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| Det News David Guralnick |
Michigan didn't play a top 15 team on Saturday, they played a instate MAC team and were able to work out a few things. I have been banging on this point for a week, but I see zero upside to playing a "big" game during the first week of the season. Since your not able to play a pre-season game, you don't really know what you have until you play that first game. We can talk about the difference in the offense, but the defense needed to get their sea legs as well and that showed on Saturday.
The first offensive series was another example. Michigan looked like they were in South Bend, they get a first down on a pass to the sideline. Get a quick 5 yard penalty and then run 3 bad plays and punt. Western's first run play goes for 25 yards. Then the defense stands up and Higdon breaks the game open with a long run.
Cheers
- The defense was almost perfect and the field goal came against the #2's.
- Shea Patterson can be a very accurate passer. The throws to DPJ (in the back corner for a TD) and one to Oliver Martin were some of the best throws we have seen in the Big House in a very long time. The deep ball to Nico was perfect as well.
- Higdon and Evans looked like the RB's we expected
- Blocked Punt
- Will Hart has been the surprise of the year and been booming punts!
- #43 Jake McCurry scored a TD!
- Michigan rushed for 308 yards!
Jeers
- It's hard to point to a position group when a team runs for 300 yards, but I wasn't impressed by the offensive line again. I thought they gave up way too many pass pressures and many runs were stopped at the line of scrimmage or for a loss.
- Josh Meteelus is a talented guy and had 7 tackles on Saturday, but he got another personal foul penalty. He seems to have a very short fuse.
- DPJ didn't handle a bouncing punt well, put covered his fumble.
- Missed field goal for Nordin
I also really like the upside for McCaffrey as a back-up and future starter. I like his decision making and seems to have ice in his veins. Tru Wilson was another bright spot, I really liked how he played with the second team.
Something else that was interesting on Saturday is when they brought in the second team offensive line: LT was true freshman Jalen Mayfield, LG Filiaga, C Spanellis,, RG Honigford, and RT was James Hudson.
Michigan needed this game for confidence and lets hope they can continue to build on this performance for SMU and into the difficult Big Ten schedule.
6 comments:
Was glad to see so many young players get snaps (OL)
If Metellus is the best we have we are in trouble... He was a loose cannon last year and this year is no different...
This was a tune up only... I'm not hanging my hat on anything the offense did...
Hart was a great surprise... Hope he continues as Robbins struggled last year
Another tune up coming up with SMU
GO BLUE
So many bright spots from this game. Good teams destroy weak teams. Yes this was a MAC team, but so was Akron, NIU, and Miami (OH) - teams Hoke struggled to win. RR lost to Toledo.
You articulated most of the beautiful aspects of the game. I thought the RBs looked great - all 3. The one hole hit by Evans was beautiful.
I'd add, our tackles are still in need of work. Harbaugh at times had two TEs or even 2 H-backs in to help the tackles out. All in all, the blocking was better. Harbaugh did a masterful job.
I think against SMU JH needs to take some chances on the offense. Let Nico run wild and try some 40 yards tosses to him. Nico and DPJ can run down a toss from Shea. Try more screen plays with Evans utalize his vision and speed. JH needs to let Shea open up before we get into big 10 play.
I agree with EzmoB. I think the receivers need to fight and win some 50/50's. I think Patterson needs down field throws. I know JH doesn't want to show much of the playbook against weak teams but in our case I think the practice & experience is more beneficial than anything gained by a surprise play in a future game. Open it up please. Oh yea practice that screen pass, great play but it looked rough in that game.
Great sign for Michigan however I got them going 8 and 5
Knowing Jimmy's style, I think he is keeping some stuff in the playbook so not to put it on tape for the likes of MSU, PSU, and Wisconsin coming up.
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