Upon Further Review: Offense vs Michigan State Comment Count

Brian

Hooray another one of these!

Having some video issues at the moment; a couple are up and seven more are coming; will get them up ASAP.

<></>
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
M25 1 10 Shotgun 4-wide Base 4-3 Run Zone read dive Minor 1
Okay, Michigan State's crappy cornerbacks are going to press our crappy receivers all day and not get hurt by it, which will be a major factor in the bubble screen's ineffectiveness. Anyway, on this play State is slanting right to the direction of the play, robbing Schilling of any angle to block a DT lined up inside of him. Also, MSU appears to be timing the snap, as will become relevant later. The DT beats Schilling to the spot and Minor is tackled at the LOS.
M26 2 9 Shotgun empty Base 4-3 Pass Cross Rogers Inc
I think this might be an attempted pick play? Minor sort of runs at the DB, but he might be stumbling, as Rogers comes across. Threet stares it down, drawing coverage, and throws it to Rogers a yard downfield; ball is dropped. Ortmann(-2) totally smoked by a blindside rusher, BTW, though it turned out to not be relevant. (CA, 3, protection 0/2, Ortmann -2)
M26 3 9 Shotgun 2-back 3-3-5 Nickel Pass Sack -- -7
First of many incidents where MSU is offsides; this one goes uncalled as it's a bang-bang thing. The offsides guy sacks Threet. Schilling at fault, I guess, but it's hard when the other guy has a head start. (PR, 0, protection 0/2, Schilling -2)
Drive Notes: Punt, 0-7, 11 min 1st Q.
M12 1 10 Ace Base 4-3 Run Dive Minor 3
Gap-blocked with a pulling lineman(!). Good call on this that immediately creases the DTs wide and provides blockers for all three linebackers; Molk(-2) is beaten badly by the MLB and Minor goes down after only a few.
M15 2 7 Shotgun trips Base 4-3 Pass Bubble screen Odoms 0
One LB flared out very, very wide a la Illinois; he pushes his guy to about the LOS and forces Odoms inside, where a linebacker takes care of him. 1) Odoms should have shot outside of Koger, where there was more room. 2) Michigan has to come up with a counterpunch to this. (CA, 3, screen)
M15 3 7 Shotgun empty 3-3-5 Nickel Pass Hitch Mathews 14
Another instance where the DE is offsides; no call. Threet drops back as State shoots upfield; he finds a gap in the pocket and moves up through the pass rush, rolling out and finding Mathews for a first down. Good play from him. (DO, 3, protection 1/2, team -1)
M29 1 10 Shotgun trips Base 4-3 Run QB off tackle Threet 7
Basically the same play that was in picture pages last week only with a lead blocker. Key to the play is Moosman(+1) getting playside of the backside DE, providing Threet a cutback lane when the intended hole does not develop.
M36 2 3 Shotgun trips Base 4-3 Pass Bubble screen Odoms 7
Same setup as the earlier, unsuccessful bubble; this time Odoms takes it outside of the other slot receiver and finds good yardage for a first down. (CA, 3, screen)
M43 1 10 Shotgun 2-back Base 4-3 Run Yakety sax Minor -6
Exchange is fumbled.
M37 2 16 Shotgun 2-back Base 4-3 Penalty Offsides -- 5
State has obviously been jumping the snap; this time Molk lifts his head and waits, drawing a DT offsides.
M42 2 11 Shotgun 2-back Base 4-3 Pass Wheel Minor Inc (Pen +10)
Minor exits the backfield on a wheel route; the LB blasts him before the ball gets back. Looked catchable otherwise. (CA, 0, protection 2/2)
O48 1 10 Shotgun 2-back Base 4-3 Run Triple option pitch McGuffie 3
State offsides again; no call, again. Michigan goes with the option; Threet pulls it out after sucking the DE inside. Ortmann(-2) took a poor angle downfield, though, and the MLB beats him, prompting Threet to pitch it despite a State LB having decent contain. The corner reads it, coming up to contain and hold down the gain.
O45 2 7 Shotgun 2-back Base 4-3 Run Zone read stretch McGuffie 6
