Michigan Opens -16 vs. PSU

Submitted by FauxMo on

I know everyone is doom and gloom around here after we won by only 17 points this weekend, but this is an easy pick for me. I'll take UM at -16 all day. I'd also bet that line increases to -17.5 or more by next Saturday (barring unforeseen injuries, etc.). 

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FauxMo

September 18th, 2016 at 4:48 PM ^

I think they cover without those two. Maybe I am more bullish than others, but nothing I saw this weekend changed my mind about the potential for this team. Stuff to clean up? Yes. Sudden massive flaws that will doom the team eventually? Nope... 

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YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

September 18th, 2016 at 9:10 PM ^

their OL is perhaps less talented than last year if that's even possible. They've traded Hackenberg for McSorley ... so a damaged pro talent for just an average QB. No infusion of explosive skill players. They've looked quite pedestrian against marginal teams. If they move the ball with any consistency then we have deep issues on D. Our DL should get after them with just 4 or 5 man rushes.

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SpikeFan2016

September 18th, 2016 at 5:53 PM ^

Colorado's offense is ten times better than Penn State's, and even more so considering how they match up stylistically against our defense. We have struggled with spread teams that have talented quarterbacks. 

Honestly, we won't face an offense better than Colorado's until at least the last two weeks of the season (maybe Indiana), but probably until Ohio State as I think IU is poised for a down year on offense.

 

Penn State is a pro-style team with a HORRIBLE offensive line and nothing special at quarterback. That is a matchup dream for us. It doesn't matter that they have a good RB, we are built to stop that if the OL is bad and spread isn't utilized. If our defense doesn't own them, I will be very, very worried about our team. 

And I say that as someone who wasn't bothered at all by our game yesterday and actually gained confidence in our team. 

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MGlobules

September 18th, 2016 at 7:13 PM ^

from the looks of the Temple game. Helps them hide some player deficits on offense.

I hope we beat the snot out of them--both Franklin AND Paterno covered up sexual violence--\, but I won't be surprised if it's a bit nip-and-tuck for a while.

Pedal to the mothafletchin' medal on this one, Jim.

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SpikeFan2016

September 18th, 2016 at 10:14 PM ^

Sorry about that. But with that shitty of an Offensive Line, I don't think the spread offense matters. And, they are in game 4 of it so they are definitely still transitioning. Doesn't fully count. 

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JayMo4

September 18th, 2016 at 7:11 PM ^

This is more or less what I was trying to tell people in the GT.

Based on how our D matches up with opposing offenses, we won't see another one that is likely to give us real trouble until Indiana, and based on what I've seen from them I am thinking Colorado is more of a threat than they are.

It's easy to come away from yesterday more pessimistic about the OSU game.  There is still no reason to think Penn State, Wisconsin, or MSU will present many problems for our D.  These teams play more conventionally and don't have dynamic quarterbacks.

Forget what Colorado did three or four years ago.  They were a handful of points from being an 8-9 win team last year (five of their seven losses were by eight points or less) and they're better this year.  If Liufau was healthy for 12 games - and sadly he won't be so we'll never know - I think they'd be one of the better teams in the PAC 12.

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ThadMattasagoblin

September 18th, 2016 at 4:54 PM ^

If Lewis is back, I think we cover. The gap contain seemed much better vs. Colorado and Lewis will take away one of their wide receivers. Gary keeps getting better each game too. PSU's defense is worse than Colorado if giving up 42 to Pitt and 27 to Temple is any indication.

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Drbogue

September 18th, 2016 at 4:56 PM ^

Penn State doesn't have right scheme to test this defense. I see us holding them to 3 or 7. We will score at least 28. I'd take that spread any day of the week!



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JayMo4

September 18th, 2016 at 7:33 PM ^

I don't think Stanford has looked super impressive yet.  The K State game was closer than it appeared, and USC is probably not a good team.

UCLA's close road loss to Texas A&M looks less bad now... They might be the second best team in the SEC, strange as that is to say.

I'd probably still take Stanford, but I can kinda see where that line comes from.

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NittanyFan

September 18th, 2016 at 5:36 PM ^

he got hurt on ---- literally --- PSU's first offensive play.  He was back though by the 2nd half, and played relatively extensively in the 3rd and 4th quarters.

PSU has had a lot of injuries on the LB front.  Of the 3 guys who started at LB in the opener (Kent State), none of them were regularly playing yesterday.  Wartman-White may be out for the year.  He's definitely a good player but not having good luck: he tore his ACL in the 2015 opener vs. Temple, came back, then hurt the other knee yesterday.

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Adriana

September 18th, 2016 at 5:05 PM ^

My husband and I are skipping the tailgate this weekend and just going to hit up a Ann Arbor restaurant/bar. Any suggestions close enough to stadium (aka 20-30 min walk)?



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gbdub

September 18th, 2016 at 7:42 PM ^

Red hawk is not a good choice for pregame - great food, but it is a small space and they only have one or two small TVs. Main Street has a much bigger selection of bars to watch noon games. Pretzel Bell is good, or Connor ONeill's. The bar at Blue Tractor has a decent TV situation and great food.



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