Miller in 'The Game' = Denard against ND?
I was watching the UTL highlights last night and then immediately watched 'The Game' again.
My first thoughts were that Miller was essentially a Denard against ND. He burned us for big plays in which his receivers came good. Otherwise we controlled the game for long stretches.
Unfortunately for Miller, he's not Denard and couldn't orchestrate a comeback with more than 1 minute on the clock (Denard did it in less than 30!)
November 28th, 2011 at 7:49 PM ^
we won against nd, they lost therefore no.
November 29th, 2011 at 12:33 AM ^
Also..
Denard: 446 all purpose yards, 5 total TDs
Miller: 335 all purpose yards, 3 TDs. Game sealing Spike/ INT
November 28th, 2011 at 7:50 PM ^
No, not even close. Come on bra.
November 28th, 2011 at 7:51 PM ^
Denard drinks Braxton's mocha milkshake.
November 28th, 2011 at 7:58 PM ^
to play QB in the B1G, it takes brass balls.
November 28th, 2011 at 7:52 PM ^
Miller: 335 total yards, 3 td's, loss
Denard: 446 yards, 5 td's, win
no comparison
November 28th, 2011 at 7:52 PM ^
It was about 2 minutes on the clock, IIRC.
November 28th, 2011 at 7:54 PM ^
He is only a freshman and he may get better at hitting those wide open WR's. I am hoping that he is similar to Pryor and never learns how to throw an accurate ball (only time will tell). I can't take anything from the kid, he played his best game in the biggest game of the year and just came up short. Unfortunately for Miller, Denard was even better Saturday.
November 28th, 2011 at 7:59 PM ^
Denard Robinson was miles better against OSU overall, far exceeding his performance against ND. He improved in some facet every single game this season.
Braxton Miller didn't come close. Less yards, fewer TDs, Michigan wins.
November 28th, 2011 at 8:01 PM ^
not Denard against OSU.
Denard has come a long way since then - nobody disagrees there.
November 28th, 2011 at 8:11 PM ^
Sorry about that.
Still, I would argue that Miller was probably still a little behind the curve in some aspects - I think Denard's passing game, at the point of ND, was at least marginally better than Miller's now, for starters.
November 28th, 2011 at 11:19 PM ^
Denard averaged 14.1 YPA against ND and 6.8 YPC, and accounted for 5 TDs.
Miller averaged 9.0 YPA and 6.25 YPC against us, and accounted for 3 TDs.
A very good performance for a freshman, but not quite as good as Denard against ND.
November 28th, 2011 at 8:15 PM ^
Was that when there were two minutes left in the game, Denard excelled, shredded the ND defense, made several brilliant throws, and won the game (twice!).
On the other hand Miller missed a wide open Posey, made poor decisions (see the spike) and then got a pass picked, and lost.
You really can't compare the performances. Denard excelled because he was clutch, and played his best when he needed it. And Miller did not.
(I should note, Miller definitely exceeded my expectations for him, and had great game. Just not Denard UTL great. Nonetheless, here's to hoping that this one game of Miller's was just a fluke, and he'll return to mediocrity.)
November 28th, 2011 at 8:08 PM ^
I feel like the fact that Miller was a true freshman playing as well as he did is being forgotten here. Denard definitely played the most complete game of his career, but so did Miller.
I look forward to seeing these two go at it next year being two of the best dual threat QB's in the country.
November 28th, 2011 at 11:22 PM ^
Miller's got crazy potential - but he may not fully realize it next year, though, because he'll be playing behind a rebuilt OL and he needs to find a go-to WR with Posey gone. Our pass rush might have an easier time getting to him next year.
November 28th, 2011 at 8:20 PM ^
No. Denard doesn't tie his shoe.
November 28th, 2011 at 8:21 PM ^
I just think that if Michigan had avoided a couple miscues (Denard's fumble, Hagerups dropped punt) and the refs hadn't tried to screw us (Fitz TD), Miller would not of had that great of game.
Add another 4 points on to our total and take 6-10 off theirs and no one is talking about Miller's break out performance.
Plus I think we sold out for the run and gave Miller some easy throws to make.
At the end of the day, I'll beleive Miller is the next big thing when I see it. That team went 6-6 this year, so color me unimpressed.
November 28th, 2011 at 8:23 PM ^
I was honestly not all that impressed with Miller. He reminds me of Scheelhaase with a better team. He will get better, though, but so will our D and so will Denard. I can't wait to out tough and out physical and out tremendous Urban Meyer next year.
November 28th, 2011 at 8:59 PM ^
I hope you're right. I think Miller was very good for a true freshman. You could say his arm was inaccurate, but go back and watch Denard's heaves as a freshman. Miller is bigger, taller, and very quick. I think he will do very well for the next 3 years.
November 28th, 2011 at 8:30 PM ^
That is poor math.
November 28th, 2011 at 8:43 PM ^
Just sayin.
November 28th, 2011 at 9:00 PM ^
3 picks to be fair.
November 28th, 2011 at 9:05 PM ^
I thought almost the same thing. We rolled out the same gameplan against Miller that ND used against Denard... and Miller almost pulled out the win. Let's not forget, UM also benefitted from a handful of turnovers to get that win, just as young Miller took advantage of the UM miscues. He's talented.
November 28th, 2011 at 9:15 PM ^
Denard won. =D
November 28th, 2011 at 9:34 PM ^
If we're gonna compare Denard to Miller, we have to compare freshman vs freshman. I think Miller's gonna be a good player for Ohio once he gets some coaching (and good tattoos). I think we were recruiting him pretty hard under the RR regime.
That said, I'll take Denard over Miller anyday.
November 29th, 2011 at 10:27 AM ^
lol Yea freshman Braxton miller is light years better than freshman Denard who had just about as man int's as completions in his freshman year
November 28th, 2011 at 9:37 PM ^
Denard>>>>>>>Miller
November 28th, 2011 at 9:45 PM ^
Miller looked fast as hell and was extremely composed for a freshman in such a big game. But let's face it, he couldn't hit the water if he fell out of a boat.
Denard was sensational.
November 28th, 2011 at 10:22 PM ^
hey I just had a really dumb thought too. but, i'm not gonna start a thread about it.
:)
November 28th, 2011 at 10:37 PM ^
Denard's last pass against Notre Dame was a game-winning TD pass.
Miller's last pass against Michigan was a game-ending interception.
I know where I would put my chips.
November 28th, 2011 at 10:55 PM ^
That being miller vs um 2011 for the next 3 years is going to be plenty, thank you very much.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:16 AM ^
Braxico totally frightens me re: next year. Urban knows how to use him and he's already creative. Not to mention huge. Our defense needs to get bigger and faster (like LSU big and fast) like NOW.