I get b-ball isn’t the revenue generating sport football is but we’re paying Harbaugh boatloads and he hasn’t produced yet. I get b-ball and football is apples to oranges and JH needs some time but my god, what Beilein has done at UM has been damn near miraculous given the fact that he’s such a clean recruiter and runs a squeaky clean program. For the athletic administration to not see that and not pay him accordingly after 11 or 12 seasons is not right. I hope warde gets the message and breaks out the checkbook. Um isn’t hurting for $.
Yup. When trying to generate interest and more fans who, to start with may not be big sports fans to begin with, there has to be incentives to go to the games outside of just supporting your school. As sad as that sounds it seems to be the case at Michigan. Maybe also having more of a midnight madness event although I know JB isn’t big on those but just more access to the team might raise the interest level and induce a growth in interest and attendance. You may be more apt to go and watch the players you met and shook hands with. I know the players walk through the stands sometimes but maybe having extra events throughout the season. On top of free tickets for students, ect.
That’s why I’d like to see them work more on a low post back to the basket game with him. Cuz you’re right, he’s not going to be able to face up a lot of 4’s and get by them.
Exactly. THe more games he logs starterish type minutes will be huge due to the fact they can go back and analyze where he’s having lapses on where to be ect and correct it. Because you’re right, he has far more upside athletically and skillfully than Robinson will ever have.
Yup! They look bigger, stronger, and faster. Qb’s look quicker, seem to be better athletes, and play with more fire and urgency. Rb’s seem quicker, faster, more fluid, and are always trying to get downhill with speed and aggression. But overall the quick twitch ability with most of the players in this final 4 are noticeably better than what we’re working with regardless of class. Maybe Herbert can close the gap a bit. Either way development has to get better and offensive philosophy and scheme needs to be updated to get players in position to succeed. Wether that means pep or Drevno need to go or a meeting of the minds needs to take place and has to be altered. JH has to really take analytical approach this offseason and get more diverse. Watching these final 4 games from an offensive viewpoint we are light years away from the creativity and outside the box thinking. Not saying we need to abandon everything but god bless we need a little diversity especially if Patterson is eligible.
Imo this position might be top 2-3 of importance on the entire staff. Just due to the fact that you’re working with young players and their bodies are in such need of development. Much different than in the NFL. While it doesn’t seem like Tolbert did a bad job as a lot of guys shedded bad weight and changed their bodies for the better, I wonder if age had something to do with it. Herbert is much younger and seems like he’d be a better motivator of young players. It’ll be interesting to see if guys like Kareem Walker and some of the DB’s like JKP, Ambry Thomas, among others including the young WR’s will add some strength and size while not losing speed and explosiveness. While getting bigger and stronger is very important, not losing speed, quickness, and quick twitch ability is equally important especially along the OL as defensive linemen are only getting quicker. Hopefully Herbert has some industry secrets and cutting edge stuff he can apply at UM.
Gosh even that fifth star he would’ve undoubtably made the pic and ran it back for six. Those 4 & 5 star safteys across the land never drop those picks!
That’s a good point and analysis. The problem with DRob is he doesn’t have enough in the repertoire to hurt teams when good defensive teams/players close out and run him off the three point line.
Team looked good even though playing a bad team. Teske is improving game by game as with most everyone else. His footwork in the post needs to get better. Has to know where he is in relation to the bucket and know that defenders will be bearing down quickly. Off rebounds or entry passes to him in the post just needs to use better/quicker footwork to get the ball and go hard to the rim. Takes his time and one too many steps a little too much but that will improve the more he plays and more time with Sanderson. He also seems a little rushed with his jumper. A lot more upside to come with him though.
