Step back from the ledge

Submitted by drexel on

It seems that some people on these boards are losing it.  Although I had to open my bottle of Knob Creek after the second fumbled kickoff return in the first quarter, I will give some positives I saw from the game:

  • We moved the ball on the ground consistently.  Unfortunately, turnovers (two in the red zone) kept us from scoring points, but I thought the O-Line looked better than last week.  I consider week to week improvement from this group a plust, win or lose. 
  • The Notre Dame offense consisted of two big plays.  Granted nobody wants to give up big plays, but they did not consistently move the ball against our D even if Morgan Trent didn't have his best game.  However, we did seem to miss some tackles.  Maybe this was due to poor footing in the rain?  I'd have to watch the game again.
  • Threet looked much improved from last week, putting balls in catachable places for receivers.  This is what was missing from the Miami game.  I thought he made some big steps today which bodes well for the rest of the season.
  • Clausen's line for the game 10-21, 147, 2td, 2 ints.  If anybody tells me thats Clausen's line before the game, i predict a win.

Some negatives

  • I don't think we're hitting the fade routes the way the coaching staff wantt to.  Our receivers don't seem to hold their vertical route very well and the qb's aren't leading them to their outside shoulder.  This is usually a timing issue that should be correcting with more practice.  We did however hit a couple comebacks and throw the ball well otherwise.
  • Carson Butler in the red zone has got to sit and get his head around faster on that pick in the red zone.  That was a catchable ball delivered on time and should have been caught. 
  • Obviously turnovers cost us today.  Wet conditions with freshman on the field is a recipe for fumbles.  This comes with experience, and is correctable. 

Overall, I think people have to be encouraged going into the big ten schedule.  I think we can still win seven games and get to a bowl game.  I expected the worst today, and I saw improvement despite turnovers.  That may be me being a homer, but I am optimistic about the rest of our schedule.

Comments

cbuswolverine

September 13th, 2008 at 11:24 PM ^

There was a lot of improvement. Take back two of the turnovers and we win this game handily. We're just really young right now. I don't know what people expect. 13 of 19 receptions were by true freshmen. The same goes for 27 of our 35 carries by running backs. With a team this young, I'm looking at the big picture much more than I am at wins and losses at this point. The future is bright.

Joined: 08/14/2008

MGoPoints: 5958

bdubya

September 13th, 2008 at 11:52 PM ^

I completely agree. I hate to lose to the Irish, but if the ball wasn't so slippery, most of the turnovers are gone. The offense looked like they knew what they were doing this week, and McGuffie gives us all something to look forward to.

Side note; why is it that Threet ignored Tacopants almost all day? Are they fighting?

Joined: 07/01/2008

MGoPoints: 153

Ellipses Man

September 14th, 2008 at 1:50 AM ^

I think Donovan Warren needs something. It felt off with him today. Someone should go talk to that young man. I thought it was funny that Brian labeled David Molk as a key factor and then Molk starts the game with a chop block. Hilarious. Was it Molk who had the chop? I could'nt see it where I was at. And with the pass stats by freshman....do you count swing passes as passes? I guess you have to but still. It was Stonum who filled in nicely today. Really those throws to Stonum by Threet were money. ND pretty much avoided Brandon Graham somehow. I do not know if they ran away from or what. 

Joined: 08/09/2008

MGoPoints: 2

mgolund

September 14th, 2008 at 8:40 AM ^

My two younger brothers are ND alums, so the loss was especially painful for me. However, I am encouraged by the team's improvement (minus the fumbles, obviously).

I thought the team moved the ball very well. Although the first INT wasn't Sheridan's fault, I think that Threet needs to be the QB. Threet was decisive and, for the most part, made good decisions. If Michigan eliminate those fumbles, it wins this game.

The defense was harmed by one bad pass interference call, which led to a long touchdown. If you take out the idiotic fumbles and the incompetent officiating, Michigan wins by 10.

I believe that if Michigan can continue to improve as it did yesterday, it can make some noise this year and maybe even make a bowl. Next year, the team could even challenge for the Big 10. I am excited. Go Blue.

Joined: 07/23/2008

MGoPoints: 5145