Questions from a Bama fan with 100 posts:
1) How do you expect RB to look during the game on Sat? Will it be a steady diet of Rawls, or by committee? What do you expect of Rawls? Does it fall off dramatically after him, or does the senior have any ability?
2) Do you actually believe that Robinson will run around Bama in the same way he would run around, say, [insert Big10 defense]? (I ask this question fully admitting that he's the fastest player in CFB. If he played at Bama, he'd be starting at Right Corner, returning punts, and would be the first corner off the board on draft day. He's athletically legit.) What are the chances you thnk he will need to help win the game with his arm more than his legs?
3) Do you have any faith in hitting a 52 yarder for the win?
4) Do you think our DB situation is worse than your LB, WR, or Dline situation?
5) How much of a jump do you expect from your D based on your DC having installed more of his blitz package?
6) Do you expect, and I mean expect, to have - at minimum - 2 offensive TD's in the game?
7) What is the general assessment of your new Center?
8) Is mental mistakes at LB, either inside or outside, a concern of yours?
9) Can your starting secondary play man if they had to, each on an island? (I'm not asking about Kovacs. He's a true strong safety. He's a glorified roving mini-linebacker of destruction. I like Kovacs. He could play on my team anytime.)
10) How often do you expect to play bump-and-something with your corners this year?
11) How much has Denard improved his footwork and mechanics this season? Do you expect the same player with simply more maturity and less-forcing, or do you expect him to improve his accuracy to between 60-65% and be a more consistent threat to pass?
12) In your estimation, can you put 3-, 4-, or 5-wide WR set on the field, where every wide receiver is an athletic threat with good hands?
13) Do you have enough talent to rotate 2 groups on your Dline and still play high quality run defense as well as rush the passer, thereby being reasonably fresh for a 4th Q battle?
14) [redacted comment about RichRod's wife].
Thanks in advance for any and all reasonable replies. Roll Tide to all, and I pray for both teams' health and success in Saturday's game, although I'd prefer my boys to come out on top. I have always liked Mich, mostly because I thought your uni's were cool when I was a kid. Howard posing for the Heisman never hurts when your 12, or whatever. I also like and respect Hoke. He does it the right way, with discipline and honor. He poor-mouths his team and gives you genial coach-speak, which is quintessentially (sp?) Southern. Good luck, fellas. It wil be a pleasure to play you. F@ck ohio state. Roll Tide.
[ED:BISB - We try not to make personal attacks on non-combatants here. Rita Rodriguez is a non-combatant]
August 29th, 2012 at 9:27 AM ^
He's scary enough at bama.
August 29th, 2012 at 12:33 PM ^
6) Do you expect, and I mean expect, to have - at minimum - 2 offensive TD's in the game? YES. Alabama lost some great players to the NFL. The guys replacing them might have the talent, but don't have the experience yet especially in the first game to be as good.
I disagree, simply because we don't know. Our secondary could, in theory, be better simply beacuse of that fact. I do think that there's info info available with the returning starters and the info from fall camp, coupled with the quality of coaching and scheme, to expect them to be quite good in game one. It is obvious that they will be better later in the season, and for this reason, I agree with many posters here that you are getting us at the right time.
13) Do you have enough talent to rotate 2 groups on your Dline and still play high quality run defense as well as rush the passer, thereby being reasonably fresh for a 4th Q battle? I don't think we'll have enough talent to go two deep at every DLINE position and have a good pass rush. However, I don't think Alabama is going to be able to just line up and run over our defense. I think our D will be better against the run than people are expecting. I think Alabama will do some damage with play action passes over the top. I don't have a lot of faith with our DB's being left alone on a island. Countess isn't proven in my opinion. I just hope they have improved in one on one situations.
Based on what I'm hearing from your fall camp about getting more size up front on D with lineup adjustments, I actually expect you guys to be pretty solid against the run. You guys do play sound, fundamental D, tackle well, and do have quiet a bit of talent on your team, despit what some posters here think I imply with my questions.
14) Saban would have taken an SEC job. He's kind of said as much since.
August 29th, 2012 at 8:13 AM ^
August 29th, 2012 at 8:42 AM ^
You seem to be both good-natured and arrogant.
