Interesting stats on Michigan

Irish Envy

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Michigan has committed to running the ball -- 101 of 144 plays in two games. Against Central Michigan, Mike Hart led the way with 116 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-17 victory.

The defense continues to look devastating, particularly against the run. It has yielded an average of 29 yards in two games (Central had 16).

Source: Detroit News
Man, those are some fierce numbers on defense. If you think running against GT and PSU was touch, it looks like Michigan will be more of the same. As for 70% of the offense being on the ground, I'm not sure if this is going to be Michigan's MO or if they were playing possum knowing they had us coming up?
 

scooper

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I know people love high flying offense, but if you can run the ball, you should. It keeps your defense off the field, keeps down the chance of turnovers, and keeps your QB from getting hit. Michigan will probably have to throw more on Saturday, but they have been smart this far to keep the ball on the ground.
 

BigIrish

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i never buy the argument that offensive coordinators are hiding anything more than some trick plays in preparation for a future opponent. i think UM runs the ball because that's their strength. they won't abandon that gameplan for the Irish. if they turn to the air frequently, it'll be because they're struggling on the ground.
 

Irish Envy

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i never buy the argument that offensive coordinators are hiding anything more than some trick plays in preparation for a future opponent. i think UM runs the ball because that's their strength. they won't abandon that gameplan for the Irish. if they turn to the air frequently, it'll be because they're struggling on the ground.
If that's the case, then being one dimensional like that could be a huge benefit to us.
 

jiggafini19

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They seem to be getting back to being Michigan.

And by that I mean they run the ball. With authority.

Major concern of mine going into this game is stopping that run.
 

VictorsValiant

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Yeah, running the ball is our MO, and we won't abandon it. Put it this way, if we can't run on Sat., we will most certainly lose the game. Our defense is not strong enough to stay on the field for extended periods of time. However, even though our running game is to be expected, I remain optimistic that it can happen, as Nd's run defense doesn't look very strong.

It's possible that the coaches were hiding plays during the first two games. We have many athletes who will be able to execute trick plays. Don't be surprised if you see at least 3-4 employed on Sat.
 

marv81s

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running screen passes and those little WR flares will help get the run game going, those are basically run plays too. Those are a couple options that we can do to help get the run game going, I think we also will need to take a few shots down the field to help back the defense up so they aren't playing so tight. But to do that, the O-line really needs to start playing a little bit better and help give Quinn the time to throw the bombs down the the field.
 

dth31

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I share the concerns about whether we will be able to stop the run. We haven't done it particularly well so far.

What gives me hope, however, are the comments that CW has made after both the GT and PSU games when asked about the defense. He has repeatedly made the statement that a defense can't stop everything, and that for the last 2 weeks the goal has been to stop the pass. The defense did that pretty well. What remains to be determined is
1. will the defense will be able to stop the run, if they are willing to give up the pass? and
2. will Michigan be able to pass the ball if we stop the run?

Should be interesting.
 
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rontdtarchala

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we will need our front seven to put max pressure and our secondary to stop any big play...our linebackers are extremely important in run stopping this week...if we ever needed them this is the week for them to shine
 

domerfor life

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How bout this one, I like it a lot better....

Michigan is 1-7 ATS and 0-8 SU in their last 8 road openers.

How about this one. Michigan has played Vanderbilt and Central Michigan. When you finish oooohing and ahhhhhing, I wil continue....................................Ok, I don't doubt Michigan will be a strong test, but I can't take anything from their first two games besides the fact that they will try to run. Our defensive gameplan for the first two games was to keep from getting beat deep. Therefore, we sacrificed runs up the middle. If Michigan tries to establish the run, we will then see how well we play the run because I believe our strategy for Saturday will be to stop the run and let Henne and his average- but still dangerous- receivers beat us. We will have to be conscious of the play-action, but I don't think Henne will be able to do alot of damage. I'm more concerned with Hart and Brady. I also know that Michigan is pretty strong, but their numbers against Vandy and the directional school mean nothing to me right now. Anyway, the Irish will win. I won't believe anything else until Michigan proves me wrong. It will be fun to watch.
 
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onenybrother

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Carr is starting to realize that Wolverines strentgh always been runniing the ball behind a massive line. Won't help this week but maybe down the line it would. Let's Go Dame !!!!!
 

VictorsValiant

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Can anyone explain to me how the defense is going to magically stop the run? Are they going to load guys in the line of scrimmage? That won't work because Nd's secondary is weak and our recievers are fast. If you simply assume Henne will be as bad as he was last year, then I think you'll be in for a surprise.

I would like this "oh, it won't be much of a challenge," and "yeah, they're just like Penn State" crap to continue, because it's just this type of arrogance and complacency that will get your team in trouble.

It never ceases to amaze me how Nd fans think they're on top of the world and superior to everyone after a 9-3 season and a 2-0 start. Keep it up! And please continue to hype Jimmy Clausen while you're at it.
 

maison bleu

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I would like this "oh, it won't be much of a challenge," and "yeah, they're just like Penn State" crap to continue, because it's just this type of arrogance and complacency that will get your team in trouble.

It never ceases to amaze me how Nd fans think they're on top of the world and superior to everyone after a 9-3 season and a 2-0 start. Keep it up! And please continue to hype Jimmy Clausen while you're at it.

What he said.
 

Bubba

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I would like this "oh, it won't be much of a challenge," and "yeah, they're just like Penn State" crap to continue, because it's just this type of arrogance and complacency that will get your team in trouble.

It never ceases to amaze me how Nd fans think they're on top of the world and superior to everyone after a 9-3 season and a 2-0 start. Keep it up! And please continue to hype Jimmy Clausen while you're at it.

