What can we take away from the Nebraska game?
I'm taking away another awesome performance from Will Hart, Ben Mason (!) smacking dudes, and a good aggressive performance on both sides of the ball from us.
Also taking away that half the Nebraska team is quitting on Frost already. Several of our guys, starting with Metallus and Winovich, stated after the game that Nebraska basically quit playing hard after our first score.
And for that last reason, my main takeaway is this was a solid win, but not nearly as impressive as we may have thought prior to the game being played or the final score. I don't know if it says a lot about where we are today. Still, a good performance, and we have to step it up a notch next week.
Or is this too Debbie Downerish? What does the board think?
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:15 AM ^
I'm not an X's and O's guy, but I thought our O line looked great. I mean Nebraska's D line has to better than WMU's and SMU's D line, right?
We are certainly better than last year on the O line and that gives me hope.
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:22 AM ^
Maybe? Nebraska has like 50 true freshman on their team, which doesn't seem possible. So maybe they're really just that bad.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:16 AM ^
They have 50 new players which includes a bunch of transfers and walkons.
September 23rd, 2018 at 11:36 AM ^
Nebraska was among the national leaders in sacks after two weeks. That was an impressive job by the OL yesterday.
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:21 AM ^
It might be long before Nebraska fans want Pelini back.
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:51 AM ^
He isn’t exactly lighting it up at Youngstown State...
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:10 AM ^
Didn't he win a national title there?
Edit: looks like they lost that title game. Worse, is that he's roughly .500 overall outisde of that one season. Ouch, they probably won't keep him around much longer. Especially if he keeps spouting off at the mouth. As he is wont to do.
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:22 AM ^
At least for this year, they will be the Rutgers of the West and that scott's mom will be on Xanax.
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:26 AM ^
That Nebraska is one of the worst teams in the conference. Michigan needs to win big games on the road.
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:26 AM ^
I think both offense and defense are starting to come together and play faster, and with more finely tuned detail. The improvement is very evident, despite the competition.
UN is going to have a nightmare season, but the malcontents will eventually be pushed out. And then they'll be good again. But thats going to be a couple of years away...
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:27 AM ^
Also, if I was Nebraska's back up QB, I'd be demanding a fucking scholarship this morning.
Kid gets pounded by our defense and has to pay for the privilege? Fuck that!
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:28 AM ^
They should have given him a scholarship when he was named #2.
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:37 AM ^
Takeaway: that it is ok to enjoy beating a team convincingly, even if said team is struggling, and enjoy it rather than looking for reasons to question the performance.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:35 AM ^
I'm with you except for the fact that they aren't merely struggling, apparently they quit early. That is different
September 23rd, 2018 at 11:59 AM ^
How do we know that?
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:41 AM ^
Cramps were not an issue during the game, so that's a huge plus.
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:44 AM ^
Not much. We have more talent, and Nebraska is still developing its mental toughness under a new coach. But we knew both those things beforehand.
Now if we produce a similar result in Evanston, we'll know that the team has put ND behind them and has a real shot at surviving the Wisconsin-MSU-PSU gauntlet unscathed.
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:58 AM ^
Pounding Northwestern won't prove anything to me. Wisconsin may not even be very good. Beat MSU and OSU. Then they'll prove something.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:35 AM ^
I think in the context of this particular roster it's important for them to get a convincing road win. Underestimate Wisconsin if you wish, but going into Kinnick at night and taking care of business (especially after stubbing a toe the previous week) is a sign of a well-coached, mature and focused team.
I agree that in the larger historical context that MSU and OSU are more important, but you have to build up to a level of readiness for those games.
September 23rd, 2018 at 11:03 AM ^
Three days ago Nebraska point spread was too much. We predicted 32-21 type of gsme. Let's keep moving the goal posts and not appreciate improvements. Got it.
September 23rd, 2018 at 11:03 AM ^
You can't prove it until you are scheduled to do it. And you grow based on what you experience. Every game is a test. Playing your game and doing it well is up to your team and its motivation to compete at the highest level on any given Saturday.
Don't hear much in the aftermath of high level execution on both sides of the ball that play-calling sucked or that the execution efficiency was awful. That's because the level of execution was so acutely strong. If a team quits playing hard, it's either because it doesn't think well of itself or doesn't feel like it can compete because it's overmatched. I couldn't determine their overall psyche by watching Nebraska play. And there have been lots of Saturdays at the Big House where Michigan has crushed overmatched teams.
