Morning After Thoughts
I am awake and it is real. Somehow, this terrifies me more than if we had lost. I still have no real idea what our true potential is. There was a lot of suck, and a lot of awesome on both sides of the ball and I am left here to try and repiece together the fragments of my exploded mind. Here are my Saturday thoughts:
1. From what I can remember, it seemed like nearly every effective offensive play fell into the category of "Eye-Popping Denard Highlight Reel" stuff. The lack of production from the running backs has been discussed extensively already, but I really missed the consistent, controlled offensive drives we saw against Western. I love when Denard goes into unchained animal mode, but bread and butter running and short passing would be a welcome sight in the Big Ten season.
2. I can't help but feel that Denard and Borges are turning a big corner after last night, and that thrills me. Is there any doubt now concerning what Denard can and can't do? Maybe I am crazy and still riding the victory wave, but I have a feeling that to a large extent the sadly disappointing Denard that ruled in the first three quarters will be absent in future games. I am fully prepared to eat this words and hate myself over the next couple of months though.
3. I am insanely grateful that we do not have to face Floyd again. That being said, I'm very worried about the MSU game now. I don't think they have any receivers on his level that just seem unstoppable, but that game could also turn scary.
4. Greg Mattison, you are the king and messiah of adjustments. I honestly have no idea what happened in the second half, but somehow we had a number of tremendous defensive plays.
5. There is a chance, a chance I hate even bringing myself to hope in, that this team could end up being pretty solid by the end of the year. I am not used to the idea of a team actually improving as the season wears on, but there are encouraging signs that this team could pull that feat off. Again, prepared to eat these words.
6. It is great, so very great, to be a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Blue.
September 11th, 2011 at 3:08 PM ^
September 11th, 2011 at 5:04 PM ^
September 11th, 2011 at 7:16 PM ^
the defense is still gelling, but playing well enough to WIN. What more can you ask?
The offense was just overly excited in the first half. ND, as other opponents will, shut off the run and made Denard win the game. When he couldn't get a completion in the first half ND probably figured ditto for half two. He did look very tight in the first half.
Was ND the better team? Well, they are 0-2, so I just don't know if that is true. Turnovers are part of the game, too. But, if they are, well that really don't hurt us now, does it?
Everything is coming up Milhouse for this program, that seems for sure.
Go Blue!
September 12th, 2011 at 1:19 AM ^
your still on the victory wave that's made you and 80% of Michigan fandom delusional thinking Denard is going become what he is not...a good consistent quarterback. I have to hand it to him, I've never seen a guy suck so bad and yet end up being THE catalytic force behind winning the game - in my whole life! That's the most amazing thing about the game. Denard totally sucked and yet he was victoriously awesome at doing so.