PFF UM-Colorado Game Grades

Submitted by Indonacious on

https://www.profootballfocus.com/college-football-michigan-colorado-gra…

Top offensive grades:

TE Jake Butt, 82.3
FB Khalid Hill, 82.2
RT Erik Magnuson, 73.3
WR Amara Darboh, 68.0
RB DeVeon Smith, 65.6

Top defensive grades:

CB Channing Stribling, 83.5
LB Ben Gedeon, 82.5
Slot CB Jabrill Peppers, 82.3 (defense grade alone)
DE Rashan Gary, 81.1
CB Jeremy Clark, 80.7

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Big Boutros

September 19th, 2016 at 12:45 AM ^

lot of 80s on that defense. wow.

That Speight number is actually pretty encouraging and makes a lot of sense to me. Colorado has one of the better secondaries we'll face this year. Wilton had to take advantage of the blitzes that put their corners on islands and he did. When they dropped 7 the windows just weren't there.

I also thought Khalid Hill stood out and the numbers bear it out. I was worried that he got badly injured on the long Darboh touchdown.

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 23338

charblue.

September 19th, 2016 at 12:55 PM ^

in that game, and I find it almost difficult to criticize him too much for what looked like his failure to check the angling corner who nailed Speight on the blindside blitz during Michigan's second possession and led to a fumble and TD for Colorado. He was drifting into the flat as an outlet receiver on the play, took a look back as the corner ran by and was then out of position to do anything to help. The defensive call was excellent and Speight couldn't read the signals of a blitz off the corner with the safety having one-on-coverage and the DL slanting to shorten the corner's angle to the pocket and the qb target.

Hill opened the perimeter for scoring runs on the edge as Michigan repeatedly went after Colorado on the outside with great effect. On Isacc's scamper into the endzone, Hill took out Azuride altogether eliminating him as the defensive edge. He also had a nice catch on third down bouncing off Colorado's outside backer and propelling himself downfield. He as, coach has variously described, an NFL-ready player as either a tight end or H-back. Doubt he'll be used at the next level as a fullback, but you never know. Our coach knows best.

Joined: 05/25/2010

MGoPoints: 11365

LJ

September 19th, 2016 at 1:04 AM ^

Yep.  Really, the two great concerns coming out of this game are:

  1. Is Speight for real?
  2. Can the safeties hang in coverage?

Might still be awhile before we find out the answer to #2, but #1 is going to get sorted out in the next few weeks against better defenses.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 18306

Indonacious

September 19th, 2016 at 1:17 AM ^

Not sure about #1 but #2 I feel better about. They had 3 long TD passes. One was essentially a pefect throw/fade route/catch that I'm not sure I can get too mad about.

Of the other 2, one was actually a blown coverage probably more on peppers. 

Also, getting lewis back means that we will have 3 legitimate high-level corners and with everyone sliding down one level on opposing team WRs, it has a trickle down effect.

We still haven't seen how our defense may adjust with lewis back schematically and his return may take some pressure off of hill and thomas. It is possible that they pull Hill in obvious passing situations for Clark, depending on what the offense is putting out there.

Joined: 01/03/2012

MGoPoints: 16597

1VaBlue1

September 19th, 2016 at 7:17 AM ^

In the first qtr his elbow was hit by a helmet. Morris and O'Korn saw plays when his arm was being looked at because it was tingly. He finished the 1st 3/12 for about 30yds. The rest of the game he was 13/18 for 200 yds and a TD. His team scored 45 points.

What are you worried about with Speight?



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1VaBlue1

September 19th, 2016 at 8:40 AM ^

Did you happen to notice that CUs secondary played a pretty good game? The long balls were in the first, with a bum arm, heavy rush, and blanketed WRs. After that, Harbaugh adjusted to what was available - 20 yd and less throws. It worked. Would you rather continue to force the ball into excellent coverage? You wouldn't like that, either! Remember 27 rushes for 27 yds, just to "establish the rush"?

Again, I fail to see your concern for a player on only his third start.



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Joined: 01/31/2016

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WindyCityBlue

September 19th, 2016 at 9:03 AM ^

Yes. I did notice those things. I was at the game.