I like the hustle in Livers. He’s ascending. Still learning and getting acclimated to this level. I think with him on offense he almost needs to just relax and calm down. He gets an opportunity with the ball in his hands and he seems rushed. His skill set and size should lead to a lot of getting him the ball on the mid/low block extended where he could face up and shoot, or take his man off the dribble to the bucket if he has the matchup. He seems like like he’s already a good passer. Along with his hustle game. He imo just needs to relax and calm down in those situations. But as a young player that will come, as well as his shot.
I thought the same thing. Patterson to me is a lot like McSorley but more talented imo. Very good in that style of offense. Under center would take some getting used to.
I think this is going to be a very up and down season. A lot of youth in some very important roles. I’m still not sure what to make of the point guard position with this team. I almost wonder if adding Simmons was a detriment to the team. I think Brooks is a decent little PG. Has some good handles, a pretty good stroke, and you can tell he’s a coaches son. He just needs to get stronger. He looks like he’s about in 5th grade. Another 10-15 lbs on his frame would do him good. Simpson I feel is somewhat limited athletically. He’s quick and has pretty good handles don’t get me wrong, but more so offensively it’s like he’s very robotic. There’s nothing smooth about his game. Even his shot is unorthodox. Kind of wonder what scouts saw in him to give him a 4th star. Seems like a good kid and competitor but think maybe a little overrated.
I like Beilein and think he’s a solid coach. Usually does more with less. However there are a few things about him that do frustrate me. He’s a great tactician of the x’s and o’s. But in terms of an in game motivator he falls short imo. I don’t think he demands enough toughness and physicality with his teams. He’s an offensive minded coach and I do feel like the teams defense, rebounding, and probably to a lesser extent but still a characteristic of his teams, toughness.
Recruiting is on an upswing with next years class, but I think the big miss in the last two years was with Davis. Now he might end up being a decent role player, I’m not saying there isn’t hope. But my gripe is if you’re going to take a recruit for what his role is supposed to be why not look for a guy with some athletic upside. Someone with some bounce. Someone who could come in and play along side Teske or Wagner and bring some toughness. I think we almost would have been better off looking for a PF GT rather than PG. Now no one knew that Brooks would be able to come in and play like he has so maybe that’s a little unfair.
My starting 5 would go like this;
Imo, like a lot of others here, think that Teske, Livers, and especially Poole need to be on the floor a lot more than they’ve been. Robinson is a severe liability and has no quick twitch muscle fibers. Even Teske, when Wagner is fumbling over himself, hoisting ill- advised threes, and turning it over, Teske should get the nod. Sometimes I feel like there are no repercussions with JB when a guy does something dumb. And with Wagner, while I think he has a great offensive skill set, i think he could stand to stay yet another year. I feel like there’s still a lot for him to get better at.
I agree with you whole-heartedly. But in fairness to JB the job he did developing DJ turned into a curse this year. Either way imo Livers should get the next start. If no other reason to show the team that there’s competition to start. It’d be one thing if Robinson played halfway decent defense and was a good rebounder and was just in a shooting slump, but he is unbelievably limited at this level as he cannot create his own shot and is a huge obvious liability on D and opponents know this. Put Livers in and let him figure it out. He’s the future.
Couldn’t agree more. Livers, Teske, and even Poole should start playing more minutes. The more they play the more they’ll understand what they have to do and what it takes to be successful and they’ll understand what their capabilities are. What they’re good at against good competition. How they can get shots off, and how to play D and play it more aggressively. Robinson is what he is- a streaky shooter who doesn’t really bring much else to the table. Bring him off the bench for a spark here and there but he should not be logging the minutes he’s been if we want to have a well rounded team. Livers may be a downgrade in shooting(although we don’t know for sure) but the upside and what we gain in the future from Livers outweighs what we’re getting from Robinson.
