Four things I want to see on Sat. Your thoughts?
This is based on the fact that the game is not in doubt.
1) Passing Yardage- Preferably to outside receivers again. I am not hoping for another 350+ yd running day.
2) Young defenders playing- Specifically Will, Fitz and Vlad to see what we have this these guys. I assume JT is on the shelf for this year, but we need to see depth in all three levels.
3) Drob running more of the offense- All we get is random glimpses. Not sure if he simply needs more reps to get into the flow. All we really know about him is that he is fast and limited with what he can do, which has not enabled us to find a more effective fit in our overall game scheme.
4) Hold the 12 QB carry target- Seems like we are bailing to this too much and leaving yardage. I am sure most of that is simply from inexperience. I would hate to force a guy to do something, but man, it would be nice back off the QB runs a bit.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:46 PM ^
I want to see Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown and Tate Forcier resting on the sidelines. Brandon Graham, Ezeh, Mouton and Mike Martin and Donovan Warren, too, by the second half.
Plus, I want to see a lot of JeRon Stokes and Roy Roundtree, of course, lots of Denard, and finally, lots of MIKE COX penetrating the gaps.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:59 PM ^
I thought you were making an off-color joke with the end of your last sentence.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:14 PM ^
That's the beauty of MIKE COX, the power running back. He tries to penetrate any opening he can find.
h/t: Walter Payton, Church Chat (1986).
October 14th, 2009 at 7:16 AM ^
Son of Irish immigrants, former Marine, put himself through law school, Wayne County Prosecutor, now Attorney General for the State of Michigan, (and, yes, a few years ago apparently penetrated a few gaps). All of that, and he has time to play football for the Wolverines. Amazing guy.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:49 PM ^
Yeah, I would say combine your #1 and 3 for DRob accounting for most of our passing yardage. I think if we can get him a good game passing, it will really help us out in the long run against the harder opponents.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:52 PM ^
I definitely want to see us run for 350+ yards. I've always been of the "if you don't have to throw it, then why bother" philosophy. I'd like to see the offensive line and the backs get into a rhythm on the ground. If our guys can develop a consistent ground game, the passing game will only be that much easier going forward. That being said, I'd just like to see efficiency out of the passing game with a number of big plays when we do throw the ball. Cutting out the turnovers and the bad snaps and the WTF sacks from both QB's would be nice, too.
Other than that I'm pretty much with you. Want to see more guys get a chance on defense in a live game to push the starters and to gain experience going forward (this is a great opportunity for that). Also want to see more of an even division of snaps between the QB's. I'm not too concerned with the carry numbers on their own, but I would like to see the guys make better reads when given an option in the running game and find receivers down field more quickly, both of which would probably reduce the number of times Tate and Denard keep the rock.
I also wouldn't mind if someone in the back seven could remember that the tight end is allowed to run down the field and catch passes (yes, I'm still a little bitter about Saturday night).
October 13th, 2009 at 11:21 PM ^
about that coverage
October 13th, 2009 at 11:32 PM ^
Yeah, it was a tough evening. I was in Vegas wearing an M jersey and hat at Mandalay Bay so you pretty much have to talk about the game to every single person who walks by you and wants to know what the score was. Got tired of explaining that we basically played as bad as humanly possible (5 to 1 turnovers and three horrible coverage busts) and still only lost by 2 to a ranked team on the road (whose lame-ass fans then stormed the field).
To top it all off, Willie McGinest then made fun of me for being a Michigan fan. Lucky for him, he was getting on the elevator with his boys, otherwise I definitely would have kicked his ass and then reminded him that he'd have no rings without Brady.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:54 PM ^
is not in doubt, and M is up by a comfortable margin, I have no particular preference how the yards and/or points come.
Beyond that, if I can have my gravy, I like your points. I'd also like to see more of Shaw and V. Smith.
I'd like Webb to make a catch or two for his confidence. A dependable 2nd TE would be nice.
In garbage time, I'd like to see both Sheridan and Coner get some snaps. Good for morale.
