Michigan easing back into practice after time off
Thought this was interesting given the comments in the recent thread from other B1G coaches. They mentioned Michigan players not at their peak during bowl games. I thought it was an interesting comment and a few others did as well.
Looks like they will start the ramp up a little later than in the past and hope players peak at the right time.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/effort-learn-past-michigan-football-011037594.html
December 19th, 2023 at 2:23 PM ^
I read the Freep version yesterday (I know), and yeah it’s the kind of optimistic coverage I think we can all enjoy. I recall Saban on selection Sunday saying how important it is to avoid over preparing for the bowl games. Well he and Harbaugh seem to have good rapport behind the scenes, so I imagine he was one of those coaches who originally shared that insight with the staff.
EDIT: Realized after clicking that this IS the same article published by Freep. Still, I think the content is good enough to ignore that “rule” in this instance.
December 19th, 2023 at 2:51 PM ^
I listened to the same interview and thought about whether we need to be doing something different. Looks like Harbaugh asked around and decided to change his method. That's the hallmark of a good leader. Admit when you might be wrong and make the change and go on.
December 19th, 2023 at 3:21 PM ^
Perhaps he's also come to the same conclusions about play action?
December 19th, 2023 at 3:38 PM ^
Please please please.
December 19th, 2023 at 4:36 PM ^
A possible counter-point on play action: Al Borgess discussed this and said that when you utilize play action the QB takes his eye off the defense briefly as he turns to execute the run fake and that this can make the QB's reads of the defense slightly slower as well, which can, in some instances have a negative impact on a play's success.
This seems somewhat logical on its face. Whether that is why we don't do it more or not, I don't know, but it might be a better explanation than- our coaching staff is too dim to realize what we should be doing.
December 19th, 2023 at 5:18 PM ^
That very topic has been mentioned on this very website, and it’s a valid point…when talking about Devin or Denard. JJ knows how to read pre-snap, and studies enough film that turning his back won’t affect his reads.
Then again, Saban’s defensive backfield is as well coached as anyone’s in the country.
Michigan will have to utilize PAP to maximize the effectiveness of the ran AND pass. Otherwise their defense is gonna stuff us in a locker.
December 19th, 2023 at 6:01 PM ^
Better than anyone's???
December 20th, 2023 at 11:11 AM ^
Except Michigan's.
December 19th, 2023 at 7:22 PM ^
That sounds like an excellent excuse for poor play-calling.
December 20th, 2023 at 9:25 AM ^
Borgess has been much more successful in football strategy than I ever will be. However, the point of play action is that it puts defenders out of position which should allow the QB to read where the defense is out of position quicker than his normal reads.
Especially for a guy like Roman, all he needs is that safety to take the first step towards the line of scrimmage instead of away from the line of scrimmage and Roman would have him cooked.
December 19th, 2023 at 7:54 PM ^
Harbaugh still shell shocked from calling play action out of his end zone vs the bucks in ‘16.
December 19th, 2023 at 8:17 PM ^
And a got'damn screen pass.
Speaking of things we don't see enough, that delayed check down to the TE (not a screen) was deadly in 2021. We've run it with Barner a few times, but I feel like that's one of those...that you have to try more frequently.
I feel like Moore could've been calling that on some of the awkward 3rd downs where you don't want to turn the ball over. Too often it's 3rd and 9 and he calls a run play that goes for 5. Which is fine at the opponents 40, but not when you're backed up at your own 25.
December 20th, 2023 at 12:28 AM ^
We're so running a Philly special against Saban
December 19th, 2023 at 4:13 PM ^
Harbaugh has always been one to make changes where he saw needs. Even when I was very critical of him I acknowledged that and frankly should have paid more attention to it.
December 19th, 2023 at 8:04 PM ^
So, then #nofireharbaugh @stephenrjking?
December 20th, 2023 at 9:13 AM ^
There is still a stubbornness there that drives us all nuts sometimes (oftentimes).
See: Stacked Boxes, Running Into
But, yeah, you can see the progression over the years as he makes changes to fix problems. And, unlike a lot of coaching staffs (cough...Mork....cough), nobody's job is safe if he thinks there is someone who could do it better - as it should be.
December 19th, 2023 at 4:27 PM ^
I hope they're practicing on natural grass.
December 19th, 2023 at 6:52 PM ^
This is an underrated comment. I'm sure the equipment staff is bringing along a few different cleat types.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:03 PM ^
I hope they hired Derrick Henry to play qb for the scout team.
December 19th, 2023 at 2:24 PM ^
Colson has casts on both hands? Who knew..I remember seeing a cast on one hand.
December 19th, 2023 at 2:42 PM ^
December 19th, 2023 at 3:06 PM ^
Maybe Colson is also a hand model and they were not casts but oven mitts then!?!?!?
December 19th, 2023 at 4:01 PM ^
JP Prewitt. Best finger jockey ever!
December 19th, 2023 at 3:49 PM ^
Junior "Two-Thumbs"
December 19th, 2023 at 4:08 PM ^
He had it in the BTCCG. 1 hand was fully clubbed and the other was just 2-3 fingers.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:52 PM ^
Casts on both hands? That’s tough. Would’ve been impossibly tough during my teenaged years.
December 20th, 2023 at 11:14 AM ^
That could have opened up... interesting opportunities :D
December 19th, 2023 at 2:26 PM ^
i read that earlier and thought: Good idea!
