Why am I worried about the next few weeks?

Submitted by Firstbase on

Perhaps it's because in recent years we've had really bad games (and incurred losses) against opponents we are supposed to beat. I sure hope we don't take anyone too lightly.

The next few weeks (and also Indiana) give me the heebie jeebies.

 

TheOracle6

September 14th, 2010 at 5:35 PM ^

This team is not the 09 Wolverines.  This team is hungry, has the right humble mindset, and is much more talented across the board.  With the confidence we already have after beating two good BCS opponents I don't see any way either of the next 3 teams are going to be able to handle our offense.  I expect the special teams to get much better and I also expect the secondary to get better with the angles they're taking to the ball.  I'm not worried at all and neither should anyone else.  After what happened in 07 we will never overlook a team like that again.  Bowling Green is not coached by Urban Meyer anymore and Indiana is well Indiana.  Just take it one game at a time and don't look too far ahead.

Don

September 14th, 2010 at 5:40 PM ^

scares me. Any team that comes as close to beating us at home as they did last year has the capability of doing the same thing in their own stadium. It's fine to believe that we're a much better team than last year, but that doesn't mean that IU has not improved too.

markusr2007

September 14th, 2010 at 5:41 PM ^

While Michigan is probably not going to shutout UMass, Bowling Green and Indiana with its defense, I think it is highly likely that the Wolverines will both outgain and outscore them by significant margins.

Rodriguez's teams have lost to Toledo and Illinois and Purdue twice. The risk that this Michigan team is going to take anyone lightly is low. 

Michigan is not a perfect club and I do expect them to lose some games this year due to the defensive play and special teams.  But offensively UM is a road-grader right now.

 

 

joeyb

September 14th, 2010 at 5:42 PM ^

If it makes you feel better, look to what we did last year to WMU and EMU. Now, upgrade basically every position on offense except maybe RB.

There is no reason whatsoever to be worrying about these teams.

outwest

September 14th, 2010 at 5:43 PM ^

This will be a good test for the leaders of the team to step up and keep everyone focused.  It is easy to be hyped for Uconn or ND, and understandbly its easy to look past Umass and Bowling Green.  The team leaders need to step up and keep everyone focused. 

ShockFX

September 14th, 2010 at 5:45 PM ^

1.  Does your worrying do anything productive?

2.  Exactly, stop being stupid and enjoy things that are good while they are good.

bronxblue

September 14th, 2010 at 11:03 PM ^

My point was that nobody is an idiot for worrying that UM might trip up against lesser competition, especially given the recent past.  Yes, an anonymous internet poster worrying about the game was not going to change the outcome, but at the same time it is hard to forget that it occurred and to be on guard emotionally for such an outcome.  Yes, it is irrational, but that is part of fandom.

TheLastHarbaugh

September 14th, 2010 at 11:24 PM ^

I think people shouldn't worry, they should just enjoy the games. I realize that it is an insane and revolutionary idea, but maybe, just maybe, we should live in the moment and enjoy every win to the fullest.

What's the sense in worrying over something you have no control over? Leave that to the players and coaches.

If it's to the point where on the Tuesday after a monumental win over ND, that happened just 3 days ago, you're already "concerned" or "worried" about the UMass game on Saturday, then I pity you.

bronxblue

September 14th, 2010 at 5:46 PM ^

I understand the concern.  UMass shouldn't be too tough, but I remember Ball State giving UM more than a good fight a couple of years ago, and BGSU seems to fit a similar mold of scrappy MAC team that probably won't win but will keep it close (witness their two loses being by a combined 16 points, both on the road).  Indiana scares me because their offense is made to grind up defenses like UM's - lots of receivers and short passing that require sure tackling by the secondary and LBs.  I still think UM heads into the MSU game at 5-0, but I totally understand why the next few weeks scare people.  And if you are not scared, then go have a talk with VaTech, GT, even Florida (who struggled mightily in two wins) about how supposed "pushovers" can catch you up.

bklein09

September 14th, 2010 at 6:03 PM ^

Speaking of a little worried, can someone remind me of when we are supposed to hear the NCAA's final verdict?

Not meaning to hijack this thread, but I didn't want to start my own with this kind of negative stuff.

I remember hearing they would decide around a month after the hearing in Seattle and that should be getting close.

What is the worst-case scenario on their verdict?

Are things like a bowl ban or scholarship losses possible? I forgot where we stand. 

Firstbase

September 14th, 2010 at 6:12 PM ^

Regarding playing Michigan:  

"It's not like we're playing, well, the New England Patriots."

"We know we can compete against anybody. Outsiders may have a different opinion, but we feel confident."

"This game is not that different at all. It's just another game, in a bigger stadium.''