I could see that working especially going to a 2-3 zone. Even with Mo having to close out on an elbow or corner three Teske would be waiting if they blow by Mo, and would just have to have good rotation and awareness from the backside of the zone. I think the only problem is that would force more minutes upon Davis. Personally I would like to see a few more Minutes for Livers. I think he’ll eventually get it and has more athletic upside. Right now we just have some holes on D with Duncan and Wagner, but need to mask their D inefficiencies because they have so much offensive fire power. I’m not sure what to make of the PG situation. Simpson looks to be about the same as last year while Simmons hasn’t shown anything yet. I actually like Brooks tbh. Has a nice shot, drives the ball decently. I think he just needs to be stronger and more protective with the ball, know how to get his shot off but I think that will come with time on the floor. I think he has the most upside of all three of them.
I’m trying to put the outlook of our program into perspective and have patience with Harbaugh. If you look at Clemson, (which most would consider them at this point an elite program). It took Dabo 5 years before he was vying for conference championships and NYD bowls and 7-8 years to get to 11/12 win seasons and playoff births. Now do I believe that JH has a little bit of tunnel vision in the sense that he’s under the Bo 3 yards philosophy? Yes I do. I think he and the offensive staff need to think outside the box a little more. Not saying we need to throw out manball philosophies entirely but we need a little more diversity within the scheme IMO. And maybe with more experience and a healthy roster that will develop. I guess what I’m saying is I think we need to be patient with what’s being built here. Were comparing Michigan football to these other programs that haven’t been in hibernation like we’ve been. Bad recruiting years, unexpected attrition, injuries, all have played a roll in this seasons growth or lack there of. And I don’t want to be that person who blames officials but we have definitely been on the wrong end more than not with a lot of calls the last three years.
I wouldn’t want any other coach coaching our team than Harbaugh. But I would agree with some here in the idea that offensively we need to make a few changes. Even with young players you can install and design more creative and dynamic plays. Were trying to pound our opponents into submission and while we’ve done that to some mediocre and bad teams, we do not have the OL and may never have the OL in this day in age of recruiting and parity to ever be able to line up and just pound people. Not enough explosiveness right now. Idk probably when we have a fully healthy roster we will be. Offensive staff needs to be realigned or tweaked and better plays and or play calling need to happen. On a positive note Peters made some nice throws including nice touch on the bomb to dpj and the fade in the EZ. Should have put more air under the throw to McDooom and threw it more to the back corner pylon and let Eddie run under it.
I️ would agree that Teske has a way to go, however, he is night and day more comfortable and more aggressive than last year. I️ really believe that the success well have this year will hinge on 3 things;
1. Point guard. Figuring out who can become Walton 2.0. I️ think Simpson can get there and hasn’t looked bad thus far. Well see soon against better competition next week.
2. Teske’s progress through the early part of the season. If he continues to be aggressive as a defender and rebounder I️ like the outlook. If he also becomes more comfortable with his mid range and hook that will be another dynamic to the offense.
3. I️ truly believe that we need to have Livers make strides quickly. He’s a decent defender with what I️ would say a little above average athleticism. His shot looks good although I️ know it’s a work in progress. Reason I️ say this is I️ just don’t see Robinson cutting I️t as a starter. I️ know he helps space the floor but at what point do the other facets of the game(defense, rebounding, scoring in other ways) outweigh him being on the floor when he could come in as a spark off the bench and not have to defend opposing 4’s for 30-35 min a game.
I️ think Spanellis could supplant JBB, but we haven’t seen enough yet. I️m desperately hoping that one out of the two between Filiaga and Stueber makes some strides and can develop into a solid all around tackle. But depth all around looks to be getting much better. Obviously pass protection is an area of focus.
Agreed, and so then they should devote the appropriate or additional time in practice to stunts and blitz pick ups from here on out otherwise we will get our shit pushed in by Wisconsin & Ohio if we can’t pass or give Peters halfway decent time to survey the field. I’m not saying they aren’t working on it but my lord that right side should be figuring it out by now.
