So... feeling better about things?
Not a perfect game, but a FAR better one.
Shea looked good. I think Gattis on the sideline had a lot to do with this.
Shutout against Rutgers. Not the best D performance we've had, but it clicked when it needed to.
Credit where credit is due. I still think we need to be tempered and see what happens next week, but this looked a lot better than either of our first two games.
September 28th, 2019 at 5:46 PM ^
Washington has not played Rutgers this year.
September 28th, 2019 at 3:44 PM ^
A welcome step in the right direction. We'll see how the team plays next week, then we'll have a better idea if they've made actual improvement.
September 28th, 2019 at 3:46 PM ^
After how we looked in our first three games, I’ll happily take a fumble-less 52-0 win...even if it’s over Rutgers.
September 28th, 2019 at 3:48 PM ^
They did what they were supposed to do, so I’m happy... for now.... They still have everything in front of them. Just hope they can take this game and build on it next week.
September 28th, 2019 at 3:48 PM ^
I definitely feel better after a 52-point win than I do after a 21-point loss, yes.
Whether it means anything real, heck I don't know. But for right now I'll take it.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:08 PM ^
It's a Big Ten win. That's real enough. I think it's amazing given Michigan has been in situations in the recent past in fact during the lifespan of this very blog where you really couldn't take it for granted that you'd beat a team like Rutgers never mind destroy them. And yet here we are where this kind of outcome is considered the baseline for many.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:19 PM ^
It is mind-blowing that we lost to both Rutgers and Maryland five years ago.
Jim hasn't quite taken us to the promised land but . . . yeah, it can get a lot worse than where we are right now.
September 29th, 2019 at 1:09 AM ^
Okay but a 5-7 season is not a good baseline....also, fwiw:
the 2014 version of Rutgers >>>>>>>>> the 2019 version
September 28th, 2019 at 3:49 PM ^
Let’s talk again after Iowa.
September 28th, 2019 at 3:50 PM ^
Yup, I had a great time :D
September 28th, 2019 at 3:52 PM ^
My perspective is that the Wisconsin loss was terrible because we looked outmanned and outcoached. It was demoralizing.
However, most people projected a loss. Not the kind of loss that we saw, but a loss nonetheless.
Now this week we destroy a bad team and gain some confidence. We don’t have answers to questions, but at least we have some relief...
September 28th, 2019 at 3:52 PM ^
Outside the running game, we did what I wanted us to do. Shea looked more comfortable. Got our receivers involved. Fewer mistakes. Nothing mind numbingly dumb.
But obviously we’ve got to see a repeat performance - not 52-0 - against good to great teams. We play solid against Iowa and I’ll think we might be able to win out aside from OSU and @PSU.
September 28th, 2019 at 3:59 PM ^
To be honest, not really. But I’m looking forward to seeing if we really improved next week.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:01 PM ^
Rutgers is trash; iowa not much better. We wont know how this team is until psu, nd, msu and osu. We can get fat and munch on all the cupcakes we want. At the beginning of the year; I thought we'd be 4-0 against these teams; now i'll be happy if we go 2-2.
this looks like the Rutgers team of the 80's: a bunch of poor hapless SOB's trying not to have 60 hung on them. Harbaugh can posture all he wants on the sideline with this fake-ass bravado; step up jimbo and beat somebody.
September 28th, 2019 at 5:05 PM ^
You just typed, Iowa is not much better than Rutgers. You've lost any credibility.
September 28th, 2019 at 5:28 PM ^
who the f have they beaten; even better, who have they played? They beat an Iowa State team by one freaking point. Sure they beat Rutgers; point is n-butt-n-blue is that they're overhyped -- just like us. Oh wait; they play MTSU today, my bad.
22022 points; and still clueless.
September 28th, 2019 at 6:02 PM ^
They've beaten who they've played, annihilating the same team you typed they're barely any better than. I'm clueless but you think Iowa is barely any better than Rutgers. Okie dokie.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:02 PM ^
Yes. Sure it’s just Rutgers but still, maybe our passing attack is coming together. The talent is clearly there
September 28th, 2019 at 4:05 PM ^
I am feeling better because I feel better when Michigan wins. I think it's a strong indicator that this team isn't as bad as a lot of folks said after last week. You can tell that it readjusts things because now the measuring stick for the sad losers on here is once again whether it's a 'great team' or not rather than a 'bowl-eligible team'.
There's a section of this fan base whose expectations are always set in such a way that disappointment is near certain to follow. The self-hating sad sack section.
September 28th, 2019 at 5:31 PM ^
1-10 vs top 10 teams. 2-7 vs rivals. 1-6 vs top 20 teams on the road.
But yeah its the fans who expect too much from multi millionaires. Forgive us for not being hype about beating rutgers.
Were you that kid ironing Harbaughs khakis in the commercial?
September 28th, 2019 at 4:07 PM ^
Not really. Shea just doesn't look comfortable running this offense, and we're not getting any real creases in the running game. I can't judge the defense, because Rutgers, but a shutout is better than no shutout
Can we beat Iowa? Perhaps. Will we? Uhh...
