First Half Thoughts

Submitted by CRex on

 

Offense:
-Not as explosive, but a nice slow methodical offensive series means the defense is not on the field.  That's good.
-Smart playing calling, good mixture.  Western doesn't see a lot the players coming.
-Passing is sharp on the short to midrange plays.  Not much of a deep game (or shots in that direction) but that's okay.  Really our WR corp seems more tuned for the short and mid stuff so better to take an almost automatic 8 yard pass than try for a 30 yard bomb.
-The spread them out and run at them seems to actually be working better from the RB perspective than it did against MAC schools last year.
-If you've been saying "Borges is going to cripple Denard's running", you should likely shut up now.
 
Special Teams:
-Gibbons WHY YOU NO KICK PATS HIGHER?  WHY? 
 
Defense:
-Secondary is soft but keeps redeeming themselves.  JT had that excellent arm chop in the endzone to force a drop.  Avery could have intercepted that one in the endzone if he turned around but still knocked the ball out and didn't take an interference despite having his back to the ball.  Fundamentals are improving from the tire fire of last year.  Still miss Jackson and Hall though.
-Hey look we're calling blitzes.  
-Lack of BWC (and thus a walkon starting at DE) is hurting out ability to penetrate and get pressure.  I'm imagining RVB as a DE right now and how he'd be slaughtering the edge on Western.  It would toally be Ghengis Van Bergen if he was at DE.  
-Soft coverage is still a little scary.  Once again we keep seeming to be a step or half a step away from getting a sack or forcing a bad throw with pressure.  I'll just sound like a broken record and imagine of RVB was at DE.  
-Blitzing LBs need to come in a little slower so they can react to the QB moving in the pocket.  Demens is coming in a rocket but can't adjust.
-Defense really looks like they need confidence and to start believing in themselves.  After Jake Ryan pulled that play they started to look better.  Still they seem shellshocked from last year still.
 
I'm feeling good but I'd feel even better if we had another tuneup week between this and ND.  Also insert broken record comment on "if only RVB was at DE".
 
Oh yeah and these video boards rock.  Also the COW that gives me actual reception.  Now to prepare to get wet.  
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HarBooYa

September 3rd, 2011 at 5:22 PM ^

D is still work in progress. But ulcer feels a little less than last year. Still ulcer acid a coming. Oh boy...back to looking for progress. Can't get a read on offense. First series was killer. Rest has been herky jerky.

Joined: 06/22/2011

MGoPoints: 3062

RainbowSprings

September 3rd, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^

I don't think so. No doubt there will be a few new O plays specifically tailored for ND next week. But that's probably going to be true of any team we will face in the future. I just don't think our O is "ready for prime time" yet.

We better not be holding back anything -- we could still end up losing this thing.

Joined: 11/09/2010

MGoPoints: 13438

Magnus

September 3rd, 2011 at 5:32 PM ^

I don't see how Borges' offense isn't a step down for Robinson when running the ball.  He has something like 5 carries for 28 yards right now.

Last year he had 5 carries for 129 yards against BGSU.  I understand that it's a different offense and I don't necessarily want Robinson running the ball 20 times a game again, but this running game hasn't really shown an ability to be explosive.  So far it's just been solid.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166004

Magnus

September 3rd, 2011 at 6:23 PM ^

I didn't mean it as a blanket statement for the season.  I just meant that, despite what the OP said, there's no proof that Denard's rushing has remained the same.  He hasn't had any explosive plays and has stats that are just okay when it comes to running the ball.

For all any of us know, he could explode for 100 yards in the fourth quarter.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166004

Brown Bear

September 3rd, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^

Was at my parents house for a cookout watching game when storm comes in and power goes out right before half! Uggh Sooo I decide after waiting a few minutes to drive the 15 minutes home hoping I have power. On way home listening to opening of second half on radio and they announce the thirty minute delay. What the heck mother nature....ITS OPENING WEEKEND OF MICHIGAN FOOTBALL!

Joined: 01/10/2011

MGoPoints: 38026

Sac Fly

September 3rd, 2011 at 5:38 PM ^

I never understood why the corners were playing 8-10 yards off the receiver, always just thought it was a greg robinson thing. It's making carder's stats look great, he had a few good downfield throws but it's mostly hitting the WR behind the line and letting him make plays in space hence the 5.6 yard per completion.

Joined: 04/03/2010

MGoPoints: 5981

Hannibal.

September 3rd, 2011 at 5:39 PM ^

The lack of a pass rush with our 4 linemen is a huge concern.  Martin and van Bergen were expected to eat WMU's OG-C-OG trio for breakfast.  And Roh has been completely invisible.  Is he even playing?  Offense looks good, but as expected, Denard is our only runner worth a damn. 

Joined: 09/09/2008

MGoPoints: 9051

Gards

September 3rd, 2011 at 5:49 PM ^

I think I have seen more press coverage in this game than all of last season.  It is a slippery slope when you ask inexperienced DB's to press a reciever.  Can either work out really well or really bad.  I think our DB's with their experience should be playing more press coverage.  

Joined: 08/07/2010

MGoPoints: 58

Lac55

September 3rd, 2011 at 5:42 PM ^

The lack of pass rush is disturbing, especially with heat coming. The corners playing that far off is either because we just don't have the corners to man up or we are respecting the Hell out of those receivers.

Joined: 01/18/2011

MGoPoints: 1546

BPocern

September 3rd, 2011 at 5:43 PM ^

Western's had a lot of time to prepare for Denard, last year no one saw it coming, I'm not worried about it, he's had a few plays where he's been very close to breaking it open, but they're making tackles. The defense looks a lot better fundamental wise (tackling) than last year, which is encouraging, the rest is eh...WR's are catching passes though, Koger's caught 2 tough balls...hopefully we pull away and win the 2nd half and go on to ND 1-0! GO blue.

Joined: 03/12/2011

MGoPoints: 1122

illinoisblue

September 3rd, 2011 at 5:49 PM ^

It is the opening game and they have already said GM had to take out some defensive schemes because of the learning curve. I think the defense does look better than last year at least fundamentally if nothing else. I believe the rest will come. They needed somewhere to start at least they are showing promise.

Joined: 04/17/2011

MGoPoints: 183