While I’m in agreement that the OL looks to be making strides and our backs are looking good especially Higdon, I would’ve liked to see the coaches put Peters in some passing situations a few more times this game. I get the narrative- wet conditions, running game was destroying Minnesota, young QB, injuries to WR’s ect ect. But we cannot expect to have the same success on the ground our last two games of the season imo. To me this would have been a good opportunity at home to open it up just a little bit. I’m trying hard to have faith in JH and the offensive staff that they have a plan but we can’t be so one dimensional moving forward. Harbaughs explanation for not throwing due to wet conditions- ok, so you’re telling me that Peters will only be throwing the ball under dry conditions? At some point you have to take the bubble wrap off of Peters and let him play. Multiple times with a healthy lead we could have thrown on first down or 2nd and short. We had a whole quarter to explore some things. But I also am still curious about the routes and route design we run at times. With Minnesota loading the box and creeping up it would seem that over the middle would have been open. It also frees up the secondary and less congestion for Peters to operate. I also understand the OL is a work in progress with pass pro but it needs to be worked on and the 4th quarter would have been a good opportunity to do it. I think we need to see more of Peters throwing it next week so it’s not so foreign against Wisconsin and Ohio when he’ll need to do it when it really matters.
Honestly all I want to see is improvement obviously. But also, everyone wants to think about next year and I do to, but I would like to see more of the guys who will forge that group. Imo JH needs to start playing some of these guys in actual games. And more than just a play. These next three games especially ones at home should be great opportunities to game plan for some of them to gain experience that they can roll over into next year. Also need to finish strong this recruiting cycle. Get a couple flips. A strong finish to the season would help secure the vision regarding the coaching staff.
Two guys I’m anxious about are Watson and Teske. There was a lot of talk about some serious gains Watson made in the off season. If he can add some depth to the 2 or 3 it’d be great.
Teske looked unsure of himself and was like hot potato with the ball in his hands last year. I’m excited to see if he’s gained strength, comfortability with the offense and will possibly be a little more of a threat on O. Hate to see a guy 7’1” stuffed away on the bench. He could come up big with certain matchups.
I agree with others in that I’m hoping Livers is ready to play now. Would like to see him get the nod for the 4 and Robinson come off the bench for some quick fire power from deep. Unlikely at least for probably the first quarter of the season but defensively and for rebounding purposes I see Livers having the leg up.
Yes you’re correct, Kugler and Cole are gone. I think i would pull the RS off of either Filiaga or Stueber or whoever is looking like the best replacement and use that guy like they used Newsome In year one. Like an extra lineman in heavy sets. Get em in the game in every logical situation.
Laughed out loud to this. It just painted a picture in my mind of Jim bursting into tears head on podium muffled yelling into his sweatshirt “oh God I don’t know what to do...can any of you help me.. should I put Peters in or nah?!”
Young WR’s, patchwork at the T pos., and a QB that struggles with reading a defense, all ingredients for a dysfunctional offense. All very fixable problems given some time and recruiting.
Recruiting- I think JH has recruited quite well in his first three cycles even the scramble in 15’. Interestingly enough it seems like we’ve missed on some key tackle prospects and that’s been amplified with some
departures, Neesome’s injury etc. And I’m fine with that to an extent. I mean you can’t take em all ever year. We missed on Wilson but traded for Filiaga. Would’ve been nice to have both for sure. But outside of some OL misses you can’t really say much else negative about JH’s recruiting.
Time- a lot of key underclassmen are logging crucial snaps this year that will pay dividends down the road. But imo that needs to increase even more. Guys like Collins, Walker, Peters/McCaffrey, and mason need to play in the next three weeks. Game plan for it. They need to figure out If Filiaga or Stueber or whoever will be next in line and if they are, they need to be put in the game as an extra lineman like Newsome was used in year one. Or whoever they think has the leg up. You should have a good idea of who that is by now. Worried about burning a redshirt? I don’t think you have that luxury at this point. You have arguably your best lineman graduating after this season and we sure as heck are not certain Newsome will return to old form. Besides that, that’s why you recruit that position so heavy and annually. I think we’re getting there but imo there has to be some sort of experience to build from moving into next year. The whole argument of “well, there doing well in practice, and did well in camp but not ready for game action yet” or “they’ll learn more in practice than they ever would by being in a game” is a load of shit. Get those guys’s feet wet. A little harder to do with OL but get creative.
The part that worries me is the offensive hierarchy and chain of command. I’m not claiming to be any football expert but there are plays that are designed and plays that are called that are real head scratchers. Now, is that a product of young players not executing their assignments and routes. I think to a certain extent yes it falls on youth. But I’m with some here with I feel like Jed thought a lot more outside the box. He brought some element of surprise that was needed and that we lack this year. I don’t think we need to throw the baby out with the bath water but I feel like we need to figure out the OC situation. Pro style with heavy sets are fine but it’d be nice to have some spread undertones within the offense. I agree that we didn’t use peppers to the fullest when he played O. I would’ve liked to see them use him like usc used bush. Split out, traditional rb, wheel routes, rub routes to get him in space. Creativity needs to be increased imo. Hopefully that’ll come with experience.
Would be really nice to reel in Addison. He could add some competition with the WR’s and if it doesn’t work out there, could play safety. Or be a two way player. With all of these programs rolling out 6’7” tight ends and 6’3”+ receivers adding some height and length to a secondary wouldn’t hurt. I know we’ve been adding taller corners the last year or so. But taller, rangier, and athletic safety’s would be nice.
Next year the offense could be in a better spot. However, I think it depends upon Peters or McCaffrey logging some snaps the rest of the season. Don’t need to start but need some in game experience to build off of. OL should take a step forward and we’ll have DPJ, Black, Collins, Perry, Gentry, McKeon, Eubanks, Wheatley, with DPJ and hopefully Collins in the coming weeks gaining experience.
Ya this offense is sorely lacking functionality and creativity. And the calls being made in certain situations are serious head scratchers. You can go back to even last year against osu and even Iowa if IRC where we run these damn PA pass plays on 3rd and say 7,or 8. Why the hell would you call a PA when one, the defense knows you’re most likely not going to run on that down and distance, and two, the offensive line had been struggling some with pass pro. It’d be different if we had been gashing them on the ground and our OL was more dominate at pass pro. But that to me is a bad play call. It’s a slow developing play and your QB has his back to everything and what the defense is sending at you. And with a stationary QB you end up with blitzing LB’s all over him before he can even throw it away. Instead of just running out of SG or even under center with a quick drop with short to intermediate routes and getting the ball out quick. The first half of the psu game we saw a little more creativity with some McDoom motion action, and even simply JOK taking off quicker. I don’t know. I think what we’re seeing on offense is a little bit of a lot of things not meshing well. We have younger players playing big roles. We have an offensive staff who call plays that seem to have no set up for the following play, and the play after that. The actual design of a lot of plays are just not very good and do not accomplish what needs to be accomplished on certain downs. The OC’s and JH are implementing a scheme that might be a little too extensive for at least allowing younger players to get up to speed. OL is decent in run blocking but struggles in pass pro(which could be a product of not having top tier tackles). We lose our best WR to injury but seem to fear trying other options. All those things add up to a dysfunctional offense. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting better results could be the definition of insanity.
Yep. It’s a little worrisome tbh. For example; the 3rd and 6 that we had, can’t remember what part of the game it was I think 3rd qtr. everyone is running go routes and deep posts. Fuck! We only need 6 yards and our OL is struggling with pass protection. In fact two of our receivers ran into each other. I’m starting to get a little concerned that this staff is not bringing these players along the way they should be. I get the whole “youngest team in the country” stat. But this is tactical scheme stuff where they aren’t setting this team up for success with the game plan.
