November 17th, 2012 at 4:27 PM ^
No sense getting butthurt about the past.
too much?
November 17th, 2012 at 3:41 PM ^
If, Borges draws it up right there is a potential for some pretty exciting offense next week with both Devin and Denard on the field at the same time. Hopefully Denard can at least grip the ball to throw some short passes next week so they can't key on run when he lines up at QB.
November 17th, 2012 at 4:26 PM ^
Didn't teams always key on the run with Denard as QB anyways?
November 17th, 2012 at 3:43 PM ^
I can't wait to see Gardner perform after he's taken snaps with the "ones" next summer. It's amazing what he's done the past three weeks, particulary since he spent the whole season at WR.
November 17th, 2012 at 3:50 PM ^
November 17th, 2012 at 4:04 PM ^
Last year, his first in a new system, he practiced but saw no meaningful time. This year he played WR for the first half of the season before taking over at QB. In his first three games he's got like 190 QB rating (opponent caveat).
Now what makes you think that practicing at being a QB next spring, working on it in the summer, and having all fall camp won't have any improvement on a guy with 3-4 games played? His weakness: looking at receivers a little too long and throwing a little bit late are things QBs generally get better at. There's no way he's at his ceiling.
November 17th, 2012 at 4:44 PM ^
Plus, he's probably near his ceiling just because he's playing so well. Sure there's some things he can, and will, improve on, but geez, even if he just held serve it would be good.
Basically, I'm just guarding against ridiculous expectations. It's like when Luck came back and threw a couple of INTs, and a lot of (irrational) people were freaking out. He was still the best QB in the nation though.
November 17th, 2012 at 3:43 PM ^
November 17th, 2012 at 3:58 PM ^
November 17th, 2012 at 4:31 PM ^
I think this is his GOGOGO factor that Brian's talked so much about coming back to haunt him. He's got great anticipation in the run game, but he bites pretty hard on play-action and route fakes.
Give him some more coaching, I think he'll get past those issues and turn into a great player.
November 17th, 2012 at 4:35 PM ^
He's young, and sometimes young players get a little overwhelmed and reboot in default mode. Some players' default is tentative, and some is MUST FIND AND KILL SOMETHING BWWWAAAAAAAAA.
Ross is the latter.
November 17th, 2012 at 3:50 PM ^
I loved the play calling, I hope it continues into next week. Too many times I have seen creative plays the week before Ohio only to never see them again.
There were times when I though UM might have had a tougher time against air than the Iowa defense, especially on 3rd down.
Not sure what to think of the defense. 17 points and 300+ yards against the GERG offense is a lot, though some of that was well after the game was in hand. I think they need to play better next week.
Beat Ohio.
November 17th, 2012 at 3:51 PM ^
Roundtree and Gallon. Those guys made plays!
November 17th, 2012 at 3:51 PM ^
Gardner will trun out to be a better QB then Denard. Not as fast, but more athletic overall, strong and more accurate arm, and clearly a better field manager.
Don't get me wrong... love Denard... but I don't think we've seen Gardner in his prime.
November 17th, 2012 at 3:58 PM ^
I really enjoy watching the videos fans post of the end of the game with the Victors etc. If anyone has one I would love the see the guys celebrating their last time at the stadium.
November 17th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^
right now, according to SB Nation. I'm assuming it's his ankle but they don't say for sure
November 17th, 2012 at 4:19 PM ^
Hoke has beaten every team scheduled the past two years with the exception of (then) #1 Alabama, which is pretty damn cool.
November 17th, 2012 at 6:00 PM ^
November 17th, 2012 at 6:04 PM ^
This year he's beaten the two teams he lost to last year, while adding only Alabama to the list of losses.
Edit: [insert sparty joke about 6-1 here]
November 18th, 2012 at 1:27 AM ^
Another way of putting it is that at Michigan, Hoke has beaten every school he's faced at least once, with the exception of Alabama.
