Which phase of our D steps up today- Pass or Run?

Submitted by NorthSideBlueFan on

I just woke up from a horrible nightmare that Iowa had (an un-injured) Megatron on their team and just bombed it out to him all day. I've had a chance to wipe the sweat from my brow and since it feels like a million hours to game time, I was wondering what part of the D do you feel will be improved this week, if any? I have a gut-feeling they are going to buckle down some this week. Why? I don't know. 

What do you think? Do you see potential for us to limit their running or passing attack?

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Mgoscottie

October 16th, 2010 at 8:04 AM ^

Iowa's receivers and tight ends and Robinson catching the underneath stuff is too much to hope to shut down unless Stanzi just is completely off today. 

That said we'll probably win 49-12, but give up 300-400 yards of passing before causing Iowa to turn over 4 times in the red zone....

Joined: 08/25/2009

MGoPoints: 16366

Michigan_Mike

October 16th, 2010 at 8:11 AM ^

No way we hold them to 12 points.

I think the run defense could possibly be improved just because Demens is stronger against the run (supposedly) than Ezeh. I also don't think A. Robinson is as good as the three headed Sparty monster we faced last week. They could be solidly average on the run with a well above average passing day against us. i'm just hoping our offense executes.

Joined: 01/18/2009

MGoPoints: 4567

BiSB

October 16th, 2010 at 8:15 AM ^

that the ratio of bend to break will reach epic levels.  900 yards of offense for Iowa lead to 6 total points.

Don't ask me how. 

Joined: 08/15/2009

MGoPoints: 46071

tokarz76

October 16th, 2010 at 8:49 AM ^

Stanzi is a senior and they are really good at the skill positions. That does not bode well for our secondary. Their offensive line lost 3 starters from last year and they are thin at running back. Robinson (who I coached in Jr High) is nowhere near as talented as MSU's backs and behind him is a true frosh Coker who had a bum shoulder most of fall practice. So I'd say we have a good shot at containing the run today. GO BLUE!!!!

Joined: 08/18/2009

MGoPoints: 80

Tater

October 16th, 2010 at 9:13 AM ^

Whether the answer is "neither" or "both," the defense will allow 38 points.  The question is whether the offense can generate at least 39.  I am guessing it works out that way for at least three of the six games left.

Since I refuse to pick against Michigan, even in the face of the most daunting "facts," I think MIchigan wins, 42-38.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

switch26

October 16th, 2010 at 9:15 AM ^

I just want our D to show some life for more than a quarter..

They looked completely deflated after the first quarter last wk, no big hits by our defense.  Seems like a lot of the guys just go through the motions out there, whether they are or not that is what it looks like most of the time.

Joined: 02/04/2010

MGoPoints: 8309

Webber's Pimp

October 16th, 2010 at 10:10 AM ^

To me improvement could come from either the DB's or the pass rush. But here's why I think the D will be better today...I'm looking for several time consuming run based drives on offense. That will eat away at the clock and keeo our defense well rested. I'm not saying the only way we win is if our defense is off the field altogether but the offense definately needs to do its part. If you look at the time of possession last week MSU held the ball for almost 36 minutes. We have to win that battle and part of doing so is sustaining time consuming TD scoring drives. If we can do that this defense will get us enough stops to win...

Joined: 09/12/2010

MGoPoints: 2692

swarwick33

October 16th, 2010 at 10:05 AM ^

I hope it is the run defense.  I like the thought of Stanzi having to beat us.  I will also say this, while Iowa's D is better than MSU's, Cousins is better than Stanzi and MSU's RB stable is better than Iowa's.  I think this allows us to keep a safety back fo help and stop the run with 7 in the box.

Joined: 08/18/2009

MGoPoints: 205

JT4104

October 16th, 2010 at 10:27 AM ^

I would honestly hope the Run D steps up a little bit today...this isn't the Iowa Oline of last year and last week with Roh putting his hand on the ground I thought the DLine actually played well...

If Demens can come in and at least play downhill it should help a lot. He is gonna give up a few runs and we need to expect that, but if Demens can at least meet guys in the hole unlike Ezeh it should allow the flow to get there a whole lot quicker instead of chasing the RB down the field.

Joined: 10/25/2008

MGoPoints: 12328

jamiemac

October 16th, 2010 at 10:33 AM ^

Run D. I mean Demens was my break out player in D in HTTV Roundtable, so come on Kenny, let's do this. His addition, plus a downgrade in competition vis a vis rush offense on the other side, and I think we're going to like the run D today. We'll see

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 8446

Blue in sec country

October 16th, 2010 at 10:34 AM ^

I think we have a better chance at slowing their rush attack. I don't think that we will but I can't see us slowing a pass attack right now. Our d is like Les Miles, we don't win because of them we win in spite of them. We knew that coming into the season and with all the losses before the season I don't think we could have asked for much more than what we've got.

Joined: 07/09/2010

MGoPoints: 1319

michgoblue

October 16th, 2010 at 11:03 AM ^

Why did you have to go bringing up the defense? I was having a great morning, enjoying my chocolate chip waffles and eggs and thinking about Denard picking apart Iowa's #2 in the country D when you had to go and ruin it. Did you know that there is war, famine, a rescession, Columbus, Ohio and disease in the world? See what a downer that is?

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: 32160

KBLOW

October 16th, 2010 at 11:16 AM ^

I'm relying more on Stanzi having an off day than our D rising to the occasion. And as we all saw last week an off day from the QB can make the opposing D look a lot better than they really are.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 22426