Speight versus Rudock

Submitted by champswest on
For what it is worth, QB stats through three games: Rudock 59-91-5, 64.8%, 582 yds (long 28), 3 TDs Speight. 51-80-1, 63.8%, 686 yds (long 54), 8 TDs Rudock was a senior with years of game experience, but little time in the Michigan/Harbaugh system. Speight has little game experience, but a year in the Harbaugh system. Can Speight continue to improve throughout the season as Rudock did? If so, we should be in good hands.

starrmander

September 22nd, 2016 at 11:22 PM ^

Thanks for the comparison. I think Speight has looked better in three games than Rudock did in his first three games. But the competition has been easier for Speight than it was for Rudock. Plus, Speight is throwing to a confident and veteran group of receivers. That wasn't always the case for Rudock.

goblue16

September 23rd, 2016 at 1:13 AM ^

Is the competition easier? UNLV Oregon St and Utah compared to Hawaii UCF and Colorado. Oregon st went 2-10, Unlv went 3-9 and Utah ended 10-3. I say its very close to being even. I agree that Speight has more experienced players around him and better talent but hes a Junior and Ruddock was a 5th year senior. I just hope Speight continues to progress like Ruddock did

steviebrownfor…

September 23rd, 2016 at 9:02 AM ^

Last year the whole team was learning the system.  This year everyone - Speight included - already knows the system.  It's really not a fair comparison to make.  Personally by the end of the year, I don't think Speight will be where Rudock was at the end of last season.

I'd be delighted if he is at that same level, I just don't think it will be the case.  Rudock was on fire at the end of last year.

ChiCityWolverine

September 23rd, 2016 at 10:33 AM ^

I thought those numbers seemed off so I checked Rudock's game log. I think the comparison is misleading. Rudock versus UNLV and Oregon State: 

32-48 for 303 yards (6.3 YPA) with 1 TD and 2 INT

Each had a rough game (although @Utah was certainly a tougher spot than Colorado), but Speight showed far more precision and downfield passing against the weaker foes than did Rudock. Speight versus Hawaii and UCF: 

35-50 for 457 yards (9.1 YPA) with 7 TD and 1 INT

Wilton may not reach the level Rudock hit late in 2015, but if the OL can protect better than last week, I expect he'll limit mistakes and make plenty of good throws. How the OL and QB fare in the games circled before the season (Wisconsin, @MSU, @Iowa, @Ohio State) featuring strong defenses will probably decide UM's fate. That and if our D can figure out the Buckeyes spread-n-shred. 

Danwillhor

September 23rd, 2016 at 4:20 AM ^

Rudock was better at this time last year, IMO. We knew his issues and they were corrected in a few weeks. Speight just needs experience and by definition it's not something you can get a ton of quickly. Rudock had that coming in, he'd been hit and knew what the action felt like.

DrMantisToboggan

September 22nd, 2016 at 11:23 PM ^

Speight's numbers are much better, even given the competition faced. These 3 weeks have been pretty comforting given that we were unsure of the new starting QB just a few days before kickoff. 

bluebyyou

September 23rd, 2016 at 8:23 AM ^

It's hard to discount Rudock's considerable game experience and his maturity once he started getting the system down.  The advantages that Speight has in terms of two years in the system, considerably more practice with receivers outside of team practice, etc. is huge. That should tell you something about Rudock.

Once Rudock got the system down his bar was raised to levels that were historically high in our program.  Will Speight get there this year?  I have my doubts based on his level of experience, but that doesn't mean he can't be very solid.

Leonhall

September 22nd, 2016 at 11:24 PM ^

Let's see how Wilton does on the road. So far he's responded when adversity hits. The competition is going to get harder, I'm not convinced he's the man yet. Hopefully some of his passes Saturday were because he was injured...I thought he could have easily had 2-3 interceptions...late throws, with little velocity.




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g_reaper3

September 23rd, 2016 at 7:58 AM ^

At 52, not sure how well Harbaugh would hold up. Although his pocket awareness probably good enough he could avoid some of the hits.

And then Brady, I would have to believe after all the top level pro competition that he would be incredibly unbelievable. Would be interesting to see how good his stats would be. 90+% downfield success rate on Brian's chart?

wolverinebutt

September 22nd, 2016 at 11:34 PM ^

Time will tell my firend.  My guess is Speight will not match Rudock this year, but hopefully next year.  Rudock was on fire late in the season and made the jump to an NFL type QB.  The other thing Rudock had going was hurting the other team with his running.  He saved the team many times with his wheels.

Don't take this as a knock on Wilton, but I think the Rudock jump last season was exceptional. Remember Rudock came to us as a "game manager" not a QB that would win games for you.

 

 

    

 

getsome

September 23rd, 2016 at 7:37 AM ^

agreed though theres something to be said for QB able to pick up a 3rd and 9 or whatever with his legs.  as long as speight can consistently move to throw and move the chains, its all good.

rudock made huge strides last year and ended up playing efficient ball, they were tough on 3rd down when it mattered and in the red zone - hopefully speight makes similar strides and can help his O convert 3rd downs and put up 6s bc thats key

wahooverine

September 23rd, 2016 at 9:13 AM ^

That's true but somewhat offsetting that is the fact that we have been able to be ahead of the chains - i.e. not facing too many third downs and when we do they are 6 yards or less and being converted at a high rate.  Will need to keep increasing that efficiency to continue that against better D's though.

Yooper

September 22nd, 2016 at 11:40 PM ^

I have been skeptical about Speight but there is no reason yet to believe that Speight won't put out better numbers than Ruddock. Have faith everybody

Spirit of 69

September 23rd, 2016 at 12:06 AM ^

Speight has been good in my opinion. The Colorado perfomance was an abberation we can chalk up to injury, and he was very steady in the first two games barring a few mistakes. The Colorado game defintely answered questions about Speight's intangibles for me though, we've already seen him come in cold off of the bench in a primetime game and win, now we've seen him play through injury as well. Hopefully this will help the team play for him even harder.

 

As for Speight's capacity to develop, this is only his 2nd year under a real QB coach. I'm not too familiar with the quality of QB coaching that Rudock received in Iowa, but I'm certain it wasn't worse than what Hoke's staff was giving to Speight. I think it's fair to say that we will certainly see Speight get better and better as he gets more experience, it may not be as dramatic as Rudock at the end of last year, but it will be there.

EGD

September 23rd, 2016 at 12:06 AM ^

I thought the UNLV game was definitely Rudock's worst performance of 2015; maybe there's something about the third game having bad juju for Harbaugh QBs?

CoverZero

September 23rd, 2016 at 12:09 AM ^

One thing that has been impressive about Wilton is his ability to manuever in the pocket.  He looks like a good NFL QB at times, the way he sidesteps a rush, or steps up in the pocket.  He is also pretty accurate with the football and will get even better with experience.

I think the shot that he took by that DB which caused the fumble...was a good thing for him in terms of pocket awareness.