My issue with this, and many other previews, is that the number of returning starters is wrong. Michigan lost Gardner, Miller, and Funchess on offense. That's it! (For offensive starters. I am not considering Norfleet and Hayes as starters.)
I checked the Ohio State media guide for the tackles made. 14/18 of the top tackle getters are returning. Those not are Ryan, Taylor, Beyer and Countess. Clark would be conisdered a fifth guy.
I think the returning starters should be 7 or 8. At worst they return 6 on defense. Would Countess have started? Probably not. Losing Ryan is a starter, but all the returning LB's I would consider starters too. . Morgan returning is a debatable starter. I say a compromise is 7. Maize and Blue Glasses they are effectively retrurning 7.5 to 8 starters on D.
State fans are running with this by the way. I had a state fan say that we shoud struggle because we lost so many players. Surprise!
Seth's examples use "hard to handle" DTs as an example of these not being optimal plays. Is that the achilles heel? Is the fact that MSU's DTs are a probable weak point this year going to help this kind of run?
The MSU presumed starters are under 290lbs, or a freshman. They also transferred an OL there, so I am presuming that is a weakness. They could allow free flow to the second level by our releasing lineman.
I need to find any edge I can for hope. Another loss to MSU is a depressing thought to say the least.
I think a lot of teams that suck in their conference (K-State, Minnesota) schedule extremely weak non-conference games, and lose almost all of their conference games.
1. Tate had such good coaching he does not have to change his throwing mechanics as most freshman QBs do.
2. He enrolled early to get adjusted to campus life, our weight & conditioning program, and play with college level talent to adjust to the speed of the game (enrolling early is a relatively new phenomena. Comparing him to past frosh performances is not accurate).
3. His deadly accuracy will allow short passes for guys in space to make move/keep running.
4. More little, fast widgets to create mismatches. Defenses can't cheat to the side Martavius is lined up on for bubble screens and such.
5. All of the improved offense will keep the defense off the field and in better positions than they were put last year. Last year's defense may have been better, but I believe this year's defense will perform better for the above reasons.
All this said I believe 9 wins is a reach, but I'd take it!
Recent Comments
My issue with this, and many other previews, is that the number of returning starters is wrong. Michigan lost Gardner, Miller, and Funchess on offense. That's it! (For offensive starters. I am not considering Norfleet and Hayes as starters.)
I checked the Ohio State media guide for the tackles made. 14/18 of the top tackle getters are returning. Those not are Ryan, Taylor, Beyer and Countess. Clark would be conisdered a fifth guy.
I think the returning starters should be 7 or 8. At worst they return 6 on defense. Would Countess have started? Probably not. Losing Ryan is a starter, but all the returning LB's I would consider starters too. . Morgan returning is a debatable starter. I say a compromise is 7. Maize and Blue Glasses they are effectively retrurning 7.5 to 8 starters on D.
State fans are running with this by the way. I had a state fan say that we shoud struggle because we lost so many players. Surprise!
Seth's examples use "hard to handle" DTs as an example of these not being optimal plays. Is that the achilles heel? Is the fact that MSU's DTs are a probable weak point this year going to help this kind of run?
The MSU presumed starters are under 290lbs, or a freshman. They also transferred an OL there, so I am presuming that is a weakness. They could allow free flow to the second level by our releasing lineman.
I need to find any edge I can for hope. Another loss to MSU is a depressing thought to say the least.