Game Thoughts
So, my usual post-game musings:
1. The defense is really solid. At first, I thought we were just doing well against crappy teams, but would struggle against decent competition, but I was wrong. This defense is legitimately good.
2. Hoke and Mattison are doing an awesome job with the D. Not because we are good - that was covered in point 1 - because we are improving in weak areas from week to week, and that is on the coaching.
As an aside, there is a ton of Mattison love here for the D, but I place the credit somewhat on Hoke, as well. When our offense did well last year, it was RR's offense because even though he was the HC, he spent a ton of time with the offense. Similarly, Hoke, while HC, spends a ton of time with the D, in particular the Dline, which has excelled. He deserves a ton of credit.
3. Denard. Call me crazy, but for the first quarter, he looked like a legin throwing QB - small sample size, but his throws were crisp and on target.
4. Denard. His running is really lacking. He seems to lack vision for open lanes, and has not done a good job of getting into the open field. He is running tentative. HE did have 1 decent run, but even on that one, he lacked some of his top end burst. I said this last week and I will say it again - to me, Denard looks a step slower than last year. Perhaps an injury?
5. DEvin - he came in and got a TD, so not looking to complain, but he is still far from being able to run this offense. Also, his throws lack zip - they seem to float and wobble too much. THat said, nice read on the TD throw to find the open man.
6. JT Floyd - he has turned into, dare I say, a shut down corner. I love his aggressiveness.
7. Countess- man, is he going to be special. Reminds me so much of D. Warren.
8. Fitz - he is really living up to the hype that he had been getting on this blog for he past 2 years. Great mix of power and speed.
9. Nebraska - this game is going to be so close. IF we protect the ball better, we win.
10. OSU - I will not jinx, I will not jinx, I will not jinx. Purdue?
November 12th, 2011 at 11:24 PM ^
I agree with all your points - hwoever I thought Denard ran pretty well until the fumble and red-zone debacle that ended our first half. I also thought he was throwing well until that point too - he started the game 6-6, and then promptly threw the botched screen, a deep ball inches away from being a TD, a pick to end the half on a Hail Mary, and then the should've-been-picked pass that he got hurt on in the second half.
The biggest concern to me was the offensive line in the middle two quarters - especially in the red zone. I felt like we got no push, no creases, and no time for our deeper routes. They started and finished the game very strong though - hopefully they can put four good quarters together against a Nebraska D that has struggled this year. They do that and Rittenberg will stop talking about benching Denard.
November 13th, 2011 at 12:06 AM ^
The real question is what happens to the Columbus Dispatch's days since last win number.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:26 PM ^
That game will be like their super bowl for them. John Simon is a beast and they will move him around on the line.
It's easy to laugh at them now, but it will be a battle.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:31 PM ^
for the first time in 5 years, we can actually smell blood in that game.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:38 PM ^
Yeah, that's scary. I'm just trying to keep it real.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:46 PM ^
That stuff works both ways. We're not winning the Big Ten either. It's our season too.
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<br>Just trying to keep it real.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:41 PM ^
Like the poster above me just said, we smell blood. It's the first time since we punted from the 35 that I would say the game is in our favor
November 12th, 2011 at 11:42 PM ^
Don't you think this game is like a super bowl for us? I would think Hoke will make it one. I don't think anyone's even close to laughing at OSU. Hell, they beat Wisconsin.
November 13th, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^
The Game can't be any bigger for OSU than it is for us. Our players have been breaking the huddle with "Beat Ohio" every practice . . . for 11 months.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:27 PM ^
Our offense sucks. As soon as the other team makes adjustments, we can't move the ball. It's like we practice one thing the whole week and as soon as we try running something else, we flounder around. And since the offense hasn't improved as the season has worn on, unlike the defense, I'm hoping that it's just the new system and that 2 years in the system will make a difference. Otherwise, I'm scared.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:47 PM ^
When we score 31 points, and should have scores more. Pretty sucky.
November 13th, 2011 at 12:22 AM ^
I hope this is sarcasm...
November 13th, 2011 at 2:04 AM ^
team, we would have had our asses handed to us? Look at the MSU and Iowa games. Now imagine if we had played Wisconsin or USC or Stanford or Oregon. They would have eaten our mistakes with a glass of milk. The only reason we won today was because of our defense and because Illinois doesn't have an offense. How many points did we leave on the field? A lot. Frankly, the same thing happened in the ND game and there's no denying that we were lucky to win that. You've seen it in every game against a tough opponent. We do well at first struggle through the 2nd and 3rd and then realize that we're losing and then open the playbook to try and make a comeback. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
November 13th, 2011 at 10:57 AM ^
Illinois entered the game 6th in the country in total D. There aren't many better defenses out there.
