With one month of football down, what have we learned about Michigan and the rest of the big ten?

Submitted by Dayday on
I've learned that Michigan's defense is outstanding and will keep them in most games. I've also learned I'm now more concerned about 10/21 than I am about 11/27.
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stephenrjking

September 23rd, 2017 at 11:46 PM ^

The East is terrific, but might not have a team good enough to win a national title. The West has a couple of good teams. B1G fans will tell their kids stories of Michigan's defense. As in, "don't get out of bed or Maurice Hurst and Devin Bush will devour you." This defense will terrorize the conference for years. This offense will terrorize us for years.

Joined: 03/15/2012

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The Mad Hatter

September 24th, 2017 at 1:00 AM ^

I've been a supporter of Speight since he became the starter. A 3* Borges special that everyone had written off became the starter and pitched a 10 win season. I love a good underdog story. But Speight hasn't been himself since he got hurt last year. Something is off either physically or mentally. Combine his issues with a OL that is still developing and I think that maybe O'Korn might be the better option now. His happy feet will be an asset when the pocket is collapsing on every other play.

Joined: 02/17/2015

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BlueWon

September 24th, 2017 at 9:14 AM ^

on sub-par competition last year and the wheels fell off once the road got tougher.

That's what I believe -- never thought he could be a good QB with his funky throwing motion.

Joined: 04/10/2015

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DrMantisToboggan

September 23rd, 2017 at 11:52 PM ^

Remember that episode of The Office where Michael wants to be like Bear Grylls so he has Dwight take him into the woods? But Dwight knows that he can't just leave him there because he's a fucking idiot so he stays and watches him and helps him? That's Penn State football, and James Franklin is that completely witless yet somehow successful regional manager.

Joined: 11/26/2014

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DrMantisToboggan

September 24th, 2017 at 12:16 AM ^

He's an elite recruiter. He's personable. On the sidelines he's clueless. He beat OSU on a fluke after getting outplayed all game. He survives on a once in a generation RB and a great OC. A year from now both will be gone and they will be back to 8-4 year in and year out. Harbaugh, Meyer, Brohm, Dantonion are all better coaches than he is. I'd listen to arguments for Chryst, Fitzgerald, and Durkin as well.

Joined: 11/26/2014

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lhglrkwg

September 24th, 2017 at 12:10 PM ^

Whoever won the east was going to beat Wisconsin. Penn State lucked into the east titled by beating OSU on a fluke and Michigan choking in Iowa City despite PSU getting annihilated by Michigan earlier in the year

Barkley is good and Moorhead is good. Franklin is decent, but is probably the 4th-5th best coach in the East

Joined: 07/03/2008

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RemembertheGatorBowl

September 23rd, 2017 at 11:49 PM ^

Penn State game is huge as some people have said. Everyone knows it will likely be a night game at one of the only stadiums with a capacity to rival Michigan's but what I haven't heard mentioned is that it comes after a bye week for Penn State. Now I know their coach is James Field Goal Franklin but that adds another level of worry for me.

Joined: 08/12/2017

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UofMfanINcolumbus

September 23rd, 2017 at 11:58 PM ^

Every team we play from here on out could beat us (LOL JK not you Rutgers.) With that being said, if JOK continues to progress, and our D stays healthy, we could beat any team on our schedule. Our Oline needs work, but I think we have the potential to beat any team we play in the B1G.

Joined: 09/18/2015

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war-dawg69

September 24th, 2017 at 12:54 AM ^

Michigan's defense is the best in the country. Go nob off saban fuck boi. Alabama gave up 21 to colorado state. Michigan is giving up and after turnovers 10 points a game. Who is better than that and the sec isn't shit compared to the big ten. Florida and AF won today and AF beat a ranked team. Michigan wins the big ten and you stay the fuck off this blog. Go have a threesome with saban and finebaum ass fuck.

Joined: 10/07/2016

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YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

September 24th, 2017 at 12:07 AM ^

still figuring it out - but they are really good when it clicks. That Devin Bush is a heat-seeking missile. That our secondary is just fine. That this team does not have an OL anywhere near the death machines of Stanford lore. That this team can win ugly. That UM is 4-0 even with all the issues.

Joined: 11/01/2012

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Mr. Yost

September 24th, 2017 at 12:11 AM ^

 

 

 

Offense

  • We miss Jedd Fisch and his work with Speight, but also his input on the gameplan, the creativity in plays and formations, etc.
  • John O'Korn really should have been in a QB battle and it wasn't just talk or motivation.
  • My preseason post about Speight not getting better was legit - what I didn't know is that he'd be worse.
  • Kekoa Crawford isn't the possession WR many of us expected.
  • We've got a TON of TEs and Bunting and Wheatley, the presumed starters, are kind of at the back of the pack.
  • We we all spot on with the right side of the OL.

 

Defense

  • It's trending to be as good as last year's defense.
  • We running a lot of 3-3-5...something no one expected.
  • Rashan Gary may not be the hype train we thought (but I think this scheme is KILLING him...put Mone in there and I think Gary is going nuts)
  • Winovich is more than just a gritty, blue collar, high motor player.
  • Devin Bush is already one the best LBs in the country.
  • Our CBs aren't as bad as we thought they'd be...in fact, they're pretty damn good!

Special Teams

  • Nordin is an ASSET!
  • Our kick return game is horrible.
  • Our punt return game is improving.
  • James Foug is a revelation!
  • Kekoa Crawford is too slow to return kicks.

Coaching

  • Pep Hamilton's pro concepts suck. Routes are too slow developing for this OL and for these WRs who don't separate (other than Perry and sometimes DPJ).
  • Don Brown is a wizard.
  • Greg Mattison is a legend.
  • I miss Tyrone Wheatley.
  • Harbaugh is going to be lethal after this bye, excuse me, improvement week.

Joined: 07/25/2011

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BursleyBaitsBus

September 24th, 2017 at 12:16 AM ^

Yeah I'm honestly confused as shit regarding Gary. 5 Star recruits like him should be DOMINATING ala Clowney. 

 

Hell, look at Nick Bosa and Ed Oliver, they're wrecking balls. What the hell is up with Gary this year? 

Maybe next year when he's playing alongside Solomon at all times? I don't get it...

Joined: 01/20/2016

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Ricky Spanish

September 24th, 2017 at 12:24 AM ^

Not a great chance that Solomon next year will be better than Hurst this year. I don't know what's up with Gary and although he hasn't been "OMG" amazing I still think he is a leader the guys look up too and he's a well respected part of this vaunted Michigan Defense. I would love to see some production though.

Joined: 03/07/2017

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