I'd also like to see a bunch of things involving Playboy Playmates and dessert toppings, but I think you're looking for football related responses only.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:53 PM ^
I'd really like to see some more of Vincent Smith. I've been craving the shiftiness that we were teased with in the spring, and although he probably won't have a huge role the rest of this season, I can't wait to see what he can do once he's been Barwised up and gets up to college game speed.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:56 PM ^
Agreed. I love Vincent Smith.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:54 PM ^
I want to see Sheridan. I want him to get a chance to do something other than throw a pick. See how much or how little he has improved.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:01 PM ^
Hate to see him with a -100.0 passer rating. As much as he is maligned in these parts, he deserves a chance to improve upon this stat. Hopefully he gets a series or two, since that would hopefully mean the game is in hand.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:01 PM ^
Hadn't thought about that, I'd love to see him in there too. After all the junk he's been through it'd be great to see him sling the ball a bit and run the offense. Maybe we could even enter the Cone Zone?
October 13th, 2009 at 9:09 PM ^
Would be cool if he could get a couple series late in the game and maybe put some points on the board. The kid was put in an absolute no-win situation last year and stuck through it. I'd like to see him have a successful moment or two now that the program is clearly on the right track. Since the Coner's been lining up at WR in practice, maybe a little Sheridan to Cone devastation or a sweet reverse that the Coner can take to the house (where he will promptly receive a 15 yard taunting penalty that will be well worth it)?
October 13th, 2009 at 10:59 PM ^
"Since the Coner's been lining up at WR in practice"
WHAT?
My head.... it asplodes....
October 13th, 2009 at 11:27 PM ^
Rumor was going around that Cone went up against Boubacar in practice as sort of a punishment for Cissoko (and allegedly the Coner scored a touchdown).
I'm confident that no matter what position he plays, he would rip up the opposition. Surely it is only Coach Rod's sense of humanity that prevents him from unleashing the Coner's football talents and unstoppable beats on the opposition (presumably he's saving him for OSU, though).
October 14th, 2009 at 5:56 AM ^
I would be willing to bet he ends up on the staff as a Grad Assistant.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:58 PM ^
So true, it'd be nice to see him play some. On the coach's show (Radio) before the Iowa game the coach (not RichRod, I think it was the o-coordinator) said that Sheridan has been pretty much an assistant coach / tutor to Tate and DRob. It'd be nice to see him get some playing time.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:48 AM ^
I think Sheridan knows now that any future he has in football will be in coaching. So let's keep him on the sidelines. It might be entertaining to see his RR impression and have him go apeshit on someone. No?
October 13th, 2009 at 8:55 PM ^
I would really like to see everyone finish the game healthy. I would love to see all the things you described, but most importantly I want everyone healthy for Penn St.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:58 PM ^
and dominate this poor FCS team. Truthfully, we should hold them scoreless. My four are:
1. Don't give up a single point. Really it should be doable. If not a "0", then at least no TDs.
2. Lots of LB blitzing and getting Ezeh and Mouton in the right gaps.
3. At least 2 1/2 qtrs of Denard running the offense. Giving way to Sheridan in the 3rd and Coner in the 4th.
4. Tate in street clothes for the ENTIRE game. He should only see the field from the sideline. Let the kid's brain heal.
5. Over 500 yards of total offense and give up less the 150 yards on defense.
6. 63-0 final score. Would help our stats and rep.-doing what we're expected to do to a bad 1-AA team.
October 14th, 2009 at 1:23 AM ^
then there is no way that he would be in street clothes because a) he wouldn't do it; he is too firy b) if it is close at any point past 10 min having him able to go would put everyone's mind at ease.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:16 AM ^
If it is close at any point past 10 minutes, there is nothing that will put our minds at ease.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:00 PM ^
Throw me in for more Vincent Smith! Hopefully Mike Cox will get a lot of carries as well. As our only "big back" next year I wish we'd already seen more than just some garbage time snaps.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:11 PM ^
I want to see Jack Kennedy get a few reps in the game. He looked decent in the spring game, so why not give him a chance? He is a walk-on btw
October 13th, 2009 at 9:13 PM ^
That is all
October 13th, 2009 at 9:18 PM ^
I think it would be good for Forcier to play a quarter if he's healthy. Just to get all of his confidence back after his rather poor game at Iowa. Not all of it was his fault, obviously, but he needs to be confident going into Penn State, not rusty after 2 weeks.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:24 PM ^
No scrambles/runs for Tate. Just let him pass for 100 yds and 2 TDs in the first quarter, and then have him hit the bench.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:03 PM ^
You're absolutely right. Let him play for a quarter, lead two or three TD drives (hopefully, by handing off to Minor or throwing dump passes to Brown), and get his confidence back. Then DR the rest of the way. While letting Sheridan or Coner play a little would be nice for sentimental reasons, it's more important that DR gets max playing time.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:49 PM ^
Yes, exactly. Leave starters in *if healthy*, let them get some reps in, then let Drob play for a while.