Ya we could stand to add another couple Filiaga type guys this year imo, but it doesn’t seem like we’re in the running for anyone. Mayfield and Hayes seem like good players but are 2 year projects from what it looks like. Good frames and athletic but it’s going to take some marination for them. It’s funny to that programs like Oklahoma always seem to load up on big talented OL recruits. Every year it seems. Hopefully Newsome comes back just as good and Filiaga and a guy like Stueber makes strides going into next year. Interior looks good with Onwenu, Bredeson, and most likely Ruiz filling in at C. Newsome, Bredeson, Ruiz, Onwenu, and either Stueber, or Filiaga at RT. Could be pretty good.
Our O is going to have to string some drives together. If nothing else than to keep their O off the field, keep our D from getting gassed, and hopefully move it enough for some Nordin FG’s. It’s going to be taxing on the D to contain McSorley and especially Barkley for a ton of possessions. If we have a 3 n out party like we have been sooner or later we could crack. Rotating Dlinemen in will be key. I’d love to see a Nico Collins appearance.. if OKorn can get the ball to open receivers.
I watched both Drev’s and Zordich’s interviews and I have to say that I could watch Zordich all day long. He just seems like a good down to earth coach who knows his shit. I bet he gets intense when he wants. Hell he looks like a just walked off the set of Saprano’s. The guy sounds like Stallone.
We are young. Are there tweaks I’d like to see the offense make? Ya a few. Not wholesale but some wrinkles. And maybe they’ll bust a few out on Saturday. The OL hopefully builds off of the Indiana game. And please OKorn, find some open guys and this game could be interesting!
Last year psu had their shit pushed in by us while they had a shit show of an offensive line and a defense with injuries and leaky valves all over the place. It is college football and weird things happen. If we can find one other WR outside of DPJ who can make some plays here and there(hoping for Nico Collins and some possible playing time chatter to be true), OKron can make it to a second read, the OL continues to gel, and maybe even see a little more KW sprinkled in with Higdon already emerging some and who knows. Anything is possible. I agree though, QB is our Achilles heel. If that turns around even 25% we’ll be ok.
There’s been a lot of talk about quite a few other rs freshmen or true sophomore QB’s starting and doing fairly well for their respected schools. With how that pertains to Peters and him apparently not being ready, I wonder if HS competition has something to do with it. Correct me if I’m wrong but it doesn’t seem like Indiana HS football produces high level prospects like Ohio and other states. With that being said, it’s still surprising that he’s not closer to the level of OKorn or Speight. Athletically, and arm strength it seems like he’s got it. Apparently the mental aspect has not caught up with the speed of the game at this level. If there is any merit to HS competition playing a factor, that could explain the learning process taking longer than expected. And if that changes the staffs approach in recruiting down the road. Once again CMIIW but I believe Luck was a Houston area product.
Ya it is somewhat puzzling. Maybe you’re right. Maybe with Jim’s NFL background with offenses it becomes very complex. Complex routes, reads and assignments. Takes all 11 to be totally in sync to make it work. Add in the fact that we have a lot of youth amongst the receivers and TE’s and it turns into the sludgefart we’ve been witnessing. That’s why I was thinking that implementing more RPO concepts into the offense and dial back the formations and routes that our receivers and tight ends have to carry out. JH had said early on in the season or even before the season that -yes, we have a lot of young guys playing pivotal roles, but we cannot dumb down the coaching for them. While he may be right and the offense will eventually maturate into something effective, it seems that there are tweaks that could be made to lessen the learning curve and let athletes be athletes and not have to retain so much. I’m not saying we need to throw the baby out with the bath water by any means but dumbing some things down and or tailoring the offense a bit to the players you have and QB you have might be something to consider. Who am I though.. just an armchair coach with an opinion.