August 29th, 2012 at 12:36 PM ^
Those who know me would not totally disagree.
As Bear Bryant said, "I am winner. I've never been nothin' but a winner," and my personality reflects such.
If Mich wins on Sat, I'll be the first to congratulate you guys. Win with honor, lose with honor, and act like you've been there before.
August 29th, 2012 at 1:56 PM ^
August 29th, 2012 at 3:13 PM ^
I don't remember saying any of those things, nor do I remember any Alabama fan clamoring for LSU to make it there. I distinctly remember that I, and everyone I knew, were saying that LSU didn't deserve to be there, but also that Michgan's resume wasn't better than LSU's, either. I remember screaming for a playoff. Nonetheless, the games played proved that LSU was better than any Big10 team that year.
Michigan only beat 1 ranked team that year, 2 if you count Iowa as they were ranked by some folks. Alabama beat 4 ranked teams and lost in overtime to the unanimous best team in the land. You lost to OSU in regulation.
Bama had the comparative better resume to argue for a rematch. You then went on to get smoked by USC, wheres we beat the suposedly best team in the land. Where's your argument?
August 29th, 2012 at 9:23 PM ^
I have since realized that I mixed up my years. I've pasted this from another part of this thread:
My sincerest apologies. I mixed up my years. However, in looking at Florida's resume for that year, they beat 4 ranked teams in route to a one loss season, and you beat 2 (I'm giving you Iowa). Their resume was much better than yours. You shouldn't have played in the game. No question about it, and it has nothing to do with the fact of who you lost to. It's who you beat, which wasn't enough.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:10 PM ^
August 29th, 2012 at 6:40 PM ^
You are kind of a master at what you're doing here.
August 29th, 2012 at 9:24 PM ^
I'm not sure what you mean, but...thank you?
August 29th, 2012 at 11:45 PM ^
You pretty much hit the nail on the head.
August 30th, 2012 at 3:05 AM ^
You hurt me deep, Diesel. Real deep.
Seriously, glad you made it out. Good to see your internet self, diplomatic as always.
August 29th, 2012 at 9:12 AM ^
may be the "Big Ten" defense you would like to put in the parentheses, but no, I do not expect Denard to put up 500 yards on your defense. MSU might be a closer parallel, and Michigan scored 14 on them. I don't know why Al Borges had trouble adjusting to their blitzes, but later in the season he got much better at using Denard, and Denard got much better as a passer. I think OSU would also be a good point of comparison, and the Michigan O, Denard, and Borges hung 38 on them- a good measure of their progress, and hopefully representative of where they pick up in 2012.
August 29th, 2012 at 9:14 AM ^
1) I expect Rawl will get a majority of carries, but I expect to see more of Vincent Smith and other running backs than if Fitz were there.
2) No I thought UM struggled with Virginia Tech's speed on Defense and Alabama will be no different.
3) I never expect to hit a 52 yard FG, especially 2 years after a 4-14 performance. I never expect a college kicker to make a 52 yarder unless they are playing us. Call me a cynic.
4) I actually really like our LBs I think they might be the most underrated unit on the squad. I don't know enough about Bama's DB situation to say if the situation is worse than our WR or DL situation. But Bama is recovering with 5-stars where Michigan is not.
5) Big jump from 1st game of last year to this year. Smaller from the middle of last season. I think there will be a lot less 'paralysis through analysis' as the coaches like to say.
6) Sadly, No. (see answer to 2)
7) I don't know. I really don't.
8) As I said with 4) I like our linebackers I think the mental mistakes will be minimal.
9) I think Countess can play man to man. Floyd I think can play man, but he will be far more prone to getting burned, but he does have a lot of experience.
10) I don't expect to see it a lot in the non-conference schedule, but I think with the WR position being a massive weakness throughout the conference we will see it a lot more.
11) I expect him to be massively improved in his mechanics. He had the biggest improvement I have ever seen from a QB between his Freshman and Sophomore years. He knows what he is doing wrong, and I expect he worked just as hard this offseason as last offseason. That said, if he is under pressure he will revert to poor mechanics.
