Lets Talk Penn State Game
I know everyone likes to listen to the podcasts and read the previews when they come. However, I feel like we have talked enough about Pryor/Lebron, who to root for in other games, Michigan's AD, Congress and the BCS, etc.
Lets talk about the big game this weekend. I feel like we can take this game. It could be an important momentum builder for the rest of the year. What do you guys think...what are the keys to the game? What are your feelings on PSU? Do you anticipate a big day from anyone (M or PSU)? Just thought we could get the discussion going like we did during Sparty week....
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:49 PM ^
It all depends on the offense. Tate had a crappy game in Iowa City and didn't do much last week. He could come out cold and insecure. If we lose it will be due to more freshman quarterback mistakes.
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:25 PM ^
I know Tate was shaky at Iowa, but that was a primetime night game in front of a blackout hostile crowd. I'd like to think that playing at home in a maize out full of cheering for him instead of a blackout cheering against him would make a difference in his composure i.e. Notre Dame.
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:51 PM ^
I fear the play action.
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:27 PM ^
Important for michigan to come out and establish some semblance of consistency. If the offense struggles to move the chains during the early part of the game we will be destined for another shot at a wild come from behind game winning drive type scenario. Vs MSU, it seemed like we had no rhythm for most of the game, with runs and short passes on the first two downs that were shut down and then passing plays or scrambles that did not gain sufficient yardage on third down. PSU's defense in general is built for what we like to do and this scares me a tiny bit.
I definitely think we can win this game, but I would love to see some more of Tate or Denard under center to mix it up and not run those predictable zone reads that don't seem to gain significant yardage until the second half.
Go Blue: 27-20
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:30 PM ^
Keep him in the pocket with no running lanes and wait to see him get Graham'd. Also, hold on to the damn ball.
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:58 PM ^
He's picking M over PSU... then again he's picking MSU over Iowa.
http://www.detnews.com/article/20091022/OPINION03/910220386/7-0-Iowa--6…
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:30 PM ^
establish consistency on O . . .yes
Tate score points . . . yes
contain/pressure Clark . . .yes
I think we need to be able to score (at a minimum) 28 points.
Anything over 30 really puts the odds in our favor.
Obviously keeping PSU at under 28-30 is the key, but that is far more manageable than thinking we have to shut them down, it's just not possible right now with our D.
The real clincher to us scoring points however is the single biggest reason we have lost our last 2 conference games.
Turnovers.
We had 8 combined turnovers in our last 2 loses. Both close, win-able games against the current CONFERENCE LEADERS because we keep turning the ball over!
It kills momentum, saps energy, and we lose some precious offensive time from the clock when we need it to outscore opponents.
I hate cliches but whoever wins the turnover battle wins the game.
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:54 PM ^
I feel great about this game. I've been ready for this game since the second the Del St game ended. I really think we have this game. I don't doubt that PSU is a good team, but I still think they are a bit overrated. I see UM winning by 10-13 points (that's what I'm wishing for anyway) with a 34-24 victory.
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:54 PM ^
If a healthy Molk returns and Minor Rage ensues will Penn State adjust by putting another man in the box? If they do and Tate can make first downs through the air then I think Michigan will find a good rhythm throughout the game. We probably will not score on every drive but if Minor is trucking fools and moving the chains then I sure like Michigans chances to win the game.
Michigan 31 Penn State 24
also: HOLD ON TO THE $%#@%!! FOOTBALL!
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:25 AM ^
I've been a lurker here for awhile, so here goes the first post.
It's great to see Molk back and Tate at 100%. Stability on the O-Line is critical to a team's success. In my opinion, Moosman has played admirably over the past few weeks given the fact that he was thrown headfirst into an ugly situation. There was an issue with the snaps at first, but it seems to have cleared itself up, and by the time we played Iowa the performance of the line actually seemed pretty good. Now that Molk is back, the O-Line shifts again as Moosman moves back to his original spot at guard. Could this shake-up have any effect in the short term as the players re-adjust? Or is this a concern of mine that's completely unjustified?
Either way, I think that our offense is dynamic enough to keep Penn State off balance. I'm certainly no coach, but I loved it when we switched to the I-Form against Iowa and started pounding the ball with Minor - it seemed to catch them completely off-guard. I think that definitely could work again. A big plus is that we get them at home. Joe Pa said the other day that he didn't think the Big House is a tough place to play. I think he's going to be in for quite a surprise on Saturday when he realizes that the noise level has dramatically increased since the renovation. Plus, our fans are hungry for a win - we've owned this PSU team and we would like to get back to form.
I'm really excited for the game - I was lucky enough to be at the 2007 game where Mallet ran in a TD - I remember laughing ridiculously at the sheer awesomeness of that score.
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:42 AM ^
if for no other reason than the fact that we won't run out of plays to run like we did last year. we got out to a great start and then ran out of things to adjust to. it wasn't so much that psu adjusted to stop us, we ran out of new plays to run.