OL looked to have made a step. I like JBB in lieu of probably anyone else at this point. Especially in the run game. It gives us a little more experience on that right side. I guess what I’d like to see the offense work on a little more (outside of the run game which is improving) is the RO with OKorn. But imo what needs to happen is when those are called, OKorn needs to be more active and sell the threat of him actually keeping it. If he’s going to struggle some with making appropriate reads in the passing game and locking on to one route than he should take advantage of his running ability. I know he’s not quite a McSorley but he’s got enough athleticism if he commits to it and works on it to be a threat running it. Also know when to get down. Then they can incorporate pass options off of that. But if he’s not able to come off of one route standing in the pocket maybe he’d be more comfortable moving a little more. Rolling out, or passing out of a RPO type of concept. It might also free up routes downfield especially if our OL is hopefully starting to gel. At psu may not be the time to do it but I’d like to see a little more Kareem as well. Higdon, Evans, and maybe have Walker split a few more carries with Issac.
Ya as much as I dislike huard as an analyst he pointed out that OKorn is predetermined to throw certain passes most notably the deep pass, when most of those are low percentage options and there are crossing TE’s and WR’s wide open. It’s concerning because of who our coach is. If Hoke was here... understandable. He’s not. If we could ever get to a point with any of our QB’s where they can see other options opening up our offense would turn a corner.
Recent Comments
I like the hustle in Livers. He’s ascending. Still learning and getting acclimated to this level. I think with him on offense he almost needs to just relax and calm down. He gets an opportunity with the ball in his hands and he seems rushed. His skill set and size should lead to a lot of getting him the ball on the mid/low block extended where he could face up and shoot, or take his man off the dribble to the bucket if he has the matchup. He seems like like he’s already a good passer. Along with his hustle game. He imo just needs to relax and calm down in those situations. But as a young player that will come, as well as his shot.
I like Beilein and think he’s a solid coach. Usually does more with less. However there are a few things about him that do frustrate me. He’s a great tactician of the x’s and o’s. But in terms of an in game motivator he falls short imo. I don’t think he demands enough toughness and physicality with his teams. He’s an offensive minded coach and I do feel like the teams defense, rebounding, and probably to a lesser extent but still a characteristic of his teams, toughness.
Recruiting is on an upswing with next years class, but I think the big miss in the last two years was with Davis. Now he might end up being a decent role player, I’m not saying there isn’t hope. But my gripe is if you’re going to take a recruit for what his role is supposed to be why not look for a guy with some athletic upside. Someone with some bounce. Someone who could come in and play along side Teske or Wagner and bring some toughness. I think we almost would have been better off looking for a PF GT rather than PG. Now no one knew that Brooks would be able to come in and play like he has so maybe that’s a little unfair.
My starting 5 would go like this;
1- Brooks/Simpson
2- MAAR/Poole
3- Matthews/Watson/Poole
4- Livers/Robinson
5- Wagner/Teske
Imo, like a lot of others here, think that Teske, Livers, and especially Poole need to be on the floor a lot more than they’ve been. Robinson is a severe liability and has no quick twitch muscle fibers. Even Teske, when Wagner is fumbling over himself, hoisting ill- advised threes, and turning it over, Teske should get the nod. Sometimes I feel like there are no repercussions with JB when a guy does something dumb. And with Wagner, while I think he has a great offensive skill set, i think he could stand to stay yet another year. I feel like there’s still a lot for him to get better at.
1. Point guard. Figuring out who can become Walton 2.0. I️ think Simpson can get there and hasn’t looked bad thus far. Well see soon against better competition next week.
2. Teske’s progress through the early part of the season. If he continues to be aggressive as a defender and rebounder I️ like the outlook. If he also becomes more comfortable with his mid range and hook that will be another dynamic to the offense.
3. I️ truly believe that we need to have Livers make strides quickly. He’s a decent defender with what I️ would say a little above average athleticism. His shot looks good although I️ know it’s a work in progress. Reason I️ say this is I️ just don’t see Robinson cutting I️t as a starter. I️ know he helps space the floor but at what point do the other facets of the game(defense, rebounding, scoring in other ways) outweigh him being on the floor when he could come in as a spark off the bench and not have to defend opposing 4’s for 30-35 min a game.