12) I think our most athletic WRs are Freshman or our backup QB. The short answer is no.
13) I think with the emergence of Q Washington on the line (a surprise to me), I think it does give us some depth. I think it will be a clear drop off but not cover your eyes bad.
14) Your welcome? RR was never a fit here and maybe things would have been different if he had Casteel. I wish him nothing but luck at Arizona.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:44 AM ^
Fuck Ohio State, but you could have left the Rich Rod thing alone.
I don't even think pros are confident from 52 yards.
August 29th, 2012 at 12:39 PM ^
Fair enough, but there's a difference between true "confidence" and "thinking you have a decent chance at hitting it." Perhaps I worded it poorly.
August 29th, 2012 at 9:24 AM ^
August 29th, 2012 at 9:28 AM ^
You expect your kicker to make a 52 yarder 65% of the time? What have you been smoking, homer?
Last Season:
Jeremy Shelley - 2/6 40-49 yds, 0-0 50+
Cade Foster - 2/5 40-49 yds, 0/4 50+
Please explain.
August 29th, 2012 at 12:52 PM ^
I'm not saying that our kickers on campus now will hit a 52 yarder witha 65% success rate. They need to have improved. What I'm saying is, is that Saban somehow finds kickers and coaches them up to be very good kickers as their careers progress, and based on past history, it's not unreasonable to assume that we will have a good chance at hitting it if Saban chooses to try one. If our kickers aren't good enough, we simply won't try it.
Heck, our kicker hit a 54 yarder and a 52 yarder against Clemson in 2008 in the same game. Granted, it wasn't at the end of the game, but a good modern kicker should have range to about 55 - again, if he's good.
We also have a true freshman kicker with range into the 60's. How consistent he is, I dunno. But we've signed the highest rated HS kicker 2 of the last 3 years. Hopefully, someone will progress.
If you guys expect your LB's and DB's to improve from one year to the next, I can expect the same of my kicker.
August 29th, 2012 at 3:13 PM ^
For the win, I think we'd hit 65 of a 100, yes.
And how can 2 kicks in 2008 by kickers who are no longer there be enough of a sample size but kickers LAST YEAR who missed them in one game, and from that distance, all season long not be predictive?
You want them to progress into NFL Pro Bowlers.
August 29th, 2012 at 3:25 PM ^
I've heard nothing but "this isn't last year" from this entire board when trying to discuss the strength of our current defense. If that's the case, and last year doesn't affect this year, then your argument is flawed to it's core. You can't talk out of both sides of your mouth and have it both ways.
Also, maybe it's the climate difference or something, but you guys act like a 52 yard FG is some kind of leprochaun triple-play rare type event. Sure, it's a serious boot, but we've got 3 different kickers who can get it that far, although one would have a low trajectory from that distance and might ge it blocked. I simply have faith enough in their year to year improvement to not be terrified of kicking a 52 yarder for the win. I wouldn't expect us to hit it, but I would be fairly confident in seeing it go through the uprights.
Kickers often mprove a lot from year to year, at least they have with us in the last 15 years. Sure, I'm using Bama logic in believing they'll improve, but it's the same logic you're using for a number of your players. Kicking is no different.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:25 PM ^
August 29th, 2012 at 11:02 PM ^
In my years of lurking on this blog I've learned one important thing!
If you plan on spouting out numbers you had better be able to back them up with more than, because last year was 2011 and this year is 2012. Oh and don't spell stuff wrong!
August 29th, 2012 at 9:29 AM ^
1) I think Fitz plays. He's legit. Rawls, who knows since he's just getting media buzz. He didn't play meaningful snaps last year.
2) Yes, but Denard needs help from the WRs. We lost Hemmingway and we don't have a known deep threat.
3) No. Our FG kicking is very iffy
5) Not much. I think our D was awesome last year and losing Mike Martin and RVB hurts us more than a bump in knowing more of the D.
6) I expect 2 offensive TDs and a couple of FGs. Unfortunately, I don't think that's enough for Michigan to win.
9) Yes. JT Floyd is a 4 year corner and Countess is the real deal.
11) Who knows. The Fort is in full effect, so nobody canreally answer
12) No.
