Most Improved Player? Biggest Surprise?
Realize a few more games to go this season and this can change a bit, but love the team's direction and we have a pretty large trend/sample now.
Most Improved, for me, I'd have to go with Ojabo but Eric All is up there as well. I was shocked to hear that was his first career TD. His blocking is so critical too.
Biggest Surprise? I go DJ Turner. Really solid junior season. I think Gray as well. He's made some big time solo tackles in space that have prevented some big plays/momentum starters.
November 14th, 2021 at 10:37 AM ^
Rod Moore. He gives us the ability to move Daxton into a more flexible position for multiple schemes. He is going to be a special player.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:08 AM ^
Seeing him start against PSU was surprising, but that was his first start of the year. Moten has been the other Safety all season. Wonder why the switch because Moten was out there late in yesterday's game so didn't seem injury related
November 14th, 2021 at 12:15 PM ^
Moore is more of a CB/NB like hill where as Moten is more of the Safety type like Hawkins. Moore also has more speed and better coverage skills. It allows Michigan to sub less and get lined up faster with Moore on the field.
November 14th, 2021 at 1:45 PM ^
I believe it's been said that Moore is being groomed to take over Dax's role next year.
November 14th, 2021 at 2:59 PM ^
He's the #2 at that position for sure.
But you also have to replace Hawkins next year.
That could mean a Will Johnson (OR Domani Jackson ?) plays the Dax spot if he's up for it.
Makari Paige might have something to say about it as well.
November 14th, 2021 at 2:57 PM ^
Moore did start over Moten though, Green was out so Dax was always playing some CB. And Moore was playing deep.
I'm fact, watch the last drive...on third down Moore breaks up the pass to Dotson and knocks Dotson out of the game. But if you look at Moore...he also got hurt on the play and went out.
Moten was playing with Hawkins on the 4th down.
November 14th, 2021 at 10:38 AM ^
Ojabo is the biggest surprise
Corum most improved
November 14th, 2021 at 10:51 AM ^
Corum hardly got to play last year behind a horrific line.
His talent was always there, our oline was dogshit last year
November 14th, 2021 at 11:48 AM ^
I've been in denial but finally have to admit that Ojabo is probably gone to the NFL. Great for him, but as a fan it's just so disheartening. With several star players over the last few years we get next to zero in year one, a promising year two, a blow-up year three and there they go. Seems as soon as they get really good, it's over, and next year we have a gaping question mark at DE again.
November 14th, 2021 at 10:48 AM ^
Most improved on offense: Erick All, but that one was easy. He got open last year, just could not catch. The talent was there and he came with all of the hype from Harbaugh and you could see why...he was as advertised until the ball slipped through his hands.
Offensively, I think a lot of guys are improved. McNamara is clearly better, the pressure from McCarthy worked wonders for him.
Haskins is better, and Corum is more patient, and thus better. Cornelius Johnson and Trevor Keegan are also noticeably better than last year.
Biggest surprise on offense? I don't think I'm surprised by anything, no one is really doing anything other than playing to his potential, but all of these guys showed flashes. I actually think that might be one thing we're missing, is someone else to show up and show out...a Luke Schoonmaker. Andrel Anthony is the closest right now, IMO. Hoping he is a difference maker to close out the regular season.
---------------
Most improved on defense: Mazi Smith and Chris Hinton. Hinton got pushed around like he was 240 pounds last year. He's so much tougher, and Smith is in shape and making an impact. Ojabo is improved, but those two up front win for me.
Biggest surprise for the defense: Mike MacDonald. There have been growing pains (YOU CAN'T SUB IF THEY ARE GOING NO HUDDLE!) But his defense has been a huge surprise. Not that it's worked, but that it's worked with THIS personnel that wasn't recruited for it. I didn't know what to expect. What I like most is he doesn't seem to be so rigid like most coaches where it has to be HIS style/system. He's grown, adjusted, adapted. Maybe it's the youth where he doesn't have the arrogance to think he knows it all...but it has been refreshing to feel like we're more "multiple" on defense.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:43 AM ^
Agree 100% on Macdonald. He puts players in positions to maximize their talents they have, not the ones he wishes they had.
