Keys to win next week
1, Denard stays healthy.
2, Win the TO game.
Last year, Our defense held MSU at 20 pts with 3 turnovers. The reason to lose that game was lack of productivity from offense, which averaged just a little over 20 pts in the whole conference games last year. There were just too many scramble and broken play from QB (Forcier and Molk injury)
I like our chance to get a W at home this year.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:14 PM ^
Score more points than MSU.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:16 PM ^
Allow fewer points than their defense allows.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:20 PM ^
But what about special teams or defensive scores
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:25 PM ^
I didn't say our defense, I meant our team as a whole. If our team as a whole allows fewer points than their defense allows that gives us the opportunity to pull away with defensive and special teams touchdowns.
October 3rd, 2010 at 6:52 PM ^
Your views intrigue me, I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:19 PM ^
If we have the lead with 2-3 minutes left, let MSU score, then we can win in the final seconds.
October 3rd, 2010 at 6:48 PM ^
Why did I find myself nodding in agreement with this? That can't be good.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:20 PM ^
If Denard is healthy the whole game I think we win. But that is now the biggest question of the season. With him we have a chance to win every game we play.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:22 PM ^
I am really nervous about this game. Obviously our offense will produce, but I think MSU is going to absolutely shred our defense.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^
Not in the big house, not after a big let-down this weekend. I believe our defense guys will give their best game next Saturday.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:44 PM ^
I dunno, we've had a couple of sizeable let-downs already, and haven't really bounced back. I hope we can ride home-field advantage to the W, but I think FYS has a 60-70% chance to beat us at least.
October 4th, 2010 at 12:08 AM ^
Don't underestimate the fact that they haven't gone on the road all season. That first road game is often bumpy.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:42 PM ^
comes from 'what if' we lose to lil bro a third straight time? if we had just beat the the feelings would be different. i experience similar feelings with this week and i am sure they are shared with many M fans! before the game work out, Cardio or weights, shower, get your game day h'dourves ready, then sit back on the edge of your seat and enjoy one of the greatest games in the series to date! GO BLUE BEAT green!
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:24 PM ^
Their offense is better this year than last, and our D is worse. I have a feeling it'll be another shootout, but they definitely have the best D we've played yet.
I agree with needing to win the TO battle. Cousins has been prone to interceptions, especially in tense situations. If we can get pressure on him, I think we'll be able to get one or two of them.
I think we'll need to get the rest of the running game moving a bit. (I say that now, but Denard may just run away with it again...)
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:42 PM ^
Turnovers and offensive production are the key. An average day (for this season) from the offense and a +1 TO margin should result in a win.
BTW, I love your avatar. It reminds me of the panic we all feel at 5-0, or any other record. Michigan could be 10-0 and lose to Wisconsin, and we'd have a total meltdown.
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:03 PM ^
No doubt their O is better. Is it statistically true our D is worse? That may be, but for some reason it doesn't feel like our D is worse. We held ND to less points this year. I don't see Illinois or Purdue running up the score on this year compared to last. Maybe my hunch that this is not a given is more a tribute to Denard, our O, and our record than the grim reality.
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:21 PM ^
According to the post earlier comparing us to last year, our D is worse by about 40 yards a game. (Or was it 80?) Problem is, that's before hitting the better teams on the schedule. ND didn't have Clausen this year (or Crist for almost half the game). Part of it definitely has something to do with the fact that we're scoring so quickly and giving other teams a ton of possessions as well.
We really won't know where we stand defensively until after the next couple of games though. I hope you're right that our D is about the same as last year, because that would make every game on the schedule very winnable.
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:57 PM ^
......but they definitely have the best D we've played yet.
Definitely? Their pass defense is atrocious. Their total defense is marginally better. I'm not sure how you can say, in confidence, that MSU's defense is better than Connecticut or Notre Dame.
I'm worried about this game, as I have been worried about every game to date, but it's not because of MSU's defense.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:28 PM ^
If it was hypersion, we'd be in trouble. What too soon? Ok I'm sorry.
October 3rd, 2010 at 6:00 PM ^
You mean hypertension? Yeah, I think it's too soon...Dantonio may be an ass, but I'd never wish life threatening illness on someone.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:29 PM ^
Points scored is a meaningless statistic! We need to win the TOP battle!
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:29 PM ^
There have already been enough negative things said about our defense in other posts that I won't repeat them here, but is there anyone else out there that thinks that RR hasn't shown his hand defensively yet? I think he is holding back for MSU. I know that Iowa, Wisky and OSU are all big games for him, but I think he'd like to shut up Sparty.
I'm hoping that he has something that he's kept in his bag of tricks that we just haven't seen yet, and neither has MSU. I want to be right on this because I think that Zettel goes to the winner of the MSU/U of M game. Hopefully, we can have a big party to welcome Dee Hart and MSU can have a bonfire.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:38 PM ^
MSU game will a pivot one.
1. Getting a W will put us at least one more win than last year, set up for a 8-9 win season and show " some progress " AD was asking for.
2. No more bowless season.
3. A win will definitely help future in-state recruit.
So this game is HUGE, I will surely bet RR is holding some special for this game.
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:05 PM ^
RR will be back, M's offense is on the verge of incredibleness, how in the hell would DB justify changing jockeys.
