What is the MGoCoach in you looking at on Saturday?

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

Obviously we're ALL going to enjoy the game as fans first. This is going to be an exciting year of Michigan football.

Me myself, I'll probably watch the game (as a fan), record it, then watch it immediately afterwards to actually look at individual battles, subs, and things of that nature.

That said, what is the "coach" in your looking for on Saturday? Any position battles? Any players in particular? Just interested to see what everyone will be keeping an eye on to try and gather more information about the rest of the season.

FreddieMercuryHayes

August 29th, 2013 at 9:12 AM ^

Interior OL. If there's one group that will determine the fate of the season. That's it. Only CMU, but last year the interior OL couldn't move Air Force. Hope we see good things on Saturday.

Mr. Yost

August 29th, 2013 at 9:14 AM ^

  1. Offensive Line - last year's interior line (love those guys as people) was horrible. I'll be looking to see how we control the line of scrimmage.
  2. Devin - This is obvious. He hasn't had a lot of snaps at QB, I'll be interested to see how he manages the game.
  3. Efficiency, limiting mistakes and flow - I said this a lot during basketball season. When we were playing team that I knew we'd beat...I wasn't looking at the score, I completely tuned out the score bug. I just wanted "feel" how efficient we were being and feel like the game had a nice flow. We were making good passes and executing. Same thing here...I want to see execution. If the play doesn't work, that's fine. But let's make tackles and hit our assignments. Limit the sloppy play.
  4. Defensive Line - Have they earned the right to rush 4?
  5. Secondary - How's our coverage?

 

The reason I have DLine and Secondary at the bottom is because even if they play well...there will be some "it's just CMU" in there so the questions won't be completely answered. This is also the same reason I didn't list the #2 WR (Darboh's replacement)...I think it'll take more than one game to figure out if we have that spot covered.

beevo

August 29th, 2013 at 9:16 AM ^

I've been wondering if we will focus more on the timing of the pass game or work on the run game.  I will be watching Jehu, Glasgow and Miller on offense.  On defense it will be our DEs and Jarrod Wilson. 

MGoBrewMom

August 29th, 2013 at 9:19 AM ^

and Devin.

Want to see Pipkins become a star because he's funny. And I'm praying Devin is all that. I think he is, but want to see it.

Also, the O Line.

WolvinLA2

August 29th, 2013 at 10:34 AM ^

I'll also be watching the DL, mostly the tackles. Not because I'm concerned about it at all (they might be the best position group on the team) but because that's the area I enjoy keying on the most. Love run defense.

Also - you spelled Pimpkins wrong.

AriGold

August 29th, 2013 at 9:20 AM ^

I feel like our biggest concerns over the course of the year will be the Secondary...the interior o-line is not as bad as everyone thinks they might be, I have faith in Kalis and Glasgow...I am more concerned about Wilson getting burned deep as he has in the past

ND Sux

August 29th, 2013 at 9:21 AM ^

OLine needs to be in the neighborhood of dominant over CMU, or the ND game could get spooky. 

I still think our D carries us over the Irish. 

ND Sux

August 29th, 2013 at 9:24 AM ^

is the game itself.  I'm traveling to Arizona on vacation...I'll be on the ground by gametime, but not sure if I will find it anywhere.  I have a tablet, so thoughts on streaming? 

MGoManBall

August 29th, 2013 at 9:24 AM ^

I want to see how well the linebackers fill. I'm tired of concrete feet linebackers.

I'm anxious to see the 3 interior lineman and see how much movement they can get.

I want to see Taylor Lewan powerbomb a defensive end. Sorry Kenny McClendon.

Bodogblog

August 29th, 2013 at 9:28 AM ^

The somewhat forgotten man at WDE is pivotal, but I think at least some of the Clark-to-3T move is based on confidence in MO.  If he can be a pass rush force, we go from Clark alone to having two attack points (assuming on some passing downs they're both in), and then when Ryan gets back it becomes very interesting.  Some combination of two or three of Clark/Black/Ojemudia/Ryan can do some damage, especially if Ryan comes in at MLB at times at offers a blitz option.  If Taco develops later in the year and Cam Gordon comes to play, pass rush may be OK.

But if Ojemudia is a really solid second pass rush threat, the D can really improve this year.

WolvinLA2

August 29th, 2013 at 10:38 AM ^

I agree MO is the best guy on D nobody's talking about. He was so good he played as a true frosh at 230 pounds. Usually you don't see the field if you are one of those things, but he was both and got solid PT.

