Positives from the Game
Yes, the lost sucks. We beat ourselves, and Iowa did what they needed to do to make sure it stayed as an L in our column. This post is NOT meant to take the pain or suckage that comes with losing.
However, there were some positives to build on:
- Stephen Hopkins. This boy needs to be our starting RB. Speed + power. He is the type of Big Ten back we need to have.
- Rocko Khoury. Last year, Molk goes down and everything imploded. This year, Molk goes down, we hiccup and recover to go for another 300+ yards. That is thanks to our Coaches for building depth for the first time in AGES at linemen.
- Demens. Not perfect, but attacked instead of sitting back. It was nice change of pace.
- Stonum. He started to become a "give me the damn ball, I am carrying this team on my sholders" type of WR we had hoped him to be. Secondary to that was Hemmingway. These are the types of guys we need to have around to win.
- Forcier. Yes, he had two picks where Iowa had amazing zone coverage PLUS pressure with only rushing four. However, he came in and picked Iowa apart, and needs to start seeing more PT. Not saying he needs to be the ONLY one to get snaps, however he is a far better passer then Denard and we will need that again before the year is over, especially if we get a consistent run game going with Hopkins.
- Lewan. Yes, his stupidity cost us drives. However, he neutralized one of the best DEs in the country all day long... who then turned around and terrorized Huyge. If he gets himself under control, he is Jake Long reincarnate, with some talent along the rest of the line.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:44 PM ^
We were awful for part of the game and we did great for part of the game. Call a spade a spade, but give the team the credit it deserves across the board. We had some great moments today.
Of course, we lost and made some mistakes so that means we couldn't have been good at any point, right?
October 16th, 2010 at 9:36 PM ^
There were plenty of positives. This isn't 2008.
October 16th, 2010 at 10:39 PM ^
it's a lot more like 2009.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:10 PM ^
If we keep beating ourselves, we'll lose the rest of our games under John L. Rodriguez.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:30 PM ^
As long as Rich doesn't slap himself at a press conference I think he'll go on to future seasons with better results.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:10 PM ^
For a team with a lot of sophomores and freshmen at key positions, our team is really going to be good in a year or two. We are just a few plays a game away from being a legit top 10 team (force turnovers, commit fewer mistakes, etc.).
October 16th, 2010 at 8:13 PM ^
You can probably say that about 40 other teams. Thats what seperates the winners from the losers. We've said the same things about the lions the last 10 years.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:18 PM ^
when do we stop saying just wait until next year or two years from now? I am not a RR hater. In fact, I really want him to succeed. I am getting tired of towing the line with "wait until 20XX". I see the progress on offense. I do not see where the defense is going to make a huge leap to next year, but I could be wrong. I did see some some positives today but positives alone do not put a W in the Win column.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:33 PM ^
Wait did you steal a handle from the movie Hackers? Good God man. I mean Angelina Jolie was hot in that movie and all but have some self respect. I mean a skateboarding villian and all that trying to visualize electronic transmissions with cheesy CGI...
Movie still amuses me so +1
October 16th, 2010 at 8:13 PM ^
I think people need to give Iowa credit for making UM "beat itself." Iowa's line forced Tate and Denard to throw some bad picks, their LBs made Smith cough up the ball, and their offense was able to capitalize. Sometimes, when a team has 3 TOs and struggles to score, it is because of bad luck and some bad plays, but it is also likely because the other team played well and capitalized in those mistakes.
October 16th, 2010 at 10:02 PM ^
Exactly. The announcers kept describing Iowa as an opportunistic team, one that takes whatever they get and makes the most of it.
It's something Michigan can aspire to do. We need to capitalize off of other teams' mistakes, and I think that comes with experience.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:14 PM ^
We only let up 383 yards to a decent offense. Imagine what we'll do against PSU. (I'm hoping this isn't just an aberation and will qualify looking at one game because 1.) that's what this thread is about and 2.) DEMENS!)