Successful scoop on the frontside DT gets him sealed and creases the line; McGuffie finds the hole and shoots up into it, approaching first down yardage by the time state's safeties and whatnot converge. McGuffie's hit, and concussed, fumbling.
Drive Notes: Fumble, 0-7, 3 min 1st Q.
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
O18 1 10 Shotgun 2-back Base 4-3 Run QB off tackle Threet -1
Moundros as an H-back. Here Molk most certainly does not get his reach block; he's blown back and the DT gets playside of him, flowing to the hole and tackling.
O19 2 11 Shotgun 2-back Base 4-3 Pass Rollout wheel Odoms Inc
Michigan rolls the pocket and runs the wheel again, but the field is compressed here and there's a safety waiting on it; could be intercepted but is dropped. (BR, 0, protection 1/1)
O19 3 11 Shotgun 2-back Base 4-3 Pass Wheel Minor 19
The catch that wasn't. Minor hasn't gotten much separation from the linebacker here; Threet throws it a bit short and to the outside. Minor whips around and catches it, stepping a full yard OOB, but the magic fairy in the review booth gives Michigan a touchdown anyway. I'm filing this incomplete, FWIW. (MA, 1, protection 2/2)
Drive Notes: Touchdown(?), 7-7, 1 min 1st q. Is that the worst touchdown drive in Michigan history there?
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
M26 1 10 Shotgun 2-back Base 4-3 Run Zone read stretch Minor 0
This one is on Threet, as the play is blocked pretty well up front—McAvoy gets enough of the backside DT and Moosman gets enough of the frontside one for there to be a gap—and Minor is just about to burst into the secondary when the backside DE, who had sold out, tackles from behind. Threet needs to keep on this.
M26 2 10 Shotgun 2-back Base 4-3 Run QB draw Threet 2
Ugh... this is going to degenerate into more bitching about officiating than I'm comfortable with, but it looks like Molk is held by the DT on this play and thus can't get out to block MSU's WLB—excellent read by him, FWIW—and thus he can flow unimpeded to Threet, tackling near the LOS.
M28 3 8 Shotgun empty 3-3-5 Nickel Pass Post Odoms Inc
Again State jumps right at the snap; this one looks onside. Moosman has something of a tough time with the early-mover, who ends up lunging at Threet just as he throws, knocking this open post route off. (BA, 0, protection 1/2, Moosman -1)
Drive Notes: Punt, 7-7, 10 min 2nd Q.
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
M10 1 10 Shotgun Big Base 4-3 Run Zone read stretch Minor 1
Moosman(-1) and McAvoy(-1) both get beat by slanting DTs and Minor has to attempt to shoot outside everyone to pick up yards; this does not so much work. Looks like that Wisconsin game a few years ago where Hart was dancing in the backfield every play.
M11 2 9 Shotgun Big Base 4-3 Run Zone read stretch Minor 5
This one looks like it's got a chance to break bigger than it actually does as the DT over Molk takes his first step upfield; he ends up sealed out of the play. Moosman has a free release on the MLB, who drives him back, fights to the correct side of the blocker, and forces the hole small enough for the DE to come off his block and tackle.
M16 3 4 Shotgun empty Base 4-3 Pass Hitch Mathews Inc
State sends six, so the DBs know Michigan has to get rid of it quick, and Threet stares Mathews down from the snap, prompting a CB to jump the route. This is close to a pick-six. (BR, 0, protection N/A)
Drive Notes: Punt, 7-7, 6 min 2nd Q.
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
M5 1 10 I-Form twins Base 4-3 Run Iso Minor 3
Could go for a few more, but Molk(-1) loses control of the DT and he tackles a yard downfield or so.
M8 2 7 I-Form Base 4-3 Pass Wheel Moundros Int