13) No.
14) RR turned you down, we didn't take him from you.
Also, I'm sure you are a fine person, but in general I dislike SEC fans and teams. The only reason they are the best conference is 1) lax standards for JUCOs; 2) oversigning; and 3) cheating (although I don't think Saban does).
August 29th, 2012 at 3:37 PM ^
Thanks for your replies.
14) This was a joke - I know he turned us down, and it was meant as good-natured ribbing. I don't dislike him personally, although his wife is a terrifying species of banshee-hooker.
Regarding, SEC dominance, I very much agree that the difference is academic standards gives many teams an edge over teams with higher academic standards. That is a legitimate point. However, unless you fellas want to go play Ivy League or demand that teams like Alabama spot you points to start the game cause your academic standards are higher, it's ridiculous to argue. Many, many, many non-SEC and non-Big-10 teams have acadeimc standards similar to the SEC, and I'd call those standards the norm, and yours not the norm
Also, cheating happens in college football, is a problem, and needs to be stopped. I don't, however, for a second think that the SEC cheats more than any other conference, with auburn being the lone exception. The ACC is likley the worst cheating conference by a wide margin, and I'd put every else at about the same level.
I think oversigning is the weakest of your arguments, so much so that I think it makes your fanbase look like crying little boys who are about to "take their ball and go home." I truly mean no offense, but to continue holding on to this crutch like it's a legitimate asterisk for the Big10 only having a few championships in the last half century simply makes you look wimpy and pathetic.
I think most of the reason that the SEC has been so dominant is better athletes in the region and better coaching.
The rest of the country is playing bigboy football. Play it with us and stop crying, or start your own league. Just my 2 cents.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:02 PM ^
August 30th, 2012 at 12:01 AM ^
There are plenty of B1G teams that sign juco players, especially Nebraska. There's nothing wrong with giving a kid a chance to make it in college football. If he can't cut it once he gets to the university level, then so be it. But, I think it's silly for Michigan to look down on others for taking them when by no means is it against the rules.
August 29th, 2012 at 9:54 AM ^
I have to agree I have to wonder what the authors intentions are. No matter what our opinions are Vegas is predicting a route. 10+ point spreads means the people that bet money think this game will not be competative. I believe most of the questions just are big black boxes as there is no prior information to fill them in. It is likely that Fitz will not play as UM likes to think of itself more a university then a football factory. But how would we know how the distribution of carries will go?
I prefere to concentrate on what is known. We know nothing on how the Bama defense will turn out as they have so many new but talented players. DR is a senior. Given enough chances he will get his points.
What is not mentioned very much is the strength of the Bama team which is the Oline. The Oline verse Dline matchup is my biggest concern. Bama might be able to just grind the game out with ball control. DR cannnot score if he is off the field. A lot of folks absolutely fail to understand that a defense like a house is no stronger then its foundation. Without good line play LB'ers look foolish. How many ND defenses with deficiencies on the Dline have we observed the last several years? My suspicion is our LB'ers will not look so good when engulfed by roving guards at the 2nd level. If I had to make my bet based on the best Oline in college football verse a converted Olinemen and a flop my money would have to be on Bama.
The less condenscending question would be how do you think Michigan can beat Alabama? My take is that UM will need some big plays and TO's to get a lead. If that happens such that Bama is out of it's comfort zone more things can happen. Bama played offense last year with the mind set a punt is still a victory. Saban failed at the NFL level because he really does not have the dynamics to figure out how to beat anotther team on an equal footing. His only plan is crush the other team with obscenely superior talent. I will conceded he is technically sound on defense. However, if he is taken out of his comfort zone, he really does not have an answer. If the Bama offense gets impaient instead of rolling down the field, DR gets more shots. Enough opportunities could compound to more big plays especially since the talented but inexperienced Bama defense might press & panic. The events could snowball and things could get crazy. If that happens Michigan has a shot.
Without some magic I see UM having no chance. The tide Oline is just too good and unless several UM Dlinemen just suddenly play the games of their lives, using the tide metaphor trying to win will be as useless as trying to stop the tide from coming in with sand castles.
