ECU Snowflakes: The Offense
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:54 PM ^
IDK about that. They had weeks to prep for this all with Harbaugh coaching.
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:36 PM ^
Positives: JJ was very good with his passing accuracy. Roman Wilson lived up to wearing the #1 jersey with 3TD catches. Cornelius Johnson also had a good game. Saw a lot of Dovovan and Blake in the back field together.
Negative: Running game was flat. The OL looked a little flat so they have work to do. Blake changing direction a lot but it's the first game back with live bullets.
They'll get a pass on tis one because it was only game 1.
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:41 PM ^
For you Cade lovers:
Cade M: 17-30 191 yds. 2 Tds.
Our QB (The one that doesn't talk trash about Michigan): 26-30 280 yds. 3 Tds.
I prefer the QB who wore the "Free Harbaugh" tee shirt.
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:36 PM ^
O Line got pushed around on running plays. No holes and lots of penetration. JJ was great, as were the receivers, especially Wilson.
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:38 PM ^
It honestly feels good that any type of offensive struggles arent QB/pass game-related for a change. It’s been so damn long since our pass game looked that smooth.
I assume the chemistry & rhythm for our o-line & rb’s will build as the season progresses. Corum’s 1st game back from a severe injury, 1st Gm for transfers, coaches out, etc. As long as we are hitting on all cylinders during that home stretch, I’m fine with early struggles.
September 2nd, 2023 at 6:50 PM ^
Neither of our rbs will be Heisman contenders because we will be throwing alot more this year, based on the OL play I saw today, and it'll be JJ as the sole contender, unless Wilson keeps this up, and yet, if he does, JJ is throwing it to him and they favor QBs.
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:40 PM ^
Teams seem to have adjusted to a slow death against us and will take their chances with it. Harbaugh and crew need to find someone else they feel is conservative enough but isn't just running into walls constantly. This is what causes us programs against Rutgers and Illinois types (in the past).
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:09 PM ^
My thoughts exactly. I feel like many of the games towards the end of last year and this one teams have just been completely selling out the run. If JJ can play well all year it will bite them like it did at times against OSU and TCU. That said it’s a bit disconcerting not being able to run the ball. Not to mention atrocious play calling in the RZ AGAIN.
September 2nd, 2023 at 6:52 PM ^
Let them stack box, it saves Corum and Edwards, and allows us to play Moeller ball and throw a ton.
September 2nd, 2023 at 7:27 PM ^
Love the term “Moeller ball”
username checks out.
September 2nd, 2023 at 9:03 PM ^
I'm down with this.
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:44 PM ^
What a pity they skunked is in the 4th
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:45 PM ^
Not a top 2 team but it’s a long season to get better offensively and play calling.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:09 PM ^
Based on what? Throttled an overmatched team. That’s what top teams do.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:11 PM ^
It wasn’t a throttling though.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:18 PM ^
You must be new here. The Hoke-Rich Rod era fans would think this comment is hilarious.
September 2nd, 2023 at 7:42 PM ^
"You must be new here" yet my account is 4 years older than yours lol. Just because we experienced some bad years doesn't mean we should lower our standards when we have a good team. Not only did I experience those years, I was in college for part of them and got to experience them very up close and personal.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:23 PM ^
Yeah it was.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:47 PM ^
It was a boring, comfortable win but it wasn’t what I would consider a “throttling”. I was hoping the win would be a little more dominant and didn’t expect our run game and OL to be stonewalled.. but obviously it’s early in the season and there are usually still things to iron out and that was ECUs game plan. To me, this felt more like we were playing Indiana or Northwestern with regards to how comfortable the win was. Again, I was hoping for a 45+ point outing where every single part of the team was clicking. This wasn’t that, but I’m not writing the team off or anything lol.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:32 PM ^
Would much rather win like that than say 42-37 against UMass or 28-24 against Akron.
Just need to stop leaving points on the field.
September 2nd, 2023 at 8:37 PM ^
Did you see #1 Georgia and #3 OSU play today? I’ll take Michigan’s offensive performance over both of those teams’ offenses all day long. Michigan belongs.
September 3rd, 2023 at 9:56 AM ^
Did you watch Oregon and Oklahoma? Some teams played better and some worse than us today. It could have been worse and it also could have been better. No one is saying the sky is falling, but I think expecting a little more out of the OL/run game and RZ play calling is rationale. There’s nothing wrong with being constructively critical of your team.
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:46 PM ^
Passing game and receivers were much better. O Line and Corum had a rough day.
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:47 PM ^
Edwards is NOT ready for short yardage and why have Mullings as an RB at all unless he's your mooseback.
Moore needs to pick an OL tonight and stick with it.
LOVED the passing!!!
September 2nd, 2023 at 6:53 PM ^
He can't because Henderson plays next week.
