snowflakes [ED:BiSB - All ND blatherings go here]

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September 22nd, 2012 at 11:06 PM
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michgoblue
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snowflakes [ED:BiSB - All ND blatherings go here]

Well, that sucked.  While these are fresh in my head, here are my thoughts on the game:

1.  Defense - we played a great defensive game.  When you turn the ball over 6 times, some of those well into your own territory, and only give up a single TD and 2 FGs, that is some damn good defense.  I was especially happy with our safety and LB play against the run.  Kovaks was just awesome today.

2.  Defensive turnovers.  I am somewhat concerned about why we are not creating fumbles on defense.  Not a knock agianst our defense, which see above, but are we just not swarming the ball and tacking hard enough or is it something else?  We will need to create turnovers to win the game.

3.  Defensive pressure - again, see #1, but we really do need to get more pressure on opposing QBs.  NDs QB situation is shit, but against teams with better QBs, allowing that much pocket time is going to hurt us.

4.  Ok, the offense.  I know that we put up a big 6 points, but the offense actually looked OK.  Denard ran well, and Gallon continues to be - in my mind, at least - our best receiver.  That kid is consistent and catches just about everything thrown his way.  No, he is not going to be Megatron, but he is a great possession receiver. 

5.  Denard - sometimes, you just have a crappy game.  This was definitely that.  Let's  not extrapolate too much from this.  Hopefully, he will never see a LB as good as Teo again this year (until the Rose Bowl?).  He just had a crappy game, and there is not more to say.  Yes, we all know about the problem with INTs, and no he is not going to pick a team apart like Tom Brady, but this is nothing new.  Denard will continue to save us in some games and cost us in others. 

6.  Fitz - he really needs to get his game back together, because he is just not impressive.  Not sure, though, if it is on him or his line.  Either way, if we want to have a chane to win the B10, we need to develop some non-Denard running game and fast.

 

OK, that's all I got.  What are all of your thoughts?

 

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September 22nd, 2012 at 11:07 PM | brunettes (Score:2 Normal)
Blueisgood
Joined: 09/21/2009
MGoPoints: 420

brunettes

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:09 PM | I have no fucking idea (Score:5 Normal)
StraightDave
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Joined: 12/27/2009
MGoPoints: 816

why Denard doesn't throw the ball away when the pass is not open.  Will someone explain to me what the fuck is going on?  Football 101 is to throw the ball away or take a sack or run if the receivers are not open.  Why the fuck does Denard toss the ball and hope for the best?

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:16 PM | Or (Score:2 Normal)
G.W. Mclintock
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Joined: 01/15/2009
MGoPoints: 1501

Simply buy more time w his feet. But, as we've seen for the last four yrs, he's just not that good of a passer against better D's. He's good for two-three boneheaded plays attributable to freshmen, shouldn't be happening as sr. But sports is a great way to learn to push through adversity and go to the next play

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:30 PM | Yeah, that's really (Score:5 Normal)
snarling wolverine
Joined: 12/14/2011
MGoPoints: 4683

Yeah, that's really frustrating.  His first and third interceptions simply shouldn't have been thrown.  No one was open, and I don't think it was even 3rd down either time.  Chuck it away and live for another down.  

The two sacks he took in the ND red zone were in the same vein.  When you're passing that close to the goal line, unless it's 4th down or a two-point conversion, you heave it out the back of the endzone as soon as you see no one open.   You don't have to try to make a great play every down.  

I love the guy to pieces, but this was just frustrating.  We can only hope this is one final learning experience and that he delivers a great Big Ten season. 

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:36 PM | "We can only hope..." (Score:-1 Normal)
September 22nd, 2012 at 11:52 PM | Down-vote me all you want... (Score:0 Normal)
September 23rd, 2012 at 4:18 AM | No, it doesn't (Score:0 Overrated)
September 22nd, 2012 at 11:54 PM | Well, if it's not going to (Score:4 Normal)
snarling wolverine
Joined: 12/14/2011
MGoPoints: 4683

Well, if it's not going to happen, what do you want to do?  Play Bellomy instead?  

Denard's been mistake-prone throughout his career, but he's not usually this bad.  Usually he does enough for us to win.

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:39 PM | And get an intentional (Score:0 Overrated)
September 23rd, 2012 at 12:42 AM | You don't have to get outside (Score:4 Normal)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28961

You don't have to get outside of the tackle box to avoid grounding.  You just need to throw it past the line of scrimmage and have a receiver vaguely in the area (the officials are quite generous about that, as we saw in the Alabama game).  