I mean, this is just horrible. Nice pocket, Threet can step up into it, and he throws to a blanketed Mark Moundros on a wheel route. Koger was coming open on the other side of the field, or he could dump it to Minor, or he could... you know, not throw it to a fullback who's really, really covered. (BR, 0, protection 2/2)
Drive Notes: Interception, 7-7, 4 min 2nd Q>
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
M9 1 10 Shotgun trips Base 4-3 Pass Bubble screen Odoms 7
State sending linebackers up the middle; a good call for their defense. Two defenders out there on two blockers; Babb(-2) completely whiffs on his guy, forcing Odoms inside and holding the gain down. (CA, 3, screen)
M16 2 3 Shotgun trips Base 4-3 Run Zone read keeper Threet 2
Threet finally keeps it and should have easy first down yardage but gets a little goofy and starts trying to juke guys instead of burrowing up for the five yards and being happy with it.
M18 3 1 Shotgun trips Base 4-3 Pass Bubble screen Odoms 6 (Pen -10)
Argh. This goes for a first down but Molk(-600000) holds on a bubble screen, partially because State is again jumping the snap count. (CA, 3, screen)
M8 3 11 Shotgun empty 3-3-5 Nickel Pass Scramble Threet 9
Threet gets spooked by an upfield rush that's well beyond him and scrambles out, getting chopped down short of the first. (TA, 0, protection 1/1)
Drive Notes: Punt, 7-7, 1 min 2nd Q. Dantonio doesn't take TO. WTF?
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
M35 1 10 Shotgun empty Base 4-3 Pass Seam Koger 35
Jeepers. Koger just runs straight down the field, is as your wont on a seam, and Threet lays it right in over the LBs and in front of the safeties. (DO, 3, protection 2/2)
O30 1 10 Shotgun empty Base 4-3 Run QB draw Threet 16
Big hole between Ortmann and McAvoy that Three shoots up into; excellent block from Koger(+1) gives him the corner (along with a little shove from Stonum), the first down, and a bit more.
O14 1 10 Shotgun Big Base 4-3 Pass Flag Odoms Inc (Pen +12)
Odoms' defender never gets his head around and plows Odoms as the ball arrives, drawing PI flags. Ball is thrown too far inside, but catchable if not for the interference. (MA, N/A, protection 2/2)
O2 1 G Shotgun Big Base 4-3 Run Zone read dive Minor 2
Hey, Molk(+1) takes his guy, stands him up, and boots him out of the hole; the other DT gets scooped and that's an easy recipe for a Minor touchdown.
Drive Notes: Touchdown, 14-14, EO1H.
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
M20 1 10 Shotgun trips Base 4-3 Run Zone read dive Minor 5
Gap-blocked, pulling Moosman around Molk, and an effective playcall that only gets cut short because the safeties are jumping up immediately; with State in press coverage and the safeties jumping on first and ten runs Michigan needs to loosen them up, although “with who?” is a good question. Anyway, Minor through a hole, good blocking all around, terrific tackle from the MSU safety to stand Minor up and prevent this from being eight or so.
M25 2 5 Shotgun trips Base 4-3 Pass Bubble screen Odoms Inc
Threet throws it way short; looked like it would work otherwise. (IN, 0, screen)
M25 3 5 Shotgun 2-back Base 4-3 Pass Flag Odoms Inc
Really looped out there, giving the MSU DB time to close and break it up. Wonder if the elbows have anything to do with this. (MA, 1, protection 2/2)
Drive Notes: Punt, 14-14, 14 min 3rd Q.
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
M34 1 10 Shotgun 2-back trips Base 4-3 Run Zone read stretch Minor 1
Hated formation with a WR covered up. On this play the entire State DL pushes the entire Michigan OL into the backfield; it again looks like they're timing Molk's snaps. As a result, Minor has to cut back behind everyone and does well to get back to the LOS.
M35 2 9 Shotgun 2-back Base 4-3 Pass Scramble Threet 6
The zone-read fake where Threet starts shooting backside of the play; Threet doesn't find anyone open but there's no one in his face so he runs a bit. (TA, 0, protection N/A)
M41 3 3 -- -- Penalty Offsides -- 5