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:14 PM ^
He can justify making a change if UM collapses again.
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:44 PM ^
IFF you were looking for a change, with a Top 5 offense, I think you go looking for a new Defensive Coordinator.
Before you pulled that trigger, you would have to look at the field and see all of the true freshman playing on defense. Our D will get better with experience.
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:59 PM ^
Who you gonna bring in smarty pants? Jim Harbaugh? look at his great D. Boom Sharik'd
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:10 PM ^
He needs a win in a rivalry game in conference. There are three of them (PSU, MSU, OSU) IMO. This game is huge for Rich.
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:32 PM ^
then I strongly disagree. There are a bunch of scenerios (basically, all the combinations of outcomes in which we win 8-9 games) that see us losing all three of those games and RR securely keeping his job. IMHE.
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:48 PM ^
Who isn't stoked by this offense?
If we need to improve on D, then that's a separate question, IMO. (And one that will improve with experience--we have the youngest D in the B10).
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^
As much as it seems like wishful thinking, it does seem like the coaches have been sitting on potential defensive adjustments. They didn't change up anthing against UMass in the 2nd half, for example...I think-hope we'll see a somewhat better performance on Saturday.
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:32 PM ^
I don't know about holding back defensively but I am hoping that he has held back some big plays on the offensive side of the ball. I'm looking for a lot of the slots to go in motion before the snap and to have a lot of ball fakes with them. Something like Oregon does would be what I am looking for.
October 3rd, 2010 at 9:31 PM ^
RR has minimal input with the defense. what could he possibly be holding back defensively? good angles and open field tackling?
October 4th, 2010 at 4:51 PM ^
move the db's up greg and let the kids play some football! as for the tackling it is because of the angles not because our boys are not good tacklers/athletes! i fully believe half of the 'd'eficiencies are GERG and half our boys. put them together and i believe we have more than enough to set some teams DOWN! GO BLUE BEAT green!
October 4th, 2010 at 12:10 AM ^
I don't get the sense that Zettel is 50-50. It sounds more like he's ours as long as RR's job is safe.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:35 PM ^
Stop the run. That may mean a heavy dose of Roh with his hand on the ground.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^
Keys to winning next week... Open up a can of Lloyd Brady on them.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:52 PM ^
Well he will be in attendance ( i assume), so therefore, your theory will be correct!
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:16 PM ^
People have been wondering what Taylor Lewan did to incure the penalty after Denard's TD. Any chance Lloyd Brady got a good look at it?
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:51 PM ^
If I am reading the post-game comments correctly, Shaw will be back next week -- which should help us grind out some longer drives. I didn't see Herron in the IU game -- if he's back, Roh can play DE. I just hope Denard stays healthy.
Our run defense is actually decent -- we have trouble against good passing teams. Cousins can throw INTs as the highlights show. Having said that, MSU will be the best rushing attack we've faced. We will have to tackle well.
I actually think we match up well against the Agricultural College...
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:05 PM ^
I like our chances if the defense stops them at least once. But that's a lot to ask of this bunch.
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:19 PM ^
Did any of you watch the second half in which a Michigan Defense forced 3 punt and got 2 sacks and only gave up 14 points?
October 4th, 2010 at 12:12 AM ^
TheOracle6 seems to have ceased being a decent contributor and has degenerated into a troll. It's not worth engaging him.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^
score on every possesion. we have not scored on every possession! it will not happen and we stop them more than once or twice maybe even three or four or five times! our d is not THAT bad and there o is not THAT good! our O on the other hand is THAT GOOD! GO BLUE BEAT green!
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:13 PM ^
if MSU will go for 2 after getting a TD if the game turns into a shootout. They have been making some gutsy calls the past 2 weeks
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:15 PM ^
I like the fact that they're more similar to UConn offensively. Teams like Indiana who are more likely to throw 60 times in a game are very scary. I guess any team that is trying to score on our defense is scary, but if I had to choose I'd pick a team who's running game out classes their passing game. Unless they can go Wisconsin on our asses we should see more 3rd downs vs a run heavy offense which gives us chances to get off the field. We'll see, either way they convert a lot of 3rd downs and a lots of points will be scored. Also, Denard needs to hit his open receivers on fade routes later in the game when they start to adjust to us marching down the field on them. Go Blue!
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:21 PM ^
I think if we can get a good day from our linebackers and front 3 we should have a chance at winning we just can't let them break off big runs
October 4th, 2010 at 5:01 PM ^
down to is when cousins goes to bed and plays the game in his head, he does not think of how they will score every time they are on the field. instead he will be thinking in his head that DROB will be sleeping comfortably knowing that when he straps on the winged helmut that he believes they can score every time. that alone will have cousins stressed before the game because he will be playing against DROB in his mind instead of our 'd'. from this mistakes will be made, oh yes mistakes will be made and we will kick cousins around a bit! GO BLUE BEAT green!
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:15 PM ^
You mean, other than the 8 of 13 drives we stopped IU on on Saturday?
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:15 PM ^
Score early preferably with big plays and make them have to score. This also will hurt the confidence of their defense. They did the job on us for most of the game last year. Wild heroics by Tate brought us back, but it shouldn't have been nearly that close.
So it is on our offense, not our defense.