And let me be clear, I'm not down and out on WS, just a little concerned. His first true test and he looked shaky at times. And we really don't know how good CU is. I expected more from WS, especially since he is the starting Michigan quarterback. Expectations are high.

Joined: 07/23/2008

MGoPoints: 40486

bluesalt

September 19th, 2016 at 8:16 AM ^

It can be tough to grip a ball with that. Normally that's something that clears up in hours or days, but sometimes it can take a lot longer, require surgery, or maybe never totally fix itself (Denard and me.) But I'd bet he'll show up Saturday and look like nothing was wrong.

Joined: 11/02/2011

MGoPoints: 8482

JFW

September 19th, 2016 at 9:26 AM ^

from Bledsoe on that. Apparently Drew told his linemen the worst thing that could happen would be to let him get blindsided early in the game because it takes ahwhile to get his mind right again. I can't blame him for that. 

 

I didn't see the play (I listen on the radio) but Skene thought the O line and RB's blew the protection badly. 

Joined: 10/20/2010

MGoPoints: 15285

Hail-Storm

September 19th, 2016 at 12:08 PM ^

Millen was saying that it is on Speight to recognize the coverage there with the double stacked coverage, that a blitz might be coming from the edge there. 

I know a lot of people dislike Millen for Lions stuff, but I really like his commentary. He seems to know the game and isn't afraid to call out what he thinks are bad plays by players and explain why.  He also called a colorado player out for not holding the edge and getting to far upfield, thus getting out of his lane/ gap.  Usually I have to wait until Wednesday or Thursday to get that type of analysis. 

Hopefully Speight gets better at identifying defenses at the line, and making adjustments to attack them. 

Joined: 06/07/2010

MGoPoints: 9749

SwaggLikeUs

September 19th, 2016 at 12:44 PM ^

Except it wasn't his blind side. That's on him. He didn't read the coverage they were giving him with the safety lined up directly behind the db who was coming on the blitz. That'll come with experience. It almost happened again but this time he saw the guy and barely avoided the big hit by stepping up at the last second. Not bad though for his 3rd start ever. It was a good Colorado defense and he did what he had to do to win with a good team backing him up. Eventually he'll need to put a game on his shoulders but he's not quite there yet Edit: apparently Hill missed assignment, according to everyone who knows a lot more about football than I do

Joined: 01/20/2011

MGoPoints: 1083

DrMantisToboggan

September 19th, 2016 at 9:33 AM ^

Man, I know you're not new to Michigan fans, the only fans that could complain about 72% completion, 200 yards, 11 ypa (after regaining feeling in his arm) and a 17pt win.

We can't even think back to Rudock's first 4-5 games last year, let alone the 8 previous years wandering in the abyss.

We are fiiiiiine. We're 3-0, most advanced metrics have us in the top 5 and Colorado's defense is legit. Their DC is a Harbaugh guy.

We good.

Joined: 11/26/2014

MGoPoints: 74183

Wolfman

September 19th, 2016 at 1:44 AM ^

They must have been looking at ability to gain separation only. Obviously this is important and would satisfy my curiosity if not for other aspects of his game. He was quite effective in other areas of the game such as blocking, running, yac after the adjustments were made to get the ball in his hands. 

Joined: 07/23/2008

MGoPoints: 8259

BigHouseTalk

September 19th, 2016 at 2:59 AM ^

Time to send Wilton to the bench. Was very surprised he was named the starter going back 3 weeks ago. Still guessing why.. I HATE to think Coach does not know best but come on now.. He looks very average at this point. With an offense QB that fits the mold. Wilton looks off time, wrong decisions and an attitude that seems like he could care less.----->The play he just half assed jogged toward the side line without any get up in his step-----> And ended up taking a good shot. That left another bad taste in my mouth. 

Joined: 09/19/2016

MGoPoints: -49

pescadero

September 19th, 2016 at 8:33 AM ^

"That throw to Darboh last week that went 50 yards through the air and hit him in the chest--what more arm strength do you need?"

 

Deep throws like that aren't the issue in general with a weak arm - covered screens, outs, and deep outs are the biggest issues.

