UCF Snowflakes: General Observations

Submitted by LSAClassOf2000 on

This thread will be the repository for any thoughts which defy clear categorization but are still definitely hot take-ish regarding today's game. 

MGoBoard
Football

MichiganMan20

September 10th, 2016 at 4:14 PM ^

Need to work on some things. Run blocking was bad but UCF sold out to stop the run by stacking the box and Speight was able to take advantage by throwing the ball downfield. Thought we had trouble picking up the blitz at times and keeping contain on the edge and gap integrity needs to be better. A bit sloppy but the game got out of hand in a hurry and the team seemed a bit bored. They will learn from their wrongs and get better. It's good to be 2-0 with 2 blowout victories.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 05/16/2010

MGoPoints: 4110

gobluefromutah

September 10th, 2016 at 4:18 PM ^

I was definitely a little concerned about our run defense today but for what's worth if you take out their one long TD run their YPC goes from 6 to 4.2, and taking their 2nd longest out as well that drops it to about 3.5. Still would have liked to see better from our defensive front mainly on keeping contain, but at least it was this game and hopefully they will be able to fix some of the issues by the time The Game rolls around.

Joined: 06/04/2012

MGoPoints: 130

BJNavarre

September 10th, 2016 at 4:19 PM ^

Did the officials call nothing except personal fouls and moving infractions after the first qtr, if at all? To my eyes, McCray was in position to make a play at the LOS, but massively held on the long TD run. Striblings jersey was pulled about a foot away from his body just feet away from an official, no call. A couple obvious PI no calls. I saw at least one egregious Michigan hold not called. At the end of the day, who cares. It just seemed odd.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 4434

Sten Carlson

September 10th, 2016 at 4:26 PM ^

^^ This has befuddled me for literally YEARS!  How often do we see a Michigan DLineman get great penetration, only to get slowed up by one of those arm bar holds from the opposing OLineman, and NO FLAG?!?  It's very annoying considering how much trouble, despite having elite DL on paper, Michigan has had getting sacks.  Today there was a play early where the UCF WR and Frost were complaining about Stribling not getting flagged for PI, but the rushing Michigan DL was mugged and nothing was called.

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: -56

mgolf4

September 10th, 2016 at 4:42 PM ^

There were some very obvious holds committed by both teams that didn't get called. Stribling, Clark, Braden, and one of our RBs in protection all should have been called. On the flip side there were numerous holds by UCF, including on the long run. It was strange to see none of them called. 

Joined: 11/20/2009

MGoPoints: 917

J.

September 11th, 2016 at 2:41 AM ^

It seemed like the referees started the game in "let them play and speed up the game" mode.  Michigan got away with an egregious hold on one play -- I forget who it was, but he got beat, so he turned around and grabbed the guy by the back of his collar.  If he'd pulled him to the ground, it would have been a textbook horse-collar tackle.  No call.

And, yes, I saw both of the two holds you mentioned.  Generally, when the hands go outside of the body, the referee makes the call -- and when you can see the shoulder pad come out, as Stribling's did, it's nearly 100%.

It was infuriating, as it seemed there was nothing Michigan could do.  It's hard enough to stop the read option in the first place.  When the offense is freely allowed to hold the defenders, it's downright impossible.

Joined: 03/11/2012

MGoPoints: 13057

Scottwood

September 10th, 2016 at 4:26 PM ^

I thought that was the worst case scenario for how we would play against UCF. So, I guess it's great we still won by 37. I'm not all aboard the Don Brown train yet. Defense left a lot to be desired today that teams like OSU would shred us for. O line and running game was also very disappointing.

Joined: 01/08/2009

MGoPoints: 730

Epic-Blue

September 10th, 2016 at 4:26 PM ^

After watching so called top 25 teams today. Michigan took care of business. Sure the O-line looked porous. The D let some large gains on the spread option. Look at Georgia, Clemson, OK st. And even OSU! I'll chalk this up as a learning experience. The Buffalo's are going extinct next weekend! Go Blue!



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 10/06/2013

MGoPoints: 920

ak47

September 10th, 2016 at 4:36 PM ^

If the defense doesn't improve osu will shred us, luckily we've got some time. I think ucf really sold out to stop the run and ufr is going to show a lot of those runs involved more people than could be blocked in the box rather than poor blocking.

Joined: 05/05/2011

MGoPoints: 33614

J.

September 11th, 2016 at 2:48 AM ^

Holding was not called all game.  They were calling chop blocks and low blocks, but not holding (or pass interference).

