I have to agree with all of your points....and make a few of my own.
OFFENSE
1. Denard threw four bad passes, three of them were picked off. That was the difference in the game. Run-Pass Option on any down will be successful if Denard is DECISIVE.
2. In short-yardage situations, Hopkins is our best option. He fumbled once in a game, I wouldn't call that a "fumbling problem". How did he NOT get more carries in the second half?
3. Quick outs and bubble screens worked to perfection early in the game, then kind of disappeared. Deep ball to the middle of the field wasn't a good idea.
DEFENSE
1. Mike Martin is an absolute BEAST. Obi Ezeh has no force.
2. If Cam Gordon makes big hits below the waist instead of above, he is an impact player for our D.
3. That 3rd and 15 conversion MSU had after the false-start penalty was the momentum changer in that game.
I completely agree that we must support this coach and team throughout the season. The team has made obvious gains in each year of his tenure, and with a few more pieces in place they will contend for a Big Ten Championship.
If RRod was fired at the end of this season, how many years does the next coach get to implement his system?
I can't help but thinking that in the second half our defense performed about as well as can be expected (this year)....Here are the outcomes of IU's second half possessions.
Punt. TD. Turnover on Downs. Turnover on Downs. Punt. TD.
Only giving up 14 points in a half to a pass-happy offense that attacked our greatest weakness is somewhat impressive. Instead of putting together a solid drive behind our much improved offensive line, the offense seemed to abandon the run for bubble screens and strikes downfield. Our offense is explosive, but we should still play for decent field position, and give our defense some time to rest and adjust.
That's a good question. While I have been reading Dee Hart posts with great anticipation, and watching highlight videos with drool streaming down my chin, I don't think the future of our offense hinges on one guy. We do need a big-play back to accompany Denard (or Gardner down the line) but our current stable of backs is serviceable IMO.
What I would like to see is some serious LB and DB recruiting. Not to say that we need a Top-5 player at those positions, but some speed and tackling ability would serve us well down the road. Winning by simply outscoring the opponent can be fun, but defense wins championships.
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I have to agree with all of your points....and make a few of my own.
OFFENSE
1. Denard threw four bad passes, three of them were picked off. That was the difference in the game. Run-Pass Option on any down will be successful if Denard is DECISIVE.
2. In short-yardage situations, Hopkins is our best option. He fumbled once in a game, I wouldn't call that a "fumbling problem". How did he NOT get more carries in the second half?
3. Quick outs and bubble screens worked to perfection early in the game, then kind of disappeared. Deep ball to the middle of the field wasn't a good idea.
DEFENSE
1. Mike Martin is an absolute BEAST. Obi Ezeh has no force.
2. If Cam Gordon makes big hits below the waist instead of above, he is an impact player for our D.
3. That 3rd and 15 conversion MSU had after the false-start penalty was the momentum changer in that game.
I completely agree that we must support this coach and team throughout the season. The team has made obvious gains in each year of his tenure, and with a few more pieces in place they will contend for a Big Ten Championship.
If RRod was fired at the end of this season, how many years does the next coach get to implement his system?
GO BLUE!
35-34 Michigan Wolverines
I can't help but thinking that in the second half our defense performed about as well as can be expected (this year)....Here are the outcomes of IU's second half possessions.
Punt. TD. Turnover on Downs. Turnover on Downs. Punt. TD.
Only giving up 14 points in a half to a pass-happy offense that attacked our greatest weakness is somewhat impressive. Instead of putting together a solid drive behind our much improved offensive line, the offense seemed to abandon the run for bubble screens and strikes downfield. Our offense is explosive, but we should still play for decent field position, and give our defense some time to rest and adjust.
That's a good question. While I have been reading Dee Hart posts with great anticipation, and watching highlight videos with drool streaming down my chin, I don't think the future of our offense hinges on one guy. We do need a big-play back to accompany Denard (or Gardner down the line) but our current stable of backs is serviceable IMO.
What I would like to see is some serious LB and DB recruiting. Not to say that we need a Top-5 player at those positions, but some speed and tackling ability would serve us well down the road. Winning by simply outscoring the opponent can be fun, but defense wins championships.