Your Remainder of the Season Thoughts? / Snowflakes❄
We made it to the part of what many deemed was a backloaded schedule. Interested to know how others view these last 5 games.
@ MSU against a rival, a team that many believed would be improved...however it is doubtful that the general consensus had them improved to the point of being a top 8 team. Like Michigan, MSU lives off running the ball and connecting on big plays. Also like Michigan, there's an argument to be made that they haven't really played a legit top 25 caliber opponent.
vs. IU, preseason thought to be a loss by some, a toss-up by many and a lock win by very few. The starting QB and preseason Heisman candidate is out and the Hoosiers have struggled. That said, you know they'll play hard and if Michigan beats MSU, Michigan instantly becomes IU's "Super Bowl."
@ PSU, like IU, for some, this looked like it might be back-to-back L's when the schedule was released. However, injuries and just not playing to their potential has left the Nittany Lions at a pivotal point in their season. OSU is rolling, and could break them this weekend. Playing in Happy Valley is never easy, but if you can get a day game against a 3-loss PSU team, that looks a heck of a lot better than it did 2 months ago.
@ Maryland. A streaky team, feels like a win if you play to your potential, but with Michigan's trouble with misdirection and Maryland's improved roster (talent wise), it also feels like a game where Michigan will have to execute on offense and put up points to win a 38-17, 38-21 type of game.
vs. OSU - anyone who follows OSU should know better. Young OSU teams always stumble early, everyone panics, they improve over season and now they look like the #2 or #3 team in the country with a team that can beat anyone. If you watched Oregon or some of the early games and thought "this is the year," shame on you...blame yourself. That's not to say Michigan can't win or won't win, that is to say, if you really thought Michigan was going to play that OSU team, you played yourself. If Michigan played OSU the first game of the year rather than the last, they wouldn't have the record they have against OSU post-Rich Rod. But a strength of the program is improvement, and Michigan will need to bring it's very best game, it's possible, Michigan has done it before. World beater OSU teams that Michigan plays close. Nevertheless, it's the toughest game left...as it should be. If it is, Michigan has a culture that gives you confidence that they can win the big play.
So with 5 games to go, 5 opportunities to go "1-0," starting this weekend. What are your thoughts? What adjustments need to be made? Where do we need to show improvement? What are you concerned with? How do you think we navigate, what looked like a "gauntlet" in the preseason?
1-0, BEAT STATE! "Just win."
October 24th, 2021 at 9:34 AM ^
Mork didn't know anything about this.
October 24th, 2021 at 11:29 AM ^
Hang it in the louvre
October 24th, 2021 at 8:58 AM ^
The ceiling is 11-1. There’s just no way I see us beating OSU. Our secondary has to get a lot better, along with our passing attack.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:26 AM ^
Pretty much this. I consider MSU and PSU 50/50 chances, with MSU maybe 60/40. Other opponents we should be able to handle easily... except still don't see us beating Ohio. They've sorted out their issues and have returned to steamrolling over opponents again.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:31 AM ^
Shit weather can even the playing field. We need an MSU type victory where their superior talent is mitigated.
October 24th, 2021 at 11:59 AM ^
OSU had 50 by the end of the 3rd in a pretty decent rain storm. Indiana fumbled and couldn’t handle punt snaps due to said rain, OSU played as if it was a sunny day it seemed in the same weather. We need to play well to beat them, have 3 or 4 10+ play drives that end in TDs, and take tons of time off the clock. Forcing a turnover helps too. The only weather that might deter OSU is a snowstorm…maybe. All that said, I for some reason in my gut think we win this year.
October 24th, 2021 at 11:55 AM ^
Our corners aren't getting any faster so it's hard not to picture Olave and Wilson running wild and free downfield.
But we have the ideal team (if we EVER get our starting OL back) and philosophy to shorten the game. The fewer possessions, the better for us, and weird stuff happens in short games.
If OSU leaves a couple of TDs on the field with overthrows of open deep targets (recall our last win against OSU happened because Braxton Miller overthrew a wide open guy deep in the last minute), a turnover here, a blocked kick there, it could happen in an 8 possession game. In a 12 possession game we're probably going to get boatraced.
October 24th, 2021 at 8:59 AM ^
We need to connect on a couple big plays against sparty next week. We also need to look out for their trickery. I was listening to WTKA and I think it was Joe Simon that said he thinks Sparty has been throwing a bunch of flea flickers the last few games on purpose so that we prepare for that so that they can some type of fake flea flicker counter for a big play against us.
