Thoughts on your team from a State fan -- Neg away
A few thoughts I'd like to share regarding both the game and the team:
- Denard: the man. The guy is a beast out there and what's even more impressive is his maturity. Personally, I wasn't a huge fan of Tate forcier because it seemed like all of the fame and attention somewhat went to his head. Denard is different. Much different. He will be accomplishing great things in the winged helmet in the future (maybe even this year). Even if you go through the realm of RCMB, there are posts showing him praise.
-Defense: Young. I don't know if it's an issue of not knowing the schemes, or a lack of talent, but the good news for you guys is that this group will grow together and be hungry together. Undergoing a system change is difficult (trust me, state fans know what it's like to go from spread to conventional). Next year will be a critical year to see what this defense can do.
-Rich: In all honesty, I believe the hiring of RichRod by Michigan may have been the biggest break that MSU could ask for. I don't say that in a snarky way or in vain. Just stating my honest opinion. I think he is an offensive wizard and his system is very complex and can be dangerous. I don't think he's a very good Xs and Os coach when it comes to the fundamentals (i.e. time management at the end of the half today). But, I think the main coaching flaw for Rich is that he puts a whole heck of a lot of stake in one player. At WVU, it was Pat White. They were 1 game away from a BCS championship game and what happens? White gets injured in the 4th, and they lose to a 4-win Pittsburgh team. This year, MSU stacks the box and stops Denard, and the offense sputters. Bottom line: When I was in undergrad and Lloyd was running the show, guys like Edwin Baker, Le'Veon Bell and heck even the 2-star Kirk Cousins would have without a doubt been considering Michigan before even thinking about State.
Those are my thoughts. Feel free to neg away.
P.S. anybody see Bielema running up the score on Minn late in the 4th while being up big? Class-less. I'm happy to say that neither of our coaches would do that in a game.
October 10th, 2010 at 12:27 AM ^
You have nothing except to come to the MGoBlog and talk your junk about the only thing that makes you relevant: Michigan. You don't define anything but ride only upon the coat tails of the University of Michigan to determine your place in the world. Last I looked, you haven't even been to a Rose Bowl since 1988.
So today you win for the 3rd time in a row against the Big Brother and so you stop by to offer your pearls of wisdom on the program. Well, thanks little man it was interesting reading...but know this, RichRod's day is coming and that light you see at the end of the tunnel is the train.
Denard, Lewan, Roh, Omameh and now Dee Hart. We'll add defense. So there you are...you were fortunate Denard threw 2 INT's in the red zone (noting that the receivers he was targeting were wide open) and you got the win. Congratulations, now piss off.
October 10th, 2010 at 12:26 AM ^
Nice post. A tough loss, but credit to MSU for playing well. I will take issue with the notion that RR doesn't understand Xs and Os well - his time management at the end of the half was really bad, as was punting at the end of the game, but he still knows how to run a team and it should be noted that this team is still quite young. As for the talent differences, I think we see what happens when one team has some continuity on both sides of the line while the other is still transitioning. And despite all that, the game was much closer than the score indicated. MSU deserves all the credit for winning today, but I still think UM left a win on the field.
October 10th, 2010 at 12:29 AM ^
will look fairly ridiculous in a few years. Msu was 6-7 last year. The "rise"'of your program, if you choose to see 6-7 that way, is independent of M's fall. And M's fall simply can't be pinned on RR.
<br>BTW every team struggles when their starting QB is out. See BCS title game, last year. Most good teams have good QBs, and if they get injured or play poorly, the team struggles
October 10th, 2010 at 12:33 AM ^
We didn't make plays that were available today which could have tipped the game. Rich is not responsible for that. He helps the guys be ready leading up to the game and to make the opportunities available through in game decisions.
Let's see if we make those against a team that most believe is better than MSU next week.
The energy of the game turned 180 degrees on that first interception. A desperate lost defense that was getting blown off the ball somehow got the ball back with no points given up and a chance to regroup. That was huge. Our offense hadn't failed in that spot all year.
Did we have a play for less than 5 yards on that whole series up until that point? Emotion and energy play a huge part in this series. Instead of 7-0 and looking for blood, 0-0 and drained.
Let's finish the job on catching wide open passes and finishing drives next week and see how we all feel then.
