X Factor on Off and Def

Submitted by Big Blue 4 on

Who is your X factor on Offense and Defense? The players that have to show up tomorrow night for us to start the season 1-0?

For me on offense its not necessarily a person, its a unit. Our offensive line. Great play out of them- opened holes for a great run game. Protection for the Passing game.

On Defense for me its Joe Bolden. He has to bring it tomorrow against that run game. Most will say Peppers which is also true but looking at tape Booker is a between the tackles runner. slow him down and you make them have to pass to unproven WRs.

corundum

September 2nd, 2015 at 1:13 PM ^

Peppers and Peppers.

But seriously: Rudock on offense, Stribling on defense. If Rudock is not just a game manager™, the offense should be able to move the ball against most opponents. Stribling is unproven but if he holds his side down, the defense should be stellar.

Michael

September 2nd, 2015 at 1:07 PM ^

Drake Harris on offense and Channing Stribling on defense. Good play out of both of them could have a huge impact on the overall perfomance of both units. 

SAM love SWORD

September 2nd, 2015 at 1:09 PM ^

He is their best deep threat, without him I worry there isn't enough talent to take the top off defenses. Given Rudock's track record of checking down and the brilliance of Butt, defenses will be looking for short passes all day without the threat of Harris (and his sweet sweet hammys)

readyourguard

September 2nd, 2015 at 1:14 PM ^

AJ Williams.  If that guy can finally use his size to block effectively, he'll help our line improve immesely.

Channing Stribbling.  He was a surprise name on the depth chart.  Utah is going to pick on him until he proves he's capable of defending the pass.

 

Bonus selection:

Kyle Sechel on FGs and EPs.

BlueMan80

September 2nd, 2015 at 1:17 PM ^

Agree with others here.

If the D shuts down Utah's rushing game, then Stribling and the rest of the secondary will be tested.  They need to hold up their end.

You know we are going to run the ball, but the pass offense has to be credible to keep Utah from just crowding the box.  Drake Harris could be the guy to keep the Utah secondary honest.  Jake Butt might be able to do it and you'd think Harbaugh/Drevno have some plays they've setup for him.

Can't wait!

blueblue

September 2nd, 2015 at 1:23 PM ^

Offensive line is not an X factor, it's the foundation of the team. Peppers is not an X factor because duh Peppers he's our best player. 

Offiense: Drake Harris to stretch the field.

Defense: someone (Willie Henry?) to sack the quarterback.

alum96

September 2nd, 2015 at 1:20 PM ^

A place kicker.

Utah is among the nation's best in kickers most years.  Not worried about punter but this is going to be a close game that will probably come down to a kick.

unWavering

September 2nd, 2015 at 1:24 PM ^

The defensive secondary in general will be huge tomorrow night. If they can limit the passing game, I'm confident in our defense's ability to shut down the run.

On offense, the x factor will be Rudock. If he puts on an average to good performance, it'll take a lot of pressure off of everyone else to make plays.

ehatch

September 2nd, 2015 at 1:28 PM ^

We need an explosive threat on offense, so I'll say Drake Haris.

On defense, unless we develop a pass rush, we are going to give up a frustrating number of 3rd and longs.  With that I'll say Ojemudia though anyone on the DL would work, as long as someone is putting pressure on the quarterback.  

MGoBud

September 2nd, 2015 at 1:28 PM ^

O Line and DT... Hoping we can keep Jake (or Shane) upright and create any sort of hole for (insert RB here). If we can run the ball with any success we have a legit shot to win the game. Losing Mone is a big loss, hopefully our DTs can step up and at least hold booker in check.

amir_6

September 2nd, 2015 at 1:29 PM ^

I'm gonna go ahead and say De'Veon Smith on O (We need to run up field aggressively). On Defense, Chris Wormley (his size/speed is a huge + for us)

DonAZ

September 2nd, 2015 at 1:40 PM ^

Stipulate that limiting turnovers is a given.

If we change to this to "keys of the game" ... then:

  • Offensive line -- protection and RB opportunities; from that will come passing opportunities.
  • Defensive line -- disrupt, disrupt, disrupt

Offensively I'd love the story to be: "Utah could not stop Michigan's relentless drives."

Defensively I'd love the story to be: "Michigan's front four were in the backfield all night."  I'd be okay with our secondary scoring zero tackles if it means it's all happening up front.

charblue.

September 2nd, 2015 at 2:01 PM ^

like this emerge from outstanding individual efforts from foundational play and matchups. Michigan will have power advantages on both sides of the ball. Utah will likely spread Michigan out to feature its best back, Devontae Booker who rushed for 39 yards on 11 carries against the Wolverines last year. 

Defensively, i hope Jabril is an X factor disrupting things near the line of scrimmage and providing pressure from his nickel and safety spot. His elusiveness could open up things for others. 

Utah graduated most of its receiving corps from a year ago, and its most experienced and top pass catcher caught 4 balls for 51 yards against Michigan in the last matchup. 

Michigan's X factor on offense will not be a player but a unit, the OL and its ability to give Rudock and Morris time to throw while leaning on the Utah defense and wearing it out, so short gainers become longer runs in the second half, triggering time-consuming drives. 

Whatever the OL does, will determine Michigan's fate tomorrow night offensively. That is why I think special teams and defense will be so critical for a Michigan win. We have no idea what we'll get from Michigan's offense. But I expect Harbaugh to ground and pound and then take advantage of passing opportunities. 

The offense, because it's such a work in progress, will rely on the defense to keep it in the game and special teams to make sure field advantage is mostly assured. This will be a very tight contest that could come down to a field goal at the end. Praying for a different and easier winning outcome, but gut tells me it'll be tight and tough to score all night. 

 

 

 

steve sharik

September 2nd, 2015 at 2:25 PM ^

...Utah will load up to stop the run and force our QB to beat them with his arm. Since the Utes have a good D and our OL is solid but not spectacular, I'd like us to throw high percentage passes on early downs to make it easier for our QB to do this, as well as get their front to back off a little. Therefore, I agree with everyone who said "Rudock" for X factor, but I'll just leave it at QB.

On D, the corner opposite Lewis will be targeted. I'm not assuming it'll be Stribling, b/c the depth chart released is not exactly a treasure chest of info. So that'll be important.

I think the Buck will be a huge factor, having to play in space as an OLB and also be stout against an OT for a team with a power running game.

I think the biggest X factor in the game will be our place kicker on FGs. I think this will be a low scoring game, so not missingFGs will be important. Their PK is outstanding, so this is imperative, IMO.

MichiganMan_24_

September 2nd, 2015 at 2:27 PM ^

On offense its obviously Rudock as i expect him to start.. Has to take care of the ball

Defense it is Ojemudia, sounds like he is the guy we want to get pressure on the QB.. We need pressure on the QB.. I remember when we use to do that, it was fun.

SF Wolverine

September 2nd, 2015 at 2:38 PM ^

I am skeptical that we have depth at QB, although I do not think we go directly to the bargain basement if he gets hurt/doesn't work out.  Peppers on D because while we have a ton of competence on D, and maybe some excellence, he is the only one who looks now like a game-breaker.

mwolverine1

September 2nd, 2015 at 2:50 PM ^

Rudock - if he can be what he was in Iowa last year, this offense gets much better.

Ojemudia - this team is desperate for some pass rush. If he's the starting buck, we will need a big season from him.

Mr. Yost

September 2nd, 2015 at 6:18 PM ^

I'll say Glasgow on offense and Glasgow on defense.

Both have to control the line and hold the fort.

The best players or biggest games?

Butt and Peppers...I think both have big games and impact performances.