First Thread Post - PSU Victory Thread
I, like many of you, have the same consternation, concerns and struggle with some of the things we have seen on the field this year, both good (Don Brown D) and bad (O Play). I am still thrilled JH is our head coach and wouldn't trade him for any coach in country. I am still not over the MSU loss. That said, Michigan controls it's destiny for B1G championship and National Championship. NOT saying we have a great chance or will win it all. Just saying, some big goals are still attainable. Believe it or not, Oline looked different today in a good way. Less confused, more stout in run and pass pro. I believe the Oline hit bottom against Purdue and is ascending. Rather than start another thread of what's wrong with this position or that play call. I thought I would make an attemp to spin some positive going into PSU.
I am not the moderator, so I can't control who posts what. Although most will not give Michigan a chance to win in HV, I think M chances of victory are much better than most think and here is why:
1. Defense - Let us not forget how PSU was throttled last year by Don Browns D. I also think Michigan's D is tailor made for the PSU offense.
2. Coaches - I think Jim Harbaugh is a better coach than Franklin. I think for some reason, some teams and coaches are in the heads of the opposing team. Much like Dantonio and MSU is in Michigan's head, I think Michigan's in PSU's. MSU was a bigger underdog to lose than M will be vs PSU.
3. PSU coming off bye week. Most teams off bye week seem to lose their edge (see Michigan). That EXTRA week to prepare seems to do more damage than good.
4. Pressure is on PSU. National exposure, game day crew, heavy favorite, white out. If the game is close, look for PSU to play tight. If Michigan D is playing strong, frustration will build on PSU.
5. PSU squeaked by Iowa and have played a very soft schedule. This will be the best D PSU will see all year.
6. Oline IS getting better. Just need Okorn to hit a few recievers and O could roll. Got to believe we can get Purdue Okorn.
7. PSU has a LOSING record in white out games 5-6.
8. Michigan is battled tested THIS YEAR much more than is PSU. Overtime, National Opening Game (FL), close games and better competition.
Again, not being pollyanna. But, most give M almost a zero chance to win. I think M chances are much better than most.
OBVIOUSLY there are many reasons PSU will win. This was a thread geared towards trying to propose a positive narative. There are loads of threads and posts to the negative narative. And I understand and agree to some. It's just that, I can't see any scenario where Michigan gets blown out in any game this year. Not one. I know it's tough for some to say or think anything positive. I just get tired of reading the same threads saying the same thing. Even when they are right. And yes, I am guilty of saying and thinking many of the same things.
October 15th, 2017 at 9:38 AM ^
We’re gonna die.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:53 PM ^
F is for fire that burns down the whole town
U is for uranium bombs
N is for no survivors....
Love that Spongebob episode.
October 15th, 2017 at 9:38 AM ^
at least that's what Mitch would say
October 15th, 2017 at 9:40 AM ^
To point #8 most of these PSU players did win a close B1G Championship Game and play USC close so I don’t know if I’d say we are more battle tested.
I do think our defense gives us a chance though.
October 15th, 2017 at 9:42 AM ^
Our defense is beyond good, but Penn State is still gonna score on us, and sadly, probably more than our offense can score
October 15th, 2017 at 10:05 AM ^
We were legitimate, large underdogs? That can free a team up to play their best, especially a young one.
The coaches aren't stupid, know what they are up against, and obviously are saving some clever running plays (even though they showed a few of those cards near the end of Indiana).
A full week for HOPEFULLY a new starter at QB....it's possible, man.
October 15th, 2017 at 10:44 AM ^
For the last 10 years and counting....
October 15th, 2017 at 12:28 PM ^
We definitely were not a large underdog to them last year. Probably not 2015 either.
October 15th, 2017 at 10:48 AM ^
2014. Let’s not discuss that further.
October 15th, 2017 at 11:39 AM ^
Getting a new starter at QB.
First start for a kid who wasn't close to the 2 deep, at Happy Valley, under the lights...?? Just can't see that.
Now, if OKorn looks like himself, and we can't run, we could see a new QB by the 2nd Q, or 2nd half...
October 15th, 2017 at 11:52 AM ^
Michigan went on the road and beat a top 5 team? Nough said! Penn State will load the box and dare O’Korn to beat them through the air. Pep and the “Guru” himself need to earn their respective salaries this week! No more excuses! Win!
October 15th, 2017 at 9:58 AM ^
This (and every game) is a time we could really benefit from a defensive and/or STs score.