October 10th, 2010 at 12:33 AM ^
Any problems we had today can be attributed to immaturity and a lack of depth on defense. Keep on talking Sparty - your day is coming.
October 10th, 2010 at 1:01 AM ^
Re: RR. He's had a lot of bad breaks. We have no talent on D and the attrition is awful. He is partly responsible for that though. We shouldn't be this bad, but he should get another year.
October 10th, 2010 at 1:01 AM ^
October 10th, 2010 at 1:41 AM ^
Agh, mis-read the post and posted an inane response. Apologies.
October 10th, 2010 at 1:42 AM ^
Treadwell > Dantonio. Also, Spartans can go 11-1, or 12-0 but still won't be make the MNC.
October 10th, 2010 at 1:51 AM ^
WV lost to Pittsburgh b/c they had a ton of turnovers in that game. I can't remember the boxscore, but I remember a lot of fumbles. I want to say 4 or 5 in that game. That's why the fighting Wannstedt's beat WV in that game.
October 10th, 2010 at 2:23 AM ^
I'm sor druink.
October 10th, 2010 at 2:26 AM ^
He suits his offense to one player? I assume this means having no regards to the offensive line, the receivers who catch the ball or the runningback who takes the handoff from the zone-read.
That said, Sparty needs to know it's place and realize their biggest rival does not replicate said feeling. M wants to beat everyone on the schedule but one true foe has the big blue circle around it. Go forth and riot. M is on to Iowa.
October 10th, 2010 at 2:41 AM ^
and wanting blood. If I was Rich Rod I would put cut outs of Stanzi's head all over the practice tools and use it as a way to unleash that anger so come gametime our boys are so thirsty for Hawkeye blood that we just go out there and fucking tear him and Mcnutt apart all game long. Hit the way Gordon did today and scare them shitless to the point where as soon as they hear footsteps they'll tighten up and drop every pass. I'm pissed as fuck today and want redemption for what I saw today. We better go into this Saturday hunting for prey out there because this loss should light a massive fire under their asses.
October 10th, 2010 at 3:31 AM ^
Hit the way Gordon did today but also wrap up when they do. That would be even better.
October 10th, 2010 at 3:48 AM ^
before the game started was (pardon the language) "fuck them up!" This is something that Rod needs to tell his boys and get this team ready for this game this Saturday! Get them energized and hungry for blood! Encourage them to level Stanzi and put his ass to the turf! Sometimes as a coach you have to get your team hungry for blood, sweat and tears to get them psyched. It worked for me everytime I was on the ice and the other side noticed it. We hit them harder, skated faster and went after every loose puck like a hungry pack of wolves charging after their prey. We need to come into this game and play like mad dogs and screw them up and send a clear message to them and the Big Ten that we don't f*ck around on gameday. We come ready to play, smelling blood in the water and are always ready to go on the attack! We need something to lift us up right now.
October 10th, 2010 at 4:08 AM ^
I'll keep our coach he didn't forget all he knew when he crossed the Mason-Dixon line. The fact is he is a top 5 coach. Our problems started before his name was mentioned as a potential Michigan coach. We are a top 5 program that wasn't recruiting like a top 5 program and it finally cought up with us. I am very thankful for what Lloyd did but if you think he didn't let the program slide his last three years your head is not getting enough sun. We got beat by Appy State for Gods sake. If you think he got himself and his team prepared WTF. That loss along with the start the year before cost a large number of recruits that would have been helping us win the last three years. Looking at the sate of the program when RR came in was what made my choice not any less painful but what I see as necessary. I know some of you think Lloyd was dissed because he didn't get to choose his sucessor but he never earned that right, he was NOT Bo. HE proved it by his petulant attitude, and lack of respect for the program that made him and gave him all he has today. I still think he needs to step up, be a man and acknowledge he has done a disservice to the school he claims to love. We will be 8-5 or 9-4 this year right where I had them projected, next year 10-3 or 11-2 ,and in the conversation nationally from there on out. By the way I for one am glad that I don't have to stake my pride on atheletes who should not even be on the team. I am thankful that we do not operate on a win at any cost. Dell, Cunningham, Rucker, and others would have been dismissed from the team, losing your temper is one thing, but preparing for a beat down, ski-masks, thats premeditated and in a school with real dicipline they would not be invited to stay. Just wondering if any Spartans have a take on this. Does it bother you or not. The pattern just seems to stay the same Star at MSu, then pro, then flag football in the criminal justice system.