November 13th, 2011 at 11:05 AM ^
We scored 30, which could have easily been close to 50 on the 6th ranked defense in the nation. I'm okay with this.
November 13th, 2011 at 12:14 PM ^
Oh, wait, we were never losing the game. In fact, during that horrible period, it never got within double digits.
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<br>As said, lucky for us, we don't play any better defenses. Unless we get into a really good bowl. Yeah, THAT would be too bad.
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<br>I didn't really expect us to best LSU. We're breaking in a new system and have a lack of overall talent and depth on both sides of the ball. We could be running the Patriots offense, and without Tom Brady, we're not going to be very good. If you actually thought with this roster, this year, we were going to be rolling title contenders, you're kinda dumb. Or still so butthurt you're looking for something to bitch about.
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November 13th, 2011 at 7:56 PM ^
If you had actually read what I had said, you would have read that I said our defense kept us in this game. If our offense struggles that much against any team with a decent offense, we're screwed. Illinois defensive rank is very misleading. Look at the teams they've played. The only other decent offense they faced was in NU, and NU put 31 up on them. Our offense struggled big time against good defense in MSU and Iowa while our defense gave them chances to win each game. If it wasn't for Illinois having such a shitty offense and our defense playing so well, we would have lost this game too. Frankly, if you think our offense is good, then I don't know why I'm wasting my time arguing with you. We've seen what these players can do and they're sure as hell not doing what we know they're capable of this year. The fact that you have to start calling names to try and prove your point shows that I'm not the bitch in this situation.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:28 PM ^
November 12th, 2011 at 11:35 PM ^
Borges' playcalling is frustrating to no end. I feel like he's wasting away Denard and a potent offense and giving us a shadow of what could be instead.
November 13th, 2011 at 1:37 AM ^
People need to realize that we scored 31 points on the number 6 defense in the country with a future 1st round pick at DE that destroyed us all day.
November 13th, 2011 at 12:38 PM ^
then didn't do a thing. The rest of the scores came from the defense setting them up and even then there were times we couldn't move the ball. We didn't score against Michigan State or .Iowa. It looks like the opponent's defense makes adjustments and we go into a coma offensively. I am concerned about the regression this offense has taken including Denard. Unless something changes, I don't see us scoring much against Nebraska or Ohio.
After watching Oregon last night....I miss the spread.
November 13th, 2011 at 7:20 AM ^
I'm absolutely OK with this, b/c we were playing to win the game. Not rack up as many yards as possible so we could praise the FEI on Monday. We were up multiple scores on a team that couldn't move the ball against us. Conservative play calling was the way to go. Chew the clock, and play field position. Absolutely the right strategy.
November 13th, 2011 at 10:17 AM ^
November 13th, 2011 at 12:19 PM ^
You can play that way when it's out of reach...but if your defense IS playing well (and they obviously had more confidence in it than we as fans did), you don't want to do something stupid to put them in great position and put them back in the game.
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<br>Devin's TD was great, but I was most impressed with his progress when he DIDN'T force something, turn it over, and give Illinois an easy score and/or momentum. It was nice to see the maturation of a young QB, and show the makings of a good player in a couple of years.
November 13th, 2011 at 11:05 AM ^
I think the conservative playcalling was due to a combination of 1) it being very windy; 2) Illinois having a tough pass rush (Huyge had a rough day in pass protection) and 3) feeling pretty confident in the defense if we had to punt. We probably figured that Illinois was unlikely to score if we didn't give them a short field.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:29 PM ^
I have always thought that about Devin but haven't really heard anyone mention it on here. He seems like he has a weird motion to me, like he's short-arming it or something. That said, he's ok in my book today for the clutch TD.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:37 PM ^
On his TD throw today, it looked like he was kneeling forward and then throwing it.
November 13th, 2011 at 2:06 AM ^
that they felt the need to go through and downvote each of them, regardless of what my commetns said. I feel honored that I pissed someone off enough for them to do that.
November 13th, 2011 at 11:28 AM ^
reminds me of an early career Vince Young. He holds it really high and kind of wings it without stepping into it; worked on the Odoms pass which was a nice touch throw (but should have been on a line despite the fact that they rolled him out) and does not work so great on many of the throws to the sidelines; he just doesn't have the mechnics for the tough throws yet. If they can get him to bring the ball down a bit and get him stepping into his passes, he could be really good down the line.
My main concern with Denard is he is thinking way too much, which he should be doing; he should be reading defenses, checking in and out of plays, etc. he does it with mixed success, but the overall effect is that instead of an effortless read and react, he has progressions, hand offs, keepers, zone strecthes-- it seems like a lot for him. I'm not questioning his mental aspect, more that I think the regression comes from this fundamental change in the way he has to read the game and lead with decision making instead of his feet.
