Alright, Denard is starting, now what
What the hell does this mean for Saturday. There are two possibilities, Denard starts, Tate gets the message for whatever rule was violated, and then back to status quo with Forcier taking over mid first quarter. The other possibility, we're rollin w/ Denard. (that being the Michigan football team and not me personally) What does that mean for this game? Not having really seen enough of Robinson to know what he is capable of if given an entire game to work, it is hard to tell what it could mean. Personally, I think Denard gives Michigan a slightly better shot at winning the game if he performs well, as Denard performing well likely means long possessions and Michigan's defense off the field. However, it also increases the chances of Michigan getting trounced significantly if he performs poorly, as Denard's "poorly" as been pretty poor. As such, this post is two-fold. Is it likely that Tate has been benched in the real sense of the word or are we looking at a two possession "violation of team rules" slap on the wrist? And, if Denard is the guy this Saturday, doom and gloom, or a glimmer of hope?
November 13th, 2009 at 12:53 PM ^
If you get rid of the turnovers (big if, understandably) Denard has been really effective.
During the Purdue broadcast they put up some numbers for the two QB's and Denard runs 70% throws 30% and Tate is the inverse. So, we can expect a lot of running if Denard is in the game with some quick slants/rollouts to the flat to keep them somewhat honest.
I think he is capable of hitting a huge seam pattern to Koger or whoever is in the slot, too. Even a RB.
How about a backfield of Denard, Shaw and Carlos...that's some serious, serious speed.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:06 PM ^
thats a pretty big suitcase full of them.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:02 PM ^
Is that Denard leads a perfect first drive with short outs and posts and a few runs himself to offset minor and we score right away. M fans will then second guess the crap out of themselves until the next drive where Denard hits Wisconsin MLB dead on in the chest and we see tate the rest of the way out. Just a guess....
November 13th, 2009 at 1:10 PM ^
It's not like the offense has really been ineffective this year with Tate... Denard gives them more of the spread and shed, which we know can work, IE Pat White. If I may use a boxing analogy here, our offense with Tate is a methodical fighter, more precise and methodical than Denard, who is throwing haymakers left and right. He can finish it with one punch, but also opens himself up to get hit. I'd love to see more Denard, but with the glass jaw of our defense, Tate probably gives us the best shot to win.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:21 PM ^
Hopefully the coaching staff has an inspired, scripted set of plays, the offensive line blocks to perfection, and Denard doesn't commit any turnovers. The offense marches down the field and scores a TD, putting Wisconsin on it's heels and giving Michigan momentum that carries them through to victory.
That said, I don't think there's a chance in hell this will happen. Denard has tons of potential, but there's nothing in his play so far that indicates to me that the game has slowed down for him yet. That coupled with the offensive lines spotty pass blocking, it's just a recipe for trouble.
I think the bottom line is we see a dash Denard, a bunch of Tate and hopefully we can pull off the upset and become bowl eligible.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:23 PM ^
Wisconsin's secondary is not that great. Denard's main weakness has been forcing throws and INTs. Wisconsin's DL and LBs are pretty decent, but they'll have to match up against Denard's strength of running ability, elusiveness and speed. UW has not really faced a spread option team all year except for OSU and they kept Pryor in check for 35 yards rushing all day long.
Starting Denard could be a good thing sans any fumbles/INTs.
The problem for Michigan in this game is probably not going to be the quarterback or the rushing offense at all. Michigan should move the ball on the ground and air, and score some points against Wisconsin.
Michigan's number one enemy aside from porous run defense will turnovers. If there are any UM turnovers, then say goodnight.
Two things could really help Michigan in this game: superior special teams play (kick returns, punt returns, punting) and forced turnovers (mainly INTs as Ohio State did twice vs. UW).
The better special teams play by Michigan is certainly in the cards, but I don't think Michigan can force the UW mistakes they'll need to win this game. And as for giving up ridiculously dumb big pass plays, well the Badgers have a fast kid named Nick Toon who's saying: "I'M NICK. GET TO KNOW ME!".
Cool fact: UW QB Scott Tolzien was sacked 14 times this year. 6 times in one game vs. OSU and he single handedly threw 2 pick sixes in that game.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:51 PM ^
...he has been coming into situations where things have not been going well and they are looking for a change. This will give him a chance to start a game from scratch, with a little more room for mistakes, and see what he can do with a few series. At this point there isn't that much to lose and you really do want to see how he does in this situation.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:38 PM ^
The new banner says it all- "Don't Panic".
November 13th, 2009 at 3:53 PM ^
I hope this works; if it does it will solve a lot of the problems we are having on defense. Longer time eating drives keeps our defense of the field. I think if Denard can make the reads on the defensive ends he will have great day and will start against Ohio State.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:54 PM ^
Just tune in around 1pm and watch the Tate Forcier comeback from the 14-0, 2-pick-six hole dug for him.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:16 PM ^
What does this mean? After Denard fumbles on the opening posession at our own 40 then Tate will come in.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:58 PM ^
on you, but the fact of the matter is that there way to argue with the fact that Denard is a human turnover from what we have seen. However, there have been flashes with him where I thought that is what this offense is supposed to look like. But they have been very brief, and I also fear that Tate could be thrown to the wolves and attempting to come from behind. Hope I'm wrong, I would like to see the talent that Denard clearly possesses.