Sep 10 | at Michigan

[Riddickulous]

Word is more suspensions on the way...

Source?

 

[Riddickulous]

I think the key here is contain, contain, contain. That was the killer last year. Kerry Neal and Brian Smith simply couldn't seal off the edge and Denard ran rampant on our D.

I'm not sure Michigan will be able to run effectively up the middle. Last year, their two main running backs combined for a mere 29 yards on 12 carries, and their interior OL (292, 286, 299) is kind of small for a true power running game.

If we can limit Robinson's effectiveness running around end and force him to make plays with his arm, I think the defense has a fairly good day.

 

[BGIF]

Michigan Punter Will Hagerup Suspended 4 Games - Motown Lowdown - SB Nation Detroit

Their punter has been suspended for the first four games for a violation of team rules.

Our advantage on special teams should be absolutely overwhelming in this one.

Steele has Hagerup as a #3 Punter out of HS. Last year as freshman he punted 33 times averaging 43.6 ypp. with a long of 72, 2 TBs and 11 punts inside the 20. Tate Forcier had the second most punts with 4, Robinson has 2, and Broekhuizen who is a punter had 3 averaging 28.7. Based on last year's stats Hagerups absence would be a big hit even with Goodman fielding the punts with no returns.

Hagerup also made 1/3 of the UM kickoffs according to Steele. He average 61.4 yds/KO (3.6 yard line) with 1 TB. Broekhuizen made 60% of the UM KOs with 3 TBs. UM allowed 1 KO TD return.

 

[nlroma1o]

Just an FYI.

If you are going to the game, I just read on mgoblog that several of the tailgate lots, specifically Pioneer Highschool and the golf course, wont open up until Noon, instead of the normal 6am opening.

Im sure more detailed info will be up closer to the game. Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone who is driving up there Saturday morning.

My guess is that this is really going to aggrevate the scUM fans and they will force the school to change their minds and open the lots at 6am.

 

[Riddickulous]

Michigan scrimmaged today.

Some Tweets on the action:

@DesmondHoward

Michigan's scrimmage..they are not close to where they wanna go, but very far from where they were.

@MGoJen (Have no idea who the hell this is, but according to MGoBlog's posters she has reliable sources)

Heard the offense "got tore up" today but the D looked good

And former Michigan kicker Jeff DelVerne was all over them...

I was at the U of M scrimmage today and they look very organized! Fitz Tousaint was the star for me.. Defense looks amazing

Denard is the real deal in this offense.. Seems to be easier to scramble in this offense cause defense doesn't expect it

I would say that the coaching staff today spent a lot of time on tackling, technique and teaching (less ranting). Black @ DE looks quick

Demens is baaaadddd to the bone

Kicking game looked solid! This freshman kicker has a lot of swagger/confidence and I couldn't believe it. Going to be a good year

I was shocked to see the growth from last year to spring to now! Very sharp on both sides of the football.

 

[BIGIRISHMAN]

With Robinson adjusting to taking more snaps directly under center and no real A+ wide receiver ND should dominate, scoring really shouldn't prove difficult as UMs D is also transitioning, yet even with the aforementioned factors this game still scares me, growing up in the 90's i've grown to fear and loathe those ugly little bears, it will be a close hard fought but satisfying victory that'll set the tone for our season GO IRISH

 

[arrowryan]

I wouldnt think that the kicker wouldnt rip Michigan at practice, so of course he is going to say something good. Cant wait for this game, we owe Michigan big!

 

[Riddickulous]

This is what I gleaned from it:

Either...
A) The defense is miraculously improved
B) The offense is garbage

 

[ACamp1900]

This is what I gleaned from it:

Either...
A) The defense is miraculously improved
B) The offense is garbage

you forgot a possible option C.) They are really freakin good and will rip our heart out again.

 

[Riddickulous]

you forgot a possible option C.) They are really freakin good and will rip our heart out again.

Yes, but how likely is that?

 

[ACamp1900]

Yes, but how likely is that?

about as likely as us ripping their heart out I would say.... well, maybe not the really good part... but the important part... yeah.

 

[Riddickulous]

about as likely as us ripping their heart out I would say.... well, maybe not the really good part... but the important part... yeah.

Now this I agree with.

For once, I'd like us to not suck balls against Michigan and win when we're more talented. Once.

 

[IrishLax]

Would anyone tweet that they looked like crap? No. They are all former players or family. Both units could be great. Both units could suck. We just don't know yet. I'll say that I expect their defense to be improved. I really don't see their offense being super effective but Denard is a big play waiting to happen. And that's always scary.

But in a scrimmage where you can't hit the QB... how the hell do you know how effectively you can actually defend him or not?

 

[ACamp1900]

Now this I agree with.

For once, I'd like us to not suck balls against Michigan and win when we're more talented. Once.

I can't remember ever just KILLING them the way they did us in 06 and 07... we had that one second half in the Davie years where they just imploded, and I forget the final score of that one but that is the closest I can ever remember to that type of beating...


I would LOVE to see us just drop 50 on them and have the game be over mid way through the third....


but, if someone had a gun to my head, I'd bet skunkbears win.

 

[arrowryan]

I would go with B. They are running a new offense now. There is no way that the new offense will be in full effect in week 2. Its possible but very, very unlikely

 

[BIGIRISHMAN]

I really dont think were going to drop the ball this year, and im usually the first doubting Thomas when it comes to playing UM i think there toast Fellas

 

[Riddickulous]

Would anyone tweet that they looked like crap? No. They are all former players or family. Both units could be great. Both units could suck. We just don't know yet. I'll say that I expect their defense to be improved. I really don't see their offense being super effective but Denard is a big play waiting to happen. And that's always scary.

