Who's your #1 RB after the first game?

Submitted by rockydude on

Pretty much what the title says. I'm assuming that there are plenty of people backing Green, and plenty backing Smith. Green got more yardage total, but Smith had more yards per attempt.

Obviously, they'll both get plenty of carries throughout the year, (likely to be 1a and 1b) but I'm curious as to what people's thoughts and logic are.

Edit: I'm asking because I'm genuinely not sure who I'd pick - go ahead and sway me

Mods: If this should be a snowflake or whatever, feel free to delete or move or whatever

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GoBLUinTX

August 30th, 2014 at 8:04 PM ^

At least twice, looked like he didn't see holes and instead ran into his blockers.  Pretty much what was seen during the Spring Thing and the Fall Open Scrimmage.  There was also one obvious instance when he was preparing to get hit by a LB instead of preparing to hit the LB.

You were absolutely right that Smith doesn't have a high gear, most of us hadn't noticed because it's hard to see lack of top end when the RB is just trying to cross the LoS.  That said, neither is Green a speed merchant.

Joined: 12/02/2013

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Magnus

August 30th, 2014 at 9:32 PM ^

I remember one time when Green ran into his blocker; I don't remember a second time.

Regardless, I don't think either one is a home run threat like Carlos Brown or my beloved Brandon Minor, even. If they get past the defense, there's a good chance that both would get caught. However, I think Green gets to top speed quicker and is a step faster overall. From what I saw today (and this is nothing new), I think Smith is an inside zone guy, whereas Green is a power and outside zone guy.

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STW P. Brabbs

August 31st, 2014 at 12:21 AM ^

You know - the one after he botched his assignment and missed the handoff from Gardner - he had as gaping a cutback lane as Smith had all game, and instead decided to burrow his head into Joe Burzynski's ass. Having a faster first step doesn't mean shit if you lack vision and balance. If there's one former Michigan back Green runs like, it's Carlos Brown (but slower). #BizarroJackson

Joined: 08/27/2008

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bighouse22

August 31st, 2014 at 8:52 AM ^

I do believe Smith has a little better vision at this point, but Green is faster overall.  Green will get better the more he plays.  With Smith what you see is what you are going to get-good power back who is solid, but he is at his ceiling.   

They are both fine and should see a lot of playing time, but I do think Green will get better as they adjust to the speed of the college game vs. High School.  As the game progressed Green seemed to improve.

 

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bighouse22

August 31st, 2014 at 8:52 AM ^

I do believe Smith has a little better vision at this point, but Green is faster overall.  Green will get better the more he plays.  With Smith what you see is what you are going to get-good power back who is solid, but he is at his ceiling.   

They are both fine and should see a lot of playing time, but I do think Green will get better as they adjust to the speed of the college game vs. High School.  As the game progressed Green seemed to improve.

 

Joined: 10/29/2013

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GoBLUinTX

August 30th, 2014 at 8:11 PM ^

Are you saying the Appt St Defense was worn out after the first Michigan possession?

1st Michigan possession Green had 1 yd, 1yd, 3yds.  2nd possession Smith had 15 yd, 4 yd, 5 yd, and 2 yds.

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ClearEyesFullHart

August 30th, 2014 at 8:16 PM ^

But it's more of a gut/feel/eyeball thing. I remember watching a closer than it should have been Miami (ntm) game and feeling kind of alright because by the end of the game we'd found a running back(Hart). Something like that.

Joined: 09/09/2011

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Wolverine Devotee

August 30th, 2014 at 8:35 PM ^

You're thinking of 2004 vs SDSU where Michigan hung on, 24-21. Michigan beat Miami University, 43-10 that year where Hart got a couple of carries in garbage time.

SDSU was the game where he really became the guy.

Joined: 06/29/2009

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Seth

August 30th, 2014 at 11:37 PM ^

Man I don't know how you got so many negs because I wholly agree and I thought it jumped off the screen that Smith was better. I fully expect him to come out far ahead in the UFR. He had better balance, better vision, and was especially better on contact. Green got more open holes and finally took advantage of them later on while Smith got every yard that the OL made for him except those from breaking away, something Green couldn't do either. Smith had his long RRRAAAAGE run right about the TV announcers were talking about 40 times. He got caught from behind then ran in 9(?) yards for a TD the next play when it looked like he had no space to do that.

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Magnus

August 31st, 2014 at 12:05 AM ^

Green had approximately zero holes to begin the game. They opened up - for everyone - after the first couple series.

Smith might be a better runner for a team with a crappy offensive line because he can break more tackles, but Green is the guy I want running the ball if Michigan's line is decent.

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Reader71

August 31st, 2014 at 1:16 AM ^

I think its because he asserted that it wasn't close. I think most people do think it's close. Small sample size, Smith having had some better holes, etc. There's also a tendency for people to weirdly and irrationally have a favorite based on either recruiting stars, hunches, or nothing at all. They'll be able to say they told us so later.

Joined: 08/30/2009

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Champeen

September 2nd, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^

I have been saying this since they were in high school.  And i agree, its not close.

Behind our offensive line, Smith is better all day.  Behind the Dallas Cowboys offensive line of the 90's, i just may take Green.

Joined: 04/07/2011

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Wolverine Devotee

August 30th, 2014 at 7:14 PM ^

I'd say Smith but if they can both play like they did today, the rest of the season, play them both.

Today was the first time since 2007 vs Minnesota where Michigan had a 100-yard rushing duo featuring only RBs. 

Joined: 06/29/2009

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bronxblue

August 30th, 2014 at 7:13 PM ^

All of them!

Seriously, Smith looked good, but so did Green.  Unless you have a Hyde-type who is the de jure starter because of his dominant play, having 2-3 guys who are de facto starters is fine by me.  Smith is a bit shiftier, and Green is a bit bigger, though they are able to fill basically the same role.  But this offense works fine with two guys, and frankly forcing teams to gameplan for both is not something I'm against.

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MichiganSports

August 30th, 2014 at 7:15 PM ^

I think Smith has better vision but i also think he got the best holes to run through today. So its hard to say. I don't see this back by Committee going away and who cares if we get production.

Joined: 05/20/2014

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Champeen

September 2nd, 2014 at 2:06 PM ^

Focus on who is better with no hole.  Focus on who is better at finding holes.  Its clear as day.  We are not going to have holes big enough to drive a mack truck through with our opponents going forward.

Joined: 04/07/2011

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alum96

August 30th, 2014 at 7:16 PM ^

Nice to rotate both to keep both fresh.  If I had to pick 1, Smith just because I'd rather get a consistent 3-4 yds than 1 homerun and a lot of stalls.  When holes are there - it just seems like Smith finds them more often.  But that could change over time. 

For now I think Smith shows better vision and loves contact and seems to always fall forward for an extra yard.   Obviously his top end speed lacks but that probably affects 2 plays a game if we are lucky (20-30 yards down the field).

But if we can get 300 yds per game between the 2 of them like today I don't care who starts ;)

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MichiganSports

August 30th, 2014 at 7:19 PM ^

kind of off topic but honestly even hayes and johnson broke off some nice runs. So im thinking the O-line had allot to do with the results today and on that note how about Mason Cole. Helluva debut at LT!

Joined: 05/20/2014

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aiglick

August 30th, 2014 at 7:30 PM ^

I've learned when it comes to the run game the OLine is extremely relevant. They did a good job and I'm proud of them. Now they have to try to have another great performance next week against a much stiffer test. Most importantly they have to keep working to get better and if they use every day to make a little progress they will be where we want them and have us salivating for the future. Hopefully that future is now.

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