BlueGoM

October 12th, 2013 at 10:11 PM ^

1)  Our OL is just not that good.  We can't run between the tackles.  I don't think it's so much Fitz or Green, it's just the interior OL can't get a push.  It's been a sore spot all year, it' won't change this year, too much youth on the OL.    

2) Fitz is a horrible blocker.

3) Main problem with the Defense is the lack of pass rush.  Unfortunately, that is unlikely to change this year as well.   I find this very odd since Hoke was a DL coach himself.

4)  Playing not to lose will get you a loss.

5) Gardner is not a dropback passer.  Clearly would do best in a different scheme, IMO.

 

 

User -not THAT user

October 12th, 2013 at 10:10 PM ^

It was like a Bizarro-world event of Lloyd Carr having never left the program, yet somehow coaching players that RichRod recruited.

At least they can still beat Notre Dame...probably going to be the highlight of the year (again).

 

Magnum P.I.

October 12th, 2013 at 10:14 PM ^

I think that someone on the coaching staff's head has to roll this offseason. At least Funk. Maybe Borges. The ineptitude of our running back play has been surreal the past two seasons. We had 28 yards on 30 carries today. 

Yes, that's right: 28 yards on 30 carries. Less than a yard per carry. Let that sink in. 

UCF had 215 yards on 32 carries.

Indiana had 160 yards on 27 carries. 

Syracuse had 100 yards on 32 carries.

EASTERN MICHIGAN had 75 yards on 27 carries.

KENT STATE had 69 yards on 17 carries.

What we are doing in the rushing game is truly historical. If you can't figure out a way out with the talent we have, you need to not be making 200K a year. Sorry.

 

funkywolve

October 12th, 2013 at 10:21 PM ^

If it wasn't for Denard and Devin's ability to rush the ball as a QB we'd be looking at historical ineptitude rushing stats.  The production out of the oline and running backs has been worse than awful since the start of 2012.  Unless this team all of a sudden starts showing massive improvement in the running game with the rb, someone needs to be let go. 

pkatz

October 13th, 2013 at 8:11 AM ^

He's not much more than a recruiter, albeit a good one, and figurehead on the sidelines at this point - wonder if the administration would dismiss him to appease a call to action for the historically bad running game we've had to endure the past two seasons?

BlowGoo

October 12th, 2013 at 10:21 PM ^

We have a coach who basically came to us under the "Big Lines Wins Games" school of football.  Heck, that's why we got him.

 

So until we have big offensive and defensive lines under his leadership, we should not be surprised by our inability to run between tackles nor threaten the QB consistently.

 

Entirely predictable.

 

Everyone just has to be cool until we get our lines bigger.  Anyone who has been paying attention should know that last year's and this year's lines are the weakest ones we should expect under Hoke.  THEN they should get bigger.  With that, everything else follows.

 

But don't be surprised that we're seeing poor performance from a coaching staff who were hired because of their Big Line philosophy yet don't, themselves, have big lines yet.  Though they are clearly recruiting appropriately.

 

I'm just sad because Ohio will come into the Big House and rape us.  And I don't like being raped. Especially by Ohio. Especially at home.

 

That'll suck.

BlowGoo

October 12th, 2013 at 10:41 PM ^

Okay, I guess I mean "big" AND "experienced."

And Kalis listed as <300#, as well as a freshman. Glasgow is a plug-in at center.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2013-14/depth_chart_event/depth_chart.pdf

 

LT Lewan 315#, 5thSr.

LG Bryant 316#, Jr/So

C Glasgow 305#, Jr/Sr

RG Kalis 297#, So/Fr (mgoblue lists as 302#, but official game roster lists as 297#)

RT Schofield 304#, 5th Yr Sr.

 

On DL, WAAY below 300#.  Which wouldn't be the case if Ondre Pipkins' (315#) ACL was intact.

DE Clark 273#, Jr./Jr.

DT Black 278#, Sr/Sr

NT Washington 301#, 5thSr.

DE Heitzman 280#, Jr/So

 

Just sayin'.

 

BlowGoo

October 12th, 2013 at 10:52 PM ^

For comparison's sake and to further discussion:

Penn State depth chart vs Michigan:

 

OT Donovan Smith 322, Jr./So

OG Miles Dieffenbach 295, Sr/Jr

C Ty Howie 293, Gs/Sr

OG John Urschel 301, Gs/Sr

OT Garry Gilliam 303, Sr/Jr

 

DE Olaniyan 244, Sr/Jr

DT Baublitz 281, Sr/Jr

DT DaQuan Jones 318, Sr./Sr

DE Barnes 245, Jr/So

BlowGoo

October 12th, 2013 at 10:26 PM ^

Absolutely.

 

When HAVEN'T we won (this year) by the skin of our teeth?

 

It's frankly amazing that we've been fortunate enough to be 5-1.

 

Still, just be cool until the lines get bigger starting next season.

 

The big question in my mind is whether the coaching staff should really not push Lewan AT ALL to play: he might better serve Michigan as an intact high-round NFL pick than as a career-limiting injured one on a mediocre team with mediocre prospects.

markusr2007

October 12th, 2013 at 10:23 PM ^

A week after getting blasted by Indiana.



Michigan is a dangerous team still. Just unstable and inconsistent.

This is a terrible league, and Michigan is unfortunately a middling football team right now.



stopthewnba

October 12th, 2013 at 10:26 PM ^

  1. #1
    Michigan ran 35 1st down plays Saturday.



    • They ran Gardner 20% of the time for 9.1 yards per play
    • They threw 31% of the time for 15.1 yards per play
    • They ran Toussaint 43% of the time for 1.8 yards per play
     
    #2
    Funchess had 2 TD on 4 catches (accounting for 96 yards).
    His last target was with 13:09 to play in the 4th quarter

Coldwater

October 12th, 2013 at 10:25 PM ^

This game clearly wasn't an example of playing "Michigan Football". Or playing with "toughness or physicality". Or being able to run "downhill". Or whatever the fuck coach speak Hoke likes to talk about with his horse-ass voice

Gonechickin

October 12th, 2013 at 10:29 PM ^

What does everyone expect Al to call when we can't block anyone? Gardner can't set his feet because there is always pressure. Until we fix the offensive line, we are in big trouble. Our running backs can not get going because there is always a player in the back field waiting on them. It is hard to watch.