Yesterday was a great game for the team, the team, the team, in every area, regardless of Nebraska's roster or its own mindset.
Their fan base traveled to Ann Arbor. They represented. If you want to ask this question, ask them. Because what I saw was Michigan getting better at positions where there have been lots of criticism. The Oline looked good.The backups played like starters. And they all did it and looked good against a conference opponent.
I mean if we want to quibble about things, we can quibble about receivers dropping dime bombs by McCaffery that should have resulted in an even greater drubbing. A win like this is immeasurable for team morale because everyone got to contribute in some personal collective way and enjoy the outcome of that participation in a more than a box score notation of an also played appearance.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:21 AM ^
Does Minnesota still feel they're capable of returning to their former glory?
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:39 AM ^
I can answer that...
No, they don't.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:34 AM ^
I think Pelini showed them their new ceiling. Gone are the days when they can just 'roid up some farm boys and turn them into bulldozers. Osbourne got out at the right time, I'm sure he could see the writing on the wall. All UN has for a recruiting base is Omaha, which has some talent but nowhere near enough to sustain a program.
However, the B1G west has multiple programs like Iowa, Minn and Wiscy in somewhat lower population areas and without a rich local talent base, so they kinda fit in. I can see them making noise and inserting themselves into divisional races, and a bowl win when there's a good matchup, but not much more.
September 23rd, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^
Actually, Nebraska's success came from their ability to recruit nationally. Tommy Frazier is from Florida, Lawrence Phillips is from California, and the Peter brothers are from Jersey. And as we can see from those names (excepting Frazier) their willingness to take on the nation's most athletic problem children and endanger women on their campus for the sake of winning. They hit up Texas heavily too, in addition to Jersey, Fla, and the LA area (only Bloods though). Their recruiting success died when Osborne retired. Leaving the Big 12 only exacerbated that. Now they really are stuck in that footprint and it's killing them. I, for one, have no sympathy.
September 23rd, 2018 at 11:08 AM ^
They have been hurt by joining the B1G. Their home games are 11:00 AM kickoffs. They lost their recruiting in Texas. They have played an extremely tough, and boring B1G schedule.
The B1G fucked them big time. They should have been put in a division with teams they had rivlaaries and history with. And there are a few--Penn State, Wisconsin, iowa, even MSU, which is where Bob Devaney began his career. There doesn't really need to be this East-West thing.
Oh, and the academics? I don't know when that last mattered in the grand scheme of things outside a message board full of guys who pretend to have gone to college. It's money, sports, national draw, and somewhere about 56th on the list comes academics.
September 23rd, 2018 at 11:31 AM ^
I'm a Michigan grad school grad. Also, Nebraska is in the same division as Wisconsin and Iowa, so...mission accomplished? And I'd argue that Nebraska has a bigger rivalry with us than Pedo State, or...um...MSU. And we just played Nebraska. How exciting was their schedule when they were playing Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and their ilk every year? What Nebraska should do is start scheduling Oklahoma again. Harbaugh got ND back on the schedule--they can make that happen. Colorado is also great for their ooc. Those games plus Wisconsin and Iowa should fill the stands with farmers at least.
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:48 AM ^
I’m usually on the more pessimistic side of things but I think it’s interesting how the narrative changed about Nebraska after the blowout. Before the game, everyone was talking about how they are better than the record and that the line was surprising. After the annihilation, Everyone is calling them the next Rutgers. I’m just happy we are back to eviscerating bad teams.
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:48 AM ^
I thought Nebraska was better than what its record said, now I think that they are what its record says.
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:58 AM ^
We’ve got a real quarterback and another one on deck.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:05 AM ^
Yes i am extremely impressed with McCaffrey. Not so much with Peters. Im hoping for his sake that Peters is on pace to graduate this year so he can grad transfer for next season and have 2 years of eligibility. The writing is on the wall for him.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:28 AM ^
You weren’t impressed with this stat line?
0/1, 1 INT
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:47 AM ^
Shane Morris/Russell Bellomy-esque
September 23rd, 2018 at 1:24 PM ^
That INT was a really good play by the NU DB.
For the life of me I don't understand why some of our fans are obsessed with playing favorites among the QBs and attacking the others. Why not just be happy we have good depth there?
