At this point, build a damn statue of Greg Mattison in that patch of grass next to the flag pole on the Diag. I'll lead the vigil service at its feet these next two Friday nights.
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Michigan vs. Illinois --- Immediate Reactions
November 12th, 2011 at 8:22 PM
#302
At this point, build a damn
November 12th, 2011 at 8:25 PM
#303
I'll second that
Coach Mattison has really established that defensive 'edge' that has been missing for a few years. It was such a joy to see the D plow over Scheelehause (you know who I mean) like some gigantic wave.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:39 PM
#304
Scheelhaase knew he was dead meat coming into the game
You could tell by his eye-black
November 12th, 2011 at 8:40 PM
#305
The Liveblog has spoken. We
The Liveblog has spoken. We refer to him as "Hats" from now on.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:42 PM
#306
Shmellhats*
Shmellhats*
November 12th, 2011 at 8:25 PM
#307
I think some...
I think some people forget how BAD that defense was last year. I mean I don't know what was worse...the defense in Rich Rod's last year or the offense in his first. It was horrendous.
Mattison deserves a TON of credit. Before the year this board and every Michigan fan just wanted an "average" defense. We got a pretty good one.
The first Illinois drive of the 2nd half...I seriously sat to myself and say "wow, they are FUN to watch!" It was surreal. I can't remember the last time I had FUN watching defense. I totally forgot the feeling.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:23 PM
#308
can't wait
Next two games are going to be a war.
But, is there any doubt that this team will be ready?
November 12th, 2011 at 8:24 PM
#309
Michigan held Illinois to 51
Michigan held Illinois to 51 less points than last year's game - that has got to be a record swing.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:47 PM
#310
The only one I can think of
The only one I can think of that comes close is giving up 50 to the Bucks in 1968 and then giving up 12 to them the following year.
I went to that stupid Illinois game last year. It was probably the sickest I felt after a victory. That defense tonight looked like the Michigan defenses of old. Mattison is my hero.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:54 PM
#311
Obviously a great
Obviously a great improvement, but the numbers from last year were inflated due to 3x OTs.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:25 PM
#312
Why don't we use that play
Why don't we use that play where Denard runs to the line and throws to the slot
We've run it a few times this year, usually to Dileo or Koger.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:28 PM
#313
I know...
But not enough.
Typically the throw to Koger is off the read-option. We fake to the RB and toss it to Koger. Dileo did have a TD catch early in the year with the "Rich Rod" play.
But the reason the play was invented was to stop shit like this. USE IT!
We could've burned each of the last 4 teams we've played on that play because they've all crowded the line. Jammed the outide WRs and sent the house.
The play would work perfect. I hope we use it in our last two games.
BORGES PLEASE DON'T FORGET ABOUT THAT PLAY!!!
November 12th, 2011 at 8:44 PM
#314
I don't know if it's enough
I don't know if it's enough to keep defenses honest. It's not that long of a throw. A safety can keep an eye on the slot and still be in decent position to get the QB if he takes off. When we've run the play, it's generally gone for like a 10-yard pickup, and not the wide-open TD it was at the beginning of last year.
If you really want to pull that safety out of there, you have to stretch the field vertically. Unfortunately that's hard for us.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:29 PM
#315
The Big Ten Sucks
That's my reaction.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:48 PM
#316
You can tell the B1G is terrible...
...because every week half of them lose to B1G teams.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:50 PM
#317
How is the play calling
How is the play calling killing Denard?? Borges called a lot of short passes, that's why Denard had a decent completion percentage.
Borges also calls some Denard keeps like everyone wants, but they aren't going for big plays like last year. Our offense just scored 31 on one of the Big Ten's best defenses, and we were inches away from two more TDs.
And this the players' first year system... give it some time, even if it isn't perfect after 10 games.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:31 PM
#318
Kudos to Devin
You can tell he's getting better, looking more comfortable, good job by him.
Great to see Odums get a TD, he's been a relative non factor for a while.
The team in general played like 'Michigan'; is this the end because it's beginning to look like Michigan again...
