But should I be worried about the defense?
A great win, but lost in it might be the fact that the Defensive line (and to a lesser extent the LBs) were manhandled at times by an offensive line not known for being particularly tough or talented? The announcers pointed it out a few times that UM simply could not get any push against the run, and Allen looked like a stud out there. Yes, there were holdings and the like, but at the same time the only sustained pressure came from the blitz. I'm sure the UFR will bear this out, but Ezi and the rest of the LBs (except maybe Stevie) didn't make a whole lot of big plays, and I'm a little worried going forward about how they will play going forward against more physical teams.
That said, a great game and a signature win. I'm not trying to rain on the parade, but just wondering out loud. If I get negbanged for the title, so be it.
September 12th, 2009 at 8:37 PM ^
ND's Oline is just about all seniors. One of the better Olines we will face. Tate and Floyd are the 2 best WR's we will face all year. And they are on the same team. I'm not too worried.
September 12th, 2009 at 8:41 PM ^
True about the WRs. While ND's OLine is experienced, it never struck me as a particularly talented one. I'm just a bit worried. Still, I agree that the offense may be the best UM sees outside of PSU.
September 12th, 2009 at 8:39 PM ^
we won't be facing many passing attacks that are that good. maybe penn state will be tough for our D. I'm more worried about injuries. Looks like stonum got dinged, hemingway is out, minor is still banged up, bouboucar has his shoulder bandaged. I'm glad we've got some easy games before state. There's going to be a huge emotional letdown next week.
September 12th, 2009 at 8:40 PM ^
Maybe tomorrow, not today.
September 12th, 2009 at 8:42 PM ^
about the defensive line. Sure, we were up against a senior line that liked to hold, but their running backs ran through a lot of our d-line tackles. There were a couple occasions, for example, where I saw them drag Martin 3 yards after the point of contact. You're not supposed to drag a 290 pound man another 10 feet after he's got your legs. I didn't like our tackling against the run all day.
September 12th, 2009 at 8:40 PM ^
This is still a young team. We're under our 3rd D coordinator in 3 years. We have poor depth. We lost majority of our DLine to graduation. GERG has improved our D alot, but it's going to take time to make it an elite unit. Recruiting will key; we need DBs and LBs ASAP.
September 12th, 2009 at 8:41 PM ^
but one guy on offense, and the new starter is a senior. That is a very talented ND offense, and the defense isn't to shabby either. Make no mistake about it, we beat a pretty good Irish team; I'd be surprised if they don not win at least 8 games.
September 12th, 2009 at 8:44 PM ^
One indication that the O line is kind of panicking is that they held our guys several times. I take it that our d line has speed and stamina, so the O line had to resort to penalties to slow us down. I take this as a positive sign, even though we couldn't get sacks as often as we'd like, but penalties are good too.
September 12th, 2009 at 8:44 PM ^
I'm not worried about the pass rush. We almost always rushed four and they had a lot of max protect on. Usually at least six. The lack of pressure on Clausen was due to the lack of a blitz.
September 12th, 2009 at 8:55 PM ^
Why worry? This is the best offensive team they will play all year. The defense is young--and will get better as the season progresses.
What UM lacks more than anything is a physical defensive line. They need bigger guys there.
When you take all of this in--this victory (if looked at objectively) is a miracle win. Not a lucky miracle, they manufactured it, but still it was improbable and the Rich Rod Era has finally begun.
September 12th, 2009 at 9:10 PM ^
We should be OK. Clausen might not be the shapest knife in the drawer, but he's got a great arm. We won't face that good of a passing offense in the Big 10. Gerg is improving the D. Hopeful Turner will also be able to contribute pretty soon. We could use his size in the defensive backfield.
September 12th, 2009 at 9:16 PM ^
Well, RR put the entire game in the hands of the D at the end and they did what they had to do.
That is really all that you need to know.
When Stonum ran the kickoff back that was fabulous but put the D right back on the field.
If we score from the 1, the game is over. And, no one is talking about the D. Couple of bogus pass interference calls, lack of holding calls, etc.
September 12th, 2009 at 9:22 PM ^
Why can't big will get on the field? We all had him penciled in as a starter this year. The D line could really use some help. Specifically help with size.
September 12th, 2009 at 9:26 PM ^
Dude, maybe you thought he was going to start. Campbell is very raw in his technique; he simply just used his size to push around the competition in high school. Normally he'd need a redshirt to refine his technique and get him through our S&C program, but we're a little thin on the DL so he'll play here and there. Campbell may have size, but if his techniques are bad, good OL will push him around all day long.
September 12th, 2009 at 11:14 PM ^
at some point in each of the next two games.
September 12th, 2009 at 9:30 PM ^
Am I worried? A little. That said, we have two games against weaker (weaker than ND, that is) opponents the next two weeks, which will offer the D some opportunities to fine-tune things before we take on Sparty. Room for improvement? Sure.
September 12th, 2009 at 9:31 PM ^
the D is worrisome onlu b/c of depth and obi ezah
September 12th, 2009 at 9:43 PM ^
We might not face a better offense, but we got exposed. But it might not matter if Tate keeps playing like a vet!
September 12th, 2009 at 9:52 PM ^
I'd rather them take some lessons from a ND win than some random loss...
September 13th, 2009 at 12:00 AM ^
We have to pray Warren & Boubou stay healthy all year. I also think we need to get backups as much PT as possible against EMU, IU, Delaware St., and any team we are thrashing (MSU? Illinois? Purdue?) It is better in some ways for the backups to get burned some in order to get them seasoned.
I feel the same way, but not to the extreme, for the rest of the defense.