August 29th, 2012 at 3:46 PM ^
Excellent post, and I generally agree with your assessment of how Mich can win. I disagree about Saban in the NFL, as I neither think he failed nor succeeded. He left the Dolphins 'cause they didn't give him control over personel, and after he was forced to take Culpepper over Brees by the Miami Brass, he had had enough.
I do disagree, however, that you will need us to turn the ball over to be in the game. I think you have enough talent to play stingy enough in the red zone to keep us from scoring many TD's, and if you get the big plays, you will be in the game, no doubt. I think Mich has enough talent to play with us for 3 quarters reasonably well, but I don't know if you'll be as fresh as us in the 4th. Depth will play a major role.
I als very much think Robinson has to throw the ball accurately. Not necessarily throw it 35 times, but simply be accurate when he does. If that happens, the playing field becomes much, much more level.
August 29th, 2012 at 10:09 AM ^
He took the time commenting all summer long to reach the 100 points to start a thread. If he's a troll, he sure is a dedicated troll. I think he was legitimately trying to start an honest discussion, and I'm glad that for the most part the board has stayed readable and not devolved into screaming and name calling. I also appreciate his sentiments at the end of his original long post about everyone enjoying the game and staying healthy.
I'm not going to answer all the questions though because it has been done better than I could by others. I think that the 14 point spread is way too generous and a lot of bookies are going to be out a lot of money when Michigan covers, if we don't outright win the game. A healthy fresh Denard is pure dilithium, he always has his best games in the beginning of the year (ND past 2 years, UConn, et al) so I think Bama is in for a shock and their overconfidence might come back to bite them big time.
August 29th, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^
If not outright trolling, this guy insults with subtlety you seldom see anywhere, but especially on the internet. Putting the insults into a series of questions was a gorgeous touch.
But I think he went wrong with how emphatic some of his words and phrasings were. And some of the implications to some of his questions were too obvious. However, it's almost a badge of honor that mgoblog attracts such sophisticated trolls, so I'm almost fine with it.
August 29th, 2012 at 5:30 PM ^
I agree and understand how the emphatic nature of the way I express myself can irritate some people. It's simply the way I speak. I never meant to offend nor troll.
August 29th, 2012 at 3:52 PM ^
Nice post, and I agree with several points.
I think the spread is a bit too high, also. However, the spread is meant to generate betting in certain ways, and is not at all indicative of how experts see the game playing out.
I think Bama has the talent to play you out, but I don't expect it. I also think you guys have the talent and coaching to win, but i don't expect that either. Mich is a traditional power, and is intimidated by no one. You guys will bring your share of playmakers to Arlington, and I expect a battle.
Overconfidence for Alabama is definitely a concern, but squashing that has been the over-riding theme by everyone associated with Bama since the clock hit zeros against LSU last year. While it's a legitimate concern of mine, it's not at the top of the list.
Also, Denard being 100% healthy is a big thing for you guys, but it might not stay that way long. I can, however, guanartee no cheap shots or dirty play from Alabama.
August 29th, 2012 at 10:15 AM ^
I'm expecting that 'Bama will bring a number of hot brunettes to the game. If so, I have no worries.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:38 AM ^
The Bama fans will probably be gone in 5 or 6.
August 29th, 2012 at 3:53 PM ^
This is definitely true, but I've tried to behave myself on this board while I have been here. I've succeeded most of the time.
August 29th, 2012 at 5:37 PM ^
Genuine thanks to everyone for an enjoyable thread. I will continue to check it for discussion, and thanks to the mods for letting it survive. Otherwise, I will do my best to fade back into the background on this board, as I don't want to ruin game week for you guys. I very much understand how internet forums can add to the CFB experience for each and every fan, and I don't want to ruin yours.
If we lose, I will return to eat a bit of crow, should some exist. If we win, I will not gloat, as that is not my style.
Take care everyone, and safe traveling to the game for all those going. As many have said before, here's to a hard fought, injury-free game, and may the best team win. Roll Tide, and God Bless.
August 29th, 2012 at 10:54 PM ^
"If we win, I will not gloat, as that is not my style."
For some reason, maybe it's the way you presented a lot of your questions, I don't believe you!