Just because some ND fans are of this mindset, doesn't mean the team is. They might be a little arrogant (you have to be to be a good team) but, I'm certain, under Charlie they will not be complacent. Enjoy feeling like your team is being underestimated by ND fans, but don't buy into the notion that the ND team is underestimating them. This is too big of a game and too tough an opponent on NDs schedule every year......no matter the record of either team.
 
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To state the obvious, our passing game will setup the running attack, and besides, we have a better running back and O-line than any of the teams Michigan has faced.
 
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I guess I just don't see why we should be impressed by gaudy numbers put up against a middle of the road MAC team and the worst team in the SEC.

People thought Penn State would be tough too. Penn State fans thought we were being cocky and complacent too. Who has Michigan played? They lost five games last year.

If they win, or play close, I'll respect them. For now, no. Obviously the ND coaches and players respect all opponents. But the fans don't have to. We have that luxury. We respect the teams that play us tough (Ga Tech) and the teams we have good reason to expect to play us tough (USC). As for Michigan, prove you're good, and I'll believe you're good. Cause right now you and your #13 spot in the polls are running on name recognition and old recruiting rankings.
 
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I guess I just don't see why we should be impressed by gaudy numbers put up against a middle of the road MAC team and the worst team in the SEC.

Yeah, if you watch the highlight video of the Vandy game on youtube, you'll see that on all of Michigan's big plays, somebody made a major ****-up with the really simple stuff, missing a tackle, etc.
 

tommy

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respect is a funny thing when it comes to fans i mean i dont disrespect these people as men for i dont know any of them like that even if they have committed some crime who am i to judge them i do respect them as players you dont just get to a top d 1 school for nothing once you start disrespecting teams when you are playing them you set your self up for failure i love cw's aproach to the respect thing he respects every team equaly he wants to beat them all just as bad as the next team thats not disrespect thats being competitive respecting and likeing are to totaly opposites
 
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But what does it matter if fans respect opponents or not? Fans have no bearing on the outcome of the game. Obviously CW and staff, and the players, respect the opponents week-in, week-out.
 

maison bleu

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I guess I just don't see why we should be impressed by gaudy numbers put up against a middle of the road MAC team and the worst team in the SEC.

Just for the record, Vanderbilt is not the worst team in the SEC. That honor would go to Mississippi State by a considerable margin. MSU has yet to score a point this year.... And as far I'm concerned, there's no evidence that Arkansas, Mississippi or Kentucky are any better than Vandy.

Last year Vandy beat Tennesee (but who didn't?) and came close at Florida. Last week they lost by three at Alabama. And of course there was Jay Cutler. To me this is a program moving in the right direction. They're not quite Northwestern-in-the-Rose-Bowl yet, but stranger things have happened

I'm sorry, I live in SEC country, and I care about these things...
 
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These aren't my words, but those of a friend who is a die-hard Ohio State fan and knows his football:

"I don't think Michigan is very good at all this year. ND should win by 2 TDs"
 

marv81s

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Just for the record, Vanderbilt is not the worst team in the SEC. That honor would go to Mississippi State by a considerable margin. MSU has yet to score a point this year.... And as far I'm concerned, there's no evidence that Arkansas, Mississippi or Kentucky are any better than Vandy.

Last year Vandy beat Tennesee (but who didn't?) and came close at Florida. Last week they lost by three at Alabama. And of course there was Jay Cutler. To me this is a program moving in the right direction. They're not quite Northwestern-in-the-Rose-Bowl yet, but stranger things have happened

I'm sorry, I live in SEC country, and I care about these things...

Vande also had their one man offense in Jay Cutler, a first round pick. Without him we saw how bad Vande's offense is. But your right, the worst team in the SEC is Miss St, but I don't see Vande being far behind this year.
 
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Yea, that post defending Vandy is ludicrous. All that stuff they did last year (and they didn't do MUCH last year; they didn't make a bowl game, and they lost to Middle Tennessee State) was Jay Cutler. That's not "a program moving in the right direction." That's one lucky break for a moribund program. That's lightning in a bottle, and they couldn't even capitalize on it.

And while there are some other contenders for worst in the SEC, I think Vandy will be right there all season. MSU hasn't scored yet but then they've played South Carolina's improved defense, and Auburn. I don't know if Vandy will score on those two teams either.
 
K

knute

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I know people love high flying offense, but if you can run the ball, you should. It keeps your defense off the field, keeps down the chance of turnovers, and keeps your QB from getting hit. Michigan will probably have to throw more on Saturday, but they have been smart this far to keep the ball on the ground.

Plus, Michigan brought in a special consultant in the off-season to install the Denver Broncos zone blocking scheme. My guess is that they wanted to use the first two games to give the OLine as much chance as possible to perfect the technique.

I do expect that they will try to 'surprise' us at some point by unveiling something in the passing game that they've been working on all off-season and haven't showed yet.
 
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knute

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These aren't my words, but those of a friend who is a die-hard Ohio State fan and knows his football:

"I don't think Michigan is very good at all this year. ND should win by 2 TDs"

This is exactly what everyone in Ann Arbor is deathly afraid of. It's why this game means so much to them. They've lost a little bit of the swagger and this is their chance to get it back.
 

Irishkid23

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Plus, Michigan brought in a special consultant in the off-season to install the Denver Broncos zone blocking scheme. My guess is that they wanted to use the first two games to give the OLine as much chance as possible to perfect the technique.

I do expect that they will try to 'surprise' us at some point by unveiling something in the passing game that they've been working on all off-season and haven't showed yet.

A pro blocking scheme! CW knows how to beat it and he will teach Minter and the D how to beat UM with that one. Does LLLoyd think that he will pull the proverbial wool over Charlies eyes with that Denver scheme????
Please. ND by 14++++++++
 
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