The Brandon Peters Decision

Submitted by MGoVoldemort on
Like most everyone on the board, my knee-jerk reaction to O'Korn last night belonged nowhere near civil society. That being said, my more calm, rational perspective having returned this morning, I still think it's time for the Peters era to begin at Michigan. So much so that I can't convince myself that there's a tangible reason for O'Korn to still be the starter. What say you?
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HL2VCTRS

October 8th, 2017 at 11:05 AM ^

O’Korn wasn’t stellar, but he also wasn’t the problem. As others have said, Peters doesn’t fix the oline. In fact, O’Korn is an upgrade from speight because he can at least escape the pressure (although he was a little to eager to do so last night). I’m also not willing to write off O’Korn based on throwing interceptions while playing in a waterfall of rain. Or during a bitter cold snow storm last year. In the one game where he didn’t have shitty weather to deal with we all treated him like he was the savior. Bad shit happens when weather starts like that. It’s why it was important to establish a solid lead before it hit, and our fumbles, oline, and general continuing first half struggles are to blame for that.

Joined: 06/24/2012

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Huma

October 8th, 2017 at 11:09 AM ^

Not this again. Of course the most popular player for Michigan football is almost always he current backup QB. JOK is not the problem here. We have a terrible offensive line, WRs that can't block, run good routes, or (even worse) catch the ball, and RBs that fumble every game.



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RainbowSprings

October 8th, 2017 at 11:15 AM ^

The only way changing to Peters at this point would make sense is if one is totally giving up on this season, and getting ready for next year. With our OL, Peters would get murdered.

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Maynard

October 8th, 2017 at 3:16 PM ^

Keep losing then. Because that's what you're going to get with a bad QB. And that is what O'Korn is. I forgot. Harbaugh is God and the coaches never mess up or make a mistake in talent evaluation, even though players around the country are thriving when given the chance to play in actual games, not 3rd or 4th string reps in practice. 

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Fezzik

October 8th, 2017 at 5:42 PM ^

Gedeon played behind Joe Bolden for 3 straight seasons. Bolden was never good. Meanwhile Gedeon is starting in the NFL last I heard. He never should of played behind Bolden. I understand your point but coaches can be wrong. More importantly whichever coach calling the air it out offense in monsoon weather is in over his head.

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Blue Balls

October 8th, 2017 at 11:15 AM ^

and in a hurry or this season is a cluster ----! My arm chair suggestion is run a no huddle offense. Coach Brown has this defense playing outstanding. That is Michigan's strength at this time. So-----, why not take advantage of our defensive strength. Who's the answer at QB you tell me. Let McCafferty learn 5 running plays and 5 passing plays-the same with Peter's, with O'Korn as your starter. Throw it out there and see what works. The defense had to deal with 5 turnovers last night-could it get any worse? At least running a no huddle offense gives our struggling offense more time to put points on the board and keeps our strength on the field longer.

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Perkis-Size Me

October 8th, 2017 at 11:16 AM ^

Thought about it more this morning. Would almost rather have O’Korn finish the year and then the Peters/McCaffery era begins the minute following the bowl game.

Behind this putrid offensive line(it’s just that: offensive) you insert either one of them in there and their confidence is probably destroyed forever, Hackenberg style.

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Perkis-Size Me

October 8th, 2017 at 4:16 PM ^

I’ll take my chances with it being fixed next season rather than being fixed by next week.

One of those two guys are your future, but neither of them are going to be able to accomplish anything behind this OL. The OL is what makes any offense go. It’s the whole foundation, and changing the QB again will not fix this offense’s main problem.

Got to be able to protect your QB, and if they can’t do that, you risk shattering his confidence and turning him into Hackenberg.

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sharklover

October 8th, 2017 at 11:16 AM ^

So much no. No no no no no. Okorn is not 'the answer' to Michigan's problems. But switching quarterbacks at this point, especially to one who is young and promising is the opposite of 'the answer.' All of Michigan's problems stem from poor offensive line play. Okorn makes bad decisions under pressure, making matters worse, but there are few quarterbacks that could succeed given the circumstances. Putting Peters in will not plug the gaping hole at right tackle.

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MaizeAndBlueWahoo

October 8th, 2017 at 11:17 AM ^

Right now the quarterback decision should be based on who can do the best for us this season.  Just because we haven't seen Peters screw up in live action yet doesn't mean he won't.

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The Dubliner

October 8th, 2017 at 11:19 AM ^

Is by playing football. Unless the staff thinks they’ll irreparably harm Peters’ confidence and development by throwing him in the fire, I think you play him now and take your lumps.

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Wolverine Devotee

October 8th, 2017 at 11:22 AM ^

O'Korn has no time to throw and you idiots think he's the problem. When he did get throws off, many were dropped.

Just shut the fuck up.

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blueblueblue

October 8th, 2017 at 11:43 AM ^

I agree with your opinion on the OL being one of the problems.

But I wonder if you would call 80% of the people on here, or any of the people on here, "idiots", or tell them to "just shut the fuck up" to their faces? Every time you post you need to ask yourself if you would say in person what you are about to publish. Then revise and/or delete. 

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dryadams

October 8th, 2017 at 11:24 AM ^

first you all hate speight and are screaming for o'korn.  now you hate o'korn and are screaming for peters.

given the state of the O line (which seems to be a never-ending fucking curse), horrific play calling from drevno, and peters' lack of command in the huddle, you need to rethink your logic.

if drevno had any semblence of a game plan that was capable of moving the ball down the field, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

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MDwolverine

October 8th, 2017 at 11:24 AM ^

Have they ever clearly stated who calls plays? I remember JH usually gives some coach speak about everyone has a say...perhaps that's the problem.

