Wisconsin Snowflakes: General Observations

Submitted by LSAClassOf2000 on

This is for the hot takes which defy categorization but are yet still relevant to our game against Wisconsin.

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Muttley

October 1st, 2016 at 7:41 PM ^

gave the team valuable experience.  We still outplayed them, yet the game went down to their final possession.  While it was nerve-racking in real time, it was good to outplay them and still get that steeling experience. (I'd say a 16 or 13 point win would have been indicative of the relative performances of the teams.)

Joined: 07/07/2009

MGoPoints: -73245

LebronJames

October 1st, 2016 at 8:55 PM ^

I thought Speight played fine. > 60% completions and > 200 yards. Had an unfortunate interception off a deflection, and then a bad sack when he should have thrown it away. I thought the offensive play calling was lacking once we got near the end zone, and overall in the 2nd half. Outside of maybe one or two drives in 2nd half, it seemed like we kept running straight into 7/8 man boxes when their linebackers are their strength and were committed to stopping the run. Also we abandoned trying to get Butt the ball, and we were calling plays that took too long to develop considering the way our OL was playing.

Joined: 12/06/2014

MGoPoints: 392

LSAClassOf2000

October 1st, 2016 at 7:12 PM ^

This is probably the positive takeaway from this game - there was adversity in droves and this team still didn't blink. There was an entire phase of the game that was not really even functioning and this team still didn't blink. I will take that - definitely things to work on, but I will take that. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130610

UMForLife

October 1st, 2016 at 7:08 PM ^

I observed my blood pressure not do so well and probably lost a year of my life. But it was well worth it because f'ing won. What a game! Our secondary and DL is as good as it gets.

Joined: 11/04/2013

MGoPoints: 63393

jasgoblue

October 1st, 2016 at 7:08 PM ^

I have nothing unique to add. Great effort to finish the game. A huge change from the RR and Brady Hoke years that are 90% of the time I've been a Michigan fan.

 

Go. Blue.

Joined: 11/16/2011

MGoPoints: 4538

maize-blue

October 1st, 2016 at 7:08 PM ^

This was not a clean game by any means. Too many penalties and missed opportunities. The game should have been over by halftime. I don't even have to mention the kicking. We're lucky that didn't come back to bite us in a tight game like this.

The injury to Newsome did not look promising. Hopefully JBB can fill in well. Although a handful of the holding penaties were on him.

I thought they would be able to carve them up with downfield passing. Early on that looked like it may happen but they started to get a little pressure. I'm still not 100% sure of Speight. He looks good sometimes but I think more accurate downfield passing would have locked this up early.

Very good effort though, good fight from this group. 

Joined: 01/10/2013

MGoPoints: 44662

stephenrjking

October 1st, 2016 at 7:11 PM ^

A win is a win. This does nothing statistically to hurt our chances to achieve anything. But the way the offense struggled does put a cap on expectations for me. Simply no way to beat solid defenses without being able to connect downfield consistently. I don't doubt that Speight is the best guy for the job, but his ceiling is not high right now. Beating OSU and, if it's relevant, winning in the playoff is a hard ask without more variety on O.

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143524

stephenrjking

October 1st, 2016 at 8:56 PM ^

Yes, I saw it, and it was terrific. I also saw him airmail perfectly makeable throws, toss deep balls into the middle of nowhere, and force the questionable offensive PI by drawing Chesson inside instead of dropping it into his space on the sideline. His missed throws not infrequently killed drives. He was also, except for one or two throws including the interception, smart enough to miss safely. Right now he is a game manager with an occasional deep ball. Maybe he'll progress, but it hasn't happened yet. A game manager can win 11 or 12 games with this team. To win more, the offense has to be better.

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143524

maize-blue

October 1st, 2016 at 8:45 PM ^

I agree with your assessment of Speight. He has a solid floor to work from but the ceiling may not have the upside as some others. I think when Peters comes along he may push hard for that starting role. That may occur as soon as next season. There is a zip that is missing on some of Speight's throws that leads to wobbly duck looking throws that you hold your breath on. However the deep ball to Darboh was a beauty. I have my fingers crossed that like last season with Rudock, we'll the see the QB really settle in over the next few games. I think at this point last season, a lot of us were kind of "meh" on Rudock.

I've said before, but I still think the team and offense is a deep threat QB away from really taking off.

Joined: 01/10/2013

MGoPoints: 44662

TheRonimal

October 2nd, 2016 at 7:29 AM ^

On a side note, that was a crazy interception. The tip was impressive enough by itsself, but then I couldn't believe the other guy was ready to catch it. Great play by them. 

I think Hornibrook's stat line shows us a lot about our defense. 9-25 for 88 yards 1TD 3 INT. Not good, Bob. I think you could tell toward the end of the game that the DL was in his head. Unfortunately Speight wasn't getting much time to throw, either. Major props to both defenses in this one. 

Joined: 09/04/2014

MGoPoints: 3877

Chitown Kev

October 1st, 2016 at 7:34 PM ^

on both sides...and Wisky''s defense is legit...but Michigan left too many points on the field...

Battle tested yet...showed a bit of dominance...so I am satisfied.

OT...Northwestern did it again...but that might be another thread altogether.

Joined: 10/01/2011

MGoPoints: 4970

Jamezz23

October 1st, 2016 at 7:13 PM ^

Wow I can finally breathe...... Game shouldn't have been that close, if we even make one field goal, and Speight doesn't give them the short field on the tipped interception we win 17-0 but a win is win. Wisconsin is a hell of a team and I didn't think their defense wasn't that good... but yea they can play. And also what a pass from Speight to darboh for the 40+ yard td. We are a better team after today

Joined: 04/21/2011

MGoPoints: 1836

jackw8542

October 1st, 2016 at 7:15 PM ^

Watching on ABC was painful because of Griese.  It almost seemed as if he wanted Wisconsin to win, was critical of Michigan on everything (even saying Michigan was lucky on the holding call against the Wisconsin NT even though the replay showed it as plain as day and we declined the penalty anyway) and couldn't say enough nice things about Wisconsin, its effort and its coaches.  What a jerk!  Kick him out of the M Club!!!

Joined: 10/30/2010

MGoPoints: 4265