See, they're jumpy.
M46 1 10 Shotgun trips Base 4-3 Pass Bubble screen Odoms 3
Koger(-1) driven back badly, forcing Odoms inside of him and holding this gain down. (CA, 3, screen)
M49 2 7 Shotgun trips Base 4-3 Pass Post Clemons 29
They finally go to the misdirection, faking a bubble screen and going to Clemons on a post route. This is actually a great play by the outside corner to read the ball and come up to tackle here or this could be a touchdown; the linebacker to that side got sucked up on the bubble and the safety was beaten by a good five yards. More of this. (DO, 2, protection 2/2)
O22 1 10 Shotgun 3-wide Base 4-3 Run Zone read stretch Minor 20
Quick snap here after the big play—no check with the sidelines. I believe this catches MSU off guard but can't be sure because the quick snap also caught ESPN off guard. When we come back Molk(+1) is crushing an MSU DT to the ground and Minor is about to shoot through the hole provided for major yards.
O2 1 G Shotgun trips Base 4-3 Run QB off tackle Threet 2
Wow, you should watch this just to see Brandon Minor unload on the defensive end. He obliterates the guy, leaving Threet one-on-one with a linebacker at the LOS. Threet hesitates, but manages to power through the tackle and into the endzone.
Drive Notes: Touchdown, 21-14, 10 min 3rd Q. On the replay, Spielman exclaims DOWN GOES FRAZIER! WOO! In re: the Minor block. He's also slyly gotten in some good analysis.
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
M20 1 10 Shotgun 3-wide Base 4-3 Run Zone read stretch Minor 1
Great seal here by Molk(+1) and a big gap for Minor; both McAvoy(-1) and Clemons(-1) whiff on LB blocks and those guys get to Minor just as he gets to the gap.
M21 2 9 Shotgun trips 3-3-5 Nickel Pass Bubble screen Odoms Inc
Michigan catches them in a great call for this as the slot-tasked LB is blitzing; this is a first down easy if Threet doesn't overthrow this by a mile. (IN, 0, screen)
M21 3 9 Shotgun trips 3-3-5 Nickel Pass Sack -- -10
Michigan rolls out, and just gets beat by it. It's amazing. Minor gives the DE a good thump but leaves his feet to do it and he stays on his, so Threet's got three guys in his face; he should still get rid of this and save the ten yards. (BR, 0, protection 0/2, team)
Drive Notes: Punt, 21-14, 6 min 3rd Q.
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
M19 1 10 Shotgun 4-wide Base 4-3 Pass Flare screen Minor 0 (Pen -10)
Well, some problems: 1) Ortmann and McAvoy just run by an MSU linebacker, who shoots in at Minor, 2) Odoms gets beaten by his man, 3) Odoms gets called for holding. Yay. (CA, 3, screen)
M9 1 20 Shotgun empty Base 4-3 Pass Hitch Stonum 5
A short hitch in front of the DB is well thrown and caught; immediate tackle. (CA, 3, protection 1/1)
M14 2 15 Shotgun empty Base 4-3 Penalty False Start Koger -5
I dunno, man, you tell me if you see anyone on Michigan move one inch. Oh, they call it on Koger for leaning forward. Sigh.
M9 2 20 Shotgun empty 3-3-5 Nickel Run QB draw Threet 9
Threet avoids the linebacker sitting unblocked in the middle by using the umpire as a screen and manages to squeeze forward for a good gain.
M18 3 11 Shotgun trips 3-3-5 Nickel Penalty Offsides -- 5
Oops.
M23 3 6 Shotgun 4-wide Pass Sack -- -6
A three-man rush; Ortmann's guy spins inside of him and dives at Threet's feet at the same time Schilling's starts bulling him back; this is more on Ortmann, IMO. (PR, 0, protection 0/3, Ortmann -2, Schilling -1)
Drive Notes: Punt, 21-21, EO3Q.
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
M27 1 10 Shotgun trips Base 4-3 Pass Bubble screen Odoms 7
Man, the LB here even takes two steps the wrong way and Clemons(-1) still completely whiffs on his ass. Odoms(+1) makes him miss, but the delay is the difference between seven yards and twelve. (CA, 3, screen)
M34 2 3 Shotgun 4-wide Base 4-3 Run Zone read stretch Minor 2