October 15th, 2017 at 9:46 AM ^
The schedule is soft. USC is not as good this season as people thought, and I think penn state could be in the same boat. A top 10 team masquerading as a top 4 team.
But man does the talk of our goals and a big ten championship still being on the table give me flashbacks to Hoke. Not being mathematically eliminated and having almost no chance are not the same thing, but this offense sure make it look like we fit into one of those..
October 15th, 2017 at 9:49 AM ^
There is one comparison between Hoke and Harbaugh. They both coached at Michigan. One will bring a National Championship and one never would.
October 15th, 2017 at 11:36 AM ^
But there are other comparisons. Like the exact same record through 31 games, lots of success with previous coaches recruits, and trouble getting the train rolling with his own recruits. I have full faith in harbaugh. But he is a man, not some messiah.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:26 PM ^
the whole same record thru 31 games is cherry picking stats at its finest, but i'll bite
do you expect the next 20 games to go the way Hoke's final 20 (7-13) went? If so, send my your bookie's details... more than likely this stat should be dead going forward.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:30 PM ^
9 points is what seperates Harbaugh from being a man and not a messiah. Hoke next 20 games he went 7-13. The comparisons or better yet coincidences stop there.
October 15th, 2017 at 9:46 AM ^
I am not looking forward to this match up...
BTW, can we raise the required points needed to start a thread?
October 15th, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^
How would you post your whining, hypocritical responses then?
October 15th, 2017 at 10:48 AM ^
UM's kicker is excellent...so there's that
October 15th, 2017 at 9:47 AM ^
Our defense will keep us in most games but it's imperative for this offense to put together sustained drives in the second half this week. I could see us trailing 13-7 or so at half, but if that defense is on the field most of the third and fourth quarters I just can't see the fatigue holding off. We need to win this in a low scoring affair.
October 15th, 2017 at 9:48 AM ^
I feel like this post is a year late...
October 15th, 2017 at 9:49 AM ^
PSU is the most overrated team in the country. Stop the run. Rush the passer and be physical while establishing the run on offense and we could possibly upset them. I think Harbaugh is totally in franklins head and will continue his domination over him. That said, the coaches will really need to step up though and abandon things that have lead to keeping teams like Indiana in games. Like Chris Evans on big downs and some of the predictable third down blitzes that leave the middle of the field open for the QB to run. As for the MSU loss, it’s over and done. In some ways it’s not even that bad. They were gift wrapped a win and almost managed to blow it. If they had any kind of team or offense they win that game buy 3 scores. Kind of like their game last night. Their secondary is terrible and unfortunately we couldn’t take advantage of that. Delusional MSU fan is in the rear view until next year. On to happy valley to ruin some dreams that really deserve to be ruined.
October 15th, 2017 at 10:13 AM ^
Not sure that two victories constitutes "domination." If it does, then Urban Meyer and Mark Dantonio are totally in Harbaugh's head.
October 15th, 2017 at 11:40 AM ^
fwiw, I think they are.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:39 PM ^
Lost to Hoke in 2014 (yes that Hoke team) and 0-2 against Jim, their last win was a 3OT thriller at home against a 7-6 Michigan team
Barkley is a great player but im not shaking in my boots for the king of the moral victory field goal.
October 15th, 2017 at 2:42 PM ^
stop the run, and rush the passer. Sweet...
October 15th, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^
we don't control our own fate. State has the tie breaker (head to head), but I feel very confident that if we somehow win out, we will be in great shape.
October 15th, 2017 at 9:57 AM ^
MSU will have two or more conference losses, so while officially don’t control he destiny, we actually do.
October 15th, 2017 at 10:16 AM ^
Not to be that guy, but don't they control their destiny as well?
October 15th, 2017 at 12:07 PM ^
really argue with his logic, or lack thereof.
October 15th, 2017 at 12:30 PM ^
I’m that guy too.
October 15th, 2017 at 1:03 PM ^
I don't know how stupid people can be to think MSU will have "two or more" conference losses after they just beat us.
They are 3-0 currently.
They play:
- @Rutgers (Win)
- vs. Maryland (Win; Terps have gotten blown out to several teams, have heavy injuries and game is in EL)
- @ Northwestern (Very likely win; NW has proven time and again to be terrible this year and Evanston is the easiest road environment to play at in the Big Ten)
- vs. Indiana (Heavy favorites; probably the best chance to lose of this group of 4, but MSU still should be significant favorites at home.