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:59 AM ^
Will not say Peters is great but he's also not and even last year hasn't been running the same offense as DCaf and Shea. He has talent just not a fit at Michigan and doesn't seem he was ever fit. But he was the highest rated QB who didn't turn Harbaugh down in that class.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:01 AM ^
Nebraska had a bunch of sacks coming into this game and we gave up 1. There was one instance early they sent three blitzers up the middle. We got the first two and Patterson didnt feel the pressure until the delayed safety went through the same hole. He still completed a medium depth pass.
We knew that JBB and Onwenu were powerful run blockers but we saw Bredenson and Runyan step up in that department yesterday. Most of our big runs came on the left side. And thats huge not being labeled as a right handed running team. Gives opponents much more to prepare for.
Our OLine has improved significantly since ND under Warinner. Thats what Im taking away.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:02 AM ^
Nebraska sucks
Michigan plays well against bad teams
We beat teams that we should beat
It would have been better to play Notre Dame with 1-2 games under our belt
DPJ likes to hit people as much as he likes to catch the football
Scott Frost is a tool
Michigan has finally found a future star QB in Dylan McCaffrey
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:05 AM ^
Nebraska is bad and Michigan is better than last year. Whether we are legitimately good is yet to be determined
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:11 AM ^
Team started fast and didn’t take their foot off the gas. Complete team performance in all phases. Reminds me of the ‘16 team in a lot of ways
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:12 AM ^
This Nebraska team isn’t good, but I don’t think they’re Rutgers or Illinois bad. Colorado is probably going to be on the low end of the Top 25 and they should’ve beaten them. Troy is a really good G5 team and they didn’t have Martinez.
I’m not saying this team is CFB bound or anything, but don’t undersell this victory. Even the leader of this community seemed to be a little worried about this game prior to kickoff.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:18 AM ^
I get to tease my NE co-workers. All through the summer they all thought their best chance for a big road victory would be against Michigan. I kept telling them now way against our D. Your team is years away from being good.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:23 AM ^
My only take is we played well enough to win and that the team needs to continue to improve in all phases of the game.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:47 AM ^
Are you taking it 1 game at a time? Does it only count for 1 in the record books? Thanks coach
September 23rd, 2018 at 11:58 AM ^
Yes indeed. No hawt takes for me. Just win the next game.
Improve, rinse and repeat.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:23 AM ^
At least the OL is improving every week. Last year there seem to be no noticeable improvement.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:26 AM ^
Nebraska has a long climb ahead of them. They will curse hiring Mike Riley for a long long time.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:26 AM ^
Frost might have lost the locker room, but I'm not sure this game is evidence of it. Interception followed by a few touchdowns in short order is bound to be demoralizing, especially when you know your QB isn't at 100% and that would have been a hard game even if he were. It's unfortunate for my mental state that NE gave up so early in the game: it diminishes UM's accomplishment, if true.
Also, there should be a mercy rule. :p
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:32 AM ^
Nebraska is lacking in talent to say the least. Also heart, since they just seemed to cave in immediately. That being said, Michigan did the do. Rashan Gary was fucking terrifying. Winovich was unstoppable. Lawrence Marshall being back made a huge difference for both. He's quietly become a dude. Bush is...no words. He's on a different level. Speed, pursuit, awareness. The safties are still worrisome.
Shea is not the quarterback we deserve, but he's the quarterback we need right now. Kid is so heady out there. Amazing pocket and field awareness. Sweet arm talent--he's accurate with the ball, especially on short passes and so lethal on the run. DPJ looks like an AA to my eyes. Give Higdon a tiny hole and he'll crack it open. The line and the offense as a whole looked much more coherent. The play calling was on point all day. D-Caff looks like a future AA. Ronnie Bell looked dangerous--that touchdown run! Christian Turner was as good as advertised. If the tackles can get it done, this team can win the Big Ten.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:39 AM ^
Don Brown commented that this was probably his "fastest" defensive team and it showed against Nebraska. Everyone was moving quickly and making plays. Shows that the defense is settling in and some rough spots in the first 3 games.
Offensive line play looked cleaner with fewer dorfs. Best pass pro game this season. Nebraska has a decent D-line, but when they rushed only 4, they weren't getting close.
Will Hart is dialed in. I hope he stays there. Ball is jumping off his foot. If we need a 60 yard field goal, Nordin can do it.
It's great to have depth at QB. Offensive skill players appear to be deep, too. I can see why Christian Turner was getting camp buzz about being the #3 back. Get that guy the ball in space.