Should be an easy first down as Michigan has hurried the tempo and caught MSU in an awkward position with the only DT to the playside lined up nearly over Molk and a pretty easy seal for him; McAvoy(-1) whiffs on the linebacker, turning this from 20 yards into 2.
M36 3 1 I-form 3-wide Base 4-3 Run Iso Minor 6
Good block by Moosman holds off that DT just enough and Moundros(+1) blows the linebacker back, providing a good hole for Minor to hit for the first.
M42 1 10 Shotgun 4-wide Base 4-3 Run Zone read stretch Minor 1
Christ, man, I am beginning to understand why earlier this year they went through four different guys trying to find a left guard. Molk(+1) seals a DT like two plays ago, again gets Minor a good crease, and McAvoy again whiffs on the linebacker.
M43 2 9 Shotgun 4-wide Base 4-3 Pass TE out Koger 6
Open, as they're trying to play a zone here and the CB has been driven off by a deeper route; Koger brings himself to a halt, though, and tries to cut back against a guy trailing him, which doesn't work out very well If he had just cut it up the sideline this would be another 3-4 yards and something near a first down. (CA, 3, protection 1/1)
M49 3 3 Shotgun 4-wide Base 4-3 Pass Fly Mathews Inc
This is the “freeze” play on which an MSU defender is vastly offsides and there is no call. We don't even get a replay; from the stands this was way obvious. Not charting this.
Drive Notes: Anger, Punt, 21-21, 10 min 4th Q.
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
M30 1 10 Shotgun 4-wide Base 4-3 Pass Wheel Clemons Int
Thrown directly at an MSU player and intercepted. (BR, 0, protection 2/2)
Drive Notes: Interception, 21-28, 6 min 4th Q.
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
M42 1 10 Shotgun empty 3-3-5 Nickel Pass Sack -- -8
A three man rush and the protection's pretty decent, actually, it's just that as Threet steps up into the pocket some guy reaches out and grabs his collar, causing him to fall. (Not a horsecollar tackle since the rules specifically omit QBs in the pocket and RBs between the tackles, FWIW.) Actually, as I watch it again Ortmann(-2) beaten pretty badly. (PR, 0, protection 0/2, Ortmann -2)
M34 2 18 Shotgun empty 3-3-5 Nickel Pass Deep hitch Odoms Int
Again thrown directly at a State player. Woo. (BR, 0, protection 2/2). Said player fumbles it back to Michigan, though.
Drive Notes: Interception, 21-35, 2 min 4th Q.
Ln Dn Ds O Form D Form Type Play Player Yards
M32 1 10 Shotgun empty 3-3-5 Nickel Pass Deep hitch Odoms 18
State rushing three all the time now—makes sense given the situation, this is a good spot for prevent—and so Threet can step up and loop one to Odoms, which he catches just in front of a DB, stepping OOB. (CA, 2, protection 2/2)
50 1 10 Shotgun empty 3-3-5 Nickel Pass Deep hitch Rogers 19
Pretty crappy coverage by State here, allowing Michigan to run 15 yards downfield and covering neither Odoms nor Rogers; Threet again wobbles one out there. (CA, 3, protection 2/2)
O31 1 10 Shotgun trips 3-3-5 Nickel Run Zone read dive Minor 4
WTF? You know you're down two touchdowns here, right? Threet doesn't hold the DE outside enough for Minor to get by him.
O27 2 6 Shotgun empty 3-3-5 Nickel Pass Fly Rogers Inc
Schilling(-2) beaten outside by the DE, who hits Threet as he throws; ball is long and Rogers was double-covered anyway. No idea what to chart this as, but: (TA, 0, protection 0/2, Schilling -2)
O27 3 6 Shotgun empty 3-3-5 Nickel Pass Post Stonum Inc
Threet has Stonum open for a second but throws it late-ish, allowing a safety to break on it. I still gets there and hits Stonum in the chest; he drops it. (DO, 3, protection 2/2)
O27 4 6 Shotgun empty 3-3-5 Nickel Pass Fly Mathews Inc
Threet chucks it to a double-covered Mathews, well out of the endzone. (BR, 0, protection 2/2)
Drive Notes: Turnover on downs, 21-35, EOG.

