Utah Open Thread Comment Count

Brian

You can comment on the post if you like as we wait for the WLA to arrive, should be around 3. Excelsior! Or Yakety Sax, we’ll see.

Comments

Tim Waymen

August 31st, 2008 at 5:33 PM ^

I was so pissed yesterday, asking pointed questions at the TV time and time again, why won't you just f'ing play Carlos f'ing Brown, RichRod! He is the best of the RBs, goddammit.  Well, a Rivals article seems to say that Carlos Brown was sidelined by a shoulder injury.  Well that really sucks.  I hope he comes back soon.

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=844449

And OMG had Bass never gotten injured, things would be different, although the O-line has work to do.  But would RR be here had Bass been healthy last year?  I say yes, because Lloyd was going to retire regardless of what happened last year, Horror or not.  Bass is our John Connor.

gsimmons85

August 31st, 2008 at 5:50 PM ^

RR said that in his press conference... any word on mathews?  it looked bad to me....  he also said something about hemmingway

 

i got some stuff up on my site if anyone is interested...

Tim Waymen

August 31st, 2008 at 5:57 PM ^

DAMN YOU MICHIGAN-HATING GOD!!!

Btw random thought, but I was a little put off by Kyle Whittingham saying that the game should not have been as close as it was.  I understand that he was talking about his team making mistakes, but it strikes me as lacking class by effectively saying, "You may have almost come back, but we beat you by more than you think."  I'm not so insulted (it's just a game), and I could be overreacting.  I just don't think Lloyd Carr would say something like that, although maybe he did after we beat Florida?  I don't really like Whittingham to begin with though.  I guess I sort of expect Utah coaches to be obnoxious.

Ellipses Man

August 31st, 2008 at 6:27 PM ^

I was surrounded by so many "fans" like that yesterday gsimmons. One guy goes,"Why are you cheering, were losing." I will own stock in Michigan Football no matter what their output. Thanks for the play by play breakdown on your website.

Tim Waymen

August 31st, 2008 at 7:41 PM ^

That really bothers me. I can't believe that fans told you that. I was watching the game on TV and I was just in disbelief over how quiet the stadium was. And I wonder how bad it might make us look to recruits who are visiting...Devin Gardner, Craig Roh, Tate (doesn't matter since he committed).  Who gets psyched playing for that kind of crowd?  The Michigan fanbase could also use a makeover.

Emil Faber

August 31st, 2008 at 7:55 PM ^

also watched the first half on TV this morning.  The TV sound did not do the crowd noise justice.  The TV people had it dialed down.  Why the TV people think their noise is more important than crowd noise is beyond me.

Ellipses Man

August 31st, 2008 at 6:19 PM ^

I still think, from a fan's perspective that this is a fun year. So many people go to these games because of some sort of need for pedigree or need for prestige. The whiners want the pedigree, the fans of michigan football just want to see the team they cheer for execute and play a good game. One style of fan feeds off of the tradition and one makes it. Fans need to question their own depth. I thought Michigan fought. That in itself is a Victory. Also the coach for Utah, his comments were acceptable but not needed. Yes they could've won by more. But yes they committed a lot of penalties. My question is did the game clock expire on the 1st half 7 minute field goal for Utah. I thought it had expired by 3-5 seconds. I did not record the game otherwise I'd check it. It's time for everyone involved with the program and even the fans to realize there will be no big rewards and the effort needed will be tremendous. That's what starting over is all about.

Nick

August 31st, 2008 at 7:34 PM ^

what was our starting center-right guard combo - Molk/Moosman??  I was at the game and couldnt tell b/c i didnt know their numbers.  I know they sucked though.

BILG

August 31st, 2008 at 8:40 PM ^

While a new QB that fits the system is what will be needed to get over
the top and become elite.....First, To be respectable, consistent, and
steady....we need a strong O-line.  It will take time for these guys to
develop into the system, but we should at least be able run the ball
once the O-line is decent. 

The defense should be fine this year.  It took them one half to find
their stride, and then they played great in the second half against a
very  efficient Utah offense that runs a system that has historically
given Michigan fits.  The D-line and secondary looked impressive in the
second half, and Ezeh looked quick at linebacker.  

Call me crazy.....I would not be surprised if what we see at the end
of the year is a completely different team than what we see now....One
that keeps the OSU game close and even bides for an upset.

