one streak intact
I know we lost the bowl streak and the consecutive winning seasons, but there was one important streak that stayed intact. Consecutive games without being shutout. I know the last time we were shutout was 1984 against Iowa. Correct me if I am wrong but I think that is the longest streak of all the FBS teams. I was kind of worried that we would get shutout after we failed to score on that first drive with short field position.
On a side note I went to the game and had nice seats behind our bench. You wouldn't believe the things that their fans yelled at Rodriguez. It was unreal. Those fans really need to get a life as RR would say.
But to the final point, I am fully onboard with RR and the system. He is our guy, never been more sure than after yesterday. Among a host of reasons was the fact that on our scoring drive we ran the same play 6 times in a row, and when its blocked correctly Ohio State just isnt quick enough to keep contain. I told one osu fan, you can have this year, but that right there is a sign of trouble for you on the horizon.
Go Blue!
November 23rd, 2008 at 8:44 AM ^
I thought you were going to say our streak of muffing and fumbling punt and kickoff catches stayed intact. Just kidding.
We will be competing for a BigTen Title in 2 years with Rodriquez in my opinion. Next year we will be better, but with a true freshman QB, we'll take our lumps.
November 23rd, 2008 at 10:53 AM ^
"We will be competing for a BigTen Title in 2 years with Rodriquez in my opinion. Next year we will be better, but with a true freshman QB, we'll take our lumps."
+1. But I think we go to a bowl next year.
The only thing that disappointed me was that RR didn't have any tricks up his sleeve. It was basically the same offense. I was hoping to see him pull out some stops, considering that's what it usually takes to win a game in which you're a three-touchdown underdog.
November 23rd, 2008 at 11:16 AM ^
Generally, to run trick plays, teams have to fear you being able to execute the basic plays. I don't think that was going to happen. Maybe if Threet had been available you would have seen something.
November 23rd, 2008 at 11:02 AM ^
With Sheridan at QB, throwing the ball downfield is considered a trick play.
November 23rd, 2008 at 11:21 AM ^
One thing I found encouraging yesterday (and at other times this year) was how often our WRs were getting open downfield. If we'd had a QB with more arm strength, we'd have thrown a couple of 40+ yard TDs yesterday. That's a credit to the offensive system. Under Carr, our WRs (other than Manningham) often had a tough time getting separation and we had to throw them jump balls. I think that was a function of 1) our QB not being a rushing threat, so safeties had one less thing to think about and 2) that we almost never used the deep middle of the field, so safeties knew where to defend. Our WRs still put up big numbers, but they were required to make a lot of difficult catches on deep balls. In this system, I think we're going to see our WRs catching the ball in stride more often downfield. And consequently, it won't be as necessary to recruit the 6'3", 210 guys that were a staple of Carr's offense - they won't have to outjump safeties for the ball as often.
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:54 PM ^
I think this is why people are so interested in getting Forcier here. He's supposedly the most accurate high school passer in the country and has great technique. So you would hope that means he can come in and be a serious threat for downfield passes. Assuming Greg Matthews and Junior Hemingway are back, plus an offseason of development with all our freshman receivers that ought to be a danger next year. I can only think of a couple long passes this year, maybe 1 per game on average? If that?
But beyond the long pass I think where this will help most is 3rd down conversions. We were 27.3% converting third down, in 2007 we were 43.4%. I checked back a few years and we were consistently converting 40-44% on third down. It makes a lot of sense when you look at, up to a 20% drop in 3rd down conversions will kill most drives.
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:16 PM ^
yes, i love how you comment that we ran the same 6 plays in a row and its a good thing. how aout the first 7 3 and outs of the game? surely you musta thought that was a good thing too.
rich is not the answer. and he has taken NO repsonility for anything this year. but i guess, why should he with you apologists getting hard ons for everything hes done?
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:39 PM ^
Okay, the Drew Sharp shtick was kind of funny the first time you did it, but now that you've done it like 15 times, it's just grating.
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:36 PM ^
Oh yea I do remember the first 7 3 and outs. Man you are right Rich Rod does suck. I wish we had Pete Carrol in here because he surely would have been able to move the ball down field with a walk on qb who has no talent whatsoever to be playing division 1 football, especially on yesterdays stage, and a walk on right tackle replacing our best lineman against a top ten defense. BTW sharp, how is old Lesticles doing down there at LSU? Looks to me that his team is struggling with a ton of more experience and talent than what we have at UM.
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:45 PM ^
With a junior Carson Palmer who'd started since he was a freshman and a pretty talented team. It wasn't until his second year that Carroll started winning big.
November 23rd, 2008 at 2:07 PM ^
I know I am just being sarcastic. Do we play music at our practices like USC does? Maybe that is the formula for success....
November 23rd, 2008 at 3:10 PM ^
As tough as a season this has been for Michign Fans, I can't imagine what OSU Fans must be thinking. This was suppose to be "the year", but then so was last year and the year before that and so on and so on. Thank God, Michigan had the brains to jump off that train-"good but not great". Can't imagine what kind of season the Bucknuts would have had without the Freshmen T.Pryor. Big Ten network stated OSU had to be the biggest disappointment in the Big Ten this year-Dam, I thought we did enough to win that-oh well-thanks OSU,we can always count on you guys.