Monday, September 9, 2019

Michigan Monday: Did The Defense Really Play Well?

I was a little surprised to hear Jimmy and others say that the defense played well on Saturday.   That was not my first thought after watching that game.   Yes, they had two game saving plays.  The pick by Hill and the Sack/Fumble by Paye but I thought Army got pretty much what they wanted most of the day.

With that initial thought of maybe I missed something, I painstakingly re-watched the game on Sunday morning.  I also looked at the box score to see if the stats showed the defense played well.  Lets talk about the box first and what stood out to me.

Army's offense is designed for 3-4 yards a play, first downs, long drives, and time of possession.

Army had the ball for 31:35 in time of possession
Army gained 200 yards on the ground
Army averaged 3.7 yards per play
Army had 15 first downs

Outside the first down number, I think those are winning stats for the Army's offense.

Now the re-watch.  Paye played much better then I first thought and Uche was pretty much everywhere.  I still don't understand why you don't have two DT's in against the Army offensive line?  As I expected, there was very few negative offensive plays for Army.   I also didn't realize that Ross was out with an injury.

So did the defense win the game for the Wolverines?  Yes.
Did the defense have a good game?   If I had to give them a grade it would be a B-.   I don't believe they were as prepared as advertised and that Don Brown's formations were questionable at best.   If Army doesn't try a pass play, they probably win the game.

We know the issues with the offense.  With that said, why do you run option plays when having the QB keep the ball is not an option?  Doesn't make a ton of sense.   If Shea was not able to throw or run, shouldn't Dylan be in there?

Monday's Hot Take:  Under Jimmy, Michigan has had a number of embarrassing losses.  Ohio State multiple times, the Penn State road game, and the loss to a pretty poor South Carolina team in the Outback are top of mind.   You can make the argument that OSU is better and had more talent, nobody was beating Penn State in that White Out night game, and bowl games are just scrimmages.

I believe Saturday's game was the worst coaching game in Harbaugh's history as Michigan head coach.  He coached like a fan in the stands, then the man being paid millions to win football games.

Why do I say that? you ask.

  • Team was not properly prepared on either side of the ball.  
  • If Shea is hurt or can't run the offense the way its designed, he shouldn't be playing. 
  • Not kicking the field goal in the 4th quarter when the game is tied, is an awful decision for many reasons. 1) You know Michigan won't posses the ball much in the 4th  2) Michigan's offense is struggling  3) The play calls are just Charbonnet right and left  4) It gives your team the lead for the first time all day!
  • The late 4th quarter 4th down stop was also questionable.  My feeling at the time was to go for it, but he really should have punted.   You can't give a team that gains yardage at 4 yards a clip a short field to win the game.  
Myself and the rest of the Michigan fan base has been nervous about the Army game since the Peach scrimmage ended.   We had reports that Don Brown has been preparing for them all winter and summer.   I don't remember who scheduled this game in the AD's office.   I'm pretty sure it was prior to Warde, either way it was a huge mistake.  Playing this game does nothing to help Michigan for the rest of the season and almost cost them $1.5M and a loss.  Everyone in Schembechler Hall is to blame for this one and Michigan won the game.   If Michigan beats Wisconsin, nobody will remember this game.  (right now that seems like a tall order)
  • The game cost Michigan 3 spots in the AP Poll, they are now #10. 

  • I didn't realize Wisconsin also has a bye next weekend. 

  • Pep and the Giants Defense had a terrible first game against Dallas last night. 

  • Devin Funchess broke his collarbone during his first game for the Colts. 

  • The GOAT will now have AB to throw to.  The rich get richer. 

  • Devin Bush looked good in his first game but the Steelers ran into the GOAT. 

24 comments:

Cmfgoblue said...

Hello Bob, thank you once again for your input and hard work....Is it time to officially ask for a coaching replacement? If not, is it out of the question to think that we can take“ mental toughness” from this game as a positive? Is it possible that Army is unusually good and we can learn more from this instead of beating them by 30? Or am i trying to stay motivated in what seem like a lost season....

MichiganMan said...

No Cmfgoblue, Army is not that good. We made them look good. They played Rice and won 14-7. We weren't prepared and and bad play calls. Army ran ball left or right, Michigan should have an extra LB or DT in the game to go around their blockers. Patterson didn't keep the ball enough to run because there were many opportunities for him to pick up significant yardage. Fire Harbaugh go after Lincon Rialey from OK....

Cmfgoblue said...

Sounds great to me.... he would be incredible..... can not believe how bad 40-14 feels... Jim needs to go coach the Bengals and be 8-8 every year

Goose said...

Wasn't long ago some wanted Jimmy to have a lifetime contract. Wtf. I dont know what direction to go but we just dont have the IT factor. I dont believe its lack of talent. The athletes are there. It must be coaching. Sorry Harbaugh the ride in AA should end for you at seasons end.

Bob said...

