Michigan Daily: First Team Rushing Stats - 20 for 33
Welp. It's an improvement on 27 for 27.
http://www.michigandaily.com//sports/offensive-line-issues-continue-run…
The rotation Saturday was more stable in comparison with last season, but the three running backs gained just 33 yards on 20 carries with the first team, and the blocking issues haven’t gone away.'
Story says Kalis should be back Monday.
Gardner stat line:
Gardner finished 9-for-18 with 110 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He was also sacked twice, fumbled once and was forced to throw the ball away several times against an aggressive defense that did not let up.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:05 PM ^
given that most of it was situational and not following the normal progression of a typical football game I don't think that tells us anything.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
Well, if we assume our defense is the best of all the teams we'll play (an assumption I intend to make) then our offense should perform better than that, by some degree, in every game we play.
August 17th, 2014 at 1:15 PM ^
Outside of Bosa I was not super impressed with the OSU DL last year but on paper they should be the best in conference. I think if our DTs develop as I envision and Wormley / Henry have B+ type seasons I think our DL should rank up there with MSU as probably the 2nd best we'd face all year. ND took some serious hits to the NFL and I dont see anyone on the schedule who really looks to have a D line that can cause havoc - we skip Nebraska and Gregory.
I know Clark is feasting on our own OL so you have to take it with a grain of salt but I think 3 of the 4 positions actually could be very good on the DL. Ironically it's actually a senior I am more worried about with Beyer as being impactful... just due to being so small in the mid 250s. But maybe Taco and Poggi can help out there.
But it will definitely be a top 3 DL this year that this OL will face unless PSU leapfrogs us.
August 17th, 2014 at 1:31 PM ^
I said best D, not just best DL. I agree OSU probably has a better DL, but our D as a whole will be better than theirs.
August 17th, 2014 at 2:08 PM ^
We are still young at a lot of places so I say MSU until proven otherwise - other than 1 corner they bring back experience everywhere; their MLB is a converted OLB so not a newbie.
Both our potential starting corners have never had that sort of role (Peppers, Lewis). One safety is a complete unknown. And our DL is a bunch of young guys outside of the starting DEs. Just as OSU's back 7 is unproven. I am sure for every Henry, Lewis and Wormley they have 4-5 star RS SO or SO they are thinking will take a huge step.
I think this will be a top 20 defense as long as Wilson stays healthy. OSU is counting on a lot of high stars just like we are at the DTs and S and now corners it seems so both have similar questions of who will develop and how fast so I dont think its clear that our D will be better than OSU... our LBs and their DLs are the 2 strong units. The other 4 units (2 on each team) have some questions and a lot of young guys.
Frankly we dont play a lot of great defenses do we? But our offense sputtered against the likes of Akron, UConn and Northwestern so in any week its going to come down to if super Devin has appeared or not. We can be stifled by a great defense or an average/mediocre defense as shown by last year. All depends on hero ball again.
August 17th, 2014 at 2:39 PM ^
That's a fair opinion, I just disagree. The only areas where we're young are areas where young guys have beaten out older players with the one exception the second safety spot. But If Peppers and Lewis start over Countess and Taylor, that means they are very good. And I'm not worry about the interior DL either, and I'm not sure why you think they're a bunch of young guys. The top interior DL guys are Pipkins, Henry, Wormley, Godin and Glasgow who are all 3rd year players, not what I would consider young, and most of them have significant playing time. The only young guys getting thrown in there are Hurst and Mone who are talented guys.
1st and 2nd year players are young. Once you're in your 3rd year of college football, I don't think you can call that guy young anymore.
August 17th, 2014 at 4:29 PM ^
That is hard to do. They will still be tough I'm sure but we should be stronger at every position this year vs last year. Add in Jabril and the additional depth everywhere and I don't see why we can't have the best D in the BT.
August 17th, 2014 at 6:10 PM ^
I thought they were replacing seven starters from their D...
That's tough to do.
August 17th, 2014 at 7:12 PM ^
like Calhoun, Waynes, Drummond and Jones.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:57 PM ^
I know it is just an avatar, but my mind keeps saying "STFU Funk" when I read your post.
August 17th, 2014 at 1:02 PM ^
How do you know?
August 17th, 2014 at 1:06 PM ^
One of the great things about the internet is the possibility that people claiming to be celebrities (seemingly as a joke) are actually the people they claim to be. You keep saying, "Yeah, I'm Darrell Funk," we keep saying LOL, and you keep actually being Darrell Funk.
August 17th, 2014 at 1:14 PM ^
Well one thing's for sure, if I am indeed Darrell Funk, then we are definitely in a lot of trouble based on how much time I spend on MGoBlog instead of doing... other things.
August 17th, 2014 at 1:15 PM ^
The Funkmiester, then "GTFO" the internet and get to work!!!!!
August 17th, 2014 at 3:26 PM ^
One thing we were able to tell is that the OL is emphasizing getting the DL blocked at the LOS, at the expense of getting out to the LBs. That resulted in a lot of short runs where the LB would show in the hole as a free hitter, but also fewer negative plays (the exception was when Hurst beat Miller (?) cleanly, exactly what kept happening last year and for the most part didn't at the scrimmage).
You have to walk before you run. Once these guys get some more reps together, they should have a better feel for when they can leave their combo buddy on their own and be able to get to the LBs faster and faster.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:05 PM ^
Can someone please post one more repetitive article about the line. Jesus Christ, step away from the computer. Go play with your kids, or bang your wife, or play some golf, or smoke a bowl. Let it go, move on. We're still two weeks away from the season. They'll get better.
