UCONN Defense
So in my search for anything football to keep me busy until September 4, I decided to do a little in depth reading about the UCONN Huskies.
Forgetting their offense for a moment (which I know might be the more important unit given our team weaknesses), I think we should have a lot of success against this defense provided that we take care of the ball.
Like us, UCONN will be starting a very young secondary with three of their projected starters being sophomores. The secondary definitely seems to be the weakest link for them, but not far behind it will be the pass rush. They have fairly inexperienced DEs that are way undersized coming in at 220 to 240 pounds. Now I know we had a very light Craig Roh playing a DE like position last year, but we also had BG on the other side. Needless to say, we should be able to do some things through the air against this team. Although I would much prefer to run our way to victory, having things open up through the air won't hurt our chances, especially if we find ourselves behind by a couple scores (which I don't think will happen...please god don't let that happen!)
Now the rest of the UCONN defense (ie DTs and LBs) should be pretty solid with one or two quality DTs and two excellent LBs. The only problem for them, however, is once again size. I know we are not the gargantuan Michigan teams of the past that would eat these guys whole, but I still see the potential to really get them on their heels. Their DT size isn't horrible (270lbs, 287lbs), but two of the LBs come in at under 230 and the third is 240. And let's not forget the tiny DEs.
Sure, you could say that the UCONN defense may be small but they're extremely athletic. And that seems to be very true. But our offense looks to be every bit as athletic, and will have a huge size advantage against these guys up front. Just for reference, here is the weights of some of our possible line starters from MGoBlue.com: 321, 306, 285, 294, 293, 299, 308, etc. These are all still respectable considering our system relies on very athletic lineman.
Basically, the only thing I think Michigan will have a tough time doing against the Huskies is running right at them. If our Oline is as improved as advertised and the skill guys as talented (and assuming again that we HOLD ON TO THE DAMN BALL), I think the off-tackle run game and the passing game should be there all day. We need to control the clock in this game and every game in order to protect our defense as much as possible, and I think we will be able to that against UCONN, along with ND, UMASS, BG, and Indiana. After that things get tougher of course, but if we make it to 5-0 this year I think we will all be happy with the end result. Confidence can work miracles for a team, especially a young one.
Anyways, thats my take.
August 24th, 2010 at 2:07 AM ^
and goal-line situations shouldn't be difficult even if we run straight at them, seeing as Hopkins is roughly the size of one of their linebackers (a little larger, even) and will be making contact with a head of steam.
August 24th, 2010 at 2:16 AM ^
I think you forgot to note that UConn lost defensive ends Marcus Campbell and Greg Lloyd due to injury.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:18 AM ^
good catch!
August 24th, 2010 at 3:07 AM ^
I won't feel safe if we are 5-0. I'll feel safe if we start big 10 play well. Our problem seems to lay on mid-late season struggles(by last season criteria). Hopefully we can stay healthy and crack some skulls. Go Blue!
August 24th, 2010 at 4:28 AM ^
Just read this on a Uconn blog. "Randy Edsall is a much better coach than Rich Rod and Zach Frazer is better than any QB in Michigan's stable. Our OL will dominate Michigan's defensive line (which is garbage except for Roh) and their linebackers are lost more than not."
They must not know of Mike Hulk Martin, Nor DRob..hmm guess they'll find out Sept 4th!
August 24th, 2010 at 7:37 AM ^
the team in the superior position whose fans evaluate the opposition fairly, and the team that is substantially over matched whose fans resort to Sparty-like inferiority complex posturing.
August 24th, 2010 at 9:23 AM ^
and 100% true.
August 24th, 2010 at 5:52 PM ^
The Spartans are hungry and poised for a championship run. Their coach is a genius and is a recruiting madman!
oops... sorry! That was last years Spartan report. or was that the year before's?
(ps - I assume your tag line was written for Sparty.)
August 24th, 2010 at 11:06 AM ^
August 24th, 2010 at 11:19 AM ^
The part about the LB's was right. Hopefully not for this year, but we won't know until Sept. 4.
