The morning after and the way forward
I, like all of you, am bitterly disappointed with the results of last night's game. Also a little hungover.
Before the season began, many of us were predicting a rebuilding year, with somewhere in the neighborhood of 2-4 losses. As great as Bo, Mo, and Lloyd were, they all had years like this. Several in fact. The thing that made those seasons tolerable was beating OSU more often than not in November.
My question is, what is the path forward? Can we salvage anything this season, or do we start playing younger guys in anticipation of the future?
I think a coaching change, or changes, needs to be made on the offensive side. Jay is not qualified to coach RB's. Drevno's game plans have been awful. I'm not sure what Pep brings to the table, but we've regressed significantly from last season. Let's hope that Harbaugh sees what we're seeing and does what needs to be done at the end of the year.
One last thing. Get well soon Wilton Speight!
October 8th, 2017 at 8:31 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 9:22 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 9:32 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 10:45 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 10:18 AM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 2:37 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 10:20 AM ^
The play calling is utter poop. We actually went from feeling like the Wolverines to feeling like the Browns. Lots of young teams out there that look like juggernauts compared to us. We have the talent. It falls on Pep.
JO'K says Pep was his primary influence to get where he is now. After five games of play calls and watching last night, I believe him. Fisch was a wizard by comparison.
I've been trying to raise some clamor for Philip Montgomery as new OC. We can offer him more than he's making as HC at Tulsa.
He was amazing at Baylor and his offense has been amazing at Tulsa. It's adaptable, well-schemed. Plus he's a big plus for his regional strengths in recruiting.
It's the offense equivalent of looking around for who's just being amazing at defense... hmmm... that Don Brown guy has been pulling rabbits out of hats. Let's look at some film: wow, now THAT'S a COACH!
Would love it if we could do the same now on the other side of the ball
October 8th, 2017 at 11:50 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 11:31 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 8:34 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 6:27 PM ^
We all had tempered expectations because we expected the defense to take a step back, regressing more than the offense since at least the offense was returning its starting QB.
The regression this offense has shown has really been frustrating.
Again, look at MSU's long TD drive. They ran a couple plays to the left, baited in the UM defenders, then used that to set up a slip screen for a TD. Michigan doesn't do that. Michigan doesn't run something a few times to set up something else the other way. How many times last year did we hear announcers commenting on how the Wildcat was setting up for a throw after putting all these runs on film? And then nothing.
And when Drevno does identify something that's working (Higdon behind a simple ISO blocking scheme), he inexplicably abandons it before the defense stops it, reverting back to the bullshit inside zone and shotgun formations. He's an absolute travesty as a play-caller, and his position group is regressing. The defense has one unquestioned leader, and the offense needs the same. Drevno is in over his head as a play-caller. Get his ass on the sidelines with the OLinemen and let Pep be the only one calling the plays.
October 8th, 2017 at 8:34 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 8:39 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 8:57 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 12:24 PM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 9:14 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 9:41 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 8:40 AM ^
I would like to know the issue with Peters as to why he isn't ready to get on the field. JOK doesn't take care of the ball enough. That pass he threw to Bachie was ridiculous. That was one of several really bad decisions. Lewerke did very little yesterday but didn't make any mistakes and got a W.
This team is young so at this point, I just hope to see improvement across the board from now until end of November. My hopes for a big season have been knocked into the dirt.
October 8th, 2017 at 9:15 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 9:18 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 9:49 AM ^
It all starts up front and we can't block. It seemed like JOK had a few dudes in his face everytime he dropped back.
October 8th, 2017 at 11:36 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 8:42 AM ^
Hell LSU played 3 true freshmen against Florida and survived. WTF is wrong with Michigans o-line? It has been like this for a few years now. It is a head scratcher for sure. Would like to see Jim part ways with Drevno also.
October 8th, 2017 at 9:00 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 8:45 AM ^
He came to Michigan with a very solid record as an OL coach, but that unit has not been a strength, and that's putting it mildly. I wonder if his OL coaching has been affected by his OC duties.
October 8th, 2017 at 8:48 AM ^
I'm with you on the frustration. I predicted 9-3 this year thinking that the defense would be more of an issue. I think what's making people so angry is we see a "what could have been" scenario playing out where we have this incredible defense, who once again pitched a second half shut out, and a poor offense that I don't think anyone could have predicted. Issues? Sure ....but this?
Someone else posted this a few weeks ago during Purdue so I apoligize but the difference between Drevno and Fisch is stark. The creativity left with him apparently. The seam routes, post routes, double WR pick formations, train formation, the list goes on. The kids looked like they were having *FUN* playing in that offense. What we have now is completely devoid of any creative elements coupled with laughably bad situational awareness. Like going over the top once for a TD that was called back on a hold and then doing nothing with that knowledge until a monsoon strikes.
I don't think there's anything to be salvaged at this point. We lost to an MSU squad that is a patchwork of walk ons and first timers. The idea that this offense can score on PSU, Wisconsin, or OSU at all is just a dream. We'll be 8-4 and that's if we're lucky because at this point I'm not even confident they could drive the ball against Indiana. As much as the offense has regressed, so has my ability to care. What's the point? To watch a defense go out and play at national championship level only to have the offense lose (I think the MAC analogies are kind at this point) the game? No thanks. I have better things to do than die a thousand deaths every time our offense takes the field. I'll enjoy my Saturdays and read the box score.
October 8th, 2017 at 9:04 AM ^
up accurately.
October 8th, 2017 at 11:34 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 11:35 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 8:48 AM ^
Not sure what everyone thinks can be done about "the playcalling". In some ways, the coaches hands are somewhat tied.
