(3 of 5) What is the MGoCoach in you looking for on Saturday?

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

We've had some pretty good insight and answers, so I figured I'd continue this thread through the non-conference season. By that time, the team will be the team and we'll have a much better idea of what we're watching.

That said, game 1 has some 1st game jitters/mistakes...also we were missing a couple key players. Game 2 was a big time rivalry game in front of a record crowd. I think Game 3 should finally give us a solid look and Game 4 on the road should do the same. The non-conference schedule actually sets up nicely in preparing the team for the B1G season.

So, what are you looking for vs. Akron? What do you hope to see?

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Mr. Yost

September 12th, 2013 at 6:37 PM ^

1. Offensive Line: I want to see us dominate the line of scrimmage and get 5+ yards per carry whenever we want it. I want to see the starting 5 control the entire game.

2. Gardner: No turnovers from Gardner. I also don't think he needs to have a big game, but rather have an extremely efficient game.

3. Pass Rush: Earn the right to rush 4.

4. Punt/Kick Return blocking: We haven't been good at this under Hoke. We've had dynamic guys back there, but rarely do you see enough space for the returner to make something happen. Too often they're just running for their lives and not attacking the coverage team. BLOCK SOMEONE!

5. Punt/Kick coverage: Needs to improve.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Blarvey

September 12th, 2013 at 6:37 PM ^

I really just want to see UM play relatively mistake free - no turnovers, few if any penalties, and good blocking, assignments, angles, etc. I feel like the game should go like the CMU game in that a lot of younger players will get time and there will be a lot of rotation and being able to dominate through 2 or 3 levels of depth, even against a MAC team, would be a very good sign.

Joined: 11/21/2011

MGoPoints: 3472

jtmc33

September 12th, 2013 at 6:43 PM ^

1. Green, Smith, Hayes, Rawls. Get these guys snaps and try to figure out who can be our No. 2. After CMU it seemed obvious, but Green's 2 plays against ND show that the coaches trust no one in big games at this point. 2. Chesson. Gardner needs to start building a trust with an outside guy 3. Wilson. 3/3 means our fears were overblown. 4. 4 man Pass Rush. Get confidence 5. Norfleet. Stop dropping punts. He should get 8 chances, and needs 0 drops

Joined: 04/15/2009

MGoPoints: 10053

PurpleStuff

September 12th, 2013 at 6:44 PM ^

We still haven't seen Green/Smith get in the mix along with Fitz (they didn't play against ND and against CMU it was all Fitz then all them).  Would love to see a drive early in the game where multiple backs get 2-3 carries.  It would be nice to have a three or four pronged rushing attack developed as a trustworthy option for games later in the year.

Joined: 04/21/2009

MGoPoints: 15969

PurpleStuff

September 12th, 2013 at 7:45 PM ^

The staff has also stated they want a power running game that dominates the line of scrimmage.  You can't get that running Fitz only 20 or even 25 times a game.  Running him (or any back) more than that is just dumb and will wear him down.  They've also said they don't want the QB running too much (right now he's our leading rusher and is averaging 10 carries a game).  20 for Fitz, 25 throws, and 7-8 carries for Devin seems to be ideal.

That leaves an additional 10-20 carries for other backs.  Good teams aren't going to let us build up such a lead that the carries can be split like they were against CMU.  If this offense is going to step up another level (and they're already pretty damn good), Fitz and another back need to be able to threaten the defense when the game is still in doubt.

Joined: 04/21/2009

MGoPoints: 15969

Eskimoan

September 12th, 2013 at 6:50 PM ^

Fullback Blocking for sure. I just felt like there was very poor blocking/production out of our fullbacks. Seemed like a lot of missed blocks on blitzing LB's and DB's where we could have gotten a few more yards from Fitz. I'm by far a pro at breaking this down just seemed that way to me.

Joined: 12/11/2011

MGoPoints: 7610

LSAClassOf2000

September 12th, 2013 at 6:58 PM ^

This will be an interesting game to work on the pass rush - although Akron's numbers on yards per attempt and passing yards per game are relatively paltry, they are 14th in FBS as a team in completion percentage (granted, against UCF and James Madison). 

This might even be a good time to see some multiple back formations, as already mentioned. To see someone develop as a reliable option and work in tandem with Fitz would be huge, I would think. Like others, I would also like to see Chesson the receiver as I have seen Chesson the man who can bowl perfect strikes with ND defenders. 

This might also be a good game for Morris to get a little more experience, probably in the second half. It would give us a chance to get perhaps a little more insight into how he is progressing. Same for the backups / freshman at just about any position. If we're not losing a step going three deep in the chart, that's awesome, I would think. 

