There Are...

Submitted by dothepose on

There are

days left until Thomas Rawls starts for Michigan in the Cowboy Classic!

unWavering

July 25th, 2012 at 6:37 AM ^

Ugh.  I like Rawls and all, but man, I was starting to think we had a chance before Toussaint's screw up.  Why does it seem like these things always happen before big games?

SHEAR WIZARDRY

July 25th, 2012 at 7:26 AM ^

I thought Rawls would become a nice feature back given the same opprtunity Fitz was given last year, so if 28 was to go down to injury or DUI, I was comfy with the backs we have. Now that Fitz IS most likely out, Im scared as hell....

Perkis-Size Me

July 25th, 2012 at 7:41 AM ^

The situation might not be as bad as we think. Yeah, losing Fitz sucks, but did anyone honestly think that we would win the game by running the ball down Bama's throat? Name me the last team that did that with any kind of success .



Denard will still have to beat Bama with his arm. Fitz getting a DUI doesn't change that.

Lionsfan

July 25th, 2012 at 8:10 AM ^

While no team has MANBALL'd it down their throats, in 2010 South Carolina and LSU both used strong rushing attacks against a fairly young defense to win. If Stephen Garcia can QB a team to win against Bama, I have faith Denard can too, with the right help i.e. a strong RB. Especially since our defense won't have to worry about Trent Richardson, Mark Ingram, or Julio Jones

NOLA Wolverine

July 25th, 2012 at 1:15 PM ^

Just because we weren't going to run the ball fifty times against Alabama doesn't mean it's not critical that we get Alabama to respect the run game. Next to no one these days goes into a football game thinking that. But it is critical that Alabama doesn't just run blitzes to take Denard out of the passing game the whole game. That's what Michigan State does, and that's what Virginia Tech did to an extent. Michigan's offensive success against teams with a pulse last year followed Fitzgerald Toussaint's production (the outlier being Notre Dame and their absurdley unaware defensive backs) pretty well. We'll need to establish a running game to have a hope of moving the ball against Alabama. 

graybeaver

July 25th, 2012 at 8:55 AM ^

Has Fitz punishment by Coach Hoke been confirmed?  Has he pleaded guilty to the DUI charge?   Just saying!  Besides, Hoke might have a different punishment in mind.

MGJS SuperKick Party

July 25th, 2012 at 9:53 AM ^

He has been suspended indefinitely. It does not state in the articles I have read how long he will be suspended.



As much as it pains me, I think he should be suspended for the first two games. I think with all of the stuff that has gone on with Penn State, punishments for any athletics are going to be on the more severe side of things (just to cover their butts)

Bigscotto68

July 25th, 2012 at 9:02 AM ^

We will be fine with Rawls, watched him go for 350 plus yards in one high school game. Alabama is not high school obviously, by Mr Rawls is a MAN.

MGJS SuperKick Party

July 25th, 2012 at 9:57 AM ^

That's the spirit! [/s]

Although losing our starting running back is a large setback, we have some quality players at running back who may be able to help pick up the slack. Rawls is slated to be the starter once Fitz leaves, and Vincent Smith is a senior with a ton of experience. Plus if Rawls starts, there is a lot less footage on him for scouting. No I'm not a coach, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night... So my opinion is that we will be fine.

One Inch Woody…

July 25th, 2012 at 10:23 AM ^

With Fitz out, I don't think there's a good chance that we're going to line up in I or Ace very often. Probably 80% of our plays are going to be run from a 1-2 flex shotgun set. Which then makes Smith a good back and makes some of our more inexperienced wide receivers go up against Bama's Robber zone D. Not a good matchup.

the Glove

July 25th, 2012 at 12:17 PM ^

Well, in hindsight at least the Fitz situation didn't happen a week before the game. The board would have gone straight into meltdown mode. It also gives the coaching staff all of the fall practices to change the strategy a little bit for the game. Being positive!