Wisconsin, Penn St, and OSU game concerns?

Submitted by Nervous Bird on September 1st, 2019 at 3:01 PM

The prevailing narrative this morning from many fans is that the combination of our poor (?) performance, and the dominating performances from Wisconsin, Penn St, and OSU, foretells likely losses for the Wolverines in those games. Far be it from me to dispel these sky is falling myths, but... Wisconsin, PSU, and OSU played 3 of the worst teams in college football, while Michigan played a team who played in their conference title game last season.

First, Michigan's performance was really poor, underwhelming, disappointing, or any other of the negative adjectives being thrown around on message boards and comment sites. It wasn't perfect, but it shouldn't be panic inducing either.

Secondly, Wisconsin played a team who had lost 6 games in a row by an average margin of 19 points. Plus, they had a run defense ranked in the 100's last season. And, even with that horrible defense, USF had 11 TFLs against Wisconsin. The score was big 49-0, but it was nothing unexpected considering the mismatch. 

Next, Penn St played a bad FCS team who sacrifices themselves as cannon fodder for the confidence of FBS teams. In their 4-7 2018 season, the Idaho Vandals gave up 40+ points in almost half of their games (5), including 79 versus Fresno St, and 63 versus Florida, both FBS schools. So, Penn State rushing for 300+ yards, and scoring 79 points is not indicative of a dominant team that should be striking fear into the fan base. I'll reserve judgment on PSU until they actually play a team who can provide at least a modicum of competition (Buffalo or Pitt).

As far as Ohio State, they played an FAU team who managed only 14 points, while giving up 63, against Oklahoma last season. FAU (5-7) also lost to a certain Middle Tennessee State last season. Obviously, they are not a quality football team, and worse than MTSU. The game stats for OSU/FAU and UM/MTSU are quite similar, yet the narrative is that OSU was dominant, and Michigan played poorly. 

This seems to be a highly unusual request coming off of an easy victory, but can everyone relax a little and use some perspective. Michigan played a team with a pulse who is accustomed to some measure of success. The other teams basically played cadavers from their med school's freezers!

Mr Grainger

September 1st, 2019 at 3:54 PM ^

Excellent point regarding last year. We all know how many issues there were in the Notre. Dame game (OL, secondary, Patterson) but Michigan corrected them and rattled off ten straight wins. I don't recall what happened after that.

Anyway, they played sloppy and still won convincingly. If they clean up the mistakes the sky is still the limit.

Joined: 06/26/2015

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skegemogpoint

September 1st, 2019 at 4:33 PM ^

If Michigan’s last NC wasn’t 22 years ago or if we had ever participated in. B10 Conference Championship, then I’d agree that naysayers are overdoing it at this early stage. But when you’ve had lousy results for as long as we have had, I don’t blame anyone for demanding and expecting a whole lot more. 

One need not wait until week 6 to see a glaring lack of physicality on the OL, the DL and from the TE position. 

Joined: 07/08/2008

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JPC

September 1st, 2019 at 3:03 PM ^

It depends. I think the offense will start to click, but the defense needs to get the DL starters back. Mason playing that much against real teams is going to be disaster. 

Joined: 10/13/2018

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badandboujee

September 1st, 2019 at 3:40 PM ^

I didn't think we were lights out on defense, but we did hold MTSU to 67 yards rushing. Plus, we know Wisconsin is going to run more often than not so their play calling predictability could help us out by stacking the box. I don't know though, we tend to play like horse shit on the road

Joined: 01/10/2017

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Michigan4Life

September 1st, 2019 at 9:21 PM ^

Jonathan Taylor averaged over 6 ypc in the 1st half against a much better defense against Michigan last year and Chryst for whatever reason forgot that he has him on the team in the 2nd half. A heavy dosage of Taylor is key for Wisconsin and JT will get his numbers regardless. Michigan has to minimize the damage as much as possible and limit the passing game.

Joined: 07/29/2010

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brad

September 1st, 2019 at 5:06 PM ^

For anyone scared to death of Wisconsin, watch this:

https://youtu.be/8RvTVbkbsDQ

Wisconsin always has a trap set for Michigan, but cowering in fear because they just plowed over USF is not supported by anything that actually happened this weekend.  Sure, they will be good, but Michigan can certainly beat them.  