Now that he's older and bigger, I think we'll see special things from him.

Schembo

August 29th, 2013 at 9:32 AM ^

I'll be looking to see if there is a noticable difference in team speed on defense, the whole interior line thing, and toughness from the waterboy.

GoBlue007

August 29th, 2013 at 9:34 AM ^

On Offense: Fitz's productivity is reflective of the offensivel line and the much discussed interior. Also, as we saw in 2011, a healthy, productive Fitz = good things

On Defense: our Secondary. Its been awhile since we have seen a solid to semi-dominant secondary.  We have seen signs of it the past two years but it has been infrequent.  Hopefully this is the year that their effectiveness is more sustainable. 

Seth

August 29th, 2013 at 9:34 AM ^

1. Offensive line dominance. CMU doesn't have the guys who can stand up to doubles and Michigan will try their power game on for size. If the new interior OL isn't pushing the Chips around they certainly won't be able to do so against ND, who has the best DL in college football this year.

2. #2 receiver. This is when we see if Chesson is ready to be that deep threat. Can he find the ball? Can he bring it in? He should be able to get over the top--I want to see if Michigan can take advantage when he does. Funchess ought to have a good day working the middle of the field.

3. Strong safety. Wilson: you're up. Obviously the coaches were unhappy with him the last few weeks so here is his chance to really see some snaps and get up to speed. Nothing like game experience for breaking in a safety; there's a reason they're usually not much to look at before their upperclassman years.

4. Jibreel Black. This is a power running game against decent OL and a legit power running back. If Black can really play 3-tech against such things he will have to show it now. Prediction: lots of rotation in that spot.

Space Coyote

August 29th, 2013 at 9:38 AM ^

What the coach is looking for is to win the game. They likely hope they can get to some things, experiment a bit, etc., but the key objective is to win and that must happen first and foremost.

The MGoCoach in me is looking for mostly a very fundamental game plan. Work on the go-to plays in the playbook and simplified pass schemes to get some run at those in a game situation. Lots of Power, some draws, lots of simple play action hitch and slant type patterns. They'll take a few shots deep to see where they're at in pass pro and to see if receivers and QBs are reading the defense correctly. But other than that it should be a fairly simple game plan focusing with a focus on minimizing mental errors and winning individual match-ups.

samdrussBLUE

August 29th, 2013 at 9:43 AM ^

The most recent line I have seen is around 31.5. Do we cover the spread?? I am tempted, but I am thinking no.



But really, I look for a win aided by fundamental and intelligent play.

CRex

August 29th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^

I think we enter the 4th on pace for that kind of win, but somewhere in the late 3rd or early 4th quarter, Mattison rotates in all the younger guys on the depth chart and CMU finds the endzone once.

MichLove

August 29th, 2013 at 9:43 AM ^

I believe the lines will be the key this season.. I know you can pretty much say that every season but we have a young and talented DLINE with depth and finally some OLINE depth as well. I think with Lewan coming back and leading these guys the OLINE can be special.

Perkis-Size Me

August 29th, 2013 at 9:44 AM ^

Watching the game as a fan will be my primary focus on Saturday. But if/when I get a chance to re-watch the game in the coming days:



1.) How does the O-Line perform, particularly the interior? We'll be fine on the edges, but seeing as how CMU doesn't have the personnel to compete with us, I'm looking for true dominance on the line as a sign of progression since last year.



2.) Does Clark live up to the hype? Again, its against CMU, but will he still be living in the opposing backfield for the day?



3.) Is Fitz back to 2011 form? Sounds like he might be, but all his rehab will be for naught if our O-Line can't get any push again.



4.) Will either Reynolds/Chesson establish themselves as the #2 man so we can all stop worrying about who else Gardner can throw to?



5.) Stay healthy, Gardner. Stay healthy.

charblue.

August 29th, 2013 at 10:35 AM ^

if not as a fan. CMU is not Notre Dame. You ought to be able to assess pretty fairly whether the Oline is working, the Dline is getting push and rush, and whether the secondary can cover and keep plays in front of them. I mean basically, outside of individual performances by freshmen, and improved or meh play by certain guys, you want to see scoring efficiency and a defense that gets off the field after third down. 

Of course, you won't need replay to determine whether this defense is playing fast, turning the other team over and taking the ball away and whether Gardner is moving the offense and where he's doing it. So, you will enjoy the game as it unfolds and then break it down postgame like the coaches and analysts do. 

And then you'll worry about next Saturday night when this audition becomes the first seasonal test.