September 28th, 2019 at 4:11 PM ^
You are aware he was 17/23 today, right?
I get that this game does not mean everything wrong has been completely remedied, but this is still much better than the performances of the first three games, particularly since there was only 1 turnover and it was after we were well in control of the game.
At the VERY LEAST, the team did what it was supposed to do, and that is much more a step in the right direction than looking bad in the win, or just not winning at all.
September 28th, 2019 at 9:11 PM ^
Very much this... being able to run the football was going to be very key to our success this year, and it's not happening.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:13 PM ^
All of our goals are still in front of us. Beat Wisconsin in Big10 Championship. Win out for the national championship.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:19 PM ^
The only positive is perhaps a confidence boost for the players. Also, Charbonnet is definitely hurt which is a bummer. Would like to see him at 100%.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:20 PM ^
Nope....hold all judgment until an opponent with a pulse shows up
September 28th, 2019 at 4:21 PM ^
Not really, but I don't feel worse. Beating Rutgers and looking mostly good doing it doesn't tell us much. Let's see what they do against Iowa.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:22 PM ^
I don't feel better, but I don't feel worse. For now, that's enough.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:27 PM ^
Really think having Gattis on the sideline was beneficial for the team. It looked like guys were more comfortable and the team was more organized. I also saw a lot more energy on the field. I know Rutgers can make a lot of teams look good, but there was significant improvement this week. The team needed this going into next week. GO BLUE!
September 28th, 2019 at 4:30 PM ^
It was an enjoyable game. I still think this team will lose to Iowa, PSU, ND, and OSU, but at least we don't lose to the Rutgers of the college football world.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:31 PM ^
Not at all. Harbaugh's MO is beating up crap teams and losing to equal or good ones. So nothing has changed in my mind about this team until they beat one with a pulse and it shouldn't sway others either.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:36 PM ^
A yes for me because of the margin of victory. Needed to see Mich put up at least 50 points-check. Needed to see single digit defense or better-check. Passing game improvement-check but only a B+, Running game needs to improve-gets a C+. Given the multitude of both offensive and defensive efforts thus far, it is a step up.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:37 PM ^
Feel a little bit better. Seeing a coherent offensive plan was nice. Seeing Shea hit open WRs in stride on a semi-regular basis was nice. Seeing the defense play like it used to under Don Brown was nice. Hopefully not a mirage and we see them demonstrate more good things next week against Iowa.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:38 PM ^
More games against Rutgers please.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:43 PM ^
Marginally better. I think they will beat Iowa. My concern is the road game malaise. Harbaugh needs to change the routine on the road because something is messed up. They always come out flat
September 28th, 2019 at 4:48 PM ^
No, I don’t feel better because I know better. Michigan beat Rutgers. They looked good, but I’d like to reiterate that they played Rutgers. If Michigan manages to look good against a team with a pulse I’ll raise me excitement level.
September 28th, 2019 at 5:14 PM ^
In unrelated news, Michael Penix is healthy again and playing for Indiana. I’m not sure if he’s playing well, but he’s playing hard.
September 28th, 2019 at 4:55 PM ^
No. Lots to improve on in order to beat Iowa. That is going to be a difficult game for the front 7
September 28th, 2019 at 5:02 PM ^
Ask me how I feel after the game next Saturday. Iowa is a legit team top-20 team, and they will come into town expecting to win.
I was happy to see Michigan play largely mistake-free football, but it’s still Rutgers. You don’t learn much about yourself by playing them.
September 28th, 2019 at 5:04 PM ^
MEH..ill get back to ypu AFTER the Iowa game...just how HUMGRY are they?
September 28th, 2019 at 5:05 PM ^
I was better until I saw the Iowa- MTSt final score.
They will run at will on us.
Hopefully we can pass at will and outscore them.
September 28th, 2019 at 5:43 PM ^
Counterpoint: Iowa only beat Rutgers 30-0. We beat them 52-0
September 28th, 2019 at 5:26 PM ^
Feeling better? Rutgers. Seriously, Rutgers.
September 28th, 2019 at 5:32 PM ^
Not really. a) its Rutgers b) Shea is who we think he is...just wait until he sees a good defense.
But a win is a win. Nice to see Joe Milton get some throws. He looked good. but its Rutgers.
September 28th, 2019 at 5:42 PM ^
No. While Shea completed more passes he also made the same mistakes. Its hard to watch him QB. Now that Im looking for mistakes you begin to notice how hard he locks on one guy, you notice when he should've pulled it and ran, you notice him missing wide open guys to throw into coverage
I liked the screen pass to DPJ. Shea actually made a good throw on it and it was like 13 yard gain. We need more screens and targeted crossing routes
Rutgers sucks too much for me to think this game was a turnaround for our offense
I love McGrone on defense. He is the next elite LB
September 28th, 2019 at 5:48 PM ^
Won't know until after next game.
September 29th, 2019 at 3:44 AM ^
But we won't know on the next game until the game after next.