LT- Newsome, Filiaga, Stueber
LG- Bredeson, Spanellis,
C- Ruiz, Spanellis
RG- Onwenu, Ulizio, Runyan
RT- JBB, Stueber, Filiaga, Hudson
I️ think Spanellis could supplant JBB, but we haven’t seen enough yet. I️m desperately hoping that one out of the two between Filiaga and Stueber makes some strides and can develop into a solid all around tackle. But depth all around looks to be getting much better. Obviously pass protection is an area of focus.
Teske looked unsure of himself and was like hot potato with the ball in his hands last year. I’m excited to see if he’s gained strength, comfortability with the offense and will possibly be a little more of a threat on O. Hate to see a guy 7’1” stuffed away on the bench. He could come up big with certain matchups.
I agree with others in that I’m hoping Livers is ready to play now. Would like to see him get the nod for the 4 and Robinson come off the bench for some quick fire power from deep. Unlikely at least for probably the first quarter of the season but defensively and for rebounding purposes I see Livers having the leg up.
Recruiting- I think JH has recruited quite well in his first three cycles even the scramble in 15’. Interestingly enough it seems like we’ve missed on some key tackle prospects and that’s been amplified with some
departures, Neesome’s injury etc. And I’m fine with that to an extent. I mean you can’t take em all ever year. We missed on Wilson but traded for Filiaga. Would’ve been nice to have both for sure. But outside of some OL misses you can’t really say much else negative about JH’s recruiting.
Time- a lot of key underclassmen are logging crucial snaps this year that will pay dividends down the road. But imo that needs to increase even more. Guys like Collins, Walker, Peters/McCaffrey, and mason need to play in the next three weeks. Game plan for it. They need to figure out If Filiaga or Stueber or whoever will be next in line and if they are, they need to be put in the game as an extra lineman like Newsome was used in year one. Or whoever they think has the leg up. You should have a good idea of who that is by now. Worried about burning a redshirt? I don’t think you have that luxury at this point. You have arguably your best lineman graduating after this season and we sure as heck are not certain Newsome will return to old form. Besides that, that’s why you recruit that position so heavy and annually. I think we’re getting there but imo there has to be some sort of experience to build from moving into next year. The whole argument of “well, there doing well in practice, and did well in camp but not ready for game action yet” or “they’ll learn more in practice than they ever would by being in a game” is a load of shit. Get those guys’s feet wet. A little harder to do with OL but get creative.
The part that worries me is the offensive hierarchy and chain of command. I’m not claiming to be any football expert but there are plays that are designed and plays that are called that are real head scratchers. Now, is that a product of young players not executing their assignments and routes. I think to a certain extent yes it falls on youth. But I’m with some here with I feel like Jed thought a lot more outside the box. He brought some element of surprise that was needed and that we lack this year. I don’t think we need to throw the baby out with the bath water but I feel like we need to figure out the OC situation. Pro style with heavy sets are fine but it’d be nice to have some spread undertones within the offense. I agree that we didn’t use peppers to the fullest when he played O. I would’ve liked to see them use him like usc used bush. Split out, traditional rb, wheel routes, rub routes to get him in space. Creativity needs to be increased imo. Hopefully that’ll come with experience.
Next year the offense could be in a better spot. However, I think it depends upon Peters or McCaffrey logging some snaps the rest of the season. Don’t need to start but need some in game experience to build off of. OL should take a step forward and we’ll have DPJ, Black, Collins, Perry, Gentry, McKeon, Eubanks, Wheatley, with DPJ and hopefully Collins in the coming weeks gaining experience.
We are young. Are there tweaks I’d like to see the offense make? Ya a few. Not wholesale but some wrinkles. And maybe they’ll bust a few out on Saturday. The OL hopefully builds off of the Indiana game. And please OKorn, find some open guys and this game could be interesting!