Denard on Pace for 2000/2000

Submitted by 1464 on

After the win on Saturday, I posted a projected yards total in which Denard gained somewhere in the neighborhood of 2400/2100 yards for the season. It put him on pace to become the first 2000/2000 player in NCAA history (I assume).

The question is whether he can keep up these torrid numbers against stronger competition. I, for one, think he can - which is not to say that I think that he will. 2,000 yards rushing will be tough. But as long as he stays healthy, he will get his chance. If anything, the stronger competition will force him to stay on the field and keep trying to bang out yardage.  He'll need to keep breaking the huge runs in order to have a chance.

Yardage Needed for 2000/2000:
 

TEAM PASS RUSH TOTAL
MSU 175 153 328
IOWA 138 95 233
PSU 133 179 312
ILL 119 157 276
PUR 155 223 378
WISC 147 167 314
OSU 125 121 246
AVE 141.7 156.4 298.1

 

As long as he stays close to achieving this milestone, I'll keep posting updates after every game. 

1464

October 5th, 2010 at 9:03 AM ^

I concur with this, wholeheartedly.  If my speculation has in some way inhibited Michigan's chances of beating MSU on Saturday, then I apologize. 

However, I am under the impression that I am just posting on a message board.  If you would like me to review MSU footage and submit it to the coaching staff I will.  I don't think they'd be too interested in hearing it, though.

Sorry for being sarcastic, but if winning was everything, the only posts we'd see on this site would be 'How can we get to 6-0?'...

Winning is the most important thing, but since I have no direct effect on the outcome of the game, I think I'll stick to speculating about it instead.

willywill9

October 5th, 2010 at 10:00 AM ^

I agree with you as well.  I think it's fun, and I love that Denard is so highly touted but I do also appreciate posts that do break down offensive, defensive analysis.  Also speculating what needs to get done in order for M to win.  Also analyzing plays where M succeeded, and plays where they fell short.  I'm no football expert (in the least!) but the amount of knowledge i've gained from this site is pretty remarkable.  I went from being a casual fan (early years as a student) to an obsessed freak.

Zone Left

October 5th, 2010 at 9:07 AM ^

Unfortunately, even weaker competition has forced him to stay on the field...

Edit: Why the hell doesn't your hypothetical have him shattering his own Michigan total yardage numbers against OSU?  You thought 313 was awesome?  Double it.

mgoblueballer

October 5th, 2010 at 9:01 AM ^

Obviously, the passing totals are definitely achievable, if not likely. But wow, those rushing totals are ridiculous. If he can put up those rushing numbers, I like our chances in any game of the Big Ten and can't help but think about what he can help this team achieve. THE TEAM, THE TEAM, THE TEAM. 

tlh908

October 5th, 2010 at 9:21 AM ^

Denard has a great team to support him and the numbers he puts up.  A great O-line and talented receivers.  Unlike other schools that put up big numbers by 1 person, Denard is surrounded by talent and depth everywhere.  

Logan88

October 5th, 2010 at 9:23 AM ^

I'm thoroughly confused by the numbers in the chart of your OP. What exactly are those? Your projections/guesses on the numbers Denard will put up on those teams' defenses? If they are, the passing numbers are too low and the rushing numbers are too high IMO.

slipknot

October 5th, 2010 at 10:02 AM ^

Interesting that you do not predict another 200 rush 200 pass game.  As a matter of fact, you only predict one 200 yd rushing (Purdue) and no more 200 yard passing games.  I am thinking one more 200/200...vs Wiscy!!!

Humpty

October 5th, 2010 at 10:03 AM ^

What Denard has done so far is remarkable against any competition.  But let's not confuse most Big Ten defenses for what he's going to face in the next 7 games.

jb5O4

October 5th, 2010 at 10:06 AM ^

Not sure if this is exact but it's close:

"Stats don't mean anything if we're not winning" -Denard Robinson

Although the way our season has been going, he'll have to get numbers like that to keep winning.

MGlobules

October 5th, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^

that we show a greater diversity of plays and personnel as the season progresses, both because the O becomes more competent and to surprise the opposition. That might diminish his numbers a little bit.

Also, we have to assume the time comes when he's shut down--hopefully not for long, but it will happen.  

Flying Dutchman

October 5th, 2010 at 11:03 AM ^

I think we are all realistic that Big 10 defenses will slow him down somewhat, but, he is still faster than anybody he's going to play against.   If there is is a glimmer of light....boom, six, from anywhere.

M-Dog

October 5th, 2010 at 2:01 PM ^

Not easy or even probable, but doable.

What I still can't get my head wrapped around is that Denard is playing like a runaway Heisman front runner virtually every game . . . and he has to play that way just to get a win.

Denard is not playing the way he's playing to get votes or style points, he's playing that way just to keep from losing.

It's going to be feast or famine this year.  New York or nothing.

If we're going to have an even modestly successful season by Michigan standards, then Denard is going to be visiting New York in December.  If he's not there, we're probably not even going to a bowl.

I guess that is the ultimate definition of a Heisman candidate.

jmblue

October 5th, 2010 at 3:32 PM ^

He'll breeze past 2,000 passing yards.  He's averaging 201.6 passing yards per game, and that's even misleading because he only played nine minutes against BGSU, recording 60 pass yards. (And that wasn't all-injury related; our medical staff cleared him to return at halftime, but RR did not see a need.)

In the four games in which he's played four quarters, he's averaging 237 passing yards.  If he keeps up that average over the final seven games, he'll get 1,659 yards in them.  I wouldn't be surprised if he even exceeded that average, as his passing efficiency has steadily gone up as the season has progressed.  I expect him to throw for 300 a couple of times.

The rushing total is the one that's more up in the air.