November 14th, 2021 at 10:53 AM ^
There are so many:
- Hutch went from being a solid DE to being the best player in college football
- Gray appears to be a solid CB in this scheme after being horrendous last year
- Mazi Smith went from not playing to being a solid starter
- Hinton went from inconsistent to consistent
- All can catch! Really well!
- Corum is awesome when blocks get him to the second level
- Colson has turned into a solid linebacker
- Hello: DJ Turner
- Hello: David Ojabo
- Hello: Mike Morris
November 14th, 2021 at 12:28 PM ^
Couldn't of said it any better!
November 14th, 2021 at 10:58 AM ^
Biggest surprise Ojabo
coach Jack Harbaugh told us before the season he was really playing well but no one thought he would be close to almost breaking the single season sack record.
DBs would be most improved along with Oline
November 14th, 2021 at 3:37 PM ^
Is there a single season strip sack record? If so Objabo has to be close.
November 15th, 2021 at 8:45 AM ^
Tied that record
November 14th, 2021 at 11:09 AM ^
I mean, at this point, the whole fucking team has improved so much who can pick just one? More interesting is who hasn't improved? Who hasn't lived up to expectations?
JJ? Dax Hill? Perhaps only b/c they have so much talent/exepectations.
The LBers? Dissappeared @ MSU but Colson is coming along and they are young outside of Ross
Filiaga? Vastardis? They have been good but not great I guess?
TBH, this is quite a remarkable turnaround, especially given how young the team is. M could lose, and likely will lose, some important pieces (AH, Dax, maybe Ojabo, All?). But ther remaining pieces are still quite promising and there is a lot of talented expereince
November 14th, 2021 at 11:13 AM ^
Your first sentence reveals it to me - I'm surprised at the apparent impact of this coaching staff.
Given the youth of the staff and the amount of change I did not expect this sound of a performance. Could even argue that this team has seen far less than its fair share of the luck (bounces of loose balls, ugly officiating) and still has mustered 9-1.
Hoping some turnover at other schools will loosen up a few names so this staff can hit a little better in their first year on the recruiting trail. But right now, would just like to see them make a run at it together for the next few years.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:12 AM ^
I’m surprised by the organization of this team.
MacDonald has not had to say in a press conference, “we missed that call in the back 7 so x player was uncovered.” There haven’t been TDs given up where two defenders are standing there staring at each other because neither knew the coverage. I expected that to happen constantly given the complexity of the defense and MacDonald’s inexperience coordinating with assistants who don’t know him or this defense.
on offense it’s the same with the offensive line. They have been way better than I expected at picking up many blitzes and creating some holes. We aren’t talking about all the missed assignments week after week. We aren’t reading about plays falling apart because the line couldn’t figure out who to target or who the Mike is.
lastly, this team has a lot more poise than I expected. Both at Nebraska and PSU they didn’t panic when it was time for the offense to go score with time running out. The defense did its job with the Neb forced-fumble and the PSU hold them to a FG.
This team feels more like a Carr or Dantonio team than it does the last few Harbaugh teams.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:18 PM ^
I give the players specifically Cade credit there. He always looks poised and under control. The moment never looks too big.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:14 AM ^
Ojabo and Ojabo. So many others have improved so much and so exceeded expectations, but just damn, man.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:17 AM ^
I agree with all the other posts here. Ojabo, All, and Corum etc. have all been surprisingly good. But I would also add McNamara to the list. After the Washington game I was positive he would eventually be supplanted by JJ but he’s done well to hold his own so far, and has made some big time throws in key situations. I would say the QB controversy is completely settled this year, if there ever was one.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:00 PM ^
So many to choose and none are wrong about their choices.
It's feels great to be 9 and 1. So many of these players have stepped up and let's not forget special teams as well. Robbins is a great punter and Moody has been money in kicking FG. The only missing piece would be the returning aspect from kick offs.
