2014 UM v OSU Matchup
After watching a hard fought close game I can’t help but think towards the future. I’m curious how the board thinks we matchup with OSU next year. We graduate our two offensive tackles who are likely replaced by Braden and Mags, and obviously our interior gets a year older. We lose Gallon and Fitz who seem likely replaced Darboh and Green. On defense we lose Washington and Black who are likely replaced Pipkins and Henry. And, we lose Gordon who is likely replaced by a combination of DBs like Thomas, Clark, and Peppers. I think I know what we’ve got with Michigan. I’m more curious about OSU.
They obviously lose Hyde who will likely be replaced by Smith I think. They lose Brown who will be replaced by Wilson as maybe a step up. They return Devin Smith and their TE, but they lose 4 offensive linemen. This is what I’m most interested in. Who starts for them next year on the offensive line and how will they fare? They are not quite as big as their predecessors. They will also be young and pretty similar in age to our line next year.
LT – Baldwin (Jr)
LG – Elfein (Fr)
C – Boren (So)
RG – Brown (So), O’Connor (RS Fr?)?
RT – Decker (So)
On defense they bring back the entire front 7 unless Shazier decides to enter the draft, which he may. Behind him on the depth chart is freshman, Trey Johnson. In the backfield they will lose Roby, Brown, and Barnett. They do have a lot of young talented DBs, but they don’t have much experience.
From what I can see this is a good chance to beat OSU in Columbus. They lose many of their playmakers on defense (especially if Shazier enters the draft). Granted they have a lot of young talent on the defensive line in Bosa, Spence, and Washington. And, of course they bring back Braxton Miller. But, without a proven running back and without a veteran offensive line, will Miller be as effective? How do you think our defensive line matches up against their offensive line?
November 30th, 2013 at 9:26 PM ^
Ugh. I just can't right now.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:28 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:29 PM ^
After today it should be pretty clear that matchups go out the window for this game. I appreciate that it's a fun exercise, but I'm just sayin, there are 364 days until then. That's a lot of nights out in Columbus to get arrested.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:42 PM ^
Many tattoos and bar fights in Cbus between now and then.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:30 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:42 PM ^
I agree
"But we are young"
"But i is RR's fault"
yada, yada, yada, blah, blah, blah
It gets old, I agree
November 30th, 2013 at 9:30 PM ^
He's the anti Borges.
November 30th, 2013 at 10:04 PM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 6:08 AM ^
Only reason I thought we should have run the ball on the 2pt play (HB draw maybe?) was because Fickell is too much of a pussy to bring pressure there.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:30 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 10:20 PM ^
The game was close last year too, with an injured Michigan QB, and close the year before that with a freshman OSU QB.
Um, I think the game will be close.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:31 PM ^
And it will be awesome to go to Ohio next year and cap off an undefeated regular season. If Ohio is undefeated it will be that much sweeter.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:40 PM ^
Undefeated heading to Columbus? I'm not so sure about that. Michigan is still bad on the road, and the team plays a couple of tough road games (ND, MSU, Northwestern).
The schedule is soft, but the tougher games are all on the road.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:45 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 10:11 PM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 1:22 AM ^
I like the enthusiasm, but after ND this year most thought 9 wins would be low balling this team. I'm just going to take it one game at a time and celebrate each win each week.
December 1st, 2013 at 8:33 AM ^
agreed
November 30th, 2013 at 9:32 PM ^
looks like another L . 2014. I WOULD GUESS THIS WILL BE HOKES LAST GAME HAS COACH AT MICHIGAN. JHON HARBAUGH WILL BE THE NEW COACH. OR JIM
November 30th, 2013 at 9:33 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:32 PM ^
Miller will probably return, although there were a few rumblings about him going pro. His backup, Guiton, will be gone after this year though, so depth could be a concern.
December 1st, 2013 at 12:47 AM ^
I have no idea what he'll do but it wouldn't surprise me if he left early. His draft status will not be higher than it is now, considering they'll be breaking in 4 new OL, a new RB. And there is a decent chance he'll have a B1G championship in his belt and maybe a nat'l championship game appearance.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:32 PM ^
I'm excited about next year. I think the loss of Lewan and Schofield will more than be mitigated by the maturing of the line, especially on the interior. I'm excited about replacing Gallon and Reynolds with Harris and Darboh, giving us four sold WR (Chesson, Funchess, Darboh, & Harris.) Plus, between Ways, Duke, & York, someone might step up.
I believe that our defensive line will only get stronger, and we'll do more against their offensive line.