Let's get this over with. Chart?

Chart.

As always, the Threetsheridammit chart legend.

STEVEN THREET

Opponent DO CA MA IN BR TA BA PR
Utah 1 11 N/A 5 1 3 2 1
Miami (NTM) - 6 N/A 4 1 - 2 -
Notre Dame 3 12 N/A 5 2 1 - -
Wisconsin 1 15 N/A 9 3 7 2 1
Illinois 3 18 N/A 7 3 4 2 3
Toledo 1 6 N/A 3 1 1 - -
Penn State 2 5 1 1 1 3 - 2
Michigan State 4 13 3 2 7 3 1 3

Eight of those CAs were screens, FWIW, so this is not as good a day as it appears, especially because something like five of those BRs were balls thrown directly at State defensive backs. Our downfield ratio (with MAs dropped, as those were about 50-50 CA/IN earlier): 36%. You just can't sustain an offense on that.

So, yeah, ugly, ugly performance from Threet, back on the downswing from a good half against Penn State. I don't think this is all on his head, though. As Sean McDonough noted, it looked like Threet was really looping passes out to his receivers. He reminded me of no one so much as deposed Auburn starter Chris Todd, who can rainbow slants. I saw it, man.

Anyway, that elbow is obviously still bothering Threet.

Yeah, what was the deal with all the balls thrown directly at MSU players?

You'll note that with one exception those were all wheel routes; the Minor "touchdown" was also a well-covered wheel route; so was the pass interference on Minor.

Obviously 1) M loves wheel routes, as anyone who's watched them this year knows, and 2) MSU spent a lot of time in practice working on them.

And what was the deal with all the offsides?

This actually came up in a mailbag earlier this year, at which point I said this…

I’m pretty sure Michigan isn’t using no snap count whatsoever, it’s just that the count is silent. DEs don’t have license to time the snap with impunity. There will be variable pauses between the clap and the snap.

…and promptly forgot about it.

As we now know, there weren't really variable pauses between the hand clap and the snap, which allowed Michigan State to jump the snap count time and again to mostly good effect. They picked up a few offsides calls, but they also got incompletions, stuffed runs, and sacks because their guys were moving before Michigan's OL could even get out of their stances. They were offsides on another two or three plays, but didn't get called for it.

These two things indicate anything to you?

I don't like deploying the word "outcoached" because it's code for "I am a mouthbreather who listens to sports talk radio and my team done losted; I have a picture of Calvin peeing on something on my car." It, like "special," has been used so many times and so incorrectly that the term has lost all meaning.

But?

But! It's clear Michigan State was very well prepared to play this edition of Michigan; they scouted out all the wheels and such and timed the snap counts and exploited Michigan's tendencies on offense wickedly. (On defense, OTOH, Michigan broke tendencies and largely played well save for four enormous errors turned in by Stevie Brown and Boubacar Cissoko.)

Aside from varying the snap count a little and picking up those offsides calls, Michigan could do little about it.

I'm not happy about that but neither am I surprised; given the stuff Michigan's been working through this year on offense they don't have the opportunity to put in cute packages every week. The coaching staff is not focused on self-scouting, which was to their detriment in this game.

I mentioned this in the Penn State UFR: Michigan is getting shut down because their offense is not diverse enough. They add in a new package of stuff, like the wheels against ND and the MINOR RAGE against Penn State, and it works for a while because it's new; then the opponent adjusts and that's gone; Michigan isn't consistent enough at any one part of their offense to force teams into uncomfortable situations as they try to defend it. This was the hope of Minor Rage after the Penn State game; it did not work out.

So why are you not calling for the head of Magee and Rodriguez like you did Mike Debord?

Mike Debord had a record of failure when he arrived at Michigan and was working with veteran editions of Manningham, Hart, et al. He had a ton more talent, a ton more experience, and frittered it away. Yes, this absolutely goes for times Chad Henne was in the game; it goes for 2006 and Debord's first go-round at Michigan.

Rodriguez, on the other hand, has coached explosive offenses wherever he's been for ten years, and he's working with an absolute dearth of talent and experience on his side of the ball. Before the season I thought they might be okay, but as soon as the Utah game rolled around I drastically reduced expectations; there they remain.

There is plenty of evidence Rodriguez will turn things around soon enough. There was even more evidence Mike Debord was a poor choice. One season in the most trying of circumstances does not invalidate a decade of success.

Uh, more charts, right?

Yeah, more charts. Receivers:

(remember: 0 is uncatchable, 1 is a circus catch, 2 is a somewhat difficult one, and 3 is a routine one)

This Game Totals
Player 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3
Clemons - - 1/1 1/1 3 - 1/3 7/7
Stonum - - - 1/2 4 0/3 3/3 6/7
Mathews 1 - - 1/1 7 2/6 4/6 14/15
Hemingway - - - - 1 0/2 2/2 -
Odoms 3 0/1 1/1 4/4 14 0/2 4/5 26/28
Babb - - - - - 0/1 1/1 1/1
Savoy - - - - - - - 1/2
Rogers - - - 1/2 - - - 2/3
Butler - - - - 2 1/1 0/1 2/2
Koger - - - 2/2 3 0/1 2/2 3/4
McGuffie - - - - 3 - 2/2 15/15
Brown - - - - - - - 3/3
Shaw - - - - - - - 4/4
Minor 1 0/1 - 1/1 3 0/2 1/2 4/4
Moundros 1 - - - 3 - - 1/1

An okay day, with the one big drop from Stonum that would have provided Michigan a (likely meaningless) touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

And PROTECTION METRIC: 34/47. Ortmann –6, Schilling –5, Team –1, Moosman –1. Note that the tackles were often put in tough spots by the snap-jumping. Also note that a lot of this was against three-man rushes and the overall picture was pretty grim.