Lastly, this is soooo much more bearable than another wasted
monotonous year of 9-4 or 10-3 under Lloyd, because change is being
installed.  The struggles are well worth it, given that freshmen and
sophomores are getting significant playing time.  Once Forcier or
Beaver is running the offense....next year, I will expect a good year. 
And the following year....With all this year's freshmen as juniors,
should be the year the program ascends, and remains strong for the next
decade.

cpaul302

August 31st, 2008 at 9:34 PM ^

Why did we wait until the second half to switch our defense? We were running a very soft zone the entire first half, which left the flats WIDE OPEN. Any pass 7 yards or shorter was a free play. Our corners were playing 9 yards off for the zone.

We finally fixed it the second defensive series of the second half, and the entire complextion of the game changed. Ezeh got that pick (he was still in zone on that tipped ball) because they started jamming the wideouts.

Defensive ends. Our defensive ends were taking VERY wide paths the first half. The second half we started to just push the tackles in to shrink that pocket. FINALLY.

First Downs. Did anyone else notice how many people Utah kept in the box on first downs?! Always at least 7. For the love of god, throw the ball downfield on a first down!

gsimmons85

August 31st, 2008 at 9:39 PM ^

they didnt switch defenses they shured up their coverage.... press or no press, it wasnt the secondary that was gettign burnt, save for one  brown miscue....      we played almost the exact same schemes in the second half just executed better.  Like i have said the first half wasnt as bad on the defense as people think... check out my website for a bit more....

we jumped routes better in the 2nd half...  

 

cpaul302

August 31st, 2008 at 10:45 PM ^

they definitely started running more man to man in the second half. i was pretty sloshed the entire time, but they adjusted at halftime.

 

explain how the first half wasn't as bad as we're thinking. we were definitely playing "bend don't break" ball. how many yards in the first half compared to the second half?

gsimmons85

August 31st, 2008 at 11:19 PM ^

you are right,  im sure i have no idea what im talking about, my apologizes...

 they zone blitzed the ENTIRE game, they played some man to man in the second half, not a ton.... they played some in the first half, not a ton...  they were playing man on the flair route up the sideline, that our olb had no chance on, went for about 50... 

differnces was holding inside verticals of number 2 and 3s,  and jumping qb arm motion on the zone blitzes...  but whatever,  im sorry i questioned your analysis, im sure it was spot on..

cpaul302

September 1st, 2008 at 12:18 AM ^

overreaction maybe?

 I read parts of your blog, and if im being "irrational" by questioning how much they pressed the wideouts the second half, then I apologize, I truely do.

 After reading your blog, i also found that youd be watching the tape again. I don't know what you'll be looking for, but maybe a tally comparing how much they pressed by half?

 furthermore, i never questioned how much they blitzed, im questioning why so soft on the outside? Nor did I question linebacker play. 

 Get some rest coach, only a few more days and you'll have another game to critique.

 Same team simmons, same team!

 Big House in 6 days!

fender36

August 31st, 2008 at 11:05 PM ^

On the the long throw from Sheridan to Mathews did the entire offensive line remain in their stance for the whole play? I saw it the first time and thought I was seeing things so I rewound and sure enough as you see sheridan throwing the camera pans to follow the ball and there is the entire o-line just perfectly motionless. Was that planned? I have never seen anything like that before.

gsimmons85

August 31st, 2008 at 11:15 PM ^

snaped the ball becasue the dl jumped into the nuetral zone... the refs missed it twice.   the ol doesnt move so as not to ruin the fact that you are running a free play, dont want any offseting penalties,  you roll the qb out, because he wont have any protection....  thats why you are not afraid to sling it into coverage, its suppose to be a free play....

ts

September 1st, 2008 at 10:30 AM ^

gsimmons, I tried to read your analysis but it's really hard to follow without down and distance. From my layman's perspective, it looked like our vaunted d-line just got flat out blocked on passing plays for 30 minutes.

I understand that you're saying the difference between their play in the 1st and 2nd halves was more about execution than any schematic adjustments. You also seem to be saying that the defense performed fairly well overall and that you're not really concerned about this lack of execution. Does that mean that you're chalking it up to first-game rust instead of something that could reemerge later like lack of concentration or motivation?

The d-line's performance in the 1st half was the most disappointing thing about this game for me so I'd really like to hear an informed explanation for why their QB had so much time to sit in the pocket during the first half, even in obvious passing situations.

Edit: I'm watching the game again and BJ didn't really have as much time as it seemed when I was watching live. He's getting rid of the ball quickly and scrambling to buy time when he needs to. I'm feeling a lot better about the d-line and a lot worse about the outside linebacker play the more I watch.

Tim Waymen

September 1st, 2008 at 11:07 AM ^

Exactly.  One problem was that his release was so quick.  Compare his release time to that of our QBs. Then I was surprised when they began to run all over the D in the 2nd quarter, but those issues pretty much disappeared in the second half.

Here's hoping that our QBs and o-line improve.