Friday, September 27, 2024

Minnesota Preview

Time: 12:00
Location: Big House
Weather: 66 and Rain
TV: Fox
Line: Michigan -10


When Minnesota and Michigan take the field on Saturday at noon the focus will be on the Little Brown Jug.  Michigan of course has dominated the series 77-25-3 but you know PJ will be trying to "Row the Boat" to a an upset victory in a wet Big House.  I wonder what the tie breaker is on keeping the trophy in a tie? I don't expect that to be an issue on Saturday.  

There is a high chance of rain on Saturday and I expect that will mean the game will be played on the ground.  When it comes to Michigan's offense keeping it on the ground is really the only way they will be playing this year.  Finding some first downs in the "air" will be key.   Minnesota which saw Iowa last week who also likes to run the ball and play suffocating defense, lost 31-14.  The -10 and O/U at 35.5 seems low for the game.  

Dear Coach, 
Congratulations on your best win as the full time head coach.  Michigan pulling it out late in the 4th quarter was a great ending for fans.  We might have preferred some offense in the 2nd half prior to the final drive.  The offensive line played better, Mullins was un-tackable, and Stewart unblockable. 

With all that said, we have to find a passing game.  I don't want to speak for the entire Big House Blog community, but that is on you.  A great coach can scheme open RB's, TE's, and WR's.  Pass on running downs and give Orji experience and confidence.  Michigan TE's are banged up, but I expect some of Michigan's WR's are wide open on play action.  Lastly, I don't understand why you are not putting Edwards in the passing game?  He should get no less than 5 passing targets a game.   He might be is your best WR. 

This week will continue to be about Michigan but also the trophy on the line.  Don't lose sight that Minnesota's entire year will be seen as a positive if they win the Little Brown Jug.  Make sure that trophy doesn't leave Ann Arbor. 

To summarize, we need 150 yards passing.  Get Edwards involved in the passing game, run Mullins for another 150 yards, get some of the younger RB's some touches, get control of Wink when he thinks about a 3 man rush or pulls Stewart out on 3rd down, play clean football (which means no turnovers or dumb penalties), don't have a let down after last weeks big win, get Orji some confidence in the passing game, and win the damn game comfortably. 

Michigan 38 Minnesota 10

10 comments:

Brady2017 said...

Dave Portnoy said he will pay $3 million NIL a year for a Top 10 Michigan QB. Is he serious? Yes please!

Sherrone has to play BOTH QBs, Warren and Orji and live with the INTs.

Brady2017 said...

Jadyn Davis needs to get some playing time, although he and his family want to redshirt. Next year Carter Smith is here, and the year after that is Brady Hart. And Hart looks ready to play NOW.

Chowman said...

I don't know about best win. Thought the PSU victory with a limited JJ was a better win. Last year's PSU team was a better team than this year's USC, just sayin'

Chowman said...

Brady although I love that someone is stepping up for NIL, do we know if Moore is up to the task of getting the right guy out of the portal. After all this is the same guy that went, Orji, Warren and Tuttle: we good!

Chowman said...

So the only thing I'm interested in coming out of this game is how many pass attempts they allow Orji to make. If he's < 15, then we know this staff just doesn't trust him.

I'm sorry but Moore's coaching job reminds me of RichRod year 1. He didn't have the personnel to run his scheme, but ran it anyway. Warren or Orji can't run the offense they used last year. Neither have the arm talent, whether its be strength in the former or accuracy in the later.

To me there's only 2 options with Orji: spread with a single read passing attack. What Hugh Freeze ran at Ole Miss with Shea Patterson. If the primary receiver is not open, pull it down and run. Spreading the field should open up running lanes. The other option is even more divergent to what Michigan likes to do. Triple option, i.e. Navy. Put Mullins and Edwards in the game together. Mullins is the between the tackles runner and Edwards is the outside pitch guy. Orji would also have the option to keep the ball and run. Problem with the 2nd option is Orji would have to make multiple decisions, and not sure he's up to that.

Chowman said...

I've read and heard from multiple sources that Davis' family wants him to redshirt. Call me a pessimist, but to me that screams: we hitting the portal as soon as the season is over.

Brady2017 said...

I thought the exact same thing about why Davis wanted a red shirt, but was afraid to say it. Well, if thats the case, contenders step it up, pretenders shy away.

Sherrone has obviously dumb downed this offense for Orji. I don't think Orji is capable of making any reads and is limited. Gonna be painfully frustrating to watch.

Aimtubbs said...

Jadyn isn't going anywhere. Why would he....he's really got nobody in front of him. The job is his soon.

Aimtubbs said...

This is the weekend the team starts clicking on all cylinders. Pass/run/D/special teams.....all going to click this saturday. row that boat gophers, cuz it's about to get sunk.

Thom said...

After reading about Davis, must be he and his family are afraid of competition. Does the family think the QB job will be handed to him next year?