David Pollack: Michigan Doesn't have Enough Dynamic Offensive Weapons to Beat Alabama
This morning on Mike&Mike, David Pollack, in discussing the upcoming CFP rankings, was asked which team could theoretically beat Alabama. His reponse when it came to Michigan's chances, was that they did not have enough dynamic threats on offense to challenge Alabama. This seems like extreme SEC based logic, and sounds very much like a man who hasn't spent a lot of time watching Michigan play this year. I'm not going to say we can beat Alabama quite yet, but to say that we don't have the weapons to do so is absurd.
November 7th, 2016 at 2:13 PM ^
Common opponent? How about the game where the two teams actually played each other. Wisconsin could not move the ball at all against, while we were moving it fairly well.
November 7th, 2016 at 4:23 PM ^
UW and UM have different offenses. Therefore, our defenses playing different offenses is not a relatable point when comparing the two defenses only. Against MSU, both defenses played against the same offense on the same field.
Regardless, I am not Stanley Jackson. I am not saying Wisconsin's D is better. He is. Go email him or something.
November 7th, 2016 at 12:21 PM ^
November 7th, 2016 at 12:27 PM ^
That's not a crazy statement by any stretch. Wisconsin has a darn good defense and they are way more consistent than we have been. I'd take take Justin Wilcox over Don Brown. Until he shows me he can correct some obvious issues with our defense ( our ends holding the edge, Stribblings coverage, LB tackling, D line maintaining their rush lains) the jury is out on Dr. Blitz. He has 2 NFL first round picks and a ton of 2nd 3rd rounders, while Wisconsin might have 3 draft picks on D period
November 7th, 2016 at 1:55 PM ^
November 7th, 2016 at 2:15 PM ^
Sorry, I would take our d any day of the week and twice on the weekend. I hope we get to play Wisconsin again with Speight on form like this. We will maul them, and they still won't be able to do shit against us.
November 7th, 2016 at 2:54 PM ^
Is that the D version of Ruddock?
November 7th, 2016 at 3:10 PM ^
November 7th, 2016 at 11:17 AM ^
When discussing A&M, he said we'll see how they do against Alabama and the entire panel corrected him that they played 3 weeks ago. Not that you have to memorize everyone's schedule, but A&M was only IN the top 4 over undefeated teams because their lone loss was to Alabama. How do you not know this?
To be a sports TV personality:
1. Be comfortable on camera and state a strong opinion
2. Have a recognizable name
3. Look good
4. Research your topic and know what you're talking about
If you hit the first 3 boxes, nobody really cares if you fire off dumb, argument-inducing, poorly thought out, crap opinions. They have too much time to fill anyway.
November 7th, 2016 at 12:06 PM ^
November 7th, 2016 at 12:16 PM ^
when you were fourteen?
I kid, I kid
November 7th, 2016 at 3:09 PM ^
November 7th, 2016 at 10:45 AM ^
Guess there's no point in playing anymore football this season.
Might as well award the trophy to Saban now, eh?
oooorrrrrrr....maybe not.
Just WIN baby...
November 7th, 2016 at 10:45 AM ^
As many have already pointed out in the thread below, ESPN promotes the SEC for their own benefit. Michigan will keep winning and the talking heads can stick to their narratives.
November 7th, 2016 at 12:20 PM ^
I thibk this biased narrative is a little weak, IMHO
November 7th, 2016 at 3:11 PM ^
November 7th, 2016 at 10:45 AM ^
As we saw during the first drive of the MSU game, excellent coaches can scheme around even the best defenses. And unlike MSU, Harbaugh has plenty of weapons at his disposal. Even if Bama has a boatload of defensive talent, I'd bet Harbaugh could probably confuse that D into giving up at least a score or two.
Plus, Bama's not exactly an offensive juggernaut themselves. They barely beat an LSU team that lost to the B1G's 3rd best team.
November 7th, 2016 at 11:46 AM ^
Keep Hurts in the pocket and make him a passer, and keep their RB's in check. I have faith in our corners to keep up with their receivers, especially if we make their freshman QB one dimensional.
November 7th, 2016 at 12:16 PM ^
The biggest difference my untrained eyes saw is that Hurts is not JT Barrett. Maybe in a few years but not yet. Otherwise it's the same offense.
November 7th, 2016 at 10:45 AM ^
Scalding hot take.
November 7th, 2016 at 10:46 AM ^
I'll just watch the games and enjoy Michigan winning.
November 7th, 2016 at 10:46 AM ^
Michigan has dreams so big that everyone is laughing at them. . .
November 7th, 2016 at 10:47 AM ^
Take your little T-rex arms and get the hell off of TV.
November 7th, 2016 at 10:47 AM ^
I would gladly take Speight over Hurts, who is completely one dimensional. Darboh over either of their two best WRs, Stewart or Ridley. Jake Butt and our TEs easily over theirs. Damien Harris is better than any one back we have but not sure he's better than the our stable of backs. Plus Peppers. Absolutely laughable argument.