Devin did a nice job checking into a run for Toussaint yesterday; he saw the D, changed the play, and we picked up a nice gain on the run. Would love to see that all day from Denard.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:32 PM ^
JT Floyd is not a shut-down corner by any stretch. This was probably his best game as a Wolverine against an excellent receiver, but he did get a bit lucky on several off-target passes. I still don't trust him to make the tackle when he needs to.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:33 PM ^
The only thing I tend to disagree with not just with you but with many on here is I don't see a lot of difference between Denards throws and Devins. I think at this point Denard is a better qb but still believe Devin will be the better qb. Denard does have something Devin does not and its that "thing",you can't say what it is but it is something special. I guess maybe I'm just getting sick of the 3 turn over's a game anymore.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:45 PM ^
MANBALL!!!!
Great defensive effort today and I am looking forward to the next 2 weeks.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:50 PM ^
We just guaranteed Hoke will finish the season with at least a .500 career record, and finally at least a .500 record in the Big Ten for the team.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:56 PM ^
STOP THE QB REGRESSION! Seriously, QB play has gotten worse as the season wore on. What is Borges doing to our precious Denard.
November 13th, 2011 at 12:02 AM ^
Frustrating sometimes and could be better, but still, not bad. I'm not sure if you've blacked it out or something, but there were lots of periods last year when our offense turned the ball over or stalled in the red zone.
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<br>I'm not saying that there hasn't been some regression, but this offense is actually pretty good (not great mind you, but pretty good)
November 13th, 2011 at 12:33 PM ^
this is offense is marginal at best. Our defense gave them so many opportunites to score it was ridiculous and we give the ball away too much.
The 17th ranking is very misleading.
November 13th, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^
We gave up 214 total yards. DERP.
November 13th, 2011 at 9:11 PM ^
Not that I agree with what he was saying, but I think he meant that "our defense was giving them (our offense) so many chances to score."
November 13th, 2011 at 2:41 PM ^
You do realize that every other team also has their schedules full of snacky cakes right?
November 13th, 2011 at 12:04 AM ^
UM is 8 and fucking 2....I love it. And we are going bowling!
November 13th, 2011 at 12:29 AM ^
315 yds- what the 2010 version of Michigan's defense gave up to Illinois
37yds- what the 2011 version of Michigan's defense gave up to Illinois
Go Blue
November 13th, 2011 at 12:38 AM ^
But those of you that think the Ohio game will anything but a knock down, drag out fight, need to think again. Ohio will play it's best game of the season and will fight harder on every play than they have all season. And the biggest thing that scares me is they get Posey back for that game. No one has seen him all year and we have no idea how they will use him. He will dangerous and will the key to the game in my opinion. If our defense controls him and Herron, this game is very winnable. OSU will have a much better passing game with Posey than any of us have seen from them yet this year.
November 13th, 2011 at 12:58 AM ^
I'm not worried about Posey and Herron. It is getting late in the semester and they have got to be running low on cash. No way they go two whole weeks more without hocking some gear or scrubbing Volvos at $200/hr.
November 13th, 2011 at 1:46 AM ^
Braxton Miller can't build any passing game. It's going to come down to stopping their running game, and hoping Denard can both hit a couple of big passes and avoid turning the ball over. I think they'll get it done
November 13th, 2011 at 12:54 AM ^
Cincy lost, Georgia Tech lost, Auburn lost, Texas lost and Penn State lost (but I highly doubt we jump Penn State) TCU moves in to the rankings (who know's what beating Boise is worth in rankings after 2 unranked losses.) We should skip southern miss also, but the BCS rankings make no mathematical sense under any circumstances so I wouldn't put money on it.
November 13th, 2011 at 3:57 AM ^
We won. Today was a good day. I fucked around and got a triple double.
There will always be things to improve on. This is not a great team this year but it was a solid road win and we got muppets. I be like dang on Desmond Morgan's tackle. Fitz ran his ass off. All good in my hood.
November 13th, 2011 at 7:01 AM ^
I don't ahhh,I ah,What???
November 13th, 2011 at 8:11 AM ^
on sweeps? Sometimes you sneak through that hole and sometimes you don't; it's a lot harder near the goal line when everyone's looking for you (and you scored twice doing just that early)./ I just keep thinking he has the speed to get around the end.
November 13th, 2011 at 10:05 AM ^
Desmond Morgan is going to be a great linebacker for us. You saw a glimpse of our future at LB yesterday (along with Jake Ryan) and it looks bright.
November 13th, 2011 at 10:31 AM ^
I just can't say enough about the development of our defense. If only Hoke could have found a offensive coordinator with the skills and knowledge of Mattison.