November 17th, 2012 at 4:28 PM ^
Derrick Green come on down? I'll wait for the doctors to confirm that Fitz has a boo-boo and not just a ding, but it seems like he's facing a broken leg and a rehab that will keep him out until fall camp (or later). Damn shame.
That said, do we become even more attractive to Derrick Green? Seems like we have everything working in our favor except location and slimy boosters. He'd enter a running back picture that looks like:
1a. SR Toussaint (off of a major injury, hypothetically)
1b. JR Rawls (I like what I see but hasn't seized the opportunities yet)
2. SO Hayes (More of a chance of pace guy from what I've seen in limited time)
3. FR Johnson (Total wildcard)
At the very least, he'd have a great chance to play as a true freshman. At best, I could easily see him becoming 1c and eventually seizing the job.
Toussaint's injury is not good news at all, but it could become another factor in Green's recruitment.
[EDIT: Forgot about incoming FR Smith. He's not chopped liver and will factor in. But I think that Green has said he isn't deterred by his presence. FR Shallman I expect to RS, and may fill a more specialized role]
November 17th, 2012 at 4:30 PM ^
Don't forget Norfleet.
I'm not sure how much we'll see of a tiny speedster in a MANBALL offense, but if Hayes is getting carries, you'd think that Norfleet would see at least a few looks at RB
November 17th, 2012 at 4:55 PM ^
Hoke/Borges's last back at SDSU was tiny and he was the every down guy. He most likely to gain the most yards will play.
November 17th, 2012 at 5:41 PM ^
I foresee Norfleet being used like Darren Sproles. Slot, backfield, returns...we'll call him a medley back.
November 18th, 2012 at 8:32 AM ^
Shallman will either end up at SDE or H-Back. He will not be in competition with any of UM's RB's for reps.
November 17th, 2012 at 4:31 PM ^
Thank you seniors!!
GO BLUE!!'
Extra thank you to Denard!!
November 17th, 2012 at 4:32 PM ^
Very happy we got a win on Senior Day. The defense needs to play better next week, as I am watching Ohio State right now. Was very happy to see Denard in the offense today. He had over 100 yards when you combine his running and receiving.
Beat Ohio.
November 17th, 2012 at 4:42 PM ^
November 17th, 2012 at 4:48 PM ^
I was really ticked when Iowa kicked (and recovered) that onside kick at the end of the game because it prevented UM from getting a full final drive which would have certainly included a final appearance for Denard.
November 17th, 2012 at 5:02 PM ^
November 17th, 2012 at 6:35 PM ^
Agreed. Devin's statline: 18/23 for 314 yards, 37 yards on rushes, and 6 (!) total TDs. Denard's total YPA this year is 7.9, Devin's in this game was 13.7. You think Borges's offense works better with Devin? I sure do. The rushing game is a problem obviously, but even if we just passed the entire time I think we'd have done fine.
November 17th, 2012 at 5:20 PM ^
I cancelled on a guy I was supposed to go out with tonight because I found out the Arizona game is on ESPNU (a channel I get!)
I may or may not be drunk and baking a cake right now. WOO!
November 17th, 2012 at 5:37 PM ^
What red-blooded American male would not want to watch football????
November 17th, 2012 at 5:39 PM ^
Because I'm just not that into him. =)
November 17th, 2012 at 7:14 PM ^
I read the above post and immediately thought, "that's the gayest thing I've ever heard." and then I looked at the name and realized it was a woman.
Proceed.
November 17th, 2012 at 5:27 PM ^
BUT re: the game--
Super sad about Fitz...prayers going up for sure! Also, did anyone else recognize that throwback screen play? I SWEAR that was straight from the UTL playbook.
November 17th, 2012 at 6:43 PM ^
The Play That Always Works UTL Edition was run from under center with a single setback (see 9:24 in the video below). I can't be sure (no video available yet), but I thought that today's play was run out of the shotgun with a back to either side of Devin. That explains why the D bit so hard on Denard's leaking out to the wide side of the field.
November 17th, 2012 at 6:50 PM ^
November 17th, 2012 at 8:10 PM ^
You said you had to wash your hair! I'm so naive,...