You have three OC-level influencers with Harbaugh, Drevno, and Pep. Maybe there are just too many cooks in the kitchen and it's keeping this offense from creating a consistent identity.

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gbdub

October 8th, 2017 at 11:25 AM ^

Good lord. Remember last time we were convinced Harbaugh had gotten the QB depth chart all wrong? I would hope so, since it was only two weeks ago. Remind me how that went?

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remdog

October 8th, 2017 at 11:33 AM ^

Peters play in a game, I don’t think any of us here are qualified to make that decision. I trust Harbaugh is making the best decision. The problem isn’t the choice of QB but for some reason, the lack of QB development. It’s a small sample size and Harbaugh has proven his ability in this area many times before. Unfortunately, sometimes certain players just don’t pan out and that might be Peters. Hopefully not. Those giving up on Harbaugh are imbeciles. He’s working with a flawed transfer QB who flamed out at another school, a generic former 3 star recruit who has his limitations and is now out for the year, a redshirt freshman and a true freshman. He can’t magically make every QB a superstar. Sometimes they just don’t have what it takes. And sometimes even decent players turn the ball over 5 times in a monsoon.

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FrozeMangoes

October 8th, 2017 at 11:44 AM ^

At least, I know I am not.  I think the frustration comes from the inability to scheme around weaknesses.  If the o-line isn't a strong point, don't call plays as if it is. Move the pocket, mix in a slant or a screen, even a swing pass.  Stick with the stretch run plays to higdon that were working.  Scrap the fades to slot WRs with questionable hands. 

I have faith in Harbaugh, this situation right now reminds me of Caldwell/Lombardi,  everyone could see Lombardi's offense wasn't getting the job done but sometimes people are too close to a situation to see it clearly.  Hopefully, this loss may make Harbaugh look at things more objectively. 

We don't know what Peters in game action, but there is only one way to find out what he looks like in game action.  And the reasons for not putting him in are dwindling. Simplify and scheme for his strengths, see what they have, if the OC can't do that then he isn't worth what theyre paying and you find someone who is and can. 

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remdog

October 8th, 2017 at 12:22 PM ^

And I’m critical of our inability yesterday to rise to the occasion, to avoid mistakes and to make the most of our offensive talent. Most importantly, I’m upset we didn’t bring our A game against a hated rival after a week off and lost a game we shouldn’t have. That’s on the coaching, namely Harbaugh. But shit happens and it happens to every coach and every team, even the best. I think Harbaugh will figure these things out, not without hiccups of course, as long as he stays longer term.

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Nofx1728

October 8th, 2017 at 11:34 AM ^

Can field a 3rd string qb who's thrown 2 career passes on the road vs a top 5 opponent and dominate. Yet we don't have any qb on the roster? The difference.... Iowa state was running swing passes, slants, screens... you know quick developing, decisive plays that get the ball to your athletes on the outside. Our routes and play calling are abysmal. Dpj almost had a big play on an end around. We have one good toss sweep that we never went back to. And that was about it

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HenneGivenSunday

October 8th, 2017 at 11:34 AM ^

... I guess if they lose like 3 of the next 4, I could see a change coming.. but short of that or injury, I don’t really know what that solves. I had this thought this morning also, but I really don’t think this is strictly a QB issue. There’s a lot of blame to go around. I see your point about getting him game reps, but I tend to agree with those that have said we should probably quit questioning the QB depth chart.

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goblue16

October 8th, 2017 at 11:35 AM ^

For all those that don’t agree JOK is a 5th year senior. His career ends after this year and we just lost a game in the division. Our offense is hot garbage so it’s not like we’re dethroning a good qb. Unless all hell breaks loose were are not going to the big ten championship game or the playoffs. So our goal for this season is to build for next season. Do u really care if we go to the citrus bowl (again) or the motor city bowl? Put peters or mccaffery and build for next season. Even if we have to burn his redshirt at least it gives fans hope for next season. Harbaugh would b really stupid to play JOK against Indiana. Indiana is a below average team and our defense will not allow them to score much. With Speight likely out for the season and I don’t think many want him to b the starter next year anyways go with peters and let the season play out. Anyone who thinks were beating psu on the road or Wisconsin is insane at this point. It ain’t gonna happen. Prepare for OSU because at this point that’s the only game that matters now. The only way to fix this season now is to beat OSU. Hell I would rather we go 8-4 and beat OSU than ending up 10-2 with losses to both rivals

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blueblueblue

October 8th, 2017 at 12:21 PM ^

I completely disagree with your logic, and find the two proposals of using this season to prepare for next season, but also preparing for OSU this year, to be at odds. But that's beside the point.

The point is that any attempt to coach a team by just having them prepare for the last game, with the overarching goal of making next year "the year" will not work. Its really, really bad management. You will lose their enthusiam, passion, drive, and ultimately the team. It will be self-defeating. You prepare for next season by preparing and playing to win every game this season. And then you do the same next season. 

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WichitanWolverine

October 8th, 2017 at 11:35 AM ^

I'm kind of shocked at how many "Peters would get killed with this OL" responses there are. This is football. It's a tough game. Play your best players and see what happens. I don't think Peters is our best player, but his safety isn't a reason not to play him.

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