If we are able to pull out a win against Sparty, I see us riding that momentum and being 11-0 heading into the OSU game, maybe 10-1 if PSU gets Their QB back. Either way we would be playing OSU for the trip to Indy.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:38 AM ^
PSU has their QB back and still lost to Illinois
October 24th, 2021 at 9:49 AM ^
He wasn't healthy yesterday, but who cares, I hate Penn St. They are notch below MSU, and a notch above ND in the hate column.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:53 AM ^
The difference was Clifford wasn't able to just scramble everytime a play breaks down or they can't throw it to Dotson. I doubt he will be healthy the rest of the year.. especially if he plays osus defense next week.. they may end his season permanently
October 24th, 2021 at 11:07 AM ^
Excuses
October 24th, 2021 at 9:49 AM ^
This was caused by pop up ads.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:49 AM ^
Triple post
October 24th, 2021 at 9:49 AM ^
Quadruple post. Damn pop up ads.
October 24th, 2021 at 12:15 PM ^
Overtaking ass…
October 24th, 2021 at 8:59 AM ^
Fans need to focus exclusively on next game just like the players/coaches. /s
October 24th, 2021 at 9:53 AM ^
I'm not sure if /s was before the neg? Either way it's funny. Same with shit talking. Fans have no affect in on field results in the week leading to any game.
October 24th, 2021 at 11:27 AM ^
Shit talk can absolutely find its way into locker rooms. And if that gets you a little more motivated, coaches will use it.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:01 AM ^
Seth should put the cyan back on Cade, for Cade's sake and ours
October 24th, 2021 at 9:02 AM ^
Msu has played 2 average defenses so far this year.
Indiana and Nebraska, they failed to score 20 offensive pts in both games
So I do not think they will be able to do much on offense unless they get some trick plays to work.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:09 AM ^
Those weren’t rivalry games. This one is.
We all know that this is going to be their Super Bowl, and they will kick it up a notch in terms of their level of play. Being at home helps for them too.
I have no idea what will happen next week, but all I know is that Michigan needs to get ready for a brutal street fight. This will be far and away the most physical game of the year. Even more physical than OSU.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:31 AM ^
I have a few clues on what to expect Saturday against Sparty:
1) They will dare Cade to throw as they will stack the box with 8 or 9 to slow down the running game. Will it work for them is the question.
2) They will test our safety and cornerbacks on their passing game.
3) A few trick plays by them.
4) You are correct about a very physical game, watch our for Panasuic (sp-who cares)
October 24th, 2021 at 9:55 AM ^
It also may not matter that it is a rivalry game.. 75 percent of their starters literally were not on their team last year and I personally don't feel they understand or care about the rivalry like players that have been there or grew up in the Midwest.
October 24th, 2021 at 10:13 AM ^
Huh? Over 75% of their starters WERE on the team last year. By my count 5/22 starters are transfers (RB, LT, LB and 2 CBs).
October 25th, 2021 at 5:37 PM ^
I’m gonna take the unpopular opinion here and say that the whole “this is their Super Bowl” thing as pertains to Sparty is a little overrated from the success of the bulk of the Dantonio era. He had an unkosher hatred and obsession with Michigan, but the better team won in those years all years but one (2015 game which shall not be mentioned) We cannot underestimate how unphysical and or how much Michigan totally sucked in the RRod and Hoke eras. Brian has even commented in the past that pretty much every year the team that is better throughout the year wins the game with a few toss ups. This one is sort of in the category of toss up, but I truly think Michigan is better across the board, maybe with a slight edge to their receiver vs out corners matchup.
I think we are pretty much every team in the Big Ten’s super bowl, everyone wants to beat Michigan because they are the blue blood that is somewhat beatable while most teams poop their pants against Ohio State once they get one big play.
October 24th, 2021 at 10:58 AM ^
I don't care what the season stats say up to this point. The MSU game will be tough and a Michigan win would bring me much relief.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:03 AM ^
Too much emphasis on OSU diminishes the teams other accomplishments.
Beat State.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:04 AM ^
OSU looking bleak as we have no ability to move the chains with a medium passing game. Could barely get separation from NW DB's. Still very concerned about fake zone reads with a QB who will never keep (geez these are long-term trends no matter who the QB is). Haven't seen anything like OSU's passing game and likely won't until they're on the field across from us. Not feeling great about that match-up. I do feel good about the match-ups in the trenches.
Question I'm grappling with: would 11-1 without really being in the game against OSU be a successful season? It would certainly be the epitome of the last 6 years.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:20 AM ^
I wish I could give this more than one -1.
We were 2-4 last season! The general feeling was 7-5/8-4 before this season. 11-1 would be a tremendous success.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:50 AM ^
This is what separates us from OSU. They don't accept beating their arch-rival once in 19 years no matter what the record otherwise. They wouldn't accept being 0-7 against us, irrespective of the record.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:59 AM ^
Hate to break it to you.. but the way osu is recruiting not much will change going forward.
