Penn State

Red-zone defense is setting up Michigan for a long afternoon, I fear.

its michigan's red zone offense you should be worrying about

sandyeggo_blue wrote:

its michigan's red zone offense you should be worrying about

I hate that I get to do this but +1.

‘Eggo, it’s a combo of their defense and Michigan’s putrid red-zone O, is my point.

Let us look at the positive side of it. Our 2 outside rushers are not only two of the best in the Big Ten but they are 2 of the best in the country. I think I heard Ojabo is 2nd in the country in sacks and strips. Aiden being on the other side sure helps but now there are a lot less double teams.

Our defensive line is THE BEST it has been in YEARS. I could easily see 4 of them in the NFL. Maybe more as it moves on.

We have to pressure. they will pass pass pass.

Go Blue!

Good solution to red zone problem: don’t go there, score from outside the twenty!

deserevid loss for michigan putrid 3rd down defense all day. Offensive line can't get a yard when they need it through watching this team in big game situations they fold like a card table. Mc Namara QB skilss are a shame a school like Michigan should be able to do better.

What’s up with JJ, I wonder?

dwoody wrote:

What’s up with JJ, I wonder?

Dog house is my assumption.

Doubt it's the "doghouse." Likely concern about composure in a close game at Penn State.

JJ is just resting up getting ready for the JJ Package against the bucknuts .

This game answered a lot of things.

1. We drove down field and scored a TD when we NEEDED to.
2. We held PSU and made them give the ball back, when we NEEDED to.
3. We ground them down. Or more succinctly, the offensive line and H.H. wore them down. For the REST of the game.

They knew we were running the ball and they could not stop us. That is one of the best feelings!

I don't think the game performance answered any questions, rather it confirmed a few things we've already seen and suspected this year. It wasn't pretty but it was nice to see them validate a few things...

1. Cade can manage a game and not get flustered by a bad play.
2. The offense (particularly the run game) can dictate pace.
3. The defense can get a stop if they need to.
4. The defensive scheme and the D line play help make the lackluster talent at corner serviceable.
5. Michigan can win the field position game if they need to.
6. **** MOST IMPORTANT **** Coaching adjustment is so much better than the past few years.

great points joe and sandy … in two weeks we will see if this indeed is a different team and coaching staff … I feel we can score against the worst bucknut defense of the JH era … however can we stop their offense especially the two great receivers they have …. Hutch and Ojabo need to be in Strouds face quickly to help those corners ….

BOLEACH7 wrote:

…. Hutch and Ojabo need to be in Strouds face quickly to help those corners ….

the game outcome will be 100% this ^^^

sandyeggo_blue wrote:

BOLEACH7 wrote:

…. Hutch and Ojabo need to be in Strouds face quickly to help those corners ….

the game outcome will be 100% this ^^^

Agree that this is the path to victory. Unfortunately OSU QBs have been trained to get the ball out quickly and the series has been marked (at least since 2006) with our pass rushers not quite getting there in time. That game in particular Lamar Woodley was an instant too late over and over.

wshoes wrote:

sandyeggo_blue wrote:

BOLEACH7 wrote:

…. Hutch and Ojabo need to be in Strouds face quickly to help those corners ….

the game outcome will be 100% this ^^^

Agree that this is the path to victory. Unfortunately OSU QBs have been trained to get the ball out quickly and the series has been marked (at least since 2006) with our pass rushers not quite getting there in time. That game in particular Lamar Woodley was an instant too late over and over.

a lot of what you say is true. I'd counter with this....

typically in years past they have fielded a QB that was a deep threat. I haven't seen Stroud complete many passes over 10yds this year but when he did..... HE HAD TIME! From what I can tell, most of their big receiving plays this year are because of yards after catch. I don't know how accurate he is with the deep ball and even if he is, I don't know how well his percentages are with the pass rush in his face.

This may sound dumb but I am all for JS-N and Olave and Wilson stretching the field and running 15+yd routes because I don't think Stroud is going to have time to sit back and watch the plays and routes develop. I'm okay with him trying the short pass dump plays as long as UM keeps the safeties and LBs as a spy on him and the TEs and slot receivers.

Just to go back the last 3 years... Justin Fields was far and away the best QB in CFB at check down passes and that killed UM and all other teams they faced. I actually saw a stat during the draft last year how he graded #1 overall in check down passes and Trevor Lawrence graded #7 of all QBs. Anyway... I don't know how well Stroud is and he's not that great then that could be a bad thing if he's constantly getting pressured and his #1 option isn't open.

I think the one thing that can burn UM is the play action to the RB out of the backfield. IMO that is where they are going to get chunk yards. Those plays frustrate me the most so I have a feeling I'm going to be in for a long day.

Does Michigan have a game TOMORROW? Are we looking ahead too much?
Next week means nothing if Michigan loses, or spartina wins, tomorrow.

dwoody wrote:

Does Michigan have a game TOMORROW? Are we looking ahead too much?
Next week means nothing if Michigan loses, or spartina wins, tomorrow.

I pretty much agree, however if sparty wins tomorrow we are still not out of it. We just would need Penn State to beat sparty, and of course we must beat Maryland/o$u. But yes we do need to concentrate on Maryland first.

dwoody wrote:

Does Michigan have a game TOMORROW? Are we looking ahead too much?
Next week means nothing if Michigan loses, or spartina wins, tomorrow.

i was just opining on the reply to the keys to the game. not looking ahead. fully understand that maryland poses a legitimate threat this week. take care of the terps and work towards the issues that should show up the following week and see where the chips fall