 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130627

AZBlue

September 12th, 2013 at 7:46 PM ^

for Shane to get time with "the ones" on the O-L and receiver before we go all back-up crazy.  I also would like to see our interior 3 play more time than the tackles to give a few drives (or a qtr.) to the presumptive 2014 OL so they can gel a bit.

Joined: 09/14/2008

MGoPoints: 16806

F5

September 12th, 2013 at 7:02 PM ^

In all seriousness, I am hoping to see improvement in the run game with an emphasis on the younger guys. With a drop in competition level I am hoping the O Line can gel better in this stretch and really bog down on them opening gaping hiddens. Honestly, all aspects of the game should have time to gel. Also, I would like to see the linebackers shoot the gap with a lot more sucess. And you know.... Noooooooorfleet taking it to the house!

Joined: 01/18/2011

MGoPoints: -90

maize-blue

September 12th, 2013 at 7:04 PM ^

1. Alot of playing time for 2nd and 3rd string.

2. Lockdown D. Allow 10-13 points at the most.

3. Find another WR.

4. TE working more into the passing game.

Joined: 01/10/2013

MGoPoints: 44662

BayWolves

September 12th, 2013 at 7:11 PM ^

I'd like to see all reserves in and get a chance to play after a dominating first half in which Fitz runs for over 100, Gallon receives for 100 and Chesson gets at least 5 catches and a TD. No turnovers by Gardner.

I want the first half to show total domincance by our starters and the second half to give Morris and Cleary game time plus see a lot of guys on the o-line get a chance - Braden, Bryant, Burzynski, Bars, Magnuson.

Want to see the D-line get that 4 man rush but see a few blitzes as well to keep the reps going.

Joined: 06/21/2011

MGoPoints: 11056

michiganfanforlife

September 12th, 2013 at 7:21 PM ^

1. Taco needs his first sack!!! He's 3rd string, so it might take a few quarters to get him in the action.... This dude needs some confidence. I really feel like in two years he will be an absolute monster on our team.                                                                                                               2. As already stated by others, Devin needs to just avoid a pick this week.                               3. DeVeon Smith will break out and have a couple highlights this weekend. Book it.                 4. I have no idea why I can't use a hard return in this text box, but it's annoying.                       5. Shane Morris will throw two TD's and show us the gunslinger attitude.                                   6. Our interior O-Line needs to pick up blitzes better, and I hear this Akron team also likes cover 0.                                                                                                                                7. No injuries.                                                                                                                     8. Norfleet returns a punt/kickoff for a TD.                                                                                                

Joined: 05/05/2009

MGoPoints: 2788

StephenRKass

September 12th, 2013 at 7:29 PM ^

There's so many things I will be looking for.

  • I want to see the O Line practice pulling, play after play after play.
  • I want to see Chesson (& Reynolds, and Dileo) as the primary receivers.
  • I want to see the 2nd & 3rd string playing the majority of the game.
  • I want to see Norfleet returning kicks and punts.
  • I want to see the DL generate more of a pass rush.

Joined: 07/15/2008

MGoPoints: 23001

Perkis-Size Me

September 12th, 2013 at 7:30 PM ^

In no particular order:

-Clark to continue emerging on the D-Line. He's definitely shown some flashes, but some more consistency would be great.

-Norfleet takes one to the house. Please. This kid is long overdue, he's gotten close several times, and he's got the speed to beat everyone on the field.

-Chesson to emerge and get that first TD. Would love to see him continue evolving into that deep threat speedster.

-Green/Smith getting their share of reps. Someone behind Fitz needs to emerge as the heir apparent.

-Shane to get snaps. A lot of snaps.

-First pick-free game for Gardner.

-JMFR surprising everyone, strapping on a helmet and pads, returning to the field and blowing up Akron single-handedly.

Okay, I know that last one won't happen, but I can dream, can't I?

Joined: 11/30/2011

MGoPoints: 105682

CRex

September 12th, 2013 at 7:43 PM ^

I would like to see our starting tackles pulled around halftime or so and the backups (next years starters) inserted to work with interior line.  Get the backups some experience and also look to the future.  

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 9010

uncleFred

September 12th, 2013 at 9:33 PM ^

Get next year's tackles time with the three guys in the middle. Let them start to gel so that next year we have five guys used to playing together. But I'd pull them at the end of the 3rd quarter, the starters need more time together too.

Besides ideally they can do this for the 4th quarter of the next three games. Plenty of opportunity.

Joined: 10/14/2011

MGoPoints: 2399