November 13th, 2011 at 12:00 AM
#319
My thought after that play
My thought after that play was that maybe that was the first time Devin found his swagger on the field. He handled the rush, stepped up and hit the open guy on the numbers. Congrats to Devin. That was a HUGE play. Looking at 3rd & 15 leading to maaaybe a really long field goal and instead we got a critical TD.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:32 PM
#320
The good: zone blocking and
The good: zone blocking and run plays from last year that we are ideally suited to deliver
The bad: The pain that is I form
The unexpected: A defense that always appears to be in position, gang tackles, and is making fewer mistakes as the year goes along
The questionable: The lack of a bubble screen game of any time to relieve in line blitzing, and the outside zone stretch to Lewan side. In addition, both the zone read slant (either off the aforementioned bubble or otherwise) and QB Oh Noes....I really, really, really miss QB Oh Noes!
This coaching staff has done a good job of getting themselves ready for next year on this years team without losing epically. They put Illinois away eventually. The offense will continue to sputter I suspect but the defense (I know shocking) will bail them out.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:35 PM
#321
Kudos to Devin
You can tell he's getting better, looking more comfortable, good job by him.
Great to see Odums get a TD, he's been a relative non factor for a while.
The team in general played like 'Michigan'; is this the end because it's beginning to look like Michigan again...
November 12th, 2011 at 8:36 PM
#322
I think this was
as prepared as Michigan's been for a road game this year (obvious). We could have hammered a pretty good defensive team. Illinois made some nice adjustments that we didn't adjust back to as well. The D came to play against a team that pretty much has gone up and down on the field against them for 3 years. The injury to Denard didn't help, as I'm sure Gardner had a pretty limited play set.
We are 8-2 and at the beginning of the year if you had told me we'd be 8-2 with Nebraska and Ohio State left I'd have taken it in a heart beat.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:37 PM
#323
Frank Clark may be a phenomenal pass rusher, but
he and Black got burned pretty bad on zone-reads (I am positive on Clark, I may be confabulating on Black).
Neither offense got anything going today, which is more disappointing for us, I think. I thought our offensive line was better than what they showed, Mercilus looked unstoppable.
All in all, today's games just made me more upset about last weekend, we had no business losing to Iowa. Friggin' Iowa.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:41 PM
#324
Scoring 31 points on Illinois
Scoring 31 points on Illinois (compared to 14 for ASU, 7 for OSU and 10 for PSU) constitutes "getting it going" in my book. Yeah, we could have had more. But I think anyone would have gladly taken 30+ points coming into today.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:46 PM
#325
Well, yeah, in abstraction, 31 points is good...
but by halftime the O had left a bunch of points on the field. And it seemed like we had a short field today, like half the time! (I don't know the stats, just going by feel.)
I'm not saying the offense is terrible, just...underachieving? At any rate, I'm enjoying the win, just trying to say something new in the thread.
November 12th, 2011 at 10:37 PM
#326
It is frustrating to leave
It is frustrating to leave points on the field, but Illinois does have a good defense. At least we put ourselves in position to make plays, and we converted some at key times.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:43 PM
#327
Zone read defense was good in
Zone read defense was good in general, but when the two young DEs were being read (Black and Clark), we got burned big time. Scheelhouse must have been doing something weird with the fake handoff, because both of the DEs read it and crashed in on the RBs, giving up huge plays. The good news is that is a minor issue that is easily correctable, and without those two plays I dont think Illinois has a run play past 10 yards.
November 12th, 2011 at 9:01 PM
#328
Clark
He defends the option like...well, a true freshman. I think he'll pick it up.
Unrelated: the OL was beaten more often than not after the first quarter, but Illinois has a very good DL.
November 12th, 2011 at 9:02 PM
#329
Clark and Black on consecutive plays
Both of them bit the fake and just watched scheelhaase run past. I said something like aaargh.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:41 PM
#330
My immediate reaction is wow RR is pissed
November 12th, 2011 at 9:23 PM
#331
Since you said it, I have to reply
Your comment is ambiguous, but I think you're insinuating RR would have coached much better (particularly the O).
I grant you RR might have coached a better Offensive game, but damn, how 'bout that D. RR only has defenses like that in his wildest dreams. (At least at Michigan)
And finally, let it go man. We are moving forward with or without you; I for one, like the direction we are heading.
November 12th, 2011 at 9:47 PM
#332
I'm OK with Hoke's longer
I'm OK with Hoke's longer term plan on offense going back to the pro style, but this year would have been sweet with Magee as the OC and Mattison as DC.
