Utah Depth Chart - Funchess, Taylor, Wilson listed as starters
September 15th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
Last week's was the exact same. Even the OR being gone from Morgan.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:11 PM ^
Yes, I noted that myself as well.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:11 PM ^
Were any of them listed as starters for the Miami game? I can't find the depth chart released last week
September 15th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
Question for the board: in the case that you got to choose, would you rather have Funchess return on offense, or Taylor and Wilson return on defense?
Obviously having all three back would be ideal.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:16 PM ^
Funchess, without question. Taylor and Wilson are key contributors, but the drop-off from them to Lewis/Peppers/Countess and Hill/Thomas is far smaller than the dropoff from Funchess to any other receiver on the roster.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:28 PM ^
Interesting. I am in the opposite camp. Funchess is a big loss no doubt but I think we can score some on Utah either way. Darboh played quite well, Chesson is solid, and Norfleet is a much improved player. Obviously none are Funchess but I think the WR corps is more dependent on how Gardner plays - obviously having a fallback as Funchess will aid Devin's play but I still think those are good enough WRs to score points.
When the secondary was missing Peppers and Taylor vs a competent team it looked like poop. The safeties last week (pending UFR) had some mixups from my non coaching eye - not surprising, it was Hill in his 2nd game, Dymonte in his first few games of extended play, and a still raw Clark. The dropoff in experience between Wilson and any other safety is vast.
And assuming Taylor is doing "ok" in press that leaves us with only 2 CBs to play it (Lewis/Peppers) so you have to go away from what you want anytime either of those is out or there are more than 2 WRs on the field for Utah. With those 2 back we'd have the whole defense back save for Morgan and I want to see the defense at full (or near full) strength versus a real offense - the last test went poorly. Also if you believe Brian's UFR the front 7 played very good vs ND - the safeties were at least average - and the CBs were horridso that is another reason I want to see a full back 4 versus a competent team - to see what we truly have as a full defense. If those 2 are back and the defense looks "very good" it will bode very well. If they are back and it looks like ND again, well we know what we have in store as well to the downside.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:28 PM ^
Especially given the opponent. We need defense for this game, in a big way. Our secondary can't be giving up quick slant routes all day.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:36 PM ^
Utah is averaging 50+ pts vs baby seals so I am assuming they are going to be potent enough to be somewhere in the 20s/low 30s vs UM. I'd rather it be in the 20s and think that requires our top defensive guys. That's a boat load of experience with Wilson and Ray.
Last point on this - when Jarrod Wilson makes 50 good plays in a game no one notices. When Funchess makes 1 good play everyone notices. Safety is not a position anyone notices until a UFR.
So yes Funchess is the most glorious player of the 3 by a long shot. If Devin plays well he can make Darboh Chesson Norfleet Jones/Canteen? useful enough tools to win.
I also understand the counter that Funchess changes the game more than any other player on this squad, so just an opinion.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:42 PM ^
When you have a "yards after Mundy" type situation you notice bad safety play without the help of UFR.
But your point stands about good consistenet safety play doesn't have the wow factor of 1 offensive play from someone like Funchess.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:49 PM ^
haha - the dreaded YAM metric?
Yes I should have wrote that better: "Safety is not a position you notice if it's being played well until a UFR."
Also someone else mentioned Butt below which is a great point - we sort of traded Butt for Funchess; while not a perfect compliment it's a very nice offset.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:36 PM ^
Also, Butt is back and will be another playmaker for the offense.
September 15th, 2014 at 4:19 PM ^
that's a tough call for me because Hollowell has now given up 4 touchdowns in 2 weeks.. He is a liability big time and im actually shocked we have no one better that can start over him in the 2 deep
September 15th, 2014 at 12:19 PM ^
For this game I might lean Taylor and Wilson, because I think the only real strength Utah has is their passing attack.
I think Michigan can score points with or without Funchess, the key will be slowing down their passing attack, and Taylor and Wilson would help that. But yeah, lets just have them all back, and Morgan too while we are at it.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^
I'm leaning Wilson and Taylor...as much or more for Wilson. This is opponent-specific, and is borne from my pre-season fear of a Wilsonless saftey corps.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:40 PM ^
Tough call, but I'm going with Taylor and Wilson. Utah has thrown for 619 yards this season, and over 50% of those yards have come from two receivers (Dres Anderson and Kenneth Scott). Those two guys have also accounted for 5 of Utah's 7 passing TDs this season. If we can limit those two guys, I like our chances to win.
September 15th, 2014 at 2:56 PM ^
Your avatar is green and white. Rectify at once.
September 15th, 2014 at 10:44 PM ^
My apologies, CLord. The problem has been rectified.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
MGoClimb asks an excellent question. And I don't really know the answer. However, I'm going to go with the defense over the offense, i.e., Taylor and Wilson more than Funchess. But here are my thoughts.
- I really don't want them to come back early, but when they're ready.
- I think we need the defense more than the offense against Utah.
- Along with that, I want the rest of the receiving corps to get more game reps. We already know Funchess can play. If he doesn't come back until Minnesota, well, that shouldn't matter that much. Gardner has to learn to use all his receivers more.
September 15th, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^
the only positive thing about Funch being out Saturday. My first thought (other than "FUCK!") was that it would give Gardner much needed "real game" work with the others.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
the depth chart does not talk about injuries!
September 15th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
Did anyone see Maurice Hurst doing his best Will Carr impression?
