Differences Between UM/Bama&Clemson
Yes, I know we have a game thread for the championship. This isn't meant to be based on the play by play happenings of tonight but rather the obvious differences that we see between the quality of our team (and just about everyone else) and these two teams.
To me, I think we actually have the skill set at the receiver position that would be about on par with both of them. I think our secondary from this year and Bush are obviously at this level. That being said, I'm not sure we'd have a single offensive or defensive lineman (outside of Gary) touch the field for either of these teams. The difference in size and athleticism jumps off the screen.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:09 PM ^
If anybody is watching this game and thinks that our 1970’s offense can win in big games i’ve got some land on Mars for you very cheap!
January 7th, 2019 at 9:26 PM ^
I don’t disagree with the point of your post, yet I am still very interested in cheap land on Mars. Wouldn’t that be a good investment?
January 8th, 2019 at 12:05 AM ^
No, the commute sucks.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:13 PM ^
OL and DL are elite and deep for both teams, Defensive line is weak and no depth for UM, that will be the problem next year and why 9-4 next year
January 7th, 2019 at 9:42 PM ^
i will gladly take the over on that for Ws.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:56 PM ^
I could easily see us losing four times next year.
-Very tricky game against what will be a very good Army team next Fall. Army almost beat Oklahoma this year. They won’t be even remotely intimidated by Michigan, and Monken will have his team coming into Ann Arbor expecting to win.
-Road games against Wisconsin and Penn State. Michigan still plays like shit on the road until proven otherwise. Don’t see us doing better than 1-1 here.
-Road game against what could be a sneaky good IU team. Our win streak against them will end eventually. Maybe not next year, but it’ll happen eventually.
-A very good ND team comes to Ann Arbor, and an MSU team that always plays its best game against Michigan. Wouldn’t shock me if we lost one of those.
OSU is, in my book, an automatic loss until proven otherwise.
And then of course the bowl game. If they lose to OSU again next year, I think they lose this game as well. The last three years, after soul-crushing losses to OSU, they’ve played their bowl game like they did not want to be there.
January 8th, 2019 at 9:49 AM ^
A bit early for this projection and pessimism. At this time last year we had just gone 8-5 with a soul crushing collapse against South Carolina in a bowl game. 10-3 overall this year with road games at MSU, OSU, and ND. A returning starting QB (provided he stays healthy) for 1st time in Harbaugh era. Help coming in at Safety and elsewhere. How about we at least see spring practice before you pronounce 2019 doom and gloom?
January 7th, 2019 at 9:15 PM ^
It starts with the offensive and defensive lines. Michigan has recruited good depth on the defensive line but the offensive line remains a work in progress. Watch the deep shots in the National Title tonight. On the 62 yard shot down the seam by Lawrence to Higgins the pass pro was perfect and Lawrence kept his eyes down field even with Bama bringing pressure. That’s the difference. Michigan QBs are not as confident and often leave the pocket because of pressure. It takes a strong offensive line to build that trust. Michigan has all the weapons but must continue to build the offensive line.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:15 PM ^
6 plays. 65 yds. TD. Against alabama. Anyone think UM would get 6 plays in a quarter against them?
January 7th, 2019 at 9:19 PM ^
Do you count punts and kickoffs as plays?
January 7th, 2019 at 9:32 PM ^
+1. Well played
January 7th, 2019 at 9:17 PM ^
Seeing Leatherwood & Jedrick Wills starting on the OL for Bama is a gut punch
January 7th, 2019 at 9:36 PM ^
I think Wills made a single last minute visit to AA. Didn't he commit to Bama the next day?
January 8th, 2019 at 11:09 AM ^
Yes--those two would have been great additions. Fantastic players.
We also just missed with Najee Harris.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:17 PM ^
Michigan has Pep Hamilton calling awful pass plays. These teams don’t seem to have that
January 7th, 2019 at 9:17 PM ^
Picture this nightmare: We actually show up against Ohio and win. Then we face one of these teams eventually and get curb stomped. The differences are vast. I am so bearish on everything right now. Can i neg myself?
January 7th, 2019 at 9:18 PM ^
Yes I Can!