I mean, shit ain't exactly working well so far in the Bowl Prep area, might as well try something new. I appreciate how the article notes that Harbaugh reached out and consulted other coaches.
December 19th, 2023 at 5:56 PM ^
Nothing important, but I read that as bowel prep, especially with "shit ain't exactly working"
December 19th, 2023 at 2:26 PM ^
Bowl practice and preparation? UM just easin' up into that shit...
December 19th, 2023 at 2:31 PM ^
Nice article. +1
December 19th, 2023 at 2:34 PM ^
This sounds like mumbo jumbo. Against UGA we ran into perhaps one of the best college football teams ever assembled and brought our game manager qb to the table and just tried to survive against monsters.
Last year vs TCU we had the pick-6 party, a terrible goal line fumble and horrendous inexplicable play calling against a team we 100% should have beat but was a solid team that would punish that many mistakes and poor choices.
Practice hard or don’t but the formula to win here is the same as it ever was. Don’t turn the ball over, take advantage of the opportunities when they arise, control the lines of scrimmage. This Bama team is talented but they aren’t the ‘21 Dawgs. If we avoid the turnover fest and Matt Weiss continues to not be on staff making the red zone decisions, I think we have a fair shot
December 19th, 2023 at 3:14 PM ^
Mostly agree, but I'd imagine that a team with a lot of veteran players or new plays to install might face a different timeline than one where you're going to play your game and striving to get everyone healthy and rested?
December 19th, 2023 at 3:36 PM ^
yeah makes sense, i'm sure there's some advantages to different approaches and timelines, but I'm mainly objecting to them pointing to this as a game changer for Michigan. Health is the only reason I'd think it would make a major difference, so fine the articlle's author could say that and try to prove health difrrenreces in rosters year over year, but i don't look at either of the two most recent bowl losses as having much to do with peaking too early due to practice.
December 19th, 2023 at 3:23 PM ^
I mentioned in this in threads at the time and its worth remembering: Blake Corum, Heisman contender and best RB in the country, did not play in that game. We were the only playoff team that went into that game without our Heisman finalist. Simply having Corum changes the outcome of that game. I also agree with everything said about the 2021 Georgia squad. We weren't ready for that smoke.
December 19th, 2023 at 3:33 PM ^
For some reason his absence from that game is downplayed by a lot of people, even Michigan fans. Our offensive identity was built around methodically steamrolling our opponents, consistently racking up 5-7 yards per rush. We lost that when he went down. We became a feast-or-famine offense. The Don might rip off a 60-yarder on one play but then get 20 yards on his next 10 carries. And JJ wasn't fully weaponized yet.
December 20th, 2023 at 8:16 AM ^
Not only that but Edwards had a bad knee in that TCU game too. Watch Edwards first play of the game and his gimping hard on that long run. He probably takes it to the house right there if he's healthy.
December 19th, 2023 at 4:54 PM ^
Having watched some of Alabama's games this year, I've been shocked at how undisciplined they've looked. Talent is there, but the amount of penalties has been surprising.
December 19th, 2023 at 4:55 PM ^
This team is experienced and good, so even if Bama comes ready to play, I think the coaches have shown they'll adjust quickly and then it's up to the players to execute. While I haven't been so confident of the latter in years past, this team took a lot of hits (look no farther than the JH suspension, and losing Zinter and Will Johnson against OSU) and kept winning. That's what gives me hope.
All that said, and I still think this is a 50-50 game.
December 19th, 2023 at 8:02 PM ^
JJ should take the easy throws this time. Don’t be afraid to check it down.
December 19th, 2023 at 8:48 PM ^
And don't forget we still won had they, you know, called Roman Wilson's TD a TD.
December 19th, 2023 at 2:35 PM ^
Tony Garcia throwing Michigan a bone. He must be feeling generous given the holiday season.
December 19th, 2023 at 2:39 PM ^
Michigan, supposedly, has worked their players hard prior to the bowl games and then have nothing left for the game.
December 19th, 2023 at 3:23 PM ^
Feels like an easy narrative. We had the lead against FSU and South Carolina in the 4th quarter and didn't hold on. We probably beat TCU without the huge swings on the turnovers (and very likely win with Corum playing). The only games where we truly looked bad were Florida and Georgia, and I don't know if it was really a matter of fatigue.
December 19th, 2023 at 3:33 PM ^
had a lead against Bama in 2019 at the half and was down 5 entering the 4th.
Patterson missed a few passes and the wrs had some drops, otherwise that game is competitive.
December 19th, 2023 at 7:22 PM ^
Also: A young Aidan sacked the Alabama QB late in the half to end their drive... and then the ref threw a BS flag b/c Aidan fell too hard on the QB, giving Bama a first down and eventual TD. A nine-point lead was cut to two going into the half.
December 19th, 2023 at 5:05 PM ^
The Florida bowl game was a Don't Give A Fuck game where a bunch of our guys sat out and we got spanked. It was the mirror image of the 2015 season bowl game where Florida was the Don't Give A Fuck team with guys sitting out and we crushed them.
Teams that really want to be in bowl games typically beat teams that really don't.
December 19th, 2023 at 8:04 PM ^
Yep, Pep never played in a bowl for M.
December 19th, 2023 at 7:09 PM ^
Yes well you know sometimes tired people make mistakes because they're tired. Maybe those mistakes don't happen if the team isn't worn out. We can at least admit mistakes are less likely when rested vs worn out?