Impressions going into ND game.

Submitted by Goblue49120 on

After watching both games, here is what I think. Michigan's strength will obvioulsy be their defense. While ND showed flashes of ball control and maintained decent drives, they played a very below average defensive team. I see ND using alot of inside running with slants and screens. Once in a while they went for the deep ball. I like Michigan's front vs ND's OL still. ND will be a better team than last year, but that is had NOT to do.

With all the hype about Tenuta and mega blitzes, color me unimpressed with ND's defense. They were a goal line fumble away from being beaten by SDSU. How well will Michigan's offense handle the blitzes? Do they have a QB in Threet or Sheridan to stand in the pocket and throw at the direction of the blitz? I would like to see more inside runs by Michigan tailbacks, but that may be asking too much given the state of the OL. It would be nice to see the tightends get some pass attempts, they have been mostly ignored so far.

I have an uneasy feeling about the ND game. I think Michigan can pull it off, it just may be a little dicey. It looks like they have the conditioning to take it to them all four quarters. I'd love to see the defense pitch a shutout and the offense score 30+ points.

Go Blue

MGoBoard

NJWolverine

September 6th, 2008 at 10:12 PM ^

I watched the second half of the Notre Dame game and all I can say is this.  A team is dead when they play not to lose instead of playing to win.  You could just sense the lack of the confidence:  from the playcalling, the players, the fans etc...  I think if we get off to a good start, ND is the type of team that will fold.  They have completely lost their confidence.  Everyone.  When you lose, that's what happens.  Our defense has won before and our offense is too young to know any better.  I think we have a great shot.  Charlie the Hut seems to want to use a smashmouth running game, which plays right into our hands.  Clausen can't run and their only playmaker on offense is Tate.  If we can shut Tate down, then we'll be in good shape.  They don't have any breakaway recieveers and Armando Allen still goes down on contact (even worse than McGuffie, and he's a lot slower).  ND has a paper thin DL.  It'll be interesting to see how our depleted OL stacks up against them.  ND also does not have any good LBs.  I think running McGuffie to the outside would work.  I think RR will give Threet every opportunity to succeed because there will be open recievers downfield since ND has no DL and had to blitz everytime (thereby being predictable).  I think recievers will be even more open next week than they were this week.  If Threet can hit some of those passes, we'll be okay this season.  First week was about learning the offense.  Now I think Threet knows where to deliver the ball.  He just needs to finish the deal this week.  I am cautiously optimistic. 

Joined: 08/31/2008

MGoPoints: 840

Subrosa

September 6th, 2008 at 11:43 PM ^

Notre Dame did have one fumble at the SDSU goal line that was kind of iffy. So I think the SDSU fumble evens out. That said, clearly they didn't play very well in general.

I thought that ND's defense played well enough to beat a third rate WAC team, but I don't know if they'll be able to keep up that pressure against our backs, assuming we get something similar to what we got last game.

On another board, I had a conversation with an ND fan who was really excited about the fact that SDSU didn't sack Claussen. I mean, forget the fact that SDSU is a terrible team and was decimated on their D-Line, he was just really excited about that. Point being, I think there's a good chance that our defense will make mincemeat out of their O-Line. 

I think there's a chance we could be in for an epic slapfight with our respective offenses, but I think the difference will be twofold:

1) Our defense is better than their defense.

2) Our RBs are better than theirs.

Oh, and:

3) Charlie Weis.

Joined: 08/16/2008

MGoPoints: 355

ShockFX

September 6th, 2008 at 11:47 PM ^

ND can't block, can't tackle, can't cover short routes, can't cover long routes, and all the blitzes were picked up by SDSU.  Which is fucking SDSU.  Michigan 59 - ND 0.

Joined: 07/16/2008

MGoPoints: 4073

BigHouseInFLA

September 7th, 2008 at 12:40 AM ^

I think ND sucks more than we suck...which reminds me, i live in jacksonville, fl now and i was getting groceries and i was wearing a michigan shirt....some gator said "hey you finally won a game" and I said "yeah, we looked nothing like the team who smoked you and threw tebow around like a little bitch 8 months ago"....i hate gator fans...anyway, yeah, ND is ghastly...hopefully we'll play more than 1 quarter of good football...

