NateVolk

September 2nd, 2010 at 3:06 PM ^

But I don't see how it will be low scoring unless we are abysmal taking care of the ball like last year.   If the turnovers are somewhat limited by our O, I don't see how they'll get stops.  

I have respect for the talent and experience on their offense. However, to say they'll out physical us and keep the game low scoring is not likely.

BlockM

September 2nd, 2010 at 3:07 PM ^

It's not a bad analysis for someone who clearly hasn't done a ton of research on our team. We don't have many "big names" on our defense, but we have a lot of solid performers on the line. I don't expect a non-Michigan fan to recognize the potentially good to great nature of our d-line.

Hail-Storm

September 2nd, 2010 at 3:11 PM ^

point that people make, that are high on UConn, is that they edged Notre Dame out last year. Hmm, I seem to recall another team also doing this. <sigh> If only that team were Michigan with a freshman at the helm, and one of the youngest teams in the nation.

brandanomano

September 2nd, 2010 at 3:09 PM ^

If you guys need a reason to start hating Uconn before Saturday, just head on over to the conversation on ESPN.com for the game. I didn't even know people paid attention to their football team.

mschol17

September 2nd, 2010 at 3:14 PM ^

"other than nose tackle Mike Martin, who should be handled well by Moe Petrus, nobody on the Michigan defense should keep Husky Nation up at night. "

 

I think Moe might be missing some limbs by Saturday night.

maizenbluenc

September 2nd, 2010 at 3:18 PM ^

Sounds like we'll know a lot about our run defense after Saturday.

I think we'll be effective. That said, if we can't stop their run game, then I am about done with this coaching staff's idea of defense. (I understand the secondary, but they've had enough time to get at least this part right.)

That said, they handled UCONN fine witha 3-3-5 in the past at WVU, and UConn beat a Charlie Weiss dead man walking lead ND, whoop dee doo ....

michgoblue

September 2nd, 2010 at 3:25 PM ^

Your opinion is going to be unpopular, but it is a valid one.  I really do believe that we are going to have a good season and that RR will take a huge step towards righting the ship.  Our offense will likely be very strong, and that will keep us in most games, even if the defense doesn't get too many stops.  But, if we cannot adequately stop the run against a team like UConn (no disrespect, but they aren't exactly Florida or, (puke) OSU), then something is not right.

teldar

September 2nd, 2010 at 4:19 PM ^

I was not enamored of Gerg when he was hired, as all I knew him from was 'Cuse and winning with other coach's players. Last year was a disaster. 

I hope this year will not be one. 

If it is, I think RR needs to give up on trying to use the defense he likes (not his, he's an offense guy) and Michigan will need to look for a DC with some serious credentials. Just because we have a good offense, it doesn't mean we should be stuck with a poor D. 

As I say though, hopefully there is some improvement. Or a lot. First thing that should help is seeing what getting rid of Hopson does for the D.

 

His Dudeness

September 2nd, 2010 at 3:20 PM ^

I don't really see that as an under-estimation. They finished the year in the top 25 and we... uhhhh... did not. I still think we win a close one. RR actually does very well in season openers (we almost beat a #2 end of season ranked Utah team with our '08 squad) and hard to believe our team wouldn't have an emotional boost after being led out by Brock. Even if it is a low scoring game (which I think it will be) I still see us winning. 28-24.

His Dudeness

September 2nd, 2010 at 3:42 PM ^

The reason i say low scoring is because Edsells counter to RRs potent offenses has been to grind it out in order to keep the offense off the field. While that plays into our defenses "strength" we haven't really shown the ability to stop passing or rushing attacks very well. So I see UCONN running and running and running some more despite what our secondary looks like. Thusly we will have the ball fewer times and score less as a result.

/end reasoning-for-low scoring prediction rant

bklein09

September 2nd, 2010 at 3:40 PM ^

Ya the argument I've been hearing is that first games favor defenses because of timing etc.

Plus sometimes when you think things will go one way, they go the other.

I think it will be a low scoring game...for UConn!

Michigan will be in the high 30s, UConn in the low 20s.

Go Blue!

Rasmus

September 2nd, 2010 at 4:02 PM ^

I'd say the only thing that could potentially keep the Michigan offense from winning the game by itself is turnovers caused by mistakes -- something we likely won't see from UConn's older and more experienced ball-handling players on offense.