January 7th, 2019 at 9:24 PM ^
You’re right. It would’ve been really embarrassing to get destroyed in a bowl game.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:30 PM ^
I'd love a 100-0 shitcanning by one of these teams if it means actually beating Ohio St
January 7th, 2019 at 9:18 PM ^
Ugh coaching and culture to start
January 7th, 2019 at 9:18 PM ^
I must say, though all three are public universities, I feel all similarities stop there. The academics of both Clemson and Alabama rank way lower than the stellar reputation at the University of Michigan. Furthermore, the basketball teams can't even be compared. Michigan sports a 29-1 record over the last thirty games and I can't even remember the last time either Bama or Clemson even won their conferences, let alone made it to the Final Four! Do Clemson and Alabama even HAVE hockey programs? I think not!
What's that? We're talking about football? Never mind then :(
January 7th, 2019 at 9:18 PM ^
Quarterback and OL. Shae is never going to control play like these guys. The elite qb will destroy even elite talent.
Our wide outs are the most scheme/coaching suppressed group in recent history.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:25 PM ^
Well Tua has now played 2 really good teams so far this year and he has looked pretty fucking average..
multiple INT's against Georgia, and now he has a pick 6 and a second INT and it isn't even half time..
Would of been interesting to see bama play more than 2 teams with a pulse the entire year.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:19 PM ^
Main difference: Paid talent, both on the field and on the recruiting trail.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:25 PM ^
We are on par with Clemson's talent from their first title.
I am sure Clemson pays kids, but have to understand that success snowballs. The more success you have, the more kids want to play for you - and money has nothing to do with that. They aren't getting kids solely because they pay kids
January 8th, 2019 at 12:17 AM ^
You must be joking
January 7th, 2019 at 9:19 PM ^
Anyone who thinks 2 and 3 stars are the same as 4 and 5 stars needs to watch this game.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:26 PM ^
You mean like Josh Jacobs? The 3 star that is Bama's best power back?
January 7th, 2019 at 9:31 PM ^
He's the only one-literally the only 3* from that class. Alabama can assess talent too!!!
January 7th, 2019 at 9:47 PM ^
bama should fire their DC.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:20 PM ^
Can we stop watching these two teams play and make inferences about our own team? Bama is by far the most talented offensive team in CFB - they will do work on any defense. Just because Bama is doing work on the defense does not mean our defense could do what Clemson is doing right now.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:20 PM ^
We are lightyears away from these two teams.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:20 PM ^
These teams also have legit running backs not a bunch of small 3rd down backs
January 7th, 2019 at 9:20 PM ^
Where are the 30 second huddles, fullbacks, 3 tightend sets, single reciever routes? I am confused.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:21 PM ^
Coaching. Goes for it from his own 35 and gets it easily.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:21 PM ^
No way Harbaugh would have done that! Going for it.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:22 PM ^
The difference is stark. On 4th and 4" on their own 35, Alabama runs up the middle for three yards.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:23 PM ^
And then throws a pick for a 40 yard return.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:23 PM ^
This thread....hahahahahaha
My son's tee-ball team vs the New York Yankees
January 7th, 2019 at 9:23 PM ^
Everything. Speed. Strength. Style. Effort. Toughness. Intelligence.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:23 PM ^
Hey there's a similarity! 2 picks so far!
January 7th, 2019 at 9:24 PM ^
The difference is Bama does rock, paper scissors to decide which of the 3 five star rbs goes into the game. We can’t even play rock.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:26 PM ^
You take that back! We throw rock every play!!
January 7th, 2019 at 9:27 PM ^
That's because rock wants to sit out.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:27 PM ^
Josh Jacobs was a mediocre 3 star, people should actually research the teams before making idiotic comments..
Jacobs has also been their best back all year too..
January 7th, 2019 at 9:34 PM ^
Sorry for being an idiot. Can you replace 5 star above with fast, agile, hard to tackle and stud? I don’t need research to know those things.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:24 PM ^
This is depressing to watch. On one hand I marvel at the football and athleticism being displayed, but then the amazing play calling (coaching - going for it on 4th from the 30) and how well coached both teams are just makes me sad. Not sure I want to M to get in the playoffs only to get embarrassed worse than ND does.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:26 PM ^
Yep. Amazing how quick these qbs get that football out to the receivers. No 12 step drops and running for their lives.
January 7th, 2019 at 10:30 PM ^
I hope Michigan gets to playoffs just because that'd almost certainly mean 2 things. 1) We beat OSU. 2) We won the B1G.
I would LOVE to get blown out like Notre Dame did. We're miles away from a National Championship so I'm all about some consolation prizes. We don't even have those.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:25 PM ^
On his last podcast, Steve Deace stated that UM has signed more 4* and 5* recruits than Clemson over the past three years. I don't know if that's 100% accurate or not but definitely a sign that UM underachieves with the talent it gets.