You mentioned something about bitching about the officiating?

Okay, I in no way want this to be construed as something that affected the game's outcome. Michigan picked up a free touchdown and was lucky to be even close at the end of the game.

Anyway: holy crap. Awful. Not only did Jim Augustyne manage to top himself, but the officials missed three offsides calls on Michigan State and called a ridiculous PI on Harrison on State's go ahead touchdown drive. I'm just mad at the state of officiating in the league, which on this day was probably a net benefit for Michigan.

Heroes?

Uh… I'm looking and I have nothing. Minor did okay, I guess, not fumbling and taking the yards he was provided but he was robbed of a number of opportunities to gash big gains by poor blocking. Odoms continues to prove himself the best receiver on the team. I thought Molk and Moosman were all right.

Goats?

The left side of the line is killing Michigan; I'd be surprised to see Ortmann keep his job once Dorrestein his healthy, and they've been trying to replace McAvoy all year. Threet had a poor day, and Stonum's drops are becoming a concern.

What does it mean blah?

This is not a good offense, and the only salvation is next year.

Comments

tbliggins

October 29th, 2008 at 5:11 PM ^

Given all the other issues with the offense I doubt it would really make much of a difference, but they do miss Hemingway more than I would have thought.  A hobbled Matthews and shaky Stonum have given them 0 deep threats in the past month.

Tim Waymen

October 29th, 2008 at 5:16 PM ^

I agree.  If you have an offense that lacks experience and talent (I wouldn't say that the offense is bereft of talent, but it doesn't have the talent that compensates for the lack of experience), then you are going to limited in what you can do.  And if your offense lacks variety, then it will be predictable and the opposing defense should only have to be able to take care of a small number of plays. Things can be rectified by excellent execution, but I think that the team is incapable.  I think that the offense has gotten a little better with the ability to score early in the game, but the rest is up to the defense.

The defense is a disappointment.  It just sucks that the defense couldn't play as well as we all hoped and expected.  But how is it that they are just so bad at tackling?  Damn you Michigan-hating god!

Tim Waymen

October 29th, 2008 at 5:18 PM ^

I have a question.  I was wondering, is it possible that the defense suffers because it doesn't have much of an offense to work with in practice?  I mean, they're not exactly practicing with Vince Young at QB.  I don't know.

Enjoy Life

October 29th, 2008 at 6:58 PM ^

The quality of a defense is NOT, NOT, NOT related to the quality of the offense!!!

They usually don't face each other in practice. The defense plays against the SCOUT team that emulates the offense for the next game.

Same for the offense.

Take a look at college or NFL. Great defenses often have offenses that TOTALLY SUCK.

 

Enjoy Life

October 29th, 2008 at 7:36 PM ^

How good do you think the second team offense of a "traditional offense" would be trying to emulate the spread option (i.e. M second string offense last year emulating the spread option of Illinois). Illinois only got 253 total yards last year.

 

NateNYC

October 29th, 2008 at 5:20 PM ^

Dantonio had coached against RR while at Cincinnati (albeit with little success) so he's had a little added experience preparing for RR's offense. 

West Texas Blue

October 29th, 2008 at 5:28 PM ^

McAvoy and Ortmann will be done for next year; Barnum will replace McAvoy at LG starting next year and Dorrenstein will replace Ortmann when he gets healthy and expect O'Neil to make a strong push to capture the starting LT spot by mid season next year. 

readyourguard

October 29th, 2008 at 8:54 PM ^

I read Minor's quotes in the Free Press a couple days ago.  Basically, he said the offense gets complacent or "lackadasical" when the team has the lead.  I attribute that to one thing:  lack of senior leadership on the offense.  We don't have anyone who has "been there."  There's noone to grab a couple facemasks and say, "THIS IS WHERE WE WIN THE GAME."

 

We have an enormous payback list starting with the Irish and continuing on with those ham and eggers from East Lansing and their stupid fucking billboard.

 

Death to Sparty!

Wide Open

October 30th, 2008 at 5:01 AM ^

....and their billboard and their way-more-overpriced-than-MGoStore-with lesser-quality t-shirts. The way they behave is real funny sometimes.  Remember: pride comes before the fall.

Oh wait, it's MSU...they're used to falling.