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:48 PM ^
Next game UM will get more running yards. UNLV is worse than ECU. UNLV didnt spend the entire month of August focusing on UM's run-game (like ECU clearly did) because Michigan is not UNLV's first game. Expect Corum and/or Edwards to have a big first-half next week. #GoBlue
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:53 PM ^
JJ looked outstanding. Roman looks like he's taken the leap to being a true WR1. Blake didn't look like he fully trusted his knee. I wish the OL would've gotten more push in the run game. All in all, solid showing by the offense.
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:54 PM ^
JJ looked incredible. Receivers look great. Loveland is gonna be unstoppable.
ECU completely stuffed the box - more tacklers than blockers. JJ and staff showed they will adjust.
Line didn't have their best game, but it's the opener - plenty of time to get rolling. Pass blocking looks pretty solid.
Completely satisfied. This is a very, very good offense.
Gonna be a fun season. Go Blue!
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:57 PM ^
Is it just my perception or does every team stack the box against us and then just lives with the consequences?
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:16 PM ^
I need to see some confirmation that boxes were stacked as much as everyone here is saying. I’ll wait for the UFR and I’m sure they did sometimes but I think the OL just had a bad day.
September 2nd, 2023 at 7:16 PM ^
Watching it live, the back 7 (8 in a 3-3-5?) were frequently all running towards the line at the snap. There was no read and they were selling out on the run.
September 2nd, 2023 at 10:06 PM ^
They were absolutely stacked. Basically every play. Defenders charging the LOS.
You adapt when that happens. Michigan did, and it was basically immediate.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:18 PM ^
That's certainly what I'd do if I were playing Michigan.
You'll probably lose if you stack the box. You WILL lose if you don't.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:31 PM ^
Idk, if you’re going to just let JJ complete 86% of his passes at over 9 YPA, you’re right back to that WILL lose territory
September 2nd, 2023 at 5:07 PM ^
Yes - that's why I'm satisfied with today's game.
Based on last 2 years of film, it would still make sense to me to stuff the box and take my chances.
September 2nd, 2023 at 5:26 PM ^
But the film on JJ doesn’t show that to be true. JJ (more than Cade) has show that’s not going to help and he will beat you with his arm. Michigan, despite being a run heavy team, is not a one-dimensional one.
September 2nd, 2023 at 6:18 PM ^
Well, it seems to me the only team that beat us last year stuffed the box and really focused on thwarting our running game. Might not be the only reason we lost, but I think it contributed.
So, while it didn't work every time, the converse - playing straight-up - never worked. I think most opposing coaches will still fear and focus on our running game.
If JJ keeps slinging it like he did today I suppose that could change - but I doubt it. IMO no one can beat us if they can't stop our running game. Someone could beat us even if JJ throws well if we can't run the rock.
Of course, if we have both - look out!
September 3rd, 2023 at 9:20 AM ^
They beat us because JJ uncharacteristically threw two picks (which were returned for TDs), we fumbled at the 1 by handing off to a linebacker, and the D played their worst game of the year. JJ put up a ton of yards and we scored a lot of points in the process. Selling out to stop the run didn’t work any more than playing straight up would have. You score on Michigan’s defense and force a couple turnovers (running or passing) and you’re in position to win.
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:58 PM ^
I worry that Blake will never be the same. He lost a step last year when he bulked up and he seems to have lost another step and be slightly larger again, but also slightly less explosive. He might just be good instead of the best Michigan back ever.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:04 PM ^
So now he's basically Mike Hart? I'll take that. Could tell he was rusty, we'll see how UNLV goes.
September 2nd, 2023 at 6:55 PM ^
Old timers like me will say to consider Tony Boles in that top group.
September 2nd, 2023 at 3:59 PM ^
Corum looked slow, go ahead and neg away, I saw what I saw.
Praying it was just hesitation coming off injury, but I'm concerned.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:00 PM ^
JJ is perfect and so was the play calling, loved every second except the boring parts. Can’t wait for week 10!
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:01 PM ^
We looked more like last year’s Ohio State team than last year’s Michigan team.
Also, just watched OSU first drive and they look like last year’s Michigan team.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:46 PM ^
That’s not necessarily a good thing lol
September 2nd, 2023 at 5:09 PM ^
Hope you're still watching them.
I suppose they look like last year's Michigan team if you mean "play around with inferior opponent until crushing them in second half"
10-3 not so impressive.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:06 PM ^
JJ incredible. Offensive line wasnt as good as adverstised. Where was Laderius Henderson? Didnt see him. We didnt get great push and there were free defenders after JJ. I am not a Mullings fan. Would rather see Stokes or HAll.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:36 PM ^
He played in garbage time. They stuck with the first string line for the first 3 quarters. Laderius will start next week.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:47 PM ^
Barnhart and Hinton started at tackle this week, Henderson and Jones will start next week and they’ll settle on starters after that. Similar to QB last year with Cade/JJ
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:07 PM ^
Decent performance given the starters being pulled at the end of the 3rd. We'll see how we do with our OC calling the plays next week.