Let's get a big win against Maryland on Saturday and see where the chips land after that-Go Blue!
November 14th, 2021 at 11:30 AM ^
Most Improved: Coaching (not Gameday specific)
This whole season I have felt like Michigan was the better team on the field. Across the board, every player looks improved. Every offensive and defensive unit has had strong performances throughout the year. The game plans seem evident and tailored to the opponent on the schedule. I'm not sold that we have the most talented Jimmys and Joes on the field throughout the Top25 teams in the nation, but our all-stars are playing to their capabilities and the supporting cast is consistently accomplishing their strengths. Because of this, we have a team that can play with many more talented teams in the country. In fact, each team we play seem to rely on trickery plays and taking risks to give them their best chance to win.
Biggest Surprise: Team's Mental (Gameday specific)
While the game plans and player development have been outstanding (IMO), the crazy amount of intangibles (unexpected bad breaks, missed calls, conversion plays that escape containment or make outstanding pressure catches) keep occurring at an alarming rate. PSU dominated the 1st quarter, converted 4of6 4th downs (including a 2-point), and caused a late game turnover on their side of the field...netting only 17 points but the lead. Team withstood it.
I'll argue, result would have been the same @ MSU if the PI was called (yes, I get it...we still had another attempt after, but that was brutal after having points already blatantly taken away), and again MSU players regularly made Herculean plays that defy the odds (imagine if the 4th down pass wasn't caught. Team survived games against opponents after completely losing momentum in the 2nd half against Nebraska, Rutgers, and PSU (and probably should have beaten MSU as well).
Those are the two reasons I think Michigan will play OSU to the end of the 4th even with the distinct talent gap. I think Michigan will have a scheme, and our players will be focused and capable of overcoming adversity. The question is, can we PLEASE improve on some of the Gameday coaching. Seems like 1 of the 2 sides of the ball struggles in the 2nd half to make adjustments more often than not. That will determine whether we win out the next 2 (and possibly 3) weeks.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:49 AM ^
Please allow me to summarize this post for you: most surprising improvement - Jim Motherfuckin' Harbaugh.
And I couldn't agree more! He was left for dead last year, bringing him back was understood to be nothing more than a Covid finance related affair. Warde and Jim both agreed to bet on an extension, and the payoff has been outstanding. I have more confidence in this team than I had in the 2016 team. They have been doing more than I had a reasonable hope for coming into the season, I've seen everything I wanted to see. I'm onboard for the next 5-yr deal now, because I see the changes as being permanent.
All season I've asked for nothing more than a competitive game against OSU. I now know we'll get that. Don't know if they'll win - but I know that OSU is going to be forced to play a excellent game to win. Nonetheless, win or lose, this season has been a wild-ass success.
November 14th, 2021 at 2:37 PM ^
Harbaugh's improved public demeanor is likely the reflection of positive changes elsewhere in his life. I'm not going to speculate on what those were.
Watching him this season he seems much more like his old self.
He's back to contesting calls in an energetic, yet appropriate way. When the game ended he jogged across the field to shake Franklin's hand.
Also look at his demeanor in the postgame interview with All. That enthusiasm was totally different than what we've seen in the past few years.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:25 PM ^
Ojabo has to be the biggest surprise and most improved lol. Who saw 10 sacks in 10 games? Absolute monster.
Also surprised by Rod Moore & Rj Moten.
November 14th, 2021 at 1:32 PM ^
Erick All had the dropsies bad. Now that he's fixed that and is a sure handed target for Cade, he went from just a guy to a potential all-conference and NFL guy
November 14th, 2021 at 3:28 PM ^
I agree with you on Turner. I remember in the beginning of the season Harbaugh was saying that Erick All was a great Tight End and he fulfilled that expectation. I also read someone on here was to look for improvement on the defense with a new coordinator. Especially in the secondary. Shutting down #5 for PSU was impressive work by the secondary.