August 24th, 2010 at 11:48 AM ^
OK, the comment about the coaches is completely subjective, so that doesn't bother me (even though RR smoked Edsall head to head), but the comment about our DL? Garbage? It's not like our DL starters are mega-sleepers at this point, 2 of the 3 are 4-star, upperclassmen, returning starters. Honestly.
The comment about the LB's is a little more justified, but you can't always use the "they weren't good last year so they'll be bad this year" argument. All 3 of our LB's are returning starters (or someone displacing a returning starter). Rarely is that seen as a major area of weakness.
What a dumb blog, UConn.
August 24th, 2010 at 7:20 AM ^
And this will all be answered on the field. D-Rob, Tate and company will be ready...
August 24th, 2010 at 7:39 AM ^
I need every scrap of information possible to make it 11 more days.
I'll disagree on just one point, where you say we'll have a tough time running "right at them". If they are undersized but quicker, that usually spells trouble going outside, leaving "right at them" as the best scenario given our size advantage up front. I'd love to see us control the LOS all day, rush for 300 yards, and HOTTDB of course.
August 24th, 2010 at 8:44 AM ^
If we can open up running all over this team, it won't matter how big/small they are. They simply don't have anyone as fast as Denard, and we should let him run the read option on their heads all day. I have a feeling that Tate might not even see the field at all in this game... This might sound crazy, but I just heard a rumor from inside the program that is a bit disturbing. That's all I'm allowed to say right now.
August 24th, 2010 at 8:48 AM ^
If that's all you're allowed to say, don't say anything at all.
August 24th, 2010 at 9:15 AM ^
I cannot take any more drama for 11 more days unless it's brought forward by Brian or The Detroit News. (respected news sources)
Also the drama better be about the second coming of C. Woodson or Big Will has just been hit with M. Martin Gamma Rays and is now the Grey Hulk.
August 24th, 2010 at 6:40 PM ^
That was telling...
August 24th, 2010 at 9:01 AM ^
Yeah, seriously, you can't throw down a teaser like that and then suggest you're "not allowed" to say anything more. Who would allow you to say that much as it is?
August 24th, 2010 at 9:23 AM ^
I don't want to believe what I've heard, and I was told specifically not to say (or blog) anythiing - I guess I'm bad at keeping secrets and I've already said too much. Let's hope it's all a big pile of BS and I am badly uninformed.
August 24th, 2010 at 9:30 AM ^
cool story bro
August 24th, 2010 at 9:38 AM ^
Evidently you're OK at keeping secrets, you're just horrible at knowing when to shut up about the fact that there might be one. The proper course of action when you're asked not to say/blog anything is to not say/blog anything. Bringing it up like this just makes it look like you're begging for attention.
I don't know what you heard or whether it's true or not, but don't come on here saying, "Ooooh, I know something that might be true!!! I can't tell you, but if it is in fact true it would be very bad!!! If it's true that is!!!"
You chose the worst possible course of action.
August 24th, 2010 at 9:45 AM ^
In most secret-keeping cases I would agree but in this instance it could be considered a tip-off to let you know if you hear something weird it might be worth paying attention. Although, I dont think the poster had this intent.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:13 AM ^
I agree Block M...every time I hear another scrap of information hinting on another neg for the program, it makes me feel exactly like your Avitar looks! On the verge of a breakdown.
Seriously though, I get a chuckle every time I see that pic.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:08 AM ^
Well considering what your earlier post referenced, "tate might not play at all" Im sure the rumor has something to do with that.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:27 AM ^
you are writing this like its the michigan offense of old. get updated man. we will not control the clock because this is a quick scoring team. sry to burst your bubble.
August 24th, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^
I realize that we run a no-huddle quick strike offense.
But I also realize that 1) we had way too many 3 and outs and other stalled drives last season and 2) that our running game was inconsistent.
The point I was trying to make is that if we can move the ball on the ground consistently, we will have a much higher TOP than we did last season.
Plus if we are consistently finishing our drives with points, that will also help us out (obviously).
August 24th, 2010 at 10:59 AM ^
If Denard has begun to master the zone-read option, it could really pay dividends in this game. Defending the zone-read asks a lot of DEs, and if Denard is able to take advantage of their inexperience, it should really open up our running game.
August 24th, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^
Defense? Syracuse put up 489 total yards on UConn last season.