November 12th, 2011 at 10:51 PM
#333
I think he meant that RR is
I think he meant that RR is pissed about our D being so good this year after enduring GERG the last 2.
It has probably dawned on him that GERG completely F'ed any chance he had at a long career at Michigan.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:32 PM
#334
If so, he should remember
If so, he should remember that he hired GERG, and then handcuffed him with some crappy assistants and a scheme GERG wasn't familiar with.
It's time to let this stuff go.
November 13th, 2011 at 12:09 AM
#335
Rember
RR had about 1/3 to spend on a DC as Hoke got.
November 13th, 2011 at 10:04 AM
#336
@jmblue - where is your
@jmblue - where is your vitriol coming from? I simply replied to a question and pointed out that RR is probably realizing what a dumb move he made (although no budget didn't help him either).
Your post is too aggressive and out of line. On another note - go fuck yourself.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:42 PM
#337
Excellent tackling all over
Excellent tackling all over the field. What a huge difference that makes - even when the offense makes a play the damage is limited. Haven't seen that for a while.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:44 PM
#338
posted from iPhone
Zone blocking was working so well early. Denard also looked good throwing the ball when he wasn't pressured
November 12th, 2011 at 8:51 PM
#339
Frank Clark is very young and
Frank Clark is very young and will get better with this, but right now he a LOSE CONTAIN machine.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:52 PM
#340
I concur
November 12th, 2011 at 10:12 PM
#341
Jibreel Black
Thought you were talking about Jibreel Black (in my mind he is speaking in third person).
November 12th, 2011 at 8:51 PM
#342
I wouldn't be pissed
if Gardner started the Nebraska game.
November 12th, 2011 at 8:53 PM
#343
Michigan cumulative points
Michigan cumulative points through 10 games:
2011 -- M - 325, Opp - 155
2010 -- M - 377, Opp - 321
In other words, the 2010 Michigan team had scored 16% more points through 10 games while allowing 107% more points! What a difference a year makes.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:02 PM
#344
Fantasy report:
Add another probable 14 points for the offense from the phantom 4th quarter against Western 2011 and no points responded against the D. /momentum prediction
November 12th, 2011 at 8:54 PM
#345
My first reaction is holy
My first reaction is holy sh*t enough with the fu*king commericial breaks already. You have to watch 5 min of Kay Jewlers to watch 2min of our offense derp derp in the red zone over and over. This was a maddening game to watch for so many reasons, but the excessive commericals just really put it over the top. I should have just watched it on ESPN3.com. *whew* That feels better.
November 12th, 2011 at 9:52 PM
#346
That's why I use the DVR and
That's why I use the DVR and start the game an hour late. Skipping all the commercials is, to quote MasterCard, "priceless."
November 12th, 2011 at 8:55 PM
#347
Holyshitdefense! /dies
Holyshitdefense! /dies
November 12th, 2011 at 8:57 PM
#348
Defense looked really good
Defense looked really good for a lot of the game. Even when the offense began to struggle, I didn't feel like Illinois was going to take advantage. Didn't like giving up the long gain for a 1st down late, but getting turnovers made a comeback.
Really good start on the road, opening TD, opening 3 & out. Fitz breaking 100 yds on 3rd drive.
AAAAHHHH GIBBONS Y U ILLEGAL MOTION?!?!?!
WOO! Road win!
November 12th, 2011 at 9:04 PM
#349
LOS
Seemed to me that Illinois' defense owned the line of scrimmage for most ot the second and third quarters. Whitney Mercilus and his buddies on the DL went berzerk, starting with those two straight goal-line stands and with that there really wasn't much that Robinson or Gardner could do even with great field position. After Floyd's interception and return we went back to more-or-less even on the LOS, and from there Gardner and Toussaint were able to make plays and put this out of reach. It'll be interesting to see what the UFR shows, but I'm betting that the blocking and protection metrics are going to be pretty bad during the middle two quarters. Fortunately things were better in the first and fourth quarters, and the defense carried us through the rough stretch.
November 12th, 2011 at 9:08 PM
#350
Gave up what...50 fewer
Gave up what...50 fewer points than last year? I'll certainly take that. Fitz played amazing, and Gardner really wasn't too bad when he was in. Also, for 2.5 quarters, the offense in general just had poor execution out there.