Joined: 09/07/2008

MGoPoints: 1

tylerrose

September 7th, 2008 at 2:27 AM ^

Meh, I actually think ND has a good enough defense to do the trick. The points SDSU scored were off turnovers and that defense was on the field quite a while. I'd be worried about them gaining confidence as they did in that fourth quarter.

Joined: 09/04/2008

MGoPoints: 5

TMos53

September 7th, 2008 at 9:35 AM ^

I watched the ND-SDSU game, I really payed attention to their D, which was supposed to make opposing offenses shit their pants because Tenuta blitzes every down, but, it was really, really unimpressive. Some times Notre Dame's LBs didn't seem like they were trying late in the game (conditioning, perhaps?).  They only sacked Lindley, SDSU's QB, 1 time. The Aztec's O-Line really seemed to pick it up well. They only had 71 yards rushing, but that was probably because SDSU decided to pass every play. As terrible as our O-Line is at run blocking, we are pretty decent at pass blocking. I'm really not frightened by ND, they were a late fumble away from to a team that lost to Cal Poly State San Luis Obispo. I think this is the game where our O actually meshes together and will play a full game like they played on the first drive on Saturday.

Joined: 07/01/2008

MGoPoints: 30

sca1zi

September 7th, 2008 at 10:42 AM ^

.. that the SDSU QB didn't get sacked is that he was a quick, efficient passer. UM, as of 2 games doesn't have a quick efficient passer. So, that blows that theory out of the water. I agree, the D wasn't all that it was cracked up to be, but I take no solace knowing they can be beat in the air. I do agree the UM front 4 should have a field day on the ND O-line. And, minus Stevie Brown, Michigan's DBs are better. So, it's a toss up.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 156

formerlyanonymous

September 7th, 2008 at 9:37 AM ^

that was ND's first game.  Look at the turnaround we had after we found confidence in the Defense late in the game.  Tenuta and the players may come out and play much tougher in our game.  That whole "most improvement is made between game 1 and 2" philosophy is on their side as well.  I still think its way too early to right this game off yet.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 38964

Ellipses Man

September 7th, 2008 at 10:20 AM ^

There were moments ND looked ok. Especially for a first game. I am going to begrudgingly take ND in this game. Michigan may be a better road team though that I imagine. There are teams who play better away from home. Why this is I do not know. The general consensus is that 1: Notre Dame barely beat SDSU who barely beat a nobody. 2. We just won so that means we win. That well wishing has never worked. Notre Dame, when they get up on you at home, feeds off of that energy. If I was Stevie Brown I'd get ready. Michigan fans need to foresee the loss. And if they do lose don't blame it on a crap call or crap play here or there. Blame it, if it happens, on not putting them away. No offense but, I think yesterdays first drive, was the first time we took a kickoff and went the length of the field. Is that correct? That is not a good stat. Our wins and even scores are as deceiving as is ND's win yesterday. We're just two crappy schools who think we can beat each other. I say ND and it's close. Let it digest all week through the Weis press conferences. Don't knee jerk and think Michigan will blow them out. I hope they do though.

Joined: 08/09/2008

MGoPoints: 2

themichiganman

September 7th, 2008 at 10:49 AM ^

because Charlie Weis is fat. That's pretty logical. 

But really, this was a close game that swung on a goal line fumble against a TERRIBLE SDSU team. ND has poor tackling and a very delusional fanbase with super-lame chants. Neither one will stop our slowly improving run game.

 

"RETURN TO GLORY!" my ass. Man, I HATE the irish.  

Joined: 08/31/2008

MGoPoints: 115

Brewers Yost

September 7th, 2008 at 1:01 PM ^

My only concern is that Jimmah looked good at placing a few deep passes when he had time. Granted our corners are better but sometimes you lose that battle even when you defend it perfectly. That said if our D line gets pressure Jimmah will not have time to get comfy and he had a couple three stooges moments when SDSU put pressure on him.

The other thing that concerns me is that every QB I have watched this year looks better than both of ours. Even Miami's backup.

