CW validated

Submitted by 909Dewey on

So what I took away from the weekend was that it kind of validated the conventional wisdom. At the time I thought that Vegas had MSU the favorite due to everybody thinking Tate was more hurt than RR would let on. That may have been part of it. But really the conventionl wisdom had UM an overachieving team that probably wasn't as good as 4-0; and MSU an underachieving team that was probably better than 1-3. This was basically correct. (Also there is the possibility that Dantonio sacrificed the first four games of the season so that he could MAKE PLAYS against Michigan and come away with the win.)

Question #1 - if posessing the ball for 10 minutes while driving the field 2.5 times only results in 7 points, was it worth it?

Anyway what we found out is that these 2009 Michigan Football Wolverines have some glaring deficiencies but as long as they "bend not break" it is difficult to count them out. Not sure if you can make a season out of that but we will find out.

Now for a serious question:

Question #2 - All last year I kept expecting the flash of genius trick play call. Before the season started last year, I had the kid at Christmas feeling and I told a friend, "You're going to see things you've never thought of - empty backfields with two quartebacks and directional snaps..." Obviously that never panned out. (Though it could now.) RR never really went big with a trick play or anything that could be described as "evil genius". Even while losing against Toledo, NW, and Purdue. So my question is, does that disappoint you? RR seems to be more of a subtle X's and O's type. Does he not have it in him? Does he not need it? Even the "fast" offense doesn't run anyhing scripted or truly different. Are we just saving it all for OSU?

909

PS - I am not scared of OSU this year.

Dix

October 5th, 2009 at 6:33 PM ^

Maybe the terrible weather had something to do with a lack of trick plays. A lot of trick plays involve multiple exchanges of the ball and when it's wet like that, you may want to keep that sort of thing to a minimum.

Also, the O-line wasn't really doing too well, and trick plays sometimes take longer to develop and require better protection. That could be another reason. I'm just speculating obviously.

beast

October 5th, 2009 at 6:33 PM ^

an offensive genius because he basically was one of the first coaches to master a version of the spread offense. Not because he runs wild trick plays. I wasn't really expecting to see crazy formations and loads of trick plays. Especially not when we have young QB's who have to figure out which player to key on and how to run a complex run option offense.

jmblue

October 5th, 2009 at 6:43 PM ^

Well, we had one play where Minor and Brown were in at the same time. Unfortunately, they ran into each other and killed the play.

Engin77

October 5th, 2009 at 6:59 PM ^

I told my wife at the start of the game, "I wouldn't be surprised to see Denard catch his first pass today.". Needless to say, this did not happen. ):

Resolved: do not believe rumors of plays from practice, posted on MGoBlog.

Tater

October 5th, 2009 at 6:50 PM ^

Conventional Wisdom may be conventional, but it isn't really all that wise. They got a game right. Big deal: they get a lot of games wrong, too. No matter what anyone says, for the most part, the only people who make a lot of money consistently betting football are the people taking the bets.

If it's "wisdom," why aren't more people making a living betting football games with their own money?

mtzlblk

October 5th, 2009 at 7:51 PM ^

I would think it difficult to turn up the complexity dial for a trick play or two when you are having a lot of trouble just executing on the basic plays.

BlueinLansing

October 5th, 2009 at 8:17 PM ^

when you establish an offense.

Michigan ran 7 plays on offense in the first quarter, and only 21 total in the first half, 14 on their one and only 2Q drive. Then ran only 9 (10 if you count the botched fake punt) in the 3rd Q.

Almost all of their plays in the 4th Q were in desperation of scoring.

UM Indy

October 5th, 2009 at 8:37 PM ^

if you're "not scared" of Ohio State this year. Their defense is rock solid, their offense has a lot of weapons and will continue to get better and Tressel owns us. What's not to be scared of? I see them going undefeated in the Big Ten.

bronxblue

October 5th, 2009 at 10:19 PM ^

I think the offense has some ways to go before it will be able to consistently pull out trick plays. Plus, to be fair, about the only trick plays I see anymore in college are multiple handoffs to a pass back and the occasional goofy formation that effectively becomes a Wildcat-style play call.