One potential factor I haven't seen mentioned is an advantage for Michigan with regard to UConn's freshman punter playing his first game before 109,901 in the Big House. 

maximus_spaniard

September 2nd, 2010 at 3:34 PM ^

... UConn is going to start passing like crazy against our secondary, if only to try to open what should be our strength in defense, the run defense. I hope we get to Frazer quick, often and hard! He can't be given time to pass. 

OSUMC Wolverine

September 2nd, 2010 at 3:39 PM ^

Watching the Big Ten previews on the BTN the last couple weeks, I think we have the only LB group that they haven't said could be the best in the conference.  Just thought it was amusing...

Being the underdog just makes victory more sweet.

VinnieMac25

September 2nd, 2010 at 3:47 PM ^

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mtxq8ttJMjc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mtxq8ttJMjc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

 

Our fast 3-3-5 Defense contains Jordan Todman were fine and win 34-28!  Sure UConn have NFL ready lineman, but Michigan has Death Roh and Hulk and CO.

Ok i failed computer class, if someone could help!

Rasmus

September 2nd, 2010 at 5:18 PM ^

You can't fix it now, because you can't edit comments that have been replied to.

But in the future, just click "Source" before you paste in the YouTube code, then click "Source" again to get back to the text editor.

Also, you might want to limit the size -- that 640 width is going to spill way over the edge of your comment. 500 or so is more like it:

Finally, if you check YouTube's "iframe embed code" option, the resulting code will be simpler and everyone will be able to play your clip, not just people with functioning Flash.

bklein09

September 2nd, 2010 at 4:10 PM ^

I think all the hype that UConn is getting may eventually be their downfall on Saturday.

If UConn was truly rolling into Ann Arbor as this disrespected underdog (ala The Horror, Utah?, etc), I think they would be a much bigger challenge.

As it stands, everyone is talking about how good they are and how they will surprise the Wolverines and make a statement for the entire Big East conference. 

Meanwhile, our boys have only won 8 games in the past two seasons and there are questions marks all over on both sides of the ball. 

I think that UConn expects to win this game, and that will hurt them.

The linked article above says that Todman will go over 100 yards and score 2 TDs on the way to a UConn win.

I think that EVEN IF Todman get those stats, Michigan will prevail. UConn's rushing offense will get their yards. But Michigan will just score too many points.

All the intangibles favor Michigan, and they will be the difference.

Crime Reporter

September 2nd, 2010 at 4:19 PM ^

And just for good measure, let me add a bitches to the above statement.

We will win and win big. Our offense will be explosive and our defense will force them into several three and outs.

BlueTimesTwo

September 2nd, 2010 at 4:31 PM ^

So the author thinks that UConn has more to play for because it would be good for their conference?  That is what makes the game mean something for them?

I will take our team's desire to play for each other and quiet their detractors over UConn's desire to make the Big East relevant.

bluebrains98

September 2nd, 2010 at 4:45 PM ^

The game is either going to be high-scoring or low-scoring. UCONN is either going to pass a lot or run a lot. Our defense will either be improved or it won't be. Their freshman punter may be rattled more than our freshman punter, but maybe not.

God am I ready for some football to be played.

dbattle2004

September 2nd, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^

I havent heard so many haters in my life.  Every historic program has had down years from Nebraska to Miami (FL), from USC to Penn St.  I just was listening to Mike Bradley on WTKA "Big Show" and how was downing Michigan bad.   RichRod knows this is not a cup cake game and knew it when they scheduled UConn... Then Mike Bradley says that pro-style football is coming back... REALLY?  Yes, Alabama won the NC last year but the teams before that where spread!

GO BLUE

Mich 38- UConn 31

bronxblue

September 2nd, 2010 at 5:59 PM ^

Considering the source of the article was UConnSports.com, I kind of figured it would be pro-Huskies.  Yes, UConn will run the ball and if they do successfully, then they will have a very good chance of beating UM.  Of course, the same could be said for UM. 

Whoopee-dee-fricking-do!  It's nice to see that every reporter has been paying attention to college football for the past, oh, 10 minutes because that is the only way this could be a surprise to anyone.

At this point, I'm just getting punchy.  I want this season to start so that everyone can base their opinions on at least some semblance of recent fact, not what some guy did or did not do 9 months ago.