Who's your #1 RB after the first game?
Pretty much what the title says. I'm assuming that there are plenty of people backing Green, and plenty backing Smith. Green got more yardage total, but Smith had more yards per attempt.
Obviously, they'll both get plenty of carries throughout the year, (likely to be 1a and 1b) but I'm curious as to what people's thoughts and logic are.
Edit: I'm asking because I'm genuinely not sure who I'd pick - go ahead and sway me
Mods: If this should be a snowflake or whatever, feel free to delete or move or whatever
August 30th, 2014 at 7:10 PM ^
August 30th, 2014 at 7:13 PM ^
August 30th, 2014 at 7:23 PM ^
August 30th, 2014 at 7:37 PM ^
August 30th, 2014 at 8:04 PM ^
At least twice, looked like he didn't see holes and instead ran into his blockers. Pretty much what was seen during the Spring Thing and the Fall Open Scrimmage. There was also one obvious instance when he was preparing to get hit by a LB instead of preparing to hit the LB.
You were absolutely right that Smith doesn't have a high gear, most of us hadn't noticed because it's hard to see lack of top end when the RB is just trying to cross the LoS. That said, neither is Green a speed merchant.
August 30th, 2014 at 9:32 PM ^
I remember one time when Green ran into his blocker; I don't remember a second time.
Regardless, I don't think either one is a home run threat like Carlos Brown or my beloved Brandon Minor, even. If they get past the defense, there's a good chance that both would get caught. However, I think Green gets to top speed quicker and is a step faster overall. From what I saw today (and this is nothing new), I think Smith is an inside zone guy, whereas Green is a power and outside zone guy.
August 30th, 2014 at 8:05 PM ^
Both had good holes at times, but I really thought the opposite. The tape has the true story.
August 30th, 2014 at 8:43 PM ^
right now why having a big old pile of backs can be a great thing. Of course, they've got a seasoned line and stuff, but give us time.
August 30th, 2014 at 9:35 PM ^
Don't get me wrong - eventually, there were some giant holes for both backs. But if you look at Green's first series or so, there was really nowhere to go. When Smith came in, suddenly there were a couple gaping holes. After about the first three series, just about any run play got blown wide open.
August 30th, 2014 at 10:04 PM ^
August 31st, 2014 at 12:03 AM ^
I think that was the deciding factor, but I'm not certain when Kalis entered the game.
August 31st, 2014 at 12:21 AM ^
August 31st, 2014 at 8:52 AM ^
I do believe Smith has a little better vision at this point, but Green is faster overall. Green will get better the more he plays. With Smith what you see is what you are going to get-good power back who is solid, but he is at his ceiling.
They are both fine and should see a lot of playing time, but I do think Green will get better as they adjust to the speed of the college game vs. High School. As the game progressed Green seemed to improve.
August 31st, 2014 at 8:52 AM ^
I do believe Smith has a little better vision at this point, but Green is faster overall. Green will get better the more he plays. With Smith what you see is what you are going to get-good power back who is solid, but he is at his ceiling.
They are both fine and should see a lot of playing time, but I do think Green will get better as they adjust to the speed of the college game vs. High School. As the game progressed Green seemed to improve.
August 30th, 2014 at 7:56 PM ^
August 30th, 2014 at 8:11 PM ^
Are you saying the Appt St Defense was worn out after the first Michigan possession?
1st Michigan possession Green had 1 yd, 1yd, 3yds. 2nd possession Smith had 15 yd, 4 yd, 5 yd, and 2 yds.
August 30th, 2014 at 9:52 PM ^
August 30th, 2014 at 8:16 PM ^
August 30th, 2014 at 8:35 PM ^
You're thinking of 2004 vs SDSU where Michigan hung on, 24-21. Michigan beat Miami University, 43-10 that year where Hart got a couple of carries in garbage time.
SDSU was the game where he really became the guy.
August 30th, 2014 at 9:47 PM ^
August 30th, 2014 at 11:37 PM ^
August 31st, 2014 at 12:05 AM ^
Green had approximately zero holes to begin the game. They opened up - for everyone - after the first couple series.