 What QB do you guys think we start? I still think Threet gives us our best chance but he really needs to work on hitting wide open passes; that pass to Hemingway in game one is looking more like a miracle with every offensive possession. It seems to me like the coaches love Sheridan for whatever reason; they didn't even let Threet finish the first half.

 One last thought is that I love Booboo on the kick return and I wouldn't mind him moving over to the punt return because D-war tries too hard to score a TD every time rather than just turning it up field and grabbing some yards.

Joined: 07/14/2008

MGoPoints: 2365

ShockFX

September 7th, 2008 at 1:03 PM ^

SDSU averaged 10 yards on the that stupid swing pass they called 100x, and 20 yards on the shovel pass.  Also, ND was holding on like EVERY PLAY.  Jimmah will be flat on his ass for half the game.  I will wager money that this game will make Yakety Sax look like a picnic.

Joined: 07/16/2008

MGoPoints: 4073

formerlyanonymous

September 7th, 2008 at 5:42 PM ^

Anyone going to the game... bring 2 cups of gravy with you (one chicken, one beef), get to the game early and spread it on the wall behind the bench with each flavor on opposite ends.  Keep an eye out to see which attracts weiss first.  im just curious.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 38964

SFBayAreaBlue

September 7th, 2008 at 10:17 PM ^

looks dangerous but isn't, if it hits the ground its just incomplete, not a fumble.  you just have to be careful about those crazy pick sixes that can happen if you let a front seven guy come through unblocked.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 10399

Wolfman

September 10th, 2008 at 1:47 PM ^

This play is very similar to screen passes in your invitation of certain defenders to break through quickly. The blocking is designed more like a draw though than a screen pass inasmuch as you want to clear the designated running area, and in Saturday's case it was the middle of the field which ND abandoned with its biltz packages that either sent the lbers after the qb or caused them to drop quickly into pass coverage.

I'm sure, just like quick bubble screens, this pass will be attempted Saturday, but instead of using one of the RBs that would normally be the case, I can justify using Carson Butler and have the shovel take place at a different spot along the line of scrimmage. I say this because ND will expect us to run it, but they will suspect one of our sprinters to receive it. Carson won't play into their thought pattern as a likely receiver on this type of pass, but he does possess uncommon speed for a TE and they should be out of position defensively if this manauver is attempted. With the TE, it's very easy to get lost in what would appear to be a blocking scheme and as Threet or Sheridan rolls to a certain side, the pass could take place as soon as the DT position clears and then have fun watching him run.  

Anytime you want to take advantage of overly aggressive defenses, trying to minimize the disadvantage they have along the defensive front, plays of this nature along with misdirections are normally excellent strategies. I'm definitely in favor of utilizing Carson against the Irish with easy to complete passes and I'd definitely attempt misdirections where the area clears, and the TE after making a fake rush block release after 1001,1002 count and come across the middle.  The advantage here is just like the shovel. It allows for the TE to catch it while moving and he's open immediately upon realease. Like I said above, his speed pays great dividends in this type of pass, not unlike the one we ran against Fl in last season's bowl game, except we actually allowed him to move entirely across the field prior to the pass. Excellent play calling imo.  

Just a thought, and I must say because I believe this to be my first post that I might actually have followed the correct procedures for posting, is that I thoroughly enjoy this site and some of the blogs are outstanding. Glad I was led to this web address. The combined football knowledge is very impressive.  

 

Joined: 07/23/2008

MGoPoints: 8259

Hannibal.

September 9th, 2008 at 9:34 AM ^

Michigan might be better for 21 out of 22 players on the field, but quarterback play will give Notre Shame an advantage.  Just look at how QB play kept Miami in the game Saturday.  If you can't complete a single pass more than ten yards past the line of scrimmage then that negates the advantage that you earn in the trenches.

Joined: 09/09/2008

MGoPoints: 9051

mjv

September 9th, 2008 at 10:11 AM ^

QBs have a very difficult time completing passes when they are face down in the turf.  Ask Brady Quinn from 2006 and Jimmah from 2007.  QB play is important, but it only factors in if there is adequate OL play.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 3656