Maryland Snowflakes: The Defense

Submitted by LSAClassOf2000 on

This will be your repository for quick thoughts and hot takes on our defensive performance in our game versus Maryland.

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DJMich23

November 11th, 2017 at 8:11 PM ^

Forgive me for the snark. I would say it's a combination of Michigan taking their foot off the pedal and the key injuries. Overall, Michigan fans have got stop crying about things like this. That second half has very little impact on next week against Wisconsin or the week after against OSU. The transitive property rarely, if ever, can accurately predict how a team will perform week to week. Just look at Iowa.

Joined: 11/07/2012

MGoPoints: 1818

bamf16

November 11th, 2017 at 7:00 PM ^

Defense looked a little bit more vanilla in the second half. But the safeties still struggled at times, and McCray (when not being held) looks slower and slower every week it seems.

Joined: 01/05/2014

MGoPoints: -100000

war-dawg69

November 11th, 2017 at 8:05 PM ^

He is by far the achilles heel of the defense. Any plays in space and he struggles. I think we see a huge difference with a faster LB that can fill faster. Anthony or singleton should do a better job.McCray should have picked the touchdown throw. He is just to slow to react.

Joined: 10/07/2016

MGoPoints: 3061

Bigly yuge

November 11th, 2017 at 6:59 PM ^

Yes Maryland gained a lot of yards, but they only scored 10 points. Had you only had access to the second half thread one would think Maryland scored 30+. RELAX

Joined: 09/23/2017

MGoPoints: 3166

Frequency

November 11th, 2017 at 7:00 PM ^

Playing at Maryland is an injury jinx. Second time Michigan has played there since Maryland joined the Big Ten, and lots of people banged up both times. Last time is when Mario Ojemudia was injured. Just happy to get out of there.

Joined: 01/10/2011

MGoPoints: 1136

Jhow

November 11th, 2017 at 7:00 PM ^

Came out pretty flat in the half. Not much fire. But, I think we've seen enough of this group to feel good about their chances next week.

Joined: 08/24/2011

MGoPoints: 535

The Fan in Fargo

November 11th, 2017 at 8:24 PM ^

You're full of shit too. I'm faster than McCray though and I get waxed by 5th graders trying to teach them the game. Then they laugh.

I't not just that McCray isn't that fast, it's that he is slow on reading plays. Then he reacts far too late also and is getting smoked. It seems to me he is watching the QB at times and then the ball gets thrown and then he reacts. The QB has been tele-pathing the throws for a second or two already. You gotta get your giddy up when that guy throwing the ball is looking in your general direction because the chances are, that ball is getting thrown to a guy running in your area. I see so many terrible zone players and not that Michigan plays much zone but if you're in a zone you cant just sit there and wait for things. There are only so many receivers out there running routes. You gotta protect and attack that zone. You gotta move within that zone, see the field and the receivers while watching/reading the QB. College players suck at zone so bad. They never get it. I understood that shit in 8th grade.

Joined: 09/04/2016

MGoPoints: 1877

BlueMk1690

November 11th, 2017 at 7:06 PM ^

are so quick to turn on the D. Literally the unit that is basically the reason we have won 8 rather than 4 games so far. This is 2017. Everyone knows how to play offense and every D concedes points, most of them a lot more than the 10 we seem to have set as our 'standard' vs most opponents. Look at our crappy offense - it still has scored 30+ points three games in a row!

Our D is also literally one of the least experienced Ds in the country and has lost like 90% of its impact players to the NFL. Yet here's these guys who were backups or backups of backups last year and you expect them to hold every team to 0-3 points. Bloody insane.

Joined: 02/04/2011

MGoPoints: 12927

SpikeFan2016

November 11th, 2017 at 7:14 PM ^

Not going to complain about this too much because they did only only give up (what should've been) 13 points at the end of the day.

That said, the second half effort was slightly concerning, especially because Maryland runs an Ohio State styled offense. Again, the safeties appear to be a weak spot against spread/option teams. 

 

Think that the defense is fine against Wisconsin, but I worry about how Don Brown's squad will hold up against the Buckeyes. 

Joined: 04/03/2015

MGoPoints: 6659

Night_King

November 11th, 2017 at 7:17 PM ^

Anyone know what happened to Lavert?

The last time I saw him on the field was during the David Long interception. I saw him running down field blocking. Don't recall seeing him once on the field in the 2nd half. 

Joined: 03/02/2016

MGoPoints: 25672

Michigan4Harbaugh

November 11th, 2017 at 7:47 PM ^

Interesting that we only had 1 penalty today. If that only holds up for next week, we'll be in business. Not holding my breath.

Joined: 01/20/2015

MGoPoints: 4252

ST3

November 11th, 2017 at 7:58 PM ^

Give him credit. He would be an All-American in a 5'6" and under league. I am amazed he was able to see his receivers over (between?) his linemen.

Joined: 09/11/2010

MGoPoints: 52332

war-dawg69

November 11th, 2017 at 8:25 PM ^

Defenses seem to lose momentum when their offense stops moving the ball. Gives the other team confidence and defenses get tired. It happens every time. We scored and blam the defense stops them.

Not worried about our defense, but wish our offense was more consistent. If we can get the ball in space to Evans by throwing, we will  consistently and easily move the chains. Just a matter of time they sneak one over the top to DPJ.

Don't know if we win the next two games but this team will be loaded and experienced next year. I think they will be the favorites and will impress.

Joined: 10/07/2016

MGoPoints: 3061

lhglrkwg

November 11th, 2017 at 10:19 PM ^

Instead of the usual where the opposition gets 1-3 good drives and then they're shut down, Maryland was actually picking up steam as the game went on. Don't be mistaken that it was garbage time - all the starters were still in there and Maryland was finding ways to get yards with their 4th string QB. I'm not Concerned, but I am concerned

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 87828

JWG Wolverine

November 12th, 2017 at 1:16 PM ^

Defensive line and LBs are still being what they are: the best defense in the country. 

However, one of my favorite things about this game was the improvement we saw our of the backfield!! Finally, blocking passes, turning our heads, etc!

This defense will remain to be the key to our season.

Joined: 01/07/2017

MGoPoints: 28434