Those 4 wins bring them to 7 in the Big Ten with two remaining tough games:
- vs. Penn State (MSU likely will be undefeated in the Big Ten, at home and have everything to play for. PSU will likely be licking their wounds coming out of Columbus. Dantonio is a much better coach than Franklin. I'd say MSU has as much, if not more, of a chance to beat PSU than they do to lose to a team like IU.
- @ Ohio State (Toughest game on their schedule; that said, Spartans have won twice in a row in Columbus and Dantonio has always given Meyer fits. He's 2-3 vs. Urban, but 2 of those three losses were by 1 point in years when MSU was 6-6 and 3-9. Don't count them out).
Overall, 7-2 is the most likely scenario for MSU, but 8-1 is at least as likely as 6-3.
October 15th, 2017 at 1:13 PM ^
Northwestern, PSU, OSU and likely IN losses. 2 games 99% loss probability. 1 game 60%. 1 game 50/50
October 15th, 2017 at 2:40 PM ^
is bad. They will win 7, maybe 8 games. They are not good.
October 16th, 2017 at 11:25 AM ^
They have already won 5 and played half of the hardest four games.
They will win 9 minimum. Book it.
October 15th, 2017 at 9:53 AM ^
Your whole post boils down to #6. Color me concerned, to say the least.
October 15th, 2017 at 9:53 AM ^
I like this post. We need the positive energy to flow through our veins. Thanks, bro. Go Blue.
October 15th, 2017 at 9:58 AM ^
Four top ten teams lost this weekend. Two lost last weekend (including us). Anyone who says we have no chance is crazy. Anything can happen in CFP.
We’re going to need our DE’s to contain the outside and it’ll be incredible watching Bush vs Barkley.
October 15th, 2017 at 10:00 AM ^
I saw, probably, five plays that just missed yesterday. Just "" missed! I really believe what we saw on offense was 5 (or so) big plays that didn't hit because of a dropped pass or a slipped step. They were close to have a few more TDs on the scoreboard - but they didn't happen. At some point, luck has to change, right?
Lets hope it changes Saturday night.
October 15th, 2017 at 10:55 AM ^
I can specifically think of two...DPJ deep at the beginning and the penalty that killed that quick pitch to Hill later in the game. Both would've been monster plays. Hope we can connect on them next time.
October 15th, 2017 at 10:02 AM ^
I want a competitive game where we win.
October 15th, 2017 at 10:44 AM ^
A lopsided win where minimal penalties and all the breaks go UMs way sounds dandy to me.
October 15th, 2017 at 10:04 AM ^
if we can stop Saquon Barkley without selling out to the run.
But, I feel like we already play defense that way....the corners already play on islands so the safeties can commit to run stopping without being a huge liability on passes. We have the speed of Bush and really speed around...ends are solid so far.
I can see PSU's offense would be stone simple...run SqB until the other team has 9 players in the box, then play-action pass...
Our offensive woes seem to be (over) simply centered around our inability to convert 3rd downs regularly. Last year's team seemed to throw it to Darboh and Butt to keep the chains going and extend drives. Loss of Tarik Black, and McKeon doesn't seem to be able to ditch linebackers quite as well has us in a hole that makes us look mediocre. We have to find a set of plays that will work and are "go-to" plays to convert 3rd downs.
I liked what I saw in the run game yesterday. I am not sure if this translates to any other opponent with a pulse but I'd like to think it does in some ways. If there is any correlation of past success to future results then again I like our chances.
Also, its going to be loud in Beav Stadium...probably loudest of the year when playing offense.
October 15th, 2017 at 10:05 AM ^
ALl the positivity is nice, but if we can't find a QB who can do better than 10-20 for 58 yards against IU, we don't stand much of a chance
October 15th, 2017 at 10:06 AM ^
How do you beat PSU without a passing game, a TO prone QB and a sputtering inconsistent run game?
October 15th, 2017 at 10:18 AM ^
Simple: get Penn State to turn the ball over five times.
October 15th, 2017 at 10:08 AM ^
He is an asshole but knows how to pull upsets. You play conservative offense, suck down the clock, and wait for a chance for a big play on special teams or defense. Perhaps we can get McSorley frustrated or impatient and force him into costly mistakes. We have stuffed Barkley every year but he is so versatile that he will be hard to completely shut down. Hopefully Franklin has one of his mind farts and gives us a chance to take this game. Just don't have confidence that our offense will capitalize when we get the chances. Mainly because of Pep Hamilton who I think is lost.
October 15th, 2017 at 10:10 AM ^
pass it over to me.