Gardner has been through the wars, and Morris will be more capable in backing him up.
Green and Smith will be solid.
On defense, Peppers will only help, along with the maturing of the rest of the defensive backs. Our linebackers will be stronger.There will be more depth everywhere. I do expect we'll lose several games next year, but I'm looking forward to facing Ohio more than I have for a long time.
December 1st, 2013 at 8:34 AM ^
3-5 losses for 2014 is virtually a given
November 30th, 2013 at 9:33 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 10:15 PM ^
I really hope this was a big wake up call for this team, staff and athletic department. That kind of play, heart and effort and we still fall short...what more does it take to get over the hump?
November 30th, 2013 at 9:33 PM ^
Michigan is going to win.
A year from now on this day, November 30, 2014, we will be celebrating & reflecting on a Michigan win in columbus.
First win there since 2000. It's going to happen. Bookmark this page.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:57 PM ^
I agree with you and it's not just hope. Cutting right to the bottom line Michigan will be better at almost every position next year and Ohio will not. It's a shame M didn't win today because that was a monumental effort the likes of which we haven't seen going back to at least the Cap One vs. Florida (and Meyer), and probably further back than that. Today was a coming of age for the O-Line and they will be better next year even with replacing the tackles.
Also, the Meyer superior-coach meme should be shut down for now. That may be the biggest surprise of the day.
December 1st, 2013 at 1:24 AM ^
To put it short and sweet:
Michigan returns almost the entire team. Ohio does not.
December 1st, 2013 at 8:35 AM ^
but come on now
do not set yourself up for disappointment
November 30th, 2013 at 9:34 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:35 PM ^
"364 more days 'til next year's hockey try-outs. Gotta toughen up!"
But seriously, I can't remember Michigan facing, in my time (earliest memory '97 season), a tougher running back than Hyde. Sure, they faced some high NFL draft picks. I already have plans of picking Hyde in next years fantasy draft.
Hyde is gone. Nobody will be able to fill his shoes. The dude is the RB-equivalent of Shaq.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:38 PM ^
Derrick Green is going to have a better career. If he's doing what he's doing with this tattered offensive line, just imagine what will happen when this OL is consistently good.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:41 PM ^
Let's hope so. Factor in Deveon Smith and Damien Harris come 2015... God damn it, I just wish we could be talking about how good the current UM team is. This shit has been going on too long!
/transitions from beer to whiskey
November 30th, 2013 at 10:00 PM ^
Agreeing with you on this one too - we saw flashes of the feet and vision today. Green and Smith are going to be formidable.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:41 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:46 PM ^
Hyde was a monster. 5 yards a carry guaranteed behind that O-line.
December 1st, 2013 at 1:26 AM ^
Beanie always killed Michigan. I remember he always rushed for a ton in The Game. Wells rushed for over 200 in 2007.
December 1st, 2013 at 8:58 AM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 12:06 PM ^
It wasn't just the line. There were so many times where Michigan players would be in position near Hyde at the line of scrimmage, and he would either drag them, break the tackle, or even juke them to pile on the yards.
That dude looked better than Beanie Wells.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:36 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:37 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 10:06 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 10:22 PM ^
Refuses to play? How do you do that?
December 1st, 2013 at 1:27 AM ^
As the feature back? Probably ont. EzE is a true frosh, and he looks pretty good.
December 1st, 2013 at 1:27 AM ^
As the feature back? Probably ont. EzE is a true frosh, and he looks pretty good.
December 1st, 2013 at 8:36 AM ^
do we care?
November 30th, 2013 at 9:37 PM ^
Even though today wasn't close to being Al Borges' "fault," he will still be this year's sacrificial lamb. So, next year will be dependent upon who gets brought in as OC. If David Brandon wants to see a great example of "downhill running," maybe he should look at Ohio's last drive out of the spread and say, "why can't we get one of those here at Michigan?"
November 30th, 2013 at 9:46 PM ^
Are you convinced Borges will be gone? While I sure hope so, after today's performance, and Brady's constant public support of him, I'm not so sure.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:53 PM ^
That is to say, I hope Borges remains. It would be wrong to cut him (or Funk, for that matter) before next year at the earliest. If, with next year's brutal schedule, Michigan should win at least 9 games, with at least one of those wins being against Ohio or MSU, he should get another year. I don't think it is fair to judge Hoke (or Borges, or Funk, or Mattison) prior to 2015. If they all are allowed to stay, we're going to see some wonderful things happening as we go forward.
November 30th, 2013 at 10:05 PM ^
Wait...you want Borges back??? Please tell me why...