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:11 PM | Some of Denard's turnovers (Score:5 Normal)
flwolverine
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Joined: 06/25/2011
MGoPoints: 287

Some of Denard's turnovers were inexplicable to me. Te'o's first pick. Denard stares down Gallon's route. Sees two Notre Dame defenders in the area, and throws it right into Te'o chest. That wasn't a bad game, it was a clusterf***

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:51 PM | too much hate for Denard IMO. (Score:0 Overrated)
September 22nd, 2012 at 11:12 PM | Denard (Score:5 Normal)
DirkMcGurk
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MGoPoints: 396

He is a big play player and something in him thinks he always has to make a big play. He forces balls when he should just take the sack and punt to fight another play.

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:13 PM | I think we all knew before (Score:5 Normal)
Gameboy
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MGoPoints: 494

I think we all knew before the game that the way to beat Denard is to contain him on the edges and pressure up the middle. And like clockwork, he chucks things up and all hell breaks lose.

What I find interesting is that as he is getting older, the decision to tuck it and run is coming later and later and it is actually hurting him more and more. After 3 or 4 sec, he needs to just tuck it and run, not face the pressure in the face and chuck a duck.

But what is really strange is that I feel better about our B1G chances after that debacle than before going into the game. I think the defense looks solid again and the offensive line played pretty well (at least better than what they have shown so far). There is definitely a good chance that we can get to the Rose Bowl.

September 23rd, 2012 at 12:11 AM | I totally agree with your (Score:2)
desertwolvie1
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I totally agree with your thoughts on Denard.  I was screaming RUUUNNNN PLEASE GOD RUUUNNNN!!! more times than I want to remember tonight. 
On the other hand, I don't really feel that confident about the rest of the season but I really hope your feelings are right and mine are wrong.

- Your Kung-Fu is weak

September 23rd, 2012 at 8:39 AM | I just don't (Score:2 Normal)
Leonhall
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MGoPoints: 700

Get all the, "I feel better going into the B1G season?..." really? We have seen the formula to stop Denard and you can bet your ass that every B1G team is going to do the same thing. We have never proven to have the ability to adjust or gameplan against this defense. We have ZERO running game outside of Denard and while the dline played well last night, I'm not exactly over confident in them now. Couple all of this with Denard who seemingly misses too many one receivers and cannot make good decisions under pressure, I just don't see us winning the B1G....

Denard Robinson......They're not going to catch him!

September 23rd, 2012 at 10:13 AM | Yes, because without the 6 (Score:2 Normal)
Gameboy
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MGoPoints: 494

Yes, because without the 6 turnovers we win easily, and we are not going to do that every game.

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:20 PM | server issues sorry dbl post (Score:1)
BlueSpice.inSEC.hell
Joined: 02/21/2011
MGoPoints: 115

   We moved the ball -I don't think Fitz looked that bad - Hoke has always said it comes down to a few plays a game and they did not go our way tonight .  I am pissed, but I think we were better tonight (aside from TOs) and we will keep getting better. Time to get ready for B1G

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:14 PM | Devin Gardner still extremely (Score:2 Normal)
TheHoke.TheHoke...
Joined: 01/15/2011
MGoPoints: 108

Devin Gardner still extremely raw at WR, to the point where he probably shouldn't be on the field yet. He ran a lazy route and came out of his cut with little effort leading to the first(?) Denard INT. And again dropped a bomb looking over the wrong shoulder.

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:22 PM | Can someone please teach our (Score:2)
Bodogblog
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MGoPoints: 7577

Can someone please teach our receivers what a corner route is? Gerald Robinson did the same thing last week

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:16 PM | remember 1988-89 Michigan (Score:5 Normal)
Erik_in_Dayton
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MGoPoints: 6784

That team lost two games in the non-conference season and still made it to and won the Rose Bowl.  I don't think this Michigan team will win the Rose Bowl, but I do think they can get there after tonight (and after seeing just how mediocre the Big Ten is in the past few weeks).  The OL and DL were significantly better than what I expected.  We had not seen a comparable performance from either all year (when you take strength of opponent into account).  ND did some nice things, and I think they're a good team, but Michigan gave that game away. 

I am more optimistic about this Big Ten season than I was before tonight.  Denard will not repeat that performance, but the DL and OL probably will. 

Finally, I love Denard. 