We scored...wait, we gained 522 yards against a top 5 D. Imagine what we'll do to PPSU. (start the immature laughing in 3...2...1...)
If we're all guessing on a 7-5/8-4 season then PSU is the difference maker. After this game it looks like we should be able to beat them. This is good. A win @PSU means we most likely go 8-4, which is a game ahead of most preseason expectations.
A 8-4 finish sets us up for a NC run the following year, where we have a better passing Denard, Dee, and a more experienced D. This, again, is good.
If the 8-4/7-5 hinges on PSU then we're in a good place because it seems like right now we're better than PSU. Yes. Win. Touchdown. Good.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:38 PM ^
There isn't a game left on our schedule, save OSU (probably), that we can't win if we just stop killing ourselves with stupid friggin' penalties and turnovers. We fell behind against Iowa mostly because of what we did to ourselves. And once we fall behind by 14 points against a good defense, we're pretty much cooked because we can't rely on our D to make stops.
By the way, I don't want to see us kick another FG the rest of the season, unless it's from the 5 yard line or closer. Two kickoffs out of bounds? Two?! Special teams is in dire need of an extreme makeover.
October 16th, 2010 at 9:05 PM ^
Are you high? This team isn't close to a NC run any time soon. It's one thing to be fan...it's another thing to be delusional.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:20 PM ^
Not good overall. In fact, we look quite...
October 16th, 2010 at 8:23 PM ^
How many MAC teams put up 522 yards against a top 10 D?
October 16th, 2010 at 8:50 PM ^
Is Iowa really a top 10 D? Or did they feast on extremely weak offenses to run up their stats? They have a good defensive line and decent linebackers and safeties. Their cornerbacks were weak and gave up big passes against all competition with a pulse: Arizona on the road and Tate today.
October 16th, 2010 at 9:20 PM ^
Dude, you're an ass. Why don't you go root for the buckeyes. We don't need fans like you. Please go away.
October 16th, 2010 at 9:25 PM ^
Or maybe do it two or three times, that might get the job done.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:20 PM ^
There is a place where I can come and discuss football with people who understand the program. I just read two Facebook status updates cutting down Denard and Rich Rod.
Some dumb girl on my feed was lobbying for Gardner because he has "potential."
Man, he could in fact be the next Vince Young, but as long as Denard is in maize and blue, I'd take my chances. I'd bet dollars to donuts in 10 years they will be comparing some great young stud to the next Denard Robinson.
God, people are so fucking stupid.
Rant over.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:21 PM ^
Denard, Molk, Martin were out for significant stretches due to injury.
Demens showed nicely today
I was concerned that we were so thin that any injury would weaken us severely. Thrilled to see how the team maintained.
The crowd in the fourth.*.
*Although earlier in the third there were four idiots behind me screaming 'We want Harbaugh" The other three cheered for the team in the fourth while their friend was getting medical attention for his bloody nose.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:33 PM ^
We have a punter.
Gallon doesn't make me as nervous anymore in the return game, and he looks like he will be a nice WR down the road as well.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:35 PM ^
We put up plenty of yardage on MSU and Iowa. Two solid Big 10 defenses. Once we mature and quit shooting ourselves in the foot, look out!
October 16th, 2010 at 8:37 PM ^
Give Hopkins the damn ball. Dude is a stud.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:38 PM ^
October 16th, 2010 at 10:30 PM ^
So his first quarter penalty was more important than the Smith fumble? Shows what I know, I thought that fumble was the real turning point.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:43 PM ^
and needs a lot more carries. Vincent Smith should only carry the ball 4 or 5 times per game, maximum. The rest of his touches need to be catches out of the backfield. How many times did Smith get stuffed on first down up the middle? The fumble was irritating. Hopkins or Shaw (if healthy) need a lot more touches.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:51 PM ^
October 16th, 2010 at 9:44 PM ^
October 16th, 2010 at 11:48 PM ^
what was with that broadcasting team? Old guy and dumb guy. Pam Ward must of had the shits today and couldn't make it...
