First off, the only way we were going to beat Bama was for Denard to throw the ball well. You can't run on Bama and if Denard passed well, the defense would be off the field. Also, losing Countess was a BIG deal! He was a lockdown corner which basically means you can put another guy in the box to stop the run. Finally, no chance with the 2 inside LBs we played against Bama (Demens and Morgan). #44, could be the worst LB I have seen at Michigan...he just never makes a play....
ON to AFA. Same inside LBs, AFA perfectly run option offense and the game is tight. The goofy spread stuff works against non-quality teams, so of course Denard has a huge game, and Funchess, gardner and gallon make up a good 3WR/TE set......FINALLY, the inside LBs get replaced with Bolden and Ross and we hang on....
So today where are we? Mattison and Hoke are the types who only care about performance in terms of playing time....I think they see that the guys they recruited are REAL PLAYERS (i.e. can play in the NFL)...so I see the team rebounding with a huge win at UMASS and probably eking one out against ND based on Denard's performance....the MSU game will be the tell-all...can Denard throw? because the WR/TEs are there.....I like our chances if so....and in terms of the running game...well, look at most NFL teams...running is devalued like crazy...why? because NFL coaching (i.e. Saban, and his disciples - like Dantonio) shut it down!....so in the end, I am optimistic because I think our 3 WR/TEs help Denard alot and we go to the ROse Bowl!
GO BLUE
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