Michigan's goal line TD run had Hurst at fullback.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:35 PM ^
Damn, I guess I missed that one.
His recruiting profile here had a video of his 75yd TD as a junior so he does have some experience in the backfield.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:36 PM ^
I did notice that. I couldn't see how good of a block Hurst threw, but that hole was so big that I truly and actually believe that I could have scored on that play.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:17 PM ^
Michigan might as well list Henne and Hart on those. They're useless for information.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:27 PM ^
John Navarre may make an appearance!
Seriously, how long has it been since Michigan ran this play? It's not like they don't have the players to pull it off.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:38 PM ^
I thought that they ran this once with Devn and Denard when Devin was playing WR. Perhaps it is just me thinking it was so obvious that they had to have done it.
September 15th, 2014 at 1:39 PM ^
They ran it last year against Ohio State, but Gallon overthrew Gardner. It was going to be 30+ yards if complete, maybe even a touchdown.
September 15th, 2014 at 2:55 PM ^
and thus is sure to be completely disregarded once he throws the initial pass?
September 15th, 2014 at 3:20 PM ^
John Wockenfuss. Dude could motor.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:17 PM ^
What a coincidence!
I keed, I keed...
The good thing about having Devin F. out of the Miami game was the opportunity it gave Darboh, Chesson, and others some exposure, as well as the Utah D.C. something else to think about. With the running game actually running I look forward to seeing our offense continue to improve against Utah.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:24 PM ^
No question Funchess. The fall off between Funchess to Darboh and the change in how teams have to play defense with him and without outweighs the loss of the two defenders.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:23 PM ^
I did notice that. Hopefully we get to see that a lot more on saturday. Also, hopefully all of these guys are back and healthy. This is a huge game!
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September 15th, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^
when Peppers announed himself as a starter on the MgoTron. Little did I know at the time he would wait until the 2nd quarter to make that start.
I tend to agree with some others in that we need our key defensive personnel more than the offesive ones for the Ute's.
Go Blue!
September 15th, 2014 at 12:45 PM ^
I'm not one to throw bouquets out easily and I was in the "keep your expectations in line" crowd all summer but I REALLY liked what I saw of Peppers Saturday. I loved that Miami OH went after him over and over and he was always stride for stride with the WR. He also used the sideline as a tool very well. Yes, adjust for opponent but still. He will make errors as any newbies do but man it was nice to see. Hoping the UFR confirms this.
Utah has one Pac 12 all conference type WR so I am very curious who Manning chooses to drape over him.
September 15th, 2014 at 12:51 PM ^
Agreed. I had the same thought when JP seemed to most constently be in press (even more than JD who I think can do it well too). Perhaps it'll depend on the strength/size of the the WRs, but JP may get matched up with the dominant WRs as the year goes on.
September 15th, 2014 at 2:12 PM ^
JP played very well ... whether in press coverage or not. The only "big" play on his side of the field came when he blitzed and the safety poorly played the coverage on his man. He supported in run defense well too. I'm guessing he "tweak" something on a punt return in the App. St. game .... so we probably won't see him returning punts for a while.
Go Blue!
September 15th, 2014 at 12:45 PM ^
WIN THE GAME MICHIGAN.
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September 15th, 2014 at 12:55 PM ^
I'm confused. You mean Morgan is listed as 2nd/3rd string? Or is he starting without an "OR" listed?
September 15th, 2014 at 2:40 PM ^
2nd team MLB, 3rd team WLB as opposed to being an "OR" starter (Brian still ate the lemon) at both for Appy St.
September 15th, 2014 at 3:08 PM ^
Listed as 2nd/3rd string
The link is here: Game 4 Notes
EDIT: Note that these lag by a week, as they come out on Monday, before any changes are in place. I'm not sure we know when Morgan got injured -- in the App St game or in practice on the Monday after it, but either way, he still would have been (and was) listed as an OR starter for ND, and his status not changed to the current one until Miami U.
September 15th, 2014 at 4:22 PM ^
Morgan tore something in his hand, he also has a cast on as well. He shouldn't be back for several more weeks
September 15th, 2014 at 1:01 PM ^
but I thought Thomas ways way more aggressive and involved than either Hill or Clark. Those two definitely have the longer frames and that may be the biggest reason they are in more, but I wonder what the board thinks about the competition between those guys?
September 15th, 2014 at 2:35 PM ^
Dymonte was all over the field
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September 15th, 2014 at 5:40 PM ^
The only thing I can think of is dymonte was like a loose cannon ball, running all over the place, this can be great at times but not always when you are a safety. I just wonder if he gets too aggressive at times?
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September 15th, 2014 at 1:06 PM ^
I'd rather go without Funch. As much as I love seeing Dymonte get some burn, DG needs more time with the other receivers instead tunnelvisioning on Funch 90% of the time. It's more beneficial overall, I feel.
September 15th, 2014 at 7:32 PM ^
As long as DG doesn't revert to old habits when Funch is back. Overall DG has grown and gotten better. But when other aspects are struggling he goes into Superman mode where he tries to save the team and that's when he plays his worst. If the running game shows up and he plays his average game we will be okay Saturday
September 15th, 2014 at 4:23 PM ^
Idaho State had a RB run for over 6 YPC against Utah.. if we can't manage that fire everyone
September 15th, 2014 at 7:29 PM ^
Utah averages over 500 yds a game, and gives up almost 350 yds a game against div 2 Idaho State, and a lowly Fresno. They give up a lot of first downs as well