October 16th, 2010 at 8:51 PM ^
Far from perfect but I enjoyed myself as much as you can from a loss. The game was semi on the line in the 4th quarter against a good team when we were making mistakes. Just did not make enough plays but I loved the fact that the on the sidelines the players were going crazy. I thought the team as a whole showed some fight today. I was more encouraged than discouraged by this game.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:59 PM ^
Rodriguez will be probably be gone before too long, and our long collective nightmare will be over.
October 16th, 2010 at 9:07 PM ^
Garbage
October 16th, 2010 at 9:06 PM ^
Positives: Michigan is horrible at defense and special teams yet still had a chance in the 4th.
Negatives: In a day where the defense played somewhat OK, special teams and turnovers doom the day. Blah.
October 16th, 2010 at 9:11 PM ^
A tired bright spot next week, I'll wager, but wow. He is a RS Freshman. The donkey he rode today will be playing on Sunday. TL wore him out to the point where he had to take a breather. Giving the coaches two weeks to beat him might not have been his brightest move, but these things happen. He can't even call home and find sympathy.
Someone that Lewan should watch film of Long. It almost sounded like a comparison. Of a RS freshman and the first pick in the draft. Really? Life is good!
October 16th, 2010 at 9:36 PM ^
At the beginning of the season we were predicted to win 7 or 8. We have a bye week so that hopefully the bumps and bruises can have a chance to heal. On the 30th we play a struggling PSU which should be a win. Then we play ILL and PUR, which should both be wins. Going into the last 2 games am not sure that I will count those as wins just yet (as I write this I am watching them play and both of those teams look pretty good). Not saying we can't win them but they could both give us troubles. The positives that I am taking away from this game are that we have the opportunity to win a few more and possibly play in a january bowl. Next year with a more experienced D and Woolfolk coming back for one more year I think we have a pretty bright future.
October 16th, 2010 at 9:43 PM ^
- Stephen Hopkins: Totally awesome. Much faster than advertised.
- Rocko Khoury. Totally agree, encouraging to see depth building.
- Demens. I'll wait for the UFR.
- Stonum. Agreed, looked good along with Hemmingway.
- Forcier. Mix of great and facepalm.
- Lewan. Extremely encouraging day, stock is sky high.
October 16th, 2010 at 10:05 PM ^
I've got a new view.
Whatever it takes to get through the night...and the next couple of weeks...
October 16th, 2010 at 10:21 PM ^
October 16th, 2010 at 10:48 PM ^
October 16th, 2010 at 11:07 PM ^
Good to see the team keep fighting despite being down 21 and losing Denard to an injury. This was a very different feeling after a critical mistake (Smith's fumble) than the Illinois goal line stand last year.
Defense seems to be improving (having the enigmatic one at MLB instead of a nice but indecisive statue is probably a part of why). If nothing else, the defense overall looked better than OSU did today, which isn't something I thought I could say honestly this year.
Punt teams look much better. Hagerup could be past his jitters, and the punt return team never gave me a heart attack.
Hopkins looked pretty damn good. I wouldn't mind seeing him alongside Shaw or Toussaint in two-back sets instead of Smith. Maybe even in more single-back sets, though I didn't pay attention to how Hopkins did on passing plays. Nothing against Smith, but Hopkins's size gives an added dimension to the offense, and Shaw and Toussaint (if he can ever get healthy) both have more speed.
As much as the loss sucks, Michigan did look to be pretty clearly the fourth or fifth best team in the Big 10 (depending on whether Wisconson continues to look like they did against Sparty or against OSU). Pending any major surprises, 8-4 is a very realistic record. That's +3 wins compared to last year, which is a big improvement. I know that 8 wins is a bit disappointing for most Michigan teams, but considering the situation that the team was in just two years ago, that's a pretty solid improvement. I had been saying since January 2008 that it would take Rich Rod a few years to really get things put together on both sides of the ball because of all the talent leaving in addition to the total system overhaul, with either 2010 or 2011 being when he can really start to challenge for conference titles. Things look to be right about on schedule.