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August 17th, 2014 at 12:35 PM ^
Good idea... I'm off to do all of those at the same time
August 17th, 2014 at 12:37 PM ^
Banging your wife on the green while smoking a bowl and playing catch with your kids? You sir, are a multitasker
August 17th, 2014 at 1:07 PM ^
It's all part of it
August 17th, 2014 at 9:06 PM ^
I asked, the wife said no again. The kids are too old and I have no weed, can't locate the clubs. Man, what about that oline huh?
August 17th, 2014 at 1:43 PM ^
Thx for the recommendations, dewd.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:08 PM ^
Nobody should expect a miraculous turnaround. The o line will not be good in 2 weeks.
That said, I think this line will improve week by week, to the point of being respectable in big ten play.
Maybe this godawful schedule will end up being a good thing for our teams growth
August 17th, 2014 at 12:17 PM ^
would be an improvement over last year. Respectable in the Big Ten East gets you no better than the Outback Bowl
August 17th, 2014 at 12:53 PM ^
That's all we can ask for right now. Progression from week to week is something that just didn't happen last season. Hell,if anything we regressed a lot last year week to week.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^
The D will hold ND, Sparty, and OSU to the same rushing stats.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:28 PM ^
Maybe their RBs ... Miller will scramble for yards no matter how good the D is.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:41 PM ^
the OSU game is when Peppers will be on spy duty to watch and chase Braxton all over the field.. which will negate a lot of his yards
August 17th, 2014 at 1:18 PM ^
OSU's OL should take a quite significant step back this year; so hopefully Braxton feels some of the pressure Devin was forced into all year last year. And their backup is inexperienced.
I really think if OSU had a tougher schedule with some road crossovers to the Iowa's Nebraska's etc they would be poised for a 3-4 loss season; they are extremely young and only have 2 elite units (DL/QB).
If both our lines develop (by that the DL being "good" and our OL being "MAC") I think @OSU should be a very competitive game this year. Very winnable if those things happen.
August 17th, 2014 at 11:08 PM ^
I still don't know why everyone thinks Braxton is so elite. Never will...
August 17th, 2014 at 12:14 PM ^
your only hope is to grasp at the straw that our defense is lights out good.
More knowledgeable fans who watch a lot of football will understand the defense may be good but the oline just sssssuuuuuuccccccckkkkkkssssss and its going to suck all year long.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:28 PM ^
Ah yes, one of my favorite internet arguments, the old "people who really know football think (what I think)" argument. Well done.
August 17th, 2014 at 5:43 PM ^
Well you'd know, as you're obviously the expect on SUUUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKING!
You're easily the most insufferable poster in here, and I hope that the Michigan Men working their asses off for Michigan prove you wrong. I doubt you'll be man enough to come in here and face the music though, you'll shrink away and hope nobody remember your lame ass predictions.
F'ing obnoxious!
August 17th, 2014 at 10:12 PM ^
your lollypops and rainbows.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:15 PM ^
Everything I've read here made think they had done better than that.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:24 PM ^
But what are the rushing yards with sacks and negative carries removed? #advancedstats
August 17th, 2014 at 12:24 PM ^
Not surprised. Even though the offense is different, we still have the same oline coach and interior linemen from last year.
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August 17th, 2014 at 1:45 PM ^
Yea but the hope is if we get the SAME talented young men more and more reps throughout the season they will come together and play well as a unit. Your worries are legit...I just have a feeling things will start clicking for them 3 or 4 games in. Let's hope our D shuts people down enough that we don't have to sacrifice Gardener to win every game.
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August 17th, 2014 at 12:25 PM ^
1.65 YPC instead of 1! Looking forward to big things! :)
August 17th, 2014 at 1:08 PM ^
That's a HUGE improvement!
/Fun with Stats.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:27 PM ^
We could possibly be over 2 yards a carry. As DR. Leo said Baby Steps
August 17th, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^
Do we know what the projected starting lineup is when Kalis returns? I think I saw a Magnuson-Glasgow-Miller-Kalis-Braden suggestion somewhere, but that was just someone posting something and that's all I've seen.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:42 PM ^
Is our best lineman he is going nowhere. Glasgow will be back at center IMO.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:57 PM ^
I think it's way too early to say/know that about Cole. It's totally possible that he's the first guy off the bench if anyone goes down and they'll shuffle the line however they have to in order for him to be the first guy off the bench. To me, that a perfectly good reason to burn a redshirt for Appalachian State, since someone along the line will get banged up this season.
Again, though, I don't know what the plan is and I don't know what the plan should be. It seems like the insidery buzz is that Miller is clearly the best option at C and Braden is clearly the best option at RT (based on how they've been practicing). If it's true that Kalis will start - and if you figure that Magnuson goes somewhere - then there aren't too many possibilities left. My gut says that they'd put Magnuson at LT and Glasgow at LG to let Cole ease in, but I have no idea. I would be pretty surprised if the starters included anyone outside of those six guys.
August 17th, 2014 at 1:21 PM ^
I agree. Mags and Braden are the bookends when everyone is healthy and returns.
August 17th, 2014 at 6:57 PM ^
I think Cobra's right on this one.
If Kalis gets healthy--and that's a big "if" with back issues--I'd guess the lineup becomes:
Cole--Mags--Glasgow--Kalis--Braden.
August 17th, 2014 at 4:36 PM ^
If Cole is our best lineman.