Smith might be a better runner for a team with a crappy offensive line because he can break more tackles, but Green is the guy I want running the ball if Michigan's line is decent.
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^
On re-watch last night Green looked a lot better that I thought live. His acceleration through the hole clearly stood out from Smith's
August 31st, 2014 at 1:16 AM ^
September 2nd, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
I have been saying this since they were in high school. And i agree, its not close.
Behind our offensive line, Smith is better all day. Behind the Dallas Cowboys offensive line of the 90's, i just may take Green.
August 30th, 2014 at 7:12 PM ^
Smith looked like he had better patience and power
August 30th, 2014 at 7:13 PM ^
I can't swear, but did Smith look thicker in the upper body?
August 30th, 2014 at 7:15 PM ^
I couldn't say how his body looked compared to last year or even compared to Green, but he certainly seemed to power through tackles better than Green today.
August 30th, 2014 at 8:11 PM ^
Piano on his back that makes him look thicker.
August 30th, 2014 at 7:12 PM ^
whynotboth.gif
August 30th, 2014 at 7:14 PM ^
But it's really a two-headed monster. There's no clear #1 and there probably won't be. Green had a slow start, but redeemed himself later.
August 30th, 2014 at 7:14 PM ^
I'd say Smith but if they can both play like they did today, the rest of the season, play them both.
Today was the first time since 2007 vs Minnesota where Michigan had a 100-yard rushing duo featuring only RBs.
August 30th, 2014 at 7:20 PM ^
They're both awesome, keep 'em fresh and wreak havoc on defenses.
August 30th, 2014 at 7:13 PM ^
All of them!
Seriously, Smith looked good, but so did Green. Unless you have a Hyde-type who is the de jure starter because of his dominant play, having 2-3 guys who are de facto starters is fine by me. Smith is a bit shiftier, and Green is a bit bigger, though they are able to fill basically the same role. But this offense works fine with two guys, and frankly forcing teams to gameplan for both is not something I'm against.
August 30th, 2014 at 7:15 PM ^
In the spirit of Benjarvis Gree-Ellis, I like DerrickDe'Veon Green-Smith.
August 30th, 2014 at 7:15 PM ^
This!!! Lol
August 30th, 2014 at 7:15 PM ^
I think Smith has better vision but i also think he got the best holes to run through today. So its hard to say. I don't see this back by Committee going away and who cares if we get production.
August 30th, 2014 at 7:15 PM ^
September 2nd, 2014 at 2:06 PM ^
Focus on who is better with no hole. Focus on who is better at finding holes. Its clear as day. We are not going to have holes big enough to drive a mack truck through with our opponents going forward.
August 30th, 2014 at 7:16 PM ^
Nice to rotate both to keep both fresh. If I had to pick 1, Smith just because I'd rather get a consistent 3-4 yds than 1 homerun and a lot of stalls. When holes are there - it just seems like Smith finds them more often. But that could change over time.
For now I think Smith shows better vision and loves contact and seems to always fall forward for an extra yard. Obviously his top end speed lacks but that probably affects 2 plays a game if we are lucky (20-30 yards down the field).
But if we can get 300 yds per game between the 2 of them like today I don't care who starts ;)
August 30th, 2014 at 7:18 PM ^
August 30th, 2014 at 7:19 PM ^
kind of off topic but honestly even hayes and johnson broke off some nice runs. So im thinking the O-line had allot to do with the results today and on that note how about Mason Cole. Helluva debut at LT!
August 30th, 2014 at 7:23 PM ^
I raise my Stone RuinTen IPA in his honor. One mental mistake for a true freshman at the LT is pretty amazing. I think we got a good one here . . .
August 30th, 2014 at 7:30 PM ^
August 30th, 2014 at 11:15 PM ^
When it comes to cooking meat a source of heat is extremely relevant.
August 30th, 2014 at 7:33 PM ^
I want to see Johnson out there every minute of garbage time going forward.
August 30th, 2014 at 7:19 PM ^
August 30th, 2014 at 8:02 PM ^
August 30th, 2014 at 7:20 PM ^