Don Brown just spoke to the media. His son even asked him why he didn't play 4 on the DL against Army? It seems Don prefers speed on the field like Glasgow vs. another DT. I strongly disagree with this approach mostly on first and second down. Don knows more about defense then I ever will, but Army was killing Michigan with a thousand paper cuts or that damn FB dive for 4 yards at a time.


It's getting late early for Harbaugh and Brown.

Chowman said...

The play calling for this game especially 2nd half had Jim Harbaugh's finger prints all over it. Speed in space became trying to power run the ball out of the shotgun. What was it, 14 straight runs for a grand total of 27 yards at one point? And passing on the FG at the 19 and taking the lead to get stuffed is a firable for any coach not named Jim Harbaugh, but to double down and pass on pinning Army deep at the end of the game only to be stuffed again. It's really time to wonder if Jim's rowing with both oars in the water. I mean any time he does a presser or interview, it's cringe worthy, but now you have to start questioning his coaching decisions.

If you're a UoM fan and can say that he's doing a great job in AA, then I question how much you really know or understand about football. To be honest, it's hard to say he's doing a good job. He beats the teams he's supposed to pound, but any game they play against a team with a pulse, it doesn't end well! There's something bad with the brew right now with Michigan football and unfortunately I don't think Jim can fix it.

MichiganMan said...

Jim doesn't look interested in coaching anymore he should just quit right now.... he doesn't have the enthusiasm he had the first two season when he was fist punching and high-fiving and chest bumping players.... now he looks like constipated from the field just take the dump and go somewhere else feel better

MichiganMan said...

"On"

Captain Froglipps said...

Great "heart felt" comments.... Has Jimmy mentally retired?... that is, if you read between the lines... when he said Gattis is going to run offense... is it Jimmy's way of saying screw it, I am not going to stress out over this and beginning his slide into Homeplate (retiring?)

Yes, taking points off the board in a tie game is beyond belief, when your averaging less than 3 yards a carry(guess-timent)/ you do not go for 4th and 2 (they will be waiting for you!)...

I am with Goose and others, had enough.... that call to go for it, reminds me of the muffed game when Michigan State, Michigan state had no one to receive punt, your blockers for kicker are automatically out numbered (duh?)

Unknown said...

About as piss poor analysis as Ive read...the D held Army to its lowest totals in at least 2 years so theres that....the offense needs to clean up the mistakes. Love how all you armchair QBs stick together...smdh...Im still a wait and see guy and Lincoln Riley isnt going anywhere!!!

Unknown said...

I agree i dont think harbaugh has that killer instinct anymore. also i think he is confused with recruiting way to many players leaving every year. he needs to go.

Fremont Little Giant said...

How do you play Army that will run the ball 99.99% of the time, with 3 down lineman, and
keep your linebackers off the ball by 5 yds. thats why they gained 4 yds everytime they ran
the ball. Don Brown blew it. I hope Jim heard the bo 's on sat. they worst coached game that
i have ever seen. Fremont Little Giant

RSC50 said...

You "fans" crack me up. You seem to think every top flight coach in the country would jump at the chance to take the M job. You're nuts if you think Lincoln Riley would take the M job. What if we get DPJ, Runyon, Dwumfor, Jeeter, and Ross back for Wisky and the offense starts limiting its mistakes and we beat them and look pretty good doing it? You mf'ers will be right back on the band wagon. Shut your big head up!

Cmfgoblue said...

This guy must be 13... Rsc50... if michigan wins every game this year i would still not like harbaughs chances in big games and look away every time we attempt a kick.... live in the real world and understand that jim is not going to win and stop taking out your puberty on us and calling people mother f......im mean go play with your action figures now

MichiganMan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MichiganMan said...

RSC50 you action figure playing idiot...if you ever write here again I will send a virus to your phone or a hand me down computer you are using!!!!

Chowman said...

RSC50 getting Jeter or Dwumfor or DPJ back isn't going make up for bad coaching decisions You may be simple enough to believe Jim's "analytics" excuse for making the 2 bonehead 4th down decisions. There's no analytics in the world that tell you to pass on a 19 yd FG attempt in the 4th quarter of a tie game when your opponent moves the ball at a snails pace. Same with not punting Army deep. Truth is in every season defining game in Jim's tenure in AA he's come up short, and many times got his ass handed to him. The magic the he possessed at Standford and SF is gone. Truth be told, he's more apt to be outcoached than outcoach the other guy.

szanreno said...

I agree with you RSC50.

MichiganMan said...

RSC50 50 better not be your age or else I'll kick your ass For being stupid

Unknown said...

Lincoln Riley - This is hilarious because his team last year beat Army in overtime.

szanreno said...

Kick my ass??? Everyone has a plan until they take one to the mouth.
Unknown has also got it spot on...

Cmfgoblue said...

Lincoln always went to the college football playoff...

szanreno said...

So has Saban and Sweeney. Good coaches but that doesn't say they'll come to Michigan or if we even want them. Urban is available....

MichiganMan said...

Lets get Urban!!