October 10th, 2010 at 4:45 AM ^
Those who hate on RR didn't like the hire in the first place so his or her bias is based on perception not results. Who is even available with a better coaching history???? Oh, I forgot
Bo Guy>Anyone else regardless of how good they might be
And the awkward transition screwed RR and in turn hurt the program, but he will build it back up. If people don't want to be patient I don't know what to say, its going to seem awkward and clumsy at times. But I think we would have transitioned more quickly in RR's system if the people in charge hadn't completely messed up the hiring process.
October 10th, 2010 at 3:48 PM ^
OK, maybe someday Rich will be a Top 5 coach. Till he actually starts winning and fielding top 5 teams, that's just something to throw out there with no backing. The program slide in the last 3 years consisted of 2006. Teams have ups and downs, and coaches do too. They're not always prepared the best. Sometimes they overachieve. For every "underachieve" game you list for Lloyd, I can give you an OSU or something where we overachieved (how about Florida, in his last game? You know, during the slide). I mean App State? We've lost to Toledo! You don't want to match overachieve games vs. underachieve games for Rich...because in the good column he's got 2008 Wisconsin, and not much else. Underachieve...well...
The fact of the matter is we're in Year 3....and we'll see how Year 3 ends...but it's Rich's program now. If you don't like where the program is at, blame the head guy, not the guy who retired 3 years ago. No one has said he should have chosen his successor. But you can't really blame him for who is successor would have been, but blame him for the guy he didn't choose too.
And you are a complete fucking moron for saying he has done a disservice to the school, and need to say anything for your sake. You, who have never done anything for the University, lecturing a guy who has given his life to the University, and still is. (I'm sure you were donating your time and money yesterday to raise money for the hospital...oh, you weren't? Like Lloyd was? Then shut the fuck up).
October 12th, 2010 at 9:18 AM ^
I know some of you think Lloyd was dissed because he didn't get to choose his sucessor but he never earned that right, he was NOT Bo. HE proved it by his petulant attitude, and lack of respect for the program that made him and gave him all he has today. I still think he needs to step up, be a man and acknowledge he has done a disservice to the school he claims to love.
Seriously, fuck yourself and anyone who actually gave this bullshit a +1. It is absurd that the mildest criticism of Rodriguez draws rants and raves and negbangs, but someone can post this shit about Lloyd Carr, a man who has done more for the University than most can imagine, without getting called out.
October 12th, 2010 at 9:47 AM ^
Lloyd gets his due for his philanthropic work on behalf of the University. And you have seen a giving attitude by his players after they left. It is crazy to say he needs to say anything about being a "disservice" to the school.
But Lloyd was slipping the last few years either on the recruiting trail or on the sidelines. Evidence of that is how OSU passed us by and we couldn't put the hammer down on MSU in recent years unless their coach was in turmoil. Why should PSU and OSU blow out Sparty, but we have to scratch and claw to come out with a W?
Either his recruiting classes were overrated or he got the talent and did not develop it. Our last Big Ten title was in 2004, outright was 2003. Since then, it's been OSU and PSU. That's unacceptable considering where we were up until that point.
I do think that despite what he's done for the school off the field, they would have liked to have seen him open up the playbook more with that ridiculous offensive talent he had since 1998 (ie. 2008 Capital Bowl).
October 10th, 2010 at 7:52 AM ^
made some decent points, and wasn't obnoxious or anything like that, so good post. I knew M was in trouble while watching the OSU game against Indiana. OSU shut down the team that had the record day last week against M.
M's defense had some good stops, but also some horrible breakdowns...was one of those td's after Rogers got injured, and they burned the freshmen, I forget his name?
I was bummed though, first Michigan game I got to see on my new Vizio 55" on HD, love the tv, hated the results.
October 10th, 2010 at 9:54 AM ^
The first two bullet points are pretty solid.
I completely disagree with the RichRod bullet point however. Just as an example to suggest that Bell would have got a UM offer under Lloyd is pretty far-fetched, IMO.
RichRod inherited a team that was severly lacking in talent and depth in the secondary. He probably gets some of the blame for the failture of the LBs lack of development, but to place all this on RichRod is a bit ridiculous.