I was listening to the radio broadcast of the game (I record them) and towards the time when Forcier was benched Brandstatter was saying things like he wasn't making correct reads, wasn't seeing open guys, just seemed to be out of sync.
Anyway if he's cleared by the docs to go, he should play just to stay in ready for PSU. But he shouldn't play more than needed. Get a healthy lead then put DRob in.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:30 PM ^
Brandon Graham could easily up his stats this game... and SHOULD
October 14th, 2009 at 10:02 PM ^
Another D Warren pick 6 wouldnt bother me either.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:32 PM ^
I want to see Shaw bust one for a long TD because I think the kid is going to be great. He might not quite be there yet, but I think he's on the way.
Also some more of Cox would be sweet too just to see if he really is Minor 2.0.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:35 PM ^
A win. By a large margin. I'd like to watch the entire game without fearing a loss for even one minute.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:47 PM ^
Let Tate take a break. I want to see Roh and Big Will
assualting DSU's QB all day long. Let DRob romp and
as stated above, get Sheridan some time. We need to
get up by 4 TD's first for Sheridan. I'll be at the
game and I can't wait. No Maize out, I wonder how fast
I could get a couple "All in for Michigan" towels on line.
Can I get them at the stadium? I usually shop at the
Bigtenstore.com
October 13th, 2009 at 9:53 PM ^
This will be my first time back in Ann Arbor for a football game in far too many years. I can't wait to see how the changes to the Big House look in person.
Plus, I can't wait to hit The Fleetwood.
As for the actual game, I'd like to see a lot of the second and third teams getting reps in the second half.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:59 PM ^
1) A Michigan win
2) An Ohio State loss
3) A Michigan State loss
4) A Notre Dame loss
October 13th, 2009 at 10:03 PM ^
Is that we play like Florida does. That is, keep the starters in for as long as it takes so that they perfect their skills and ability to execute the offense. If that takes 4 qtrs and UM scoring 11 TDs, so be it.
I don't necessarily agree with this approach, but it seems as though even our starters could use a tune-up. They need to get sharp for PSU.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:03 PM ^
I want to see a blocked punt in addition to much of the other stuff posted prior.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:07 PM ^
...the wave in the first quarter.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:17 PM ^
want
blowout
October 13th, 2009 at 10:21 PM ^
1) hold on to the damn ball
2) hold on to the damn ball
3) hold on to the damn ball
4) repeat #'s 1, 2, and 3
After last week if we can do those things listed above I will consider it all gravy after that.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:34 PM ^
Coner? Coner.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:42 PM ^
1. (Mainly) rest for Tate's head and shoulder
2. Reps for Denard to work on passing timing
3. Everyone get/stay healthy
4. A great show from "The Approaching Storm"
October 13th, 2009 at 10:43 PM ^
Tate Forcier on the bench resting!
October 13th, 2009 at 11:17 PM ^
10 touchdowns please.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:21 PM ^
the first team offense in for 3 drives and then leave the game with a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.
2nd quarter and 3rd quarters led by Denard with lots of Shaw, V. Smith, and Cox.
4th quarter sees a load of the Cone-bone.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:29 PM ^
Flex our muscle, just pound the rock until we break them. I'm not concerned about what we need to work on in this game than I am about sending a message that this team will beat you into submission. Our offense is predicated on making plays in the open field, and we can get the most out of this game by getting our players used to that. On D, I just want to see physicality like they showed against Iowa. If the D-line can continue play like that we will b in every game we play this year.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:57 PM ^
complete a pass so that his last collegiate attempt wasn't that interception back in September.