 

OSU?  Ask again later

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 15805

UMDWolve

September 1st, 2019 at 3:07 PM ^

Let's see where we're at after Army.  The only concern I saw against MTSU were all the hits that Patterson and McCaffrey absorbed.  I think Harbaugh, Brown and Gattis will have the team on the right track heading into the Wisconsin game.

Joined: 09/14/2014

MGoPoints: 774

victors2000

September 1st, 2019 at 4:52 PM ^

Yeah, there was a severe pass rush! Schaffer had them blizting constantly though, that helped their cause. We need to remember, while we were getting ready for Middle Tennessee State University, they were getting ready for the UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. This was a red letter, circled, big time game for them that they've been focusing on for months. Us, we were probably looking a lot at Army tape. DVR tape? Whatever.

Joined: 03/21/2009

MGoPoints: 12914

DrMantisToboggan

September 1st, 2019 at 3:07 PM ^

This is the internet and these are Michigan fans you're talking to. We will never relax and we will always find reason for concern.

I agree with you though. Things are fine. Nothing about yesterday's game moved any needle for me. My only concern is getting DPJ, Runyan, Jeter, and hopefully Dwumfour (although this one feels ominous) healthy.

Joined: 11/26/2014

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Nervous Bird

September 1st, 2019 at 3:13 PM ^

Yeah, I think I forgot where I was for a moment - the land of BPONE. LOL

The good thing about this year's schedule is that these early injuries have a chance to heal before our first true test at Wisconsin. We should easily beat Army, and then there's a bye. That gives 3 weeks until we absolutely need DPJ, Runyan, Jeter, and Dwumfour on the field. 

Joined: 08/11/2018

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DrMantisToboggan

September 1st, 2019 at 4:39 PM ^

I believe Jeter was going to be starting had he not been injured. Ben Mason started the game at 3T. Based on Mason’s newness at the position and Jeter’s camp hype, there’s no way Mason would have actually been #1 there. 

We were down Jeter, Runyan, and DPJ yesterday - three starters. One more thing to keep in mind in evaluating that game.

Joined: 11/26/2014

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FreddieMercuryHayes

September 1st, 2019 at 3:13 PM ^

I think OSU also has concerns after their game.  PSU is incomplete due to bad FCS team.  However UW really concerns me now.  The lack of any DL domination really scared me.  I think that is what is going to cost UM the B1G title this yearZ. To many wiffs in recruiting and too goddamn injured.

Joined: 12/29/2010

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Sten Carlson

September 1st, 2019 at 3:27 PM ^

The lack of any DL domination really scared me.

I think this sentiment is fueled by arrogance -- i.e., not giving MTSU enough credit.  They game planned well to mitigate their OL being over matched with lots of screens, quick hitting passes and speed options.  Further, their QB has a little bit of game and played fairly well.  Even with those two factors, when they got behind the chains and tried to drop back and throw, he was hurried and/or sacked.  MTSU isn't Wisconsin, that's for sure, and there is no doubt the Badgers are going to test our DL something fierce.  But, this was likely never going to be a game dominated by Michigan DL, IMO. 

Joined: 11/16/2009

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Fielding Fan

September 1st, 2019 at 4:09 PM ^

Get your concerns....but disagree somewhat.  I'm a big believer in "jimmies and joes".  We have recruited better since Jim has been here than both Wisconsin and PSU.  Know PSU will be tough, because it is on the road.  To me, those are 50/50 games at worst due to our recruiting.

OSU is a whole different cat.  Watched their game yesterday hoping that Fields kid was all run, no pass.  Nope.  Guys were open mostly, but he's got a good arm.  Which pisses me off.

I posted in another thread my concerns in pass defense.  We have the same guys out there in several spots as last year.  I'm worried about that game.  Not gonna lie.

Joined: 06/02/2018

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Bluedream

September 2nd, 2019 at 1:25 PM ^

Throws with velocity/accurate and works well on the move. Made a couple big throws, hit 72% of his passes, has a solid group of WRs.  Not comfortable in the pocket and definitely not seeing the entire field. 

Braxton Miller was a video game runner but never really developed as a passer.  Fields already has better mechanics. If he gets to the point where he throws guys open he will be a giant PITA  

 

Joined: 02/16/2018

MGoPoints: 881

freelion

September 1st, 2019 at 3:17 PM ^

Injuries are my main concern. I feel like we suffer from these start of season injuries every year that prevent us from developing an identity. We have yet to enjoy any stretch of games with all 3 big WRs healthy and dline injuries continue at a steady pace. We need to roid these guys up like our competition 

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