense
2nd Total Defense (BC is first, having played Maine and Howard)
6th Rushing Defense
6th Passing Defense
6th 3rd Down Conversion %
T 17th Tackles for Loss
 
On the advanced side, 
10th Overall
4th Defense
48th Offense
 
There's still room for improvement, but the defense is looking very very good.

 

[sachmoney]

Advanced Stats porn: http://www.footballstudyhall.com/pages/2015-michigan-advanced-statistical-profile

 

[twibnotes]

I have no way of knowing for sure, but I'd like to think I would be fascinated by this team even if I were not a Michigan fan.  It's a stunning experiment to see what happens to a football team when the players experience a significant coaching upgrade.  Long way to go, but I'm blown away so far.

 

[sachmoney]

I don't know. If you've followed Harbaugh, this is what he does. This is what he did at San Diego, Stanford, and with the 49ers. It looks like he's doing it at Michigan now, and I mean, I can't say it's gotten old since it's for our team, but I'm not surprised. Even as a neutral, I don't think you can really be surprised. If there is any surprise, it's about how bad a coach Brady Hoke was.

 

[SoxJox]

As a Nittany Lion, I can't bring myself to ever say I like Michigan.  :blink: But that is not to say that I haven't always admired the program - both from the perspective of tradition and the respect it has earned through a rich and deep history.  It was just a sad level to which Rodriguez and Hoke had taken a mighty program.  I think there are a number of UM folks out there that can speak better to some of the other contributing factors, such as the activities of AD Dave Brandon before his resignation enroute to the Toy store, but it's just good to see new energy pumped back into the program.  It's good for UM, for the B1G, and football in general.  I'm for all those things.

 

[twibnotes]

I don't know. If you've followed Harbaugh, this is what he does. This is what he did at San Diego, Stanford, and with the 49ers. It looks like he's doing it at Michigan now, and I mean, I can't say it's gotten old since it's for our team, but I'm not surprised. Even as a neutral, I don't think you can really be surprised. If there is any surprise, it's about how bad a coach Brady Hoke was.

Fair enough but it's still fun to watch these kinds of turnarounds, and every situation is different. Harbaugh doesn't have his Andrew Luck yet, and expectations are insanely high from day one. I also think no turnaround is a given. Hell, RichRod was a highly successful and coveted coach when he arrived, and we saw how that played out.

Bottom line: this is fun to watch.

 

[sachmoney]

Fair enough but it's still fun to watch these kinds of turnarounds, and every situation is different. Harbaugh doesn't have his Andrew Luck yet, and expectations are insanely high from day one. I also think no turnaround is a given. Hell, RichRod was a highly successful and coveted coach when he arrived, and we saw how that played out.

Bottom line: this is fun to watch.

It's fun to watch the turnaround happen at Michigan, even though it's really sad that we needed a turnaround to begin with.

 

[sachmoney]

Saturday's game has been moved to a Noon start, due to Hurricane Joaqin. 

 

[WayBackVazquez]

Just an awful first half offensively. They're obviously missing Smith, but the OL has not imposed its will whatsoever. I expected somewhat of a letdown this week, but this team is in danger of losing here. Need some serious HARBAUGH in the locker room at halftime.

 

[tims4wins]

At least the D is lights out - again. 58 yards for Maryland on 31 plays

 

[tims4wins]

Inexcusable pick

 

[WayBackVazquez]

Inexcusable pick

 
It hit the receiver right in the hands.

 

[tims4wins]

You never make that throw. Ever

 

[WayBackVazquez]

You never make that throw. Ever

 
That's absolute horseshit. Favre made a whole career out of it. You want to advise your QB as a teaching point not do it, fine. But in this instance, the throw was there, and the pick was on the receiver.

 

[tims4wins]

I completely disagree. Falling backwards across the field is always a horrible decision. And you could see Harbaugh immediately coach him up

Edit: and needless to say he ain't Favre. And just because Favre is in the HoF doesn't mean he made good decisions either

 

[WayBackVazquez]

I completely disagree. Falling backwards across the field is always a horrible decision. And you could see Harbaugh immediately coach him up
 

 
None of that changes the fact that the interception was caused by the receiver letting the ball go through his hands.
 

Edit: and needless to say he ain't Favre. And just because Favre is in the HoF doesn't mean he made good decisions either 
 

 
It means "never. ever." is bullshit. It's a bad decision unless it isn't.

 

[tims4wins]

Doesn't make it a good decision by Rudock. If he ate the ball there was no pick.

Edit: let's drop it since it moot now anyway - D js playing its head off. Go Blue

 

[tims4wins]

 
None of that changes the fact that the interception was caused by the receiver letting the ball go through his hands.
 
 
It means "never. ever." is bullshit. It's a bad decision unless it isn't.

Outcome is irrelevant. Process / decision is what we're arguing

 

[tims4wins]

Biiig TD

likely coming back

 

[WayBackVazquez]

Outcome is irrelevant. Process / decision is what we're arguing

 
No, we're not. You said it was an inexcusable INT; I said it was hardly, since it hit the receiver right in his hands.  
 
You said you wanted to drop it. Did you mean only after you get the last word?

 

[tims4wins]

Was just responding to your edit which happened after my post. We disagree.

 

[WayBackVazquez]

Finally. Great effort by the D today. Gonna need the run game next week. Hopefully Smith will be able to go.

 

[WayBackVazquez]

MSU in a 3-point game with Purdue at home. That game is going to be there for the taking, I hope this team gets up for it.

 

[Dave Stapleton]

MSU in a 3-point game with Purdue at home. That game is going to be there for the taking, I hope this team gets up for it.

Well right now it looks to be for the taking by Purdue.

 

[djhb20]

Only +273 yards today. What a letdown.

Another game in which the D allowed basically 100 yards.

The offense is not great, but if you never allow a point, you'll win some games.

 

[tims4wins]

105 yards on 61 plays is insane

2 TDs allowed last 16 quarters. 1 in the last 15

 

[WayBackVazquez]

https://twitter.com/devingardnerXCI/status/650393707032670208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw