Things/Players etc. you want to see v. Indiana

Submitted by ijohnb on

I know that "basic elementary offensive competence" is the most likely and apt response, but aside from this generality, what are some specific things or players that you hope to see stand out in the Indiana game that would bode well on Saturday and for the rest of the season?  I have a couple.

1. Breakthrough reciever - Grant Perry is very good at doing what he does, but what he does doesn't strike fear in the minds of opposing defenses.  I think the loss of Tarik Black may have been more significant than any of us really knew at the time, and DPJ or Crawford really needs to step up to stretch defenses.  I don't think anybody really respects us a deep threat, and that kind of trickles down to the rest of the offense.  Teams sending pressure, really crowding the box.  I would really like to see one of these recievers emerge as a real threat, and I think that DPJ in particular should get a lot more targets.

2. Generating turnovers - This is not something we have done much of since Florida.  It could be that "not turning the ball over" is the more important thing, and I know that certain turnovers are kind of luck, but as good as our defense has been we really haven't taken the ball away much and our turnover margin in our last 10 games is atrocious.  I would like to see the D get all over the ball and try to come away with a couple of TOs.

3.  Animated Gif Harbaugh - I know that officials are cracking down on coach meltdowns, but with the exception of The Game last year, it seems like our teams under Harbaugh have kind of fed off of his outstanding sideline antics and played with a lot of intensity when he is fired up.  I don't think he needs to launch his headset but I don't think I would mind seeing an official getting a piece of his mind this weekend.

What are some others you hope to see.

 

MGoBoard
Football

ztrain2323

October 13th, 2017 at 10:57 AM ^

It would be nice to see Crawford step up and do something significant or have a multiple catch game.  Would also like to see something to give us hope for the future with the offensive line. A shutout would be cool too!

Joined: 12/08/2015

MGoPoints: 252

mrkid

October 13th, 2017 at 11:00 AM ^

  1. I want to see a run-heavy play distribution. Something like 65/35 or 70/30. We have an amazing defense, lets win this with field position and grinding them down.
     
  2. John O'Korn looking to Perry first, not Mcdoom or Crawford.
     
  3. No turnovers.
     
  4. Simplify the throwing to eliminate INT possibility.

Joined: 09/12/2011

MGoPoints: 9440

MileHighWolverine

October 13th, 2017 at 11:03 AM ^

Our QB take what the defense gives him....not force a throw to a receiver who isn’t open in a spot where a simple check down would work. If I see that even ONCE this season I’ll be happy.

Joined: 09/02/2008

MGoPoints: 7749

Perkis-Size Me

October 13th, 2017 at 11:05 AM ^

There's quite a lot of things I'd like to see. In no particular order:

1) LaVert Hill has played extremely well thus far. Definitely establishing himself as the #1 corner. Now he's going up against arguably the best receiver he'll see all year. I'm guessing he'll lose his share of battles (everyone does against Cobb), but I'd like to see him get his share of wins as well. Would bode extremely well going forward. 

2) Generate turnovers. Get after a young, inexperienced QB and force him to make mistakes.

3) On offense, STOP. TURNING. THE. BALL. OVER. Get Coach Boone out there and make the offense run a mile for each fumble if you have to, but if IU is going to beat you, make it be because they're just the better team. Don't give them stupid gimmes on turnovers. 

4) Not overly confident this will happen, but generate some kind of push on the OL. 

5) Can any of the receivers get separation? Grant Perry will have to be a big safety net this weekend. 

Joined: 11/30/2011

MGoPoints: 105485

UofMCraZ

October 13th, 2017 at 11:18 AM ^

Too many formations and too much player rotation!!!

Simplify and let the talent take over.  Atleast until O'Korn and the OLine has a firm grip of the basics....

Joined: 10/14/2015

MGoPoints: 3160

Maynard

October 13th, 2017 at 11:24 AM ^

This won't happen, but I want to see Brandon Peters start and get the ball to Chris Evans and DPJ as well as Grant Perry alll day. Those are playmakers. They should have the ball.

 

Joined: 02/19/2016

MGoPoints: 9888

markusr2007

October 13th, 2017 at 11:40 AM ^

  • WILDCAT!!!!!
  • Plus Michigan unveils the wishbone triple option attack.  Fullback Ben Mason inexplicably runs for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns. 450 team yards rushing
  • Offensive line problems are completely solved after one week of blistering practice.
  • Mgobloggers have leaves and dirt on their chins due to mouths agape for too long.

Joined: 10/21/2008

MGoPoints: 19372

Night_King

October 13th, 2017 at 11:44 AM ^

DPJ  needs 5 touches a game. Been saying it for weeks. Combination of slants, WR screens and reverses. I understand his route tree is limited but he's the most athletic player on the roster, get him the ball. 

I also would really love to see a RB screen to Chris Evans. Other teams use RB screens very effectively and we have barely used it this year. I recall we had a nice one to Higdon (maybe against Purdue?) but he fumbled it. Doesn't mean we should avoid them. 

Joined: 03/02/2016

MGoPoints: 25672

fksljj

October 13th, 2017 at 11:50 AM ^

What I'd like to see:  A convincing win with the offense showing up and running on all cylinders.

 

What will happen: Offense goes out there looking confused, continues to struggle, makes the game very frustrating to watch and probably scores just enough points to win.

 

14-13 Michigan.

Joined: 11/27/2016

MGoPoints: -9997905

MadMatt

October 13th, 2017 at 11:52 AM ^

1) Exactly what we've been getting all season from the defense and the kickers.

2) Lots of power run plays with Higdon carrying the rock.

3) Complete a seam pass to Gentry.

4) Complete a screen pass to a RB, preferably Evans.

Joined: 11/06/2013

MGoPoints: 13899

ewrestling4c

October 13th, 2017 at 12:03 PM ^

I just want to see us throw some easy completions.  With all this talk about going deep and such.  those are difficult throws especially when we have very few WR's that can create seperation and an o-line that struggles to give ample time for a 5-step.  I watch countless hours of college football and going deep is not what this team needs.  They need to complete a few slants, hitches and run a boot leg or two to use O'korn's mobility.  

To me at this point, Harbaugh is trying to run a too complicated and difficult Pro emphasized offense that is asking for throws down the sideline in tight windows, fades close to the goalline and such.  A short quick slant out of a stacked formation, combination of hitch fade to a slot side, anything with a quick read and an easy completion.  

We need to get momentum going with this offense and get into a rhythm.  

Joined: 09/30/2015

MGoPoints: 172

Bodogblog

October 13th, 2017 at 12:05 PM ^

JBB at RT.  If we can run the ball better, and I think we'll be able to with those two monsters on the right side, I suspect the community here will be pissed.  But the problem has always been pass blocking, based on limited sample sizes.  He's probably worse than Ulizio.  Maybe he can improve, and maybe he can take a step toward that on Saturday. 

JBB you're huge.  Don't lunge at your man.  Stay in front and make him go around you.  Even if he bull rushes and knocks you back, it will give O'Korn time to react.  Ole's are death. 

Joined: 06/08/2010

MGoPoints: 26674

Leonhall

October 13th, 2017 at 12:05 PM ^

First, somebody else at RT....JBB? He's not great but is heavier. Next, JOK looking more comfortable, ala, 2nd half Purdue. More routes for DPJ. Is Drake Harris still on the team? Too bad he had been practicing at DB...I wonder if he could have contributed on offense? We'll never know I guess. Also, if you are going to run fade patterns in the red zone, can we put Gentry and Bunting wide? As far as RB, I'd like to see more Ty Isaac, assuming he can hold onto the damn ball. Finally, and most importantly, I'd like to see more points on the scoreboard for Michigan than IU at the end of the game. If we don't play better, I see another close loss.

Joined: 06/14/2012

MGoPoints: 16430

maize-blue

October 13th, 2017 at 12:06 PM ^

My sort of non-serious thing I'd like to see is a short yardage package I-formation of Ben Mason at FB and Kahlid Hill at RB.

Joined: 01/10/2013

MGoPoints: 44662

RainbowSprings

October 13th, 2017 at 12:17 PM ^

What a mess on offense that created. Would just like our OL to reach unprecedented heights and approach true mediocrity. (Obviously, I haven't really recovered from last Saturday.)

Joined: 11/09/2010

MGoPoints: 13438

theguy49503

October 13th, 2017 at 1:25 PM ^

be efficient on offense, take what the defense gives you and Offense help the defesne. Using OK athletisicm to our advantage and not making him a statue in the pocket.

Joined: 05/26/2011

MGoPoints: 2077

michfn2

October 13th, 2017 at 2:52 PM ^

what do you expect.

But hey, we got two guys running that fabulous OL, three people running the offense, and a passing game coordinator who’s biggest accomplishment is getting Andrew Luck injured

Joined: 09/12/2015

MGoPoints: 3110

mgolf4

October 13th, 2017 at 2:54 PM ^

Hoping for:

1. Occasional QB pull on read option

2. RB screen(s) 

3. Targeting Perry in man-to-man out of the slot

4. Throwing a fade in the redzone to ol' skillet hands, DPJ, Gentry, or Nico

 

Joined: 11/20/2009

MGoPoints: 917