It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future. -- Yogi Berra

                         

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:31 PM | FIRE BORGES!!!! (Score:5 Normal)
OMG Shirtless
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He totally shouldn't have called those passes to Notre Dame receivers.  Fire him.  Kill his pension.  Make him pay his replacement's salary.

EDIT: This post was in response to a poster who has since been banned, not Erik_in_Dayton

I put up a tough front, but deep down I just want to be held.

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:22 PM | Enjoy the banhammer (Score:3 Normal)
Brown Bear
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Enjoy the banhammer

I poop excellence
September 22nd, 2012 at 11:22 PM | I am intrigued by your ideas (Score:1 Offtopic)
Erik_in_Dayton
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Joined: 12/03/2008
MGoPoints: 6784

And I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future. -- Yogi Berra

                         

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:25 PM | There's not much Borges can (Score:5 Normal)
flwolverine
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MGoPoints: 287

There's not much Borges can do when Denard decides to pass and make decisions with the skill level of a 5th grade quarterback. Denard was horrendous tonight. Simple as that.

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:17 PM | I thought Fitz looked good. (Score:2)
Bodogblog
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MGoPoints: 7577

I thought Fitz looked good. D looked good, including DL, LB, DBs. The offensive line blocked the shit out of that ND front for much of the night.

Denard tears. Will he learn from tonight, finally? And why does Gardner still run lazy routes? Funchess looked less than full speed tonight as well.

Clean it up and let's make a B1G run.

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:41 PM | Seriously? (Score:2 Normal)
MadtownMaize
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Joined: 09/14/2009
MGoPoints: 1465

Sober up. Denard is the single greatest offensive player any of us will ever see? You make me hate the internet.

(ED: also was in response to someone who now lives in Bolivia)

September 23rd, 2012 at 12:28 AM | So nice (Score:1)
AZBlue
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Joined: 09/14/2008
MGoPoints: 969

you had to say it twice.

EDIT - Removing the troll comments made this entire thread confusing...don't remember what I was replying to.  I think it was the "Borges is a fat F### and needs to be fired immediately" guy

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:17 PM | I have determined (Score:5 Normal)
Cope
Joined: 10/07/2010
MGoPoints: 1059

I have determined, no matter how depressed I am about Michigan football, seeing Norfleet raises my spirits every time.

A Journey of Father and Son
http://mysonsfirstbible.blogspot.com/2013/05/15-things-you-may-have-miss...

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:17 PM | Offense (Score:1)
BlueSpice.inSEC.hell
Joined: 02/21/2011
MGoPoints: 115

   We moved the ball -I don't think Fitz looked that bad - Hoke has always said it comes down to a few plays a game and they did not go our way tonight .  I am pissed, but I think we were better tonight (aside from TOs) and we will keep getting better. Time to get ready for B1G

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:18 PM | playcalling (Score:2 Normal)
Frequency
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Joined: 01/10/2011
MGoPoints: 209

i honestly think borges needed to adjust his playcalling to be more conservative, especially in the first half. when we got conservative in the second half and ran the ball with a few play actions we had a long sustained drive. then we got to the redzone and borges started having denard chuck the ball around again and we stalled.

Insert wit here

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:21 PM | Wow..quadruple post, and in (Score:1)
Lionsfan
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MGoPoints: 3892

Wow..quadruple post, and in between other's posts too

If you're doing nothing, how do you know when you're finished?

StraightDave owes me a steak dinner

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:23 PM | Ok dude. We get it. Stop (Score:1)
goblueva
Joined: 04/06/2011
MGoPoints: 106

Ok dude. We get it. Stop posting.

"Some people say soccer is America's sport. I say 'BULLSHIT"!! Football's America's sport!"- Bo Schembechler, Football Camp 1995

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:27 PM | He will stop posting soon, (Score:3 Normal)
Brown Bear
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He will stop posting soon, not by his choice though.

I poop excellence
September 22nd, 2012 at 11:19 PM | playcalling (Score:1)
Frequency
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Joined: 01/10/2011
MGoPoints: 209

i honestly think borges needed to adjust his playcalling to be more conservative, especially in the first half. when we got conservative in the second half and ran the ball with a few play actions we had a long sustained drive. then we got to the redzone and borges started having denard chuck the ball around again and we stalled.