The level of talent they bring in year in and out, no one in the big will challenge them at all.. wouldn't be surprised to see osu and Georgia in the national title game
October 24th, 2021 at 9:21 AM ^
This is what I mean per my post above. Bushwood is unsatisfied with an 11-1 season...
I would not be surprised if he wanted Harbaugh fired last year.
October 24th, 2021 at 11:00 AM ^
I wanted Harbaugh fired after last year. I thought he had lost the team and didn't think he would actually change and completely rebuild his coaching staff.
I would be very happy with 11-1. It would be a bittersweet 11-1 because, yeah, I really want us to beat OSU. But 11-1 would be such an overachievement from the beginning of the year's outlook that I'd still be satisfied. It will help our recruiting, and this staff is proving they CAN develop guys...it would give me legitimate hope going into the next season. Hell...I have legitimate hope for next year as it is!
October 24th, 2021 at 9:29 AM ^
An 11-1 season with a blowout loss to OSU is pretty much the epitome of Michigan football. lather, rinse, repeat. Bring back Hoke; at least Hoke’s teams played OSU close.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:39 AM ^
They also played Akron close, and UConn. He also managed only one 10-win season.
October 24th, 2021 at 10:02 AM ^
The osu teams hoke played had no where near the qb talent they have had the last several years
October 24th, 2021 at 9:37 AM ^
Considering the trend from the last few years, the attitude of this team and coaching staff is 100% rock solid a BETTER result than any other year going back to 2016. From that standpoint, I would consider an 11-1 finish quite the accomplishment. If you expect a win against OSU, you're a fool.
Yes - 11-1 would be a HUGE success! Even if it does end on a sickening trend of bullshit...
October 24th, 2021 at 11:08 AM ^
11-1 is obviously a huge improvement from last year, and that counts for so much. But we have to beat Ohio State. That has to be the number one goal. Doesn't matter if they've outrecruited us for years. We have enough good players that we should be able to hang with them on the right day, with the right bounces. We have to figure out how to get it done. Not doing so, after all the hard work these players and coaches have put in, would be brutally disappointing.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:05 AM ^
Special teams will play a big part vs our top quality opponents. We have very good special teams this year. The one area we need to shore up is the catching of punts to save lost yardage on the ball hitting and rolling. Field position is big.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:05 AM ^
1. Beat Sparty
2. ???
3. Profit
October 24th, 2021 at 10:02 AM ^
Plus one for reference I got that is also older than our starting quarterback.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:06 AM ^
I think your assessment of the risks/opportunities inherent in each game is pretty fair. That said, the growth of the defense, both in personnel and coaching has convinced me that we will have a strong shot at winning each game. Biggest concern in my view is play calling and ability to hit downfield shots and QB running. Developments in these areas will be critical.
If we tear MSU apart, I think bullishness on this Blog and among the fanbase will be sky high. One game at a time. Beat STAEE
October 24th, 2021 at 9:17 AM ^
Not sold on offense and feel like they will cost a game or two settling for 3 instead of cashing in on TDs
October 24th, 2021 at 9:21 AM ^
Every game sans OSU is winnable and no worse than a coin flip. But that one….I just don’t see it. Michigan has no consistently reliable passing game, a QB who is not remotely a threat to run, and even if the team had both of those things, the secondary is nowhere even remotely equipped to handle OSU’s passing attack. Dax might be, but the other three are not. Stroud will probably have a field day against Michigan.
It would take Cade having the game of his life, hitting all of his receivers and stopping the overthrows, Corum and Haskins continuing to play well and keeping the chains moving, not settling for field goals in the red zone, and the defense being able to do just enough and make just enough stops. It would also require Hutchinson to play lights out and consistently be getting in Stroud’s face.
Same formula as every year, unfortunately. So many things have to go right for Michigan to win that game, but all OSU has to do is keep doing what it’s been doing and not make back breaking mistakes. Which they never, ever commit against Michigan.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:23 AM ^
Decent post, OP. I thought this was odd:
"... they wouldn't have the record they have against OSU post-Rich Rod ..."
I would've said "post-John Cooper." You'd almost get the impression that RichRod was the last coach to have success against them.
Anyway, now that OSU is organized it has the players and coaching staff to exploit weaknesses. We all know where those are (at the player and coach level).
October 24th, 2021 at 9:23 AM ^
Defense playing good overall. Improve on reading your keys. Shore up on misdirection and screens. Take away big plays and make offenses grind. Secondary is much improved. Will be a big factor vs top opponents.
October 24th, 2021 at 9:49 AM ^
The secondary is definitely improved. It isn't lights out but perhaps keeps enough in front of it. Ohio State can be beaten. There is a way to do it, it just requires near flawless execution.
Unfortunately they are indeed firing on all cylinders right now and the speed of Garrett and the other WRs is impressive.