Leaving the starters in

Submitted by Carcajou on

I think many of us were surprised that, unlike the Hawaii game, this game versus an overmatched opponent wasn't used to get lots of the backups and younger guys in to get some experience and save the starters once the game was well in hand.

Was anyone else surprised that Harbaugh left so many of the starters in so long?

The broadcast team also mentioned several times sbout leaving Speight, Pepper, and company in.

Did it have something to do with feeling that the effort was not at a level the Michigan coaches were happy with?

Did they also feel, like Scott Frost, that UCF was "outhitting" Michigan?

Did they feel it was necessary to get the run game working, and to address the problems that flared up on defense (QB runs, losing contain, some poor angles) ?

Or was this something like the four hour practices- planned in advanced to get the starters mentally and physically ready to play a full games when necessary later in the season?
 

 

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dennisblundon

September 10th, 2016 at 8:44 PM ^

Starters need game speed reps. There is no preseason like the NFL. It's the reason the offense lacks rhythm early in the season. Sparty often looks like shit early in the season only to put it together later in the year. Remember these guys go to class too.

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Mr. Yost

September 10th, 2016 at 8:51 PM ^

Last year it was the same thing with Rudock and co. We all wondered why Speight wasn't getting snaps when we were beating people's brains in. Answer: Harbaugh. He simply doesn't take guys out early... Sometimes it's a "feel" thing and Speight didn't look good the drive before his final TD. Maybe he wanted the rhythm and to go out after the dagger. Sometimes it's early season and getting snaps for his starters to build chemistry. And other times I think he wants to demoralize his opponent...and until they give up, he plays to score or stop you with his starters. UCF was still going for it and hadn't conceded the inevitable. So Harbaugh may have just decided to keep playing too. Hawaii put their backup QB in EARLY. But in the end...the answer is, and always will be...HARBAUGH. It'll be the same next year. And forever after that.

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Clarence Beeks

September 10th, 2016 at 9:00 PM ^

I think for the offense starters it all came down to finding a high point to go out on. Had that last touchdown been scored any either of the previous punt ending drives that would have been it for the starters at that point. I don't think it's overly uncommon to do it that way.



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m1jjb00

September 10th, 2016 at 9:03 PM ^

I'm getting the impression that Herbstreit isn't impressed with Tennessee's offensive line.

Jax about ready to kick a FB to start the 2nd.  So far 0-0.  Poor Les

At least Missouri is now up by 14 against Eastern.

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Mr. Owl

September 10th, 2016 at 9:05 PM ^

When you look up at the scoreboard and see 26 yards rushing, you leave them in until they can figure out how to run the damn ball. Especially when you see 250+ fucking yards for the overmatched opponent.



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VauntedD

September 10th, 2016 at 9:13 PM ^

With stronger opponents on the horizon it was time to keep the starters in.  Coaching points were a plenty in this win.  Brown has to figure out what  lineups and schemes are needed  against these mobile quarterbacks. 

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Esterhaus

September 10th, 2016 at 9:15 PM ^

Our practices cannot simulate what CFU presented today. Harbz gave the starters, two deep, what they needed to play against with the future in mind. It was necessary. Thankfully, special teams raised their confidence level. We're going to ben efit down the pike. As in the Ohio Turnpike. 0.02

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Leonhall

September 10th, 2016 at 9:17 PM ^

A guy down below made the point. I think he's identified the youngsters who will make contributions this year, they got some time and the rest of the starters can only get better by playing.



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M-jed

September 10th, 2016 at 9:24 PM ^

Some people will complain about anything. We're finally well coached and dominating who we should. Harbaugh consistently speaks of getting better every day. 1 half of football against a cupcake won't necessarily get the team better. Let them play, play against their own potential instead of the other team and let them become champions. Enjoy winning.

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stephenrjking

September 10th, 2016 at 9:25 PM ^

The team was sloppy and did some things wrong on both sides of the ball. It may be that they wanted more work on the spread specifically, but perhaps there was also a desire to get more coaching/teaching opportunities out of this game. More film on guys equals more opportunities to see what they do right and wrong.

Certainly guys like Gary need all the experience they can get; with Bredeson getting the majority of the snaps at LG, he needs it too. It's a hybrid game/practice session, IMO.

That said, I suspect the coaches were more liberal with the athlete rotation than we've noticed. I think places like DL were playing the starters less than they would have if the game were in the balance. But that's a guess that the PFF snap totals will deny or confirm.

 

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ommeethatsees

September 10th, 2016 at 9:40 PM ^

I think the perception that Harbaugh left Speight in for a long time is really misguided.  We have a QB who has extremely limited experience starting or even playing in college football. He is not an upperclassmen QB who has much experience prior to this year.  He needs some experience leading into some tougher competition.  How is he expected to get this experience other than playing in games?  Also, why no criticism for Meyer leaving Barrett in until the same point of the game?  It's because it really wasn't that unusual.

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HarBooYa

September 11th, 2016 at 12:05 AM ^

Being a true blue cynical fan...I didn't think the game was totally out of reach until the 4th.  Plus I really didn't mind the extra reps.  These dudes are so young.  They are going to need all they can get by the time PSU and Wisco roll around.

Also, I did think he was sending a clear message to Speight that he was Harbaugh's guy.  

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Slippin Jimmy

September 11th, 2016 at 12:59 AM ^

There was probably a few different reasons. There were some obvious kinks in the running game, plus the OL wasn't playing at full potential (which we know is what Harbaugh expects out of every position). IMO these reasons are primarily why Harbaugh left the starters in for longer than usual. Wilton Speight played well, and I assume Harbaugh left him in late to help him gain some confidence, he'll take every bit he can get as the end of our schedule is an absolute gauntlet on the road.

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Carcajou

September 11th, 2016 at 1:02 AM ^

As a number of folks pointed out, yes, of course the starters still need work. Nobody would ever question that. However, playing them longer than needed to ensure victory does pose a risk they may become injured. It also means less experience for the backups who will be needed if and when the starters are injured or unavailable. The backup has not only less talent, but less experience, so the dropoff will be greater.

To count on the starters to remain completely healthy throughout the entire season is some awfully wishful thinking. OTOH there is something to be said for players learning how to play when they are tired and hurting.

I would guess that the staff had possibly discussed these things before the season and decided to treat the two games somewhat differently as far as substitutions go if all went well. Will be interesting how similar situations are treated going forward.

 

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MichiganSkeptic

September 11th, 2016 at 8:07 AM ^

Don't let 51-14 fool you. W/o the special trends domination this would have been a much closer game. Not only couldn't the OL block for the run, they couldn't keep pressure off Speight. And the D left their OBs unattended to often. If we replicate this performance next week, it will be a disaster and Colorado won't need a Hail Mary to win.

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pmark1210

September 11th, 2016 at 9:02 AM ^

not necessarily. the passing attack looked solid, so even if those 2 points turn into fair catches instead of the blocks that they were, atleast 1 if those drives results in a td, and at that point of game, probably both, as ucf couldn't stop the pass for about 3 straight drives

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