The QBs and WRs (and pass protection) have not shown that anything deep is really much of a threat, and the QBs we have make seem to make some questionable throwing decisions, trying too hard to force a play sometimes. With one side of the offensive line shakey, the backs only mediocre (though improving) at blitz pickup, the options for any playcaller are rather limited. To develop exotic screens and other plays takes skill sets among players and practice time that may be lacking.
Add to that fact that the better the defense is, (and with faith in the FG kicker), the more conservative the playcalling is likely to become- with the exception of going for it on 4th down when near midfield.
October 8th, 2017 at 8:58 AM ^
Well many of the points you bring up somewhat goes back to coaching.
Jim Harbaugh has been credited as a QB whisperer, and yet Speight/O'korn are below average and Peters is playing form behind unable to compete for the job. Therefore, the lack of deep threat and shakey QB play is due to that perhaps.
This brings me to my biggest gripe about the coaching. The O-Line is garbage and has been for 3 years. Tim Drevno had no OC experience, and yet was brought in because of his reputation as a OL guru. This has not been the case. Teams with less talent and less experience have produced better lines.
Next, the issue with the running backs is cause for concern. Jay Harbaugh was not a running back. I believe running back is a position in which the coach needs to have played the position. Each of our running backs have fumbled the ball this year and seem more hesistant.
In addition, the play calling was still subpar last night. The draw play on 3rd down was inexcusable.
October 8th, 2017 at 8:59 AM ^
able to watch every snap of every game this year...but offensively, particularly in the pass game, it just doesn't "feel" like Michigan calls the same type of pass plays you see a lot of in college.
Very little of the backshoulder throws up the sideline, no pick plays, deep throws to the middle of the field...and back from olden days, playaction rollouts with the tightend coming across on a post
Again, I haven't seen every snap this year, and I don't have the memory a lot of you folks do on the specifics of plays and stuff, but I am just mentioning a general feel.
October 8th, 2017 at 9:14 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 9:19 AM ^
I said "feels like." Those plays might be called, but they are either not frequently successful, or there is not time for the QB to actually make reads and run the play. So it doesn't stand out as a playcall.
October 8th, 2017 at 11:19 AM ^
They clearly don't yet have the adequate personnel either on the team or developed enough to run the scheme they want to run. They want to maul and grind the run game and then hit you over the top with a statue QB and big receivers.
October 8th, 2017 at 9:32 AM ^
"throws up the sideline" have been called, but have been part of the problem. The receivers are letting the DBs squeeze them into the sideline, taking away all but the most perfect of throws. So until receivers can be more physical and "save the box", those passes aren't going to be a threat.
While the QBs have hit TEs up the seams to the deep middle, Michigan has missed several times throwing to the deep middle.
October 8th, 2017 at 10:26 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 8:50 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 8:49 AM ^
When is the last time a team was -5 and only lost by 4 points?
October 8th, 2017 at 8:56 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 9:08 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 8:53 AM ^
The word from insiders is that Dylan McCaffrey would be ahead of Brandon Peters if it was not for the redshirt. Therefore, for 2018 I expect a McCaffrey/Speight battle pre-season. In addition, I hope that McCaffrey beats out Speight and can take the starting spot. This offense is so heavily dependent upon a quarterback, and what we have seen from Speight/O'Korn is that these two are a liability, not a strength.
There are too many cooks in the kitchen on Offense. We have two O-Line coaches two OC's. I would be happy to see Tim Drevno be relieved of his duties. He came to U of M with a solid reputation at OL, and the line should be much better at this point. In addition, his play calling is similar to Dave Warner. You know MSU is bringing a blitz on 3rd and 4, and you call a damn Draw?
Furthermore, Michigan should move Jay Harbaugh to a position that does not influence the team at all. All three of Michigan's running backs have shown troubles holding on to the football. This is a problem with coaching. I say it would make sense for Michigan to go out and get Mike Hart or another coach who has actually played running back.
Last night was quite disappointing. Michigan should end the year 8-4 and make it to the Outback bowl. Harbaugh is the right man for the job, but he cannot allow his buddies to make the Michigan offense into a turd sandwich every game.
October 8th, 2017 at 9:25 AM ^
I've seen several people make this comment. Does anyone have evidence that there has been any dissension or or disagreement leading to any problems?
October 8th, 2017 at 9:29 AM ^
Well it is a general observation, I have no insider knowledge. But i believe that teams do better when there is one person leading an offense or defense rather than two. Even MSU has problems on offense because of their Co-OC problems.
October 8th, 2017 at 9:37 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 9:56 AM ^
Good job, Mad Hatter. Yours is not a snowflake post IMO.
The way forward? I'm going to focus on fan -- and personal -- psychology first.
* Don't _expect_ to beat Ohio State for several years. Given how good their recruiting has been, it will be a tall order under the best of circumstances. Given how this season has gone? We'd better hope that there are several hits in the '17 O-line class and that Bredeson and Onwenu improve under Frey's tutelage.
* Extending the prior point, we'd better hope that Peters was a good pick. If not? McCaffrey will be a redshirt sophomore in ... 2019. Rashan Gary will be in the NFL by then (presumably). I'm considering Milton and Doyle dice rolls.
* If, like me, you scoffed at people who hoped that Harbaugh would merely "get back to the days of Lloyd Carr," readjust your expectations. We might have another guy who recruits very well but still finds a way to lose games to well-coached teams with inferior talent. Oh, and regularly loses to teams who have his level of horses. (Yes, I know Lloyd won a national championship. I'm looking at his complete body of work.)
In summary, my expectations of Michigan football in the near term have been taken down a big notch.
October 8th, 2017 at 10:30 AM ^
October 8th, 2017 at 10:50 AM ^
in this regard, unfortunately, we are not MSU
October 8th, 2017 at 11:34 AM ^
Hit the nail exactly!