This is a young team. Frankly, I think they got out-executed a lot yesterday, Denard covers up A LOT of the problems of this team, and he had a bad day. Eventually Michigan will be very good again both offensively and defensively, but I think they still need time.
Denard Robinson is a sophomore. He's young. I still think this team can win any game left on the schedule (yes, any), but Denard is going to have to play well.
One thing I will say about how State played was that (just from first glance) it seemed they tended to keep their DE from crashing towards the run, meaning Denard was handing the ball off on the read option a lot. I'll have to watch the game again to see it for sure, but that's what it seemed like in the stadium. I wish the RBs had made them pay for that, and they simply didn't. Part of the reason I'm excited for Hart.
October 10th, 2010 at 10:13 AM ^
I agree that the problems on defense (and in the secondary in particular) stem partly from unfamiliarity with the system, and the overall talent level is lower than it's usually been here. But I would say that a bigger problem is just general inexperience. Most of our DBs are used to going against high school guys, not major-college starters. Time and again our freshman DBs took angles that would work against slow guys with no moves, but fail against fast guys who know what they're doing out there.
October 10th, 2010 at 11:25 AM ^
We are all rooting for the same team, aren't we?....I've read every single post and couldn't help but think that a Michigan win vs Iowa would fix so much of what feels like a small movement of descent toward RichRod. I love Michigan football and I too was destroyed yesterday but a win vs Iowa this week has us primed to role into Happy Valley looking to go 7-1. Go Blue 4 life.
October 10th, 2010 at 12:13 PM ^
side of fire RR, but the Iowa game is huge now. It's homecoming and a lot of alumni who are not used to losing will be in town/ at the game. If Michigan loses in a similar fashion, "the hot seat" will be an inferno. If Michigan wins, all will be well with the world.
October 10th, 2010 at 1:37 PM ^
I think it's been made clear that "management" is looking for improvement from the team and from the coaches.
I think a top25-rated offense and a potential Heisman-candidate sophomore QB qualifies as progress this season, not to mention a 5-1 record with the potential of getting to a bowl game (if they can win one more game). The fact that they are still recruiting fairly well (Dee Hart, Brennen Beyer, et al.) leads me to believe that they are/will make progress toward contending for a Big Ten title next season or in 2012.
I honestly think that no matter how hot the fans (meaning: us) think Rich Rod's seat is, the fact remains that there is a reason why we are posting on a message board on the internet and Rich Rod is the head coach of Michigan, and Dave Brandon is the AD.
They know what they are doing. Trust them for a little while longer.
October 10th, 2010 at 2:21 PM ^
No one who has followed this program for more than 5 minutes is used to losing. Bo was in his 11th year when I was a Michigan freshman. Before 2008, the worst season I had witnessed was 6-6 in 1984. I am no less disappointed than any other alum or fan, but I am also a realist.
It bears repeating that the difference now is that we can't just show up and expect to win because "we're Michigan." The alumni who pine for the Bo/Mo/early Carr years will never be satisifed if they expect this to be the case. Rich Rodriguez realized it when he arrived ("we want to deserve to win;" "we'll win when we deserve to win"). Anyone who hasn't jumped ship knows that generally, our team has to play well to win. College football has changed since 1969, heck even since 1997. Wishing for a different era won't make it so.
I am certain that Rodriguez will restore the fear that the winged helmet used to inspire in opposing teams. But just as losing it didn't happen overnight, restoring it won't either. Rodriguez isn't just coaching a football team, he's rebuilding a program. You can't rebuild a program around only a couple of games or seasons. David Brandon and Mary Sue Coleman know this too.
October 10th, 2010 at 3:15 PM ^
but I magically and mysteriously lost the ability to do so...instead, verbal praise for you!
October 11th, 2010 at 9:29 AM ^
In some ways, Michigan having to rebuild is a result of decisions made by FBS-gods. They want parity, and in doing so it means that the top programs may have to suffer. I sure don't like it and in some ways the good ole days would be nice. It just means that now rebuilding will take longer and will have more setbacks. However, we will get back to winning - this week in Iowa is a good start!
October 10th, 2010 at 12:47 PM ^
How do X's and O's, fundamentals, and time management have anything to do with eachother?