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 9:36 PM ^
That is an intentionally misleading stat. Clemson signed FIVE 5-stars in 2018. That's the same number Michigan has had since 2014.
January 7th, 2019 at 11:21 PM ^
it's not accurate, it's a narrative.
Clemson's classes are superior to our classes. That is a fact.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:25 PM ^
Imagine us trying to administer #bodyblows with Runyan and JBB going against Alabama's DL
January 7th, 2019 at 9:26 PM ^
4 and 5 wide receiver sets. Bama came out in dime defense and when they aren't in dime they're in nickel and (gasp) teams playing zone... and playing it at least decent. Motion, crossing routes (what?!? An intermediate passing game?!?), running backs catching the ball out of the backfield and making plays in space. Running backs hitting holes and actually breaking tackles. Shall I go on? I do think we are close though. Talent needs upgraded a ton to compete on this level, but slow, methodical, conservative, sometimes sluggish game management does not help one bit.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:28 PM ^
In-game coaching and scheme is UMs biggest weakness here.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:27 PM ^
Alabama is allowed to target and Michigan isn't.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:27 PM ^
Michigan needs to study the tempo these offenses play at.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:28 PM ^
Crossing routes crossing routes crossing routes
January 7th, 2019 at 9:28 PM ^
Clemson O-line, beastly.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:28 PM ^
Thought the Bama v Clemson thread would be the UM coaches neg bang thread, turns out there’s two
January 7th, 2019 at 9:28 PM ^
The Cheerleaders?
January 7th, 2019 at 9:29 PM ^
The difference is the qb recruiting. 5 star recruits and Michigan has a 3 star qb ranked around 500th in the country in 2020 scouted by Pep Hamilton.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:39 PM ^
Yea, that’s the ticket a 2020 recruit
January 7th, 2019 at 10:23 PM ^
There's loads of QB talent on the roster right now. Our offense just doesn't produce offensive standouts, except maybe tight end. We spread the ball around and beat teams by out-executing them.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:30 PM ^
Call me old fashioned, but I don't care all that much about trying to be the next Bama or Clemson. I just want some B1G titles and Rose Bowls.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:34 PM ^
I just want us to be competitive in top ten matchups
January 7th, 2019 at 9:31 PM ^
Clemson's OL is playing a hell of a game so far tonight, especially in pass protection. Watching those tackles just stone these Alabama rushers is really something. That kind of OL play, without chips and whatnot, really opens up your offense.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:31 PM ^
You know what else jumps out to me? Both of these schools fight songs blow.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:31 PM ^
It’s definitely players and talent, but not as much as you think.
I assume most watched NFL playoffs this weekend? Watch that football and this? The NFL and college games are 2 different sports now. NFL has emerged to more passing/attacking, but still nowhere near college. Reality is each college roster has weaknesses. Nobody of all time will have 11 guys on one side of ball all top 3 round picks. Harbaugh’s style fits in great at NFL, he just doesn’t play the college game the way you need to now to win.
Plus, officiating is different. Watch nfl, you get holding calls on line at least once a quarter. College maybe 1 a game? They let the offense do what they want. Even Clemson and Bama’s secondary getting exposed.
Now in college, need to do 2 things to win big matchups. First, have O’s that attack downfield and let loose. Second, get a D that mixes it up. Your hopeful you catch off other team or trick them in a few key plays. Prime example, Venables on a couple tonight.
We are 0-2. Boring slow O. And a D that does 1 thing only. Bad recipe for such.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:34 PM ^
So do both groups of song girls.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:40 PM ^
Our helmets are way better
January 7th, 2019 at 9:32 PM ^
The difference is Michigan would not have 16 or 28 points with 4:38 left in the first half.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:38 PM ^
Clemson beat ND by 28. ND had us down 21-0 or something.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:38 PM ^
Even after playing them 3-4 times and combining the scores.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:32 PM ^
They have great college coaches and we have Harbaugh
January 7th, 2019 at 9:40 PM ^
They’ve also been at their schools over twice as long but you go man
January 7th, 2019 at 10:10 PM ^
This is a fun game to watch. I’m happy with the way we are progressing. Maybe we make it. Maybe not.