Insert wit here

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:19 PM | Dude, you nailed it. I agree (Score:2)
Lazer with a Z
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Joined: 07/13/2011
MGoPoints: 249

Dude, you nailed it. I agree with every one of your points. We are clearly better than ND, and just made too many errors. The defense played pretty lights out, but the lack of QB pressure is alarming. When you don't have any sacks on TOMMY FUCKING REES, that a problem. 

I'd like to see Fitz hit the hole once in awhile. Too many times, he is dancing in the backfield and gets stacked up for no gain.

We are in a really good position to win the B1G. We should have already realized that we weren't national championship caliber this year, but a Rose Bowl is definitely attainable as long as we don't have another game like this. 

Strive to win. If you lose....win. 

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:20 PM | MOD PLEASE TURN OFF THE WEB (Score:1)
MaizeRage89
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Joined: 05/04/2009
MGoPoints: 547

It's gonna get ugly.... I'm pissed and drunk and so are millions of michigan fans

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:20 PM | careful, Notre dame's offense (Score:5 Normal)
MCalibur
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Joined: 07/16/2009
MGoPoints: 2180

careful, Notre dame's offense may just be bad. The defense held its end of the bargain, I think. but nd wasn't all that.

also, you don't need to extrapolate on Denard. he has alwaus been an interception machine. H is what he is; take it or leave it.

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:22 PM | 2.) Creating fumbles is (Score:2 Normal)
AmaizeingBlue
Joined: 09/01/2010
MGoPoints: 1344

2.) Creating fumbles is mostly luck.  You really think Notre Dame did anything fantastic when Denard fumbled? No, he just fumbled.  We haven't caught those breaks yet this year.

 

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:22 PM | Either Denard needs to find (Score:3 Normal)
JT4104
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Joined: 10/25/2008
MGoPoints: 1926

Either Denard needs to find some consistency or Al needs to call a lot more quick hitters that he clearly doesn't like.

Denard with quick reads is at his best and when asking him to read D's and go through passing progressions, just not going to happen.

It is what it is...however my bigger concern is Fitz getting going. We are getting no push on the inside and it's killing the run game. Barnum especially along with Mealer and Pat O need to find that push inside.

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:24 PM | We won.  But then, we really (Score:3 Normal)
blue95
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Joined: 10/01/2009
MGoPoints: 703

We won.  But then, we really didn't.  That's sad.

mgoblog: it's a perfectly cromulent website

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:24 PM | Opposing teams are onto us.... (Score:-1 Normal)
September 22nd, 2012 at 11:31 PM | maybe your right,but i hvent (Score:2)
no joke its hoke
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Joined: 01/13/2011
MGoPoints: 2213

maybe your right,but i hvent seen a defense in the big ten that is as good up front as nd was.

Vice.com

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:36 PM | No shit! So opposing teams (Score:2)
Brown Bear
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Joined: 01/10/2011
MGoPoints: 2605

No shit! So opposing teams just figured out that they don't want him to run and would rather he pass? Man these coordinators are brilliant!!!

I poop excellence
September 22nd, 2012 at 11:24 PM | Ill be interested in seeing (Score:1)
m1jjb00
Joined: 11/21/2009
MGoPoints: 1416

Ill be interested in seeing how the dl grades out. It seems like the dts pushed the line back more than were pushed. But yeah. What are you going to do with six turnovers?

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:24 PM | What kind of shape is Borges (Score:1 Offtopic)
mGrowOld
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Joined: 10/04/2010
MGoPoints: 13158

What kind of shape is Borges in and does he know how to use Denard?  I wish someone could let me know......

 

 

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:25 PM | He's pretty rotund, I would (Score:5 Funny)
State Street
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Joined: 07/09/2011
MGoPoints: 1111

He's pretty rotund, I would guess fairly poor shape.

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:46 PM | At least I can laugh at that comment (Score:1)
Muttley
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Joined: 07/07/2009
MGoPoints: 4588

0-0 Big 10, and it ain't murderer's row.

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:26 PM | From what I hear (Score:2)
Erik_in_Dayton
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Joined: 12/03/2008
MGoPoints: 6784

His blood sugar is a little high but he can run a few miles w/out much problem, so that's good.

It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future. -- Yogi Berra

                         

September 22nd, 2012 at 11:25 PM | Denard Robinson is the most (Score:5 Normal)
State Street
State Street's picture
Joined: 07/09/2011
MGoPoints: 1111

Denard Robinson is the most dynamic player in college football.

Denard Robinson is also the worst decision maker in college football.

Unfortunately we saw more of the latter tonight. 

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