In fact, Michigan got called for only two penalties all game -- there was a personal foul on Mo Hurst, and Peppers jumped offsides.  (Kudos to Peppers, BTW -- he realized he was offsides and couldn't get back, so he tapped the UCF WR, ensuring that UCF didn't get a free play).

Joined: 03/11/2012

MGoPoints: 13057

ak47

September 10th, 2016 at 6:52 PM ^

I don't consider holding UCF to 14 points that much of an accomplishment, especially when you consider they were also in position to try two field goals (they got blocked which is great but could just has easily have been 20 points given up with the same exact defensive performance) plus UCF was going for it on 4th down even in field goal range in the second half.  Its tough to look at 275 yards on the ground to UCF and think there wasn't anything wrong.

Joined: 05/05/2011

MGoPoints: 33614

Bluetotheday

September 10th, 2016 at 5:38 PM ^

We held them to 14. With the exception of the a couple big plays, they didn't produce a dominant drive all game. On offense, I get the ground game didn't get "established" but we just saw a qb win the game by throwing over 300 + yards...Michigan adjusted and won the game by throwing. 51-14...I'll take it all day long.

Joined: 02/27/2013

MGoPoints: 9832

RamboCat

September 10th, 2016 at 4:41 PM ^

Don't forget that the coaching staff has still probably not shown no more than half of what they have in eventual gamelans.  And it is not uncommon for coaches to purposely put players and the team in difficult situations to 'force' them to learn to overcome adversity and 'reset' the player's expectations.  Maybe create some humbleness.

Joined: 08/29/2016

MGoPoints: 529

Sten Carlson

September 10th, 2016 at 4:44 PM ^

^^^ This!

I said it above, but you hit the nail on the head.  The running game was as vanillas as possible -- very few shifts, no deception, no misdirection.  Let's see what you can do against bad odds, and let's see if  you can win the game for us with your arm.

Great coaching, lots of coachable moments, and instead of eeking out a win, getting another big blow out! 

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: -56

erald01

September 10th, 2016 at 4:45 PM ^

Its the 2nd game so lets chill, I am sure the coaches are seeing everything. I think the guys played a great first half especially first quarter. OL was not at its best but they did give Speight time to throw and i am glad i got to see more of him. Last game he didnt get to throw much. After this game i feel he is good enough to lead this team to a lot of wins. I thought after the first half, especially the big lead it seemed like the coaches took foot of the pedal. Overalll great game and still room to grow and get better



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 01/17/2013

MGoPoints: 3496

Charmandar

September 10th, 2016 at 5:12 PM ^

Some of you need to take zoloft. Good lord I think a high percentage has clinical depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

Joined: 08/24/2016

MGoPoints: 1391

UMForLife

September 10th, 2016 at 5:18 PM ^

Very happy with the game. We waited so long to play that I can't get myself to complain when this season will be over before we know it. Coaches will adjust. Braden will get some more reps and the OL will gel. Defense will get their playmakers in. Speight is the real deal. So, I am very happy. Go blue!

Joined: 11/04/2013

MGoPoints: 63393

rwilb

September 10th, 2016 at 5:19 PM ^

I for one, am extremely happy about the lack of penalties these last two games. If that trend continues, it will be extremely valuable for us this year

Joined: 10/03/2015

MGoPoints: 1205

ABOUBENADHEM

September 10th, 2016 at 5:45 PM ^

and an indicator of a well coached team. It appeared to me that after we got up big in Q2 this game was coached as a scrimmage in many ways, i.e. don't show much, let lots of guys play to get reps, etc. Boy, I sure wish Isaac would run and play with more conviction. If he ran like Smith he'd be the #1 RB.

Joined: 11/17/2015

MGoPoints: 2768

MichiganMan2011

September 10th, 2016 at 6:13 PM ^

In all fairness, I was pretty pessimistic after the first few games of last season. It does feel like a bit of a regression this week but will try to reserve some judgement. Everything is practice until Ohio anyway.

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 448

Rodriguesqe

September 10th, 2016 at 6:44 PM ^

I never thought I'd find a coach who is more aggressive than I would be. Don Brown is that guy.

I love the hire (and that was hilarious that he'd never been west of Conneticut before this year), but I hate when the QB is behind the LOS and our entire defensive line is behind him. That just seems fundamentally wrong to me. But, if that is a necessary gamble of a high octane defense then so be it.

I thought Gary looked pedestrian last week and I was pumping the breaks on my expectations for him. I thought he was maybe our best DL this week. Again thinking he could be very good by end of the year.

Joined: 12/29/2013

MGoPoints: 4222