November 12th, 2011 at 9:09 PM
#351
If we win out, I think we're
If we win out, I think we're in the best position to get the second BCS birth from the B1G (if such an animal is available this year). Under that scenario, everyone else in the B1G except the B1G champion and Michigan will have at least three losses. (We hand Nebraska their third loss, Wiscy and PSU play each other so the loser gets a third loss. Presuming they don't get a third lose in the reg seasons, MSUs and winner of Wiscy/PSU would meet in BTCG and obviously one of those teams lose).
November 12th, 2011 at 9:45 PM
#352
I am hoping that Wisconsin wins the Woody Division
because I expect MSU to win the Bo Division and I like Wisconsin's chances against Sparty (on a neutral field) a lot better than PSU.
November 12th, 2011 at 9:12 PM
#353
I don't think there's too
I don't think there's too much complaining to do about the playcalling at least in the first half. We were very very close to scoring 30 some points that half, and Denard looked fine up to that point.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:50 PM
#354
I agree completely.
I don't like turnovers and goal line stands at all, but I'm happy that the team got in position to score those points. A little more execution, and this game was a 45-14 blowout.
November 12th, 2011 at 9:13 PM
#355
First reaction
Sorry bout any misspellings... We started out shots for Tds..... Then we played shots for anything good for mich.... So denard please stop turning the ball over...defense more Jake Ryan please... And fitz thank you I needed that.
November 12th, 2011 at 9:29 PM
#356
The D
Mattison has done a very good job getting this D to not remember anything Greg Robinson taught them the last 3 years. They will get better. Their jobs the next two weeks: contain Martinez and Miller.
November 13th, 2011 at 10:23 AM
#357
How hard could that have
How hard could that have been, really? I don't the GERG taught them all that much....
November 12th, 2011 at 9:58 PM
#358
Defense
Simply amazing what Mattison has accomplished.
November 12th, 2011 at 10:13 PM
#359
Immediate-reaction: Denard
Immediate-reaction: Denard Robinson has lost his confidence and is still by far the better Quarterback. I hope he can recover from his injury and regain his mojo for these last two games.
November 12th, 2011 at 10:41 PM
#360
One more thought...
One more thought...
Mike Martin = 1st team All B1G...AND...All-American (maybe not 1st team, but definitely on the list).
November 12th, 2011 at 11:03 PM
#361
posted from iPhone
How about Tay Odoms being our leading receiver today.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:23 PM
#362
YES!
I was so excited to see him catch that ball and see him score.
Anyone else think that the ball came out of Devin's hand very strange on that play? Like he pushed it or something.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:46 PM
#363
To me
I thought it looked as if Gardner realized Odoms was open and it was going to be a sure touchdown if he got the ball to him. He dragged his foot and slowed his throw down, making sure to hit a five foot nothing receiver in the numbers. Great play by Gardner and Odoms.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:34 PM
#364
Craig James.
Thinks there are 10 B1G teams.
May be the only one who knows what happened to 5 hookers at SMU.
November 12th, 2011 at 11:53 PM
#365
I, too, noticed Gardner's
I, too, noticed Gardner's release on that play and I liked it. Denard may have gunned it in there and who knows where it would of ended up.
November 13th, 2011 at 1:04 AM
#366
defense!
defense was awesome for almost the whole game
offense was awesome in the first quarter
where was gallon? i like seeing odums but gallon gets that endzone pass that went over odums.
where was the triple stack?
yay no duece
try jackson in there when garder's in. they had a good hookup a couple games back and likely they get the most time together in practice.
straight pass protection seemed to work better than all the tricky play fakes
more t. gordon please
based upon his current play, woolfolk is our #6 and maybe even #7 db (add 1 if carvin was still around). he's obviously hampered and i'm only noticing him late on plays.
jake ryan. holy cow don't test the edge on his side. he needs to pass whatever he's been smoking over to black and clark.
after seeing gardner hit odums in stride, i question the accuracy of drobs depth perception... seriously. he's pretty good at crosses and slants but is almost always short or long on routes running away from him.
November 13th, 2011 at 10:26 AM
#367
Finally!!!
Something I haven't seen in a long and painful three years, at least 8 wins and a defense. I couldn't be happier with what this coaching staff has done!
November 13th, 2011 at 4:31 PM
#368
Mattison with an RR offense
Would have been a dream with many MNCs attached...alas...