But we have a real shot. It’s no use complaining and pretending like ‘08-14 didn’t happen.
Go Blue, and let’s enjoy this game and our basketball team too.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:32 PM ^
Better players, much better coaching. Pretty simple.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:35 PM ^
Meh. The only real difference I see is at RB and OL. The biggest difference by far is real aggressiveness, not Harbaugh's faux aggressiveness.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:33 PM ^
Tempo and schemes that fit their play makers. Dang look at the score, both teams are racking up yards.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:33 PM ^
The differences are everywhere. Much better athletes along the line of scrimmage, much more intense coaching, The size and speed JUMP off the screen as better than Michigan.
Michigan cares about Celebrating the biggest crowds and the all-time winningest program. Clemson and Alabama care about winning championships now and will do whatever it takes to do that.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:40 PM ^
#winningest
January 7th, 2019 at 9:43 PM ^
Yep - Michigan wants to win the Michigan way. These two teams will stretch every off-field rule possible to get ahead.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:34 PM ^
Play calling , O lines , and a qb that can throw down the field
January 7th, 2019 at 9:34 PM ^
Game is going to no huddle, you can take a nap between our plays. Tempo creates mismatches and coverages and tires out linemen, games are won with points, the days of beating team 20-10 are long gone!
January 7th, 2019 at 9:35 PM ^
I don’t see the big deal. These two teams are both 14-0 and our team is 15-0 with a chance to go 16-0 at Illinois this week. And our backup center would start on either team. ;)
January 7th, 2019 at 9:40 PM ^
They could easily put 70-80 on these teams. haha
January 7th, 2019 at 9:37 PM ^
Clemson made the jump from a solid, but by no means all that impressive, team to what they are now when their defensive line started to be a revolving door for NFL-level athletes that look like men playing against kids in most of their games.
We can argue about how Clemson of all places turned into a magnet for such athletes..but it happened..and I have a hunch it's not because Dabo Swinney is a once in a generation level coach.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:38 PM ^
I don’t think even or WRs are at this talent level. Just a lot more speed on both teams. Line play is ridiculous. And RB play is light years beyond ours.
I don’t think Gary starts for Clemson. Might for Bama.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:39 PM ^
I think Chase, Gary, Solomon would see some DL time.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:40 PM ^
The differences are vast. We'd lose by 4-5 TDs against either team.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:41 PM ^
Saying the way Notre Dame was hammered by Clemson, and Michigan played them pretty close on the road. I would say you are 100% right.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:42 PM ^
For sure, it would be uglier than ND's 31-3 loss to Clemson.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:42 PM ^
These two teams look way different than us or any team I saw our team play this year. I am all for an expanded playoff but I believe it would still be these two teams playing in the CG this year.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:51 PM ^
I'd rather have the NCAA enforce its rules (paying players, steroids). We would still be behind these programs, but the gulf might not be as vast.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:59 PM ^
I think this take is overrated. If you’re a recruit, you would want to play in this sort of game? These coaches are great. Athletes/5 Stars wanna go where they are used to the best of their benefit. These programs do this so much better than UM, it isn’t even close.
January 7th, 2019 at 10:35 PM ^
Your concept is valid, but doesn't match up to reality. If you have depth luxury and bring in Najee Harris to score TDs in garbage time, benefiting both player and team, you are going to do so, so that's where your concept is valid. In reality, Michigan does not have the talent level to afford this luxury and the playing field is not going to be level when the NCAA is not interested in providing one.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:44 PM ^
Trevor Lawrence = WOW
January 7th, 2019 at 10:49 PM ^
Jim turned Shea patterson into a "game manager". I imagine he would have done the same to Trevor Lawrence.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:47 PM ^
Dabo showing you what can be done with taking CEO approach. His O coordinators and Venables on D are making their money. Calling a great game. This is what we gotta hope for with Harbaugh. Give up control, be ceo. Not sure he will though, too stubborn.