The Crappy UMass Performance Was A Good Thing
So I know that we are all somewhat down about the team's performance against a clearly inferior team. Me too - very frustrating to watch our defense get shredded by a cupcake team. Also disappointing that until the 4th quarter, our RBs couldn't really take over the game.
That said, I think that over the course of the season, a game like this will help, and not hurt us. Why? Because our team (in particular our defense) is simply not good enough to win without coming out and playing every game as if it is a crucial, season-on-the-line match up. The defense against ND, while nothing to get excited about, was mediocre. This is their ceiling, but withour offense, a mediocre defense should be enough for us to beat all of the "easy" teams and at least hang with the harder teams such as OSU, Wisco, Iowa and PSU.
Michigan was picked by just about everyone to be a bad team this year. After the 2-0 start against decent teams, and the Denard for Heisman hype, it is always possible for a team - especially a young team - to start buying into its own press. A game like this, where we won by less than a TD, our defense sucked and our special teams were crappy, should help keep the team grounded and hungry. Look at Craig Roh's statement - he acknowledged that they played like crap and vowed never to let it happen again. An admission that Michigan came out soft and an indication that the team gets it.
I would expect to see the team come out fired up next week, (even though it is only Bowling Green), and to carry that intensity into Big Ten play.
September 20th, 2010 at 11:30 AM ^
some good things:
1) one RB had a good game, ran well, did some things
2) no major injuries
3) lots of teachable moments for the defense
4) a win
5) denard showed he could throw some deep balls with "touch"
6) another gritty effort from Kovacs
small bad things:
1) kicking is very poor - punt block gets short field for umass, missed field goal, not very good on kickoffs
2) cam gordon interception with 4 minutes left - HOLD ON TO THE DAMN BALL.
September 20th, 2010 at 11:47 AM ^
Taylor Lewan looks like he adds a dimension at Left Tackle as well.
Better cleaning up the bad against Bowling Green for Indiana rather than being surprised by it in Bloomington or at home against MSU. Definitely a Saturday well spent, but hard to watch at times.
September 20th, 2010 at 11:48 AM ^
Every year, nearly every team looks past an opponent. It's impossible to get up for EVERY SINGLE GAME. It's just human nature, no matter how much the coaches preach about "not looking past anybody."
We looked past UMass after two emotional wins. I'd be willing to bet some of the boys were up past their bedtimes on Thursday night. It happens. We came out with a win. It's a lesson that hopefully pays dividends over the next 3-9 weeks.
Next.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:28 PM ^
we gashed your defense you abused our secondary. why try to pretend other wise?
September 20th, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^
This is the type of game that teams rally around and showing we can survive it will definately help us. What doesnt kill you makes you stronger, and a bad win is always better than any loss.
September 20th, 2010 at 12:16 PM ^
Playing poorly doesn't mean you will now play great "because you learned" or "you got it out of your system".
By this logic, we should have done great after last year's stinker squeaker at home vs Indiana.
Previous games have no bearing on the outcome of future games IMO.
September 20th, 2010 at 12:50 PM ^
What they were saying was that surviving a scare like that against a weaker opponent will help them focus on the remaining games on the schedule.
September 20th, 2010 at 12:16 PM ^
Great thread, thanks for posting. This is a completely different situation than Post-Indiana game from last year. I think many of our questions relating to our team weakness will be answered during the Michigan State game. In the interim, I am going to keep enjoying the ride.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^
did you just call a team that went into your stadium and ran the ball down your throat for 439 ttl yards, 37 points and 26 first downs a cup cake?
oh well we've got jmu in a few weeks....maybe you can ask Vtech about that cream puff.
September 20th, 2010 at 2:17 PM ^
I will say that it's pretty stupid of us to still call your team a "cupcake" after that game. I was impressed with your talent, playcalling and execution on offense. Some people here can't get past the FCS thing (even though we of all programs should know that there are teams in that classification that can play). I'm curious to see how your team does the rest of the year.
September 20th, 2010 at 2:34 PM ^
but a deadly cupcake with frosting made out of powdered swords
September 20th, 2010 at 8:19 PM ^
Rich Rod's comment about the locker room being the quietest winning locker room ever sums it all up for me. Yes, it was a very disappointing win, but it will only help us. Don't get me wrong, I loved the way we came out strong this season, but we all knew we still had major things to work on (cough cough DEFENSE). I will agree, however, that UMass was a solid team, and Kyle Havens had some serious skill. That being said, we should have maintained at least a 10 point lead. Overall, I am ready to use Bowling Green to develop, and I have positive feelings about the rest of our schedule. Especially MSU. C'mon, guys. They have beaten Western, FLA ATL, ND (who we also beat!), and Northern Colorado next week. That speaks nothing to me! WE CAN DO THIS!