Michigan's offense is severely underrated in the media right now.
November 7th, 2016 at 10:49 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 7th, 2016 at 10:57 AM ^
November 7th, 2016 at 11:26 AM ^
I tend to agree with mustache. I think 5-8 plays with Peppers is enough. It's starting to seem like he is trying too hard to break off a big one everytime. On those read-options he always keeps it now, and it's not always the best decision, even though he still gains positive yards.
November 7th, 2016 at 11:50 AM ^
would you say jt barrett is a pretty good read option qb? peppers would be much more dangerous if that was all he did. none of those type of qbs make the right read everytime.if you read it right half the time, and you have that kind of talent my guess is you better keep putting him in there.
November 7th, 2016 at 3:33 PM ^
That is not all peppers does so why even bring that into the discussion. Peppers is more important and useful on defense, not offense. That is why the coaches have him play...ya know...defense....full time.
He is a spark on offense and a wrinkle other teams need to prepare for. but i don't think we need him more than 10 plays a game on that side of the ball.
November 7th, 2016 at 4:26 PM ^
i think jt barrett makes more bad reads than good reads in the running game. but i don't think anyone is beating bama this year. saban is unquestionbly the best coach in college football. they've only won 3 of the last 5 national championships, thats all. as painful as it is to admit he's the best by far right now.
November 7th, 2016 at 11:43 AM ^
With the exception of igniting the offense v Rutgers, I tend to agree.
November 7th, 2016 at 2:35 PM ^
...is at its best when Peppers is a decoy. He draws so much attention that it usually gives us 1-on-1 match-ups across the board.
If we try to use Peppers against Bama as a RB, it'll probably be tough sledding as it was for Leonard Fournette. However, we have a QB that is improving rapidly, is accurate on deep balls, and can keep defenses from stacking the box.
Btw, the Speight - Peppers - Speight - Chesson play has mutliple options. In practice, Speight completed passes to Kekoa Crawford. In the game, Crawford was covered so Speight threw to Chesson. But Spieght also has the option to throw it back to Peppers. Watch the aerial view of the play. If Peppers gets the ball again, he can make one guy miss and go 35+ yards and maybe into the endzone for a TD.
November 8th, 2016 at 7:56 AM ^
November 7th, 2016 at 10:55 AM ^
Ridley is fantastic, despite his numbers drop this year. But yes, the argument that we dont have enough offensive firepower to beat *inseet team here* is insane. Our offensive efficiency speaks for itself. Harbaugh and co and have put together an insane number of ways to move the chains. Just another talking head asked to know everything and about every team, which to be fair is impossible. You should, however, know the ins and outs of a top four team.
November 7th, 2016 at 10:57 AM ^
November 7th, 2016 at 11:09 AM ^
C'mon man - you really think Pollack pays attention to advanced stats? Or knows what advanced stats are?
November 7th, 2016 at 11:11 AM ^
November 7th, 2016 at 3:12 PM ^
November 7th, 2016 at 9:32 PM ^
Have anyone noticed that the SEC doesn't play defense anymore?
November 7th, 2016 at 9:32 PM ^
Have anyone noticed that the SEC doesn't play defense anymore?
November 7th, 2016 at 10:48 AM ^
I actually think a better argument could be made that Alabama lacks the offensive firepower to score enough points to beat us. Our defense grades out at minimum equivalent to theirs and our offense grades out well above theirs. Take a frosh qb getting hit several times early in game and I think a game between us could potentially not even be a single digit spread.
November 7th, 2016 at 10:48 AM ^
That's funny. I would have said the same thing about Bama's offense against our historically violent defense.
November 7th, 2016 at 10:49 AM ^
I'm also not convinced, but I have asbolute faith that Harbaugh can come up with a good offensive game plan. There's no way we would get shut out like Sparty.
November 7th, 2016 at 10:49 AM ^
I think Alabama is a monster, but Michigan would be one of the better offenses Alabama has seen. I would also take Harbaugh preparing for a month over Butch Jones, Hugh Freeze, Kevin Sumlin and Guz Malzahn.
November 7th, 2016 at 11:38 AM ^
November 7th, 2016 at 11:56 AM ^
you have seen alabama in person and prefer michigan not play them? they are a very good team with great athletes and a great history of succes. this is exactly who you want to play. alabama is not leaving dead bodies all over the field when they play. i will take a coaching matchup of harbaugh vs saban anyday of the week.
November 7th, 2016 at 12:41 PM ^
November 7th, 2016 at 2:07 PM ^
so you want the easiest path possible to the championship? you sound like a real competitive guy.
November 7th, 2016 at 3:15 PM ^
November 7th, 2016 at 5:45 PM ^