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2022 penn state

WTKA Roundtable 10/20/2022: Always Be Woofin' Comment Count

Seth October 20th, 2022 at 10:25 AM

Things discussed:

  • JJ McCarthy's legs and the whole suite of offense.
  • Penn State couldn't do anything right vs the run. Gambled wrong, went upfield when Michigan was prepared for that.
  • Michigan was SO PREPARED. Defensively they knew exactly what they were doing, had seen everything PSU does and was prepared for it.
  • Diaz does that, trading chunks for TFLs, but they got so consistently gashed for it in return for a few 2nd and 10s.
  • Breaking down the one long run: that LT made the play by realizing something was up in time. Not mad at Barrett.
  • The 4th and 6: Right play from a design standpoint, wrong play in that Mike Sainristil is too good to put your game on. Better at coverage than Dax? Grading that way.
  • Tunnel kerfuffle: Franklin has to say something. If he doesn't want those players he's got from Detroit, send 'em back. He's been good because he gets good assistants but those guys (Pry, Moorhead, Gattis, Banks) are all gone now and they're left with his contract.
  • MSU: Got Slade back which changes how they can play run defense but that secondary hasn't gotten better. Graham Mertz was terrible.

[Hit the JUMP for the player, and video and stuff]

You can catch the entire episode on Michigan Insider's podcast stream.

Segment two is here. You can watch the video here:

The Usual Links:

Until someone starts throwing a projectile that is not soft and delicious we're gonna let it ride.

Comments

lhglrkwg

October 20th, 2022 at 11:42 AM ^

I find this highly amusing

  • Penn State couldn't do anything right vs the run. Gambled wrong, went upfield when Michigan was prepared for that.
  • Michigan was SO PREPARED. Defensively they knew exactly what they were doing, had seen everything PSU does and was prepared for it.

Klatt kept talking during the Indiana game about how Franklin was using his bye week to sit on the couch and watch how predictable Michigan was and he rolled into Ann Arbor and got smoked on both sides of the ball 

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TESOE

October 20th, 2022 at 12:06 PM ^

A lot of first half Indiana is revealed.

Not to look past MSU, but... Illinois. Coaching/Scouting time is limited.

So far, this staff has done what it takes. Beat Sparty!

Go Blue!

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 8494

jwfsouthpaw

October 20th, 2022 at 12:18 PM ^

The observation that Michigan's defense is on par with last year's defense through 7 games is really something. The defense lost a pair of 1st-round defensive line talents, a senior and long-time starting linebacker, and a 1st round safety (who has been replaced by a converted slot receiver) and hasn't seemed to miss a step despite also having a new defensive coordinator.

The worst thing you can say about the defense to this point is maybe that they've given up really late scores to Maryland and Iowa to make those games look more competitive than they were? So far, so good at least.

Joined: 01/14/2009

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Blinkin

October 20th, 2022 at 1:46 PM ^

I think the jury's still out on the pass rush, simply because they have yet to face a really quality OL (except MAYBE Maryland?).  To me that's still a question mark.  On the other hand, the pass coverage capabilities in the secondary seem to be improved from last year, which buys a little more time for the pass rush to get home.

Joined: 08/17/2022

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Vote_Crisler_1937

October 20th, 2022 at 1:09 PM ^

This blog has spent a lot of time discussing how fades and back shoulder throws are low percentage plays. Anecdotally, my feelings ball take is that Indiana, MSU, and Penn St. (not the Sainristil play but the completion for 50 yards) seem to connect on fades, back shoulder throws, and jump balls against Michigan. 
 

I get Brian’s point that it’s not working because MSU is 3-4 but that feels overly reductive to say because their defense and running game have been bigger problems and Reed has been hurt. 
 

I hope Minter has included an effective game plan for these routes. 2020’s version of it (not Minter, I know) felt like just hoping they wouldn’t connect - which is not a plan. 

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