 

Speight has more than enough arm to load up and throw down field - but when he has to drive the ball, it's pretty floaty and his accuracy/timing have to be perfect.

 

So far, his accuracy/timing have been very good and it hasn't been an issue, but it definitely limits the playbook and will get exploited a few times this year.

 

"There's a reason Morris is sitting. The game is about more than arm strength."

 

Absolutely - and I'm sure Speight is the best option, because Harbaugh picked him... but being the best of what appears to be a somewhat average set of options is what it is.

 

"Also, Speight has pretty good pocket presence. He's like a shifty tower back there."

 

He does well when he see the pressure. He doesn't see the pressure all too often.

Joined: 03/28/2013

MGoPoints: 11964

Yost Ghost

September 19th, 2016 at 10:26 AM ^

I was kind of surprised on the fumble that Speight didn't even react to the unblocked rusher on the right (non-blind side). Almost as if he didn't see him. Later in the game the same thing happened and he did react and scramble for positve yardage but the reaction seemed a little slow to me.

Joined: 01/18/2011

MGoPoints: 223

XiX

September 19th, 2016 at 12:33 PM ^

about that play is that Drake Harris didn't even try to point out the possibility of the blitz. Awuzie took a few steps in that direction prior to the snap and nobody reacted.

Outside of that, it also seems to me that Wilton is targeting Darboh a lot and will force a throw to him rather than going through his progressions. I'll rewatch the game but that's the sense I got.

Joined: 11/04/2015

MGoPoints: 1508

mattyjbeans

September 19th, 2016 at 7:18 AM ^

if only we would have had a guy who could take that shoulder hit at the beginning better too. and the interceptions, all those damn picks. almost lost us the game! -- couldn't believe that first throw ti dar oh, couldn't have thrown it worse, right in the numbers, like, "do you even qb bruh?"!!!!!!

Joined: 02/08/2012

MGoPoints: 120

JFW

September 19th, 2016 at 9:20 AM ^

I can't even be mad at it. It sounds like the stuff my MSU brother makes up as a psuedo troll just to be funny. 

 

Yes, BHT. The Coach who has coached up Luck, Smith, Cap, Rudock, etc. is wrong in his evaluation, but you have the true measure of the team and its QB situation. 100% makes sense. 

I worry about some things on this team. I think some of the pre-season predictions (#3) were silly based on our issues with the line and to an extent RB's. But Harbaugh is great at playcalling and instililng character in this team. Its mental toughness is light years beyond RR and especially Hoke's teams. And if there is one position I don't worry about at all under Harbuagh, its QB. 

 

Shoo. Back to under the bridge with you. 

Joined: 10/20/2010

MGoPoints: 15285

Gulogulo37

September 19th, 2016 at 5:08 AM ^

I also wonder about PFF sometimes. I guess they've been doing NFL stuff forever, but they came out of nowhere to me and everyone puts a lot of stock in it. With the speed of their grades getting done, they must have a huge staff. How do they maintain consistency across graders? How are they even grading stuff in the first place? UFR is very transparent.

Joined: 03/16/2010

MGoPoints: 28298

BigHouseTalk

September 19th, 2016 at 2:53 AM ^

Tell me what you think about Wilton Speight? I'm afraid he is not the best option for our team. He has continued to look skiddish, unmotivated (compared to John), and his accuracy and timing is still a big area of concern.. Will we make the move to O'Korn before we get smacked in the face? Before we drop away from the top 4 teams in the country? Or will it take a hole/loss (maybe too deep to climb out of) to give O'Korn his shot at it? Or will Wilton buckle down and play with some fire?! A few big questions that need to be handled. Let me know where everyone stands!

 

Joined: 09/19/2016

MGoPoints: -49

xtramelanin

September 19th, 2016 at 5:39 AM ^

i'm not sure if that's a slippery guy, or a yiddish word for meatball.  

another entry in the 'name my past 5 accounts' sweepstakes.  who can it be?  achillles, back from bolivia?  doc brown on a bad night?  wolfman (not banned i don't think, just missing on diary posts)?  

Joined: 12/09/2014

MGoPoints: 15439