BlockM

September 14th, 2010 at 6:13 PM ^

I am also really worried about these teams. Think of how much money they will need to spend on physical therapy and emotional counseling. It will cost almost as much as they're being paid to come play at the Big House. 

markusr2007

September 14th, 2010 at 6:16 PM ^

Is Mike Debord still Michigan's offensive coordinator?

And how about Ron English? Is he still the defensive coordinator for Michigan?

What? They've both left Michigan to pursue other endeavors?

Well, maybe Michigan has a fighting chance against UMass this weekend afterall.

michiganfanforlife

September 14th, 2010 at 6:22 PM ^

about what kind of beer to bring before the game. What if I can't chug enough to be really drunk in time for kick-off? What if we only score 45 points with the first team offense? OK - truth be told, the IU game does scare me. I really do think that because we run up and down the field on teams, it puts more pressure on opposing offenses. This alone will make our defense look better than they really are, and will help us win games.  IU is playing all cupcakes for their non-conf. schedule, and they will be ready for us. The problem they face is that nobody stops Denard. Sorry.

On a side note... isn't Mouton having an awesome year so far? That INT he had last week was textbook dropping 45 degrees and following the QB's eyes. He seems to be 10x the linebacker Obi is, and I hope he rubs off on some of our other options at that position.

Geaux_Blue

September 14th, 2010 at 6:23 PM ^

while no opponent can be overlooked, i do feel confident UM can beat these teams. what i'm "worried" about is that the 2nd and 3rd team offense come out flat and show that the offense truly requires Denard to be effective. if the offense with Gardner or Forcier can come out and show some flash and points, awesome. but if they land flat on their faces... i'll be holding the rosary come Big Ten play.

also, fwiw, UMass plays some Pistol offense so some of what we practice for/against this week will carry over into the Indiana prep (unlike teams like ND who had to prep for extreme spread speed and then face MSU and other, less similar teams).

stankoniaks

September 14th, 2010 at 6:24 PM ^

I don't get why Indiana keeps getting lumped in with BGSU and UMass.  It's a conference game on the road against an opponent who almost beat us last year.  I don't see how some fans can assume it's a "lock", considering we really don't know much about the team from their first two games, where they played vastly inferior competition.

Vasav

September 14th, 2010 at 6:45 PM ^

Playing a quality 1AA team will cause worry. I'm worried too. Playing a scrappy MAC team is worrisome, and playing an Indiana team we know nothning about is worrisome too. What gives me faith is that the offense is better than last year's, and the defense looks...something. And our players and coaches know better than to sleep on any of these guys. They know our history, and what happened last weekend in Blacksburg. So enjoy yourself a bit.

oakapple

September 14th, 2010 at 6:58 PM ^

Michigan is supposed to win these games. If they do so, they will have merely done what everyone expected. Practically the only way they could make news is by A) losing; B) winning ugly; or, C) suffering injuries.

Of course, that is the reason why no upper-tier Division I-A school should ever schedule a I-AA. If you beat Bowling Green, OK, at least it’s still a bowl-eligible (though not BCS-auto-qualifying) school. But you never have anything to gain by beating a I-AA. Well, let us hope that Dave Brandon won’t be scheduling any more of these. For now, we just have to cross our fingers that UMass doesn’t turn into a speed bump.

MH20

September 14th, 2010 at 7:18 PM ^

Let the coaches and players worry about these games. They're actually the ones who have to game plan and execute. We're the ones who get to dream about 10-win* seasons.

There is no way in Hades that any member of the UM coaching staff will take UMASS or BGSU lightly. At the risk of sounding kind of dumb, I would say they are probably preparing for UMASS (and subsequently BGSU the following week) as if they were Iowa, Wisconsin, or Ohio State.

*only if you have the appropriate mental fortitude

SysMark

September 14th, 2010 at 8:09 PM ^

No negative nancies now...I believe RR has a killer instinct and will not overlook any team.  expect the pedal to be on the metal, though maybe not with DR running 28-29 times.

LML54

September 14th, 2010 at 8:29 PM ^

Rich Rod will have this under control.  He will have his starters out there based on their capabilities AND hard work ethic during practice.  If UMass puts up one hell of a fight, the 1st & 2nd stringers stay in (we have 2nd stringers this year!!!) and if we pull ahead early, like we should, we should see some great play out of Tate and/or Devin, maybe some more Hopkins, along with T-Rob, and some additional rotation in the secondary.

I think this team has too much fire in its belly to let up now!

Go Blue!

OneFootIn

September 14th, 2010 at 9:18 PM ^

I always worry, every week, every year, even when we're favored. But right now I am a heck of a lot less worried about the next three games than I was two weeks ago before the UConn game. Assuming UM plays decent ball it wins all three games going away. Of course, the fun of watching is the fact that you never know...

stillMichigan

September 14th, 2010 at 11:40 PM ^

I was thinking almost immediately after the ND game how nice it will be the next couple weeks to be able to relax and enjoy some blow-outs.  Worrying resumes again with Indiana and thereafter.