But in a scrimmage where you can't hit the QB... how the hell do you know how effectively you can actually defend him or not?

I agree with all of this.

I expect their defense to be much improved, but to what extent? It would take a divine miracle to take a unit that was ranked 110th in the country to greatness in 8 months, especially breaking in new starters, a new scheme, and a new coordinator. I'll say their defense will be average at best.

The key to beating Michigan is stopping those big Denard runs. Hopefully we can do as well as we did in the second half of last year's game, which we should do nicely now that Neal and Brian Smith aren't patrolling the edge.

 

[ACamp1900]

The key to beating Michigan is stopping those big Denard runs.

If that is the key, and I totally agree it is, then I'll double down on them winning this game...

I still have to be shown that this defense can stop an athlete of this caliber, or anywhere near it, early in the season before I buy in... it's simple as that.

But,... If by chance he gets hurt or we do in fact shut him down... I have trouble seeing how they can beat us.... big freakin "IF" imo

 

[BIGIRISHMAN]

I would go with B. They are running a new offense now. There is no way that the new offense will be in full effect in week 2. Its possible but very, very unlikely

I couldn't agree more, Denard is a highlight reel and all but second week in a new offense just dosn't bode well for the old Skunkbears and i honestly believe the new defense is going to be in utter disarray when Mr.Crist starts passing at will on them. Don't forget my fellow Irishmen the big yellow M stands for MORON

 

[Whiskeyjack]

If that is the key, and I totally agree it is, then I'll double down on them winning this game...

I still have to be shown that this defense can stop an athlete of this caliber, or anywhere near it, early in the season before I buy in... it's simple as that.

But,... If by chance he gets hurt or we do in fact shut him down... I don't see how they can beat us.... big freakin "IF" imo

As soon as I win my vBucks back on the starting QB bet, I'll take you up on that. ND holds scUM to under 100 yards rushing.

 

[Riddickulous]

If that is the key, and I totally agree it is, then I'll double down on them winning this game...

I still have to be shown that this defense can stop an athlete of this caliber, or anywhere near it, early in the season before I buy in... it's simple as that.

But,... If by chance he gets hurt or we do in fact shut him down... I don't see how they can beat us.... big freakin "IF" imo

I definitely agree.

Darius Fleming can't suck like he has in years past vs. Big Blue. His play will be crucial.

 

[BIGIRISHMAN]

It was proven last season, Denard is easy to shake up...if you can just catch the little maniac i swear to the lord almighty he's part water bug he just scampers, that said he'll be made a highlight out of under the lights and im talkin bout out for 2-4 weeks kind of highlights

 

[ACamp1900]

I definitely agree.

Darius Fleming can't suck like he has in years past vs. Big Blue. His play will be crucial.

It's funny, they are like a high school squad in that regard...

I coach and scout for the local HS so it's a part time job of sorts to break down film and develop game plans... and at the HS level, maybe 1 out of 5 teams are so bad they are no threat at all... 1 out of five are really good across the board and 2 or 3 out of 5 have one great athlete who is the key to everything they do... One kid can literally win the game half of the time...

that DIES at D1 college football... at least it is supposed to... but then there is Michigan.

 

[Riddickulous]

It's funny, they are like a high school squad in that regard...

I coach and scout for the local HS so it's a part time job of sorts to break down film and develop game plans... and at the HS level, maybe 1 out of 5 teams are so bad they are no threat at all... 1 out of five are really good across the board and 2 or 3 out of 5 have one great athlete who is the key to everything they do... One kid can literally win the game half of the time...

that DIES at D1 college football... at least it is supposed to... but then there is Michigan.

Against Notre Dame, at least.

 

[arrowryan]

If Denard is under center, will he be as effective than he was in the spread? If you ask me, he wont be. When you are under center you are more of a passing QB and when you are in the spread you are more of a scrambler. Denard is definately more of a scrambler and scramblers usually dont do well if they throw the ball real well. He doesnt have top threat receiver and I dont even know if they have tight end that is worthy enough to be considered a weapon. I think Michigan has more question marks than we do. The only we know is that their defense has to be better than they were last year.

 

[BIGIRISHMAN]

I actually believe it'll be worse [if possible] new scheme new regime and a ton of untalented arm tackling bafoons, does anyone honestly expect anything but mediocrity from the UM D? i personally dont

 

[Riddickulous]

I actually believe it'll be worse [if possible] new scheme new regime and a ton of untalented arm tackling bafoons, does anyone honestly expect anything but mediocrity from the UM D? i personally dont

Yep, because arm-tackling cannot be corrected.

 

[BIGIRISHMAN]

If it was such an easy fix why wasn't it corrected last season? maybe im drinking the koolaide a bit soon but i believe the only way we lose this game is by divine intervention, i can't take the team who let the illini hang 60+ on them seriously I apologize if you think me rude

 

[IrishLax]

The defense will be better because they get Woolfolk back and their DL is really well suited for a 4-3... at least for stopping the run. Will Campbell and Mike Martin at DT have potential to be really, really good. And their DEs are stout. I am still 100% not sold on their LBs though and think they might struggle to get pressure on the passer without bring blitzes. Overall though, it's kinda silly to think they won't be better.

PS. To your "location"... yeah VT fans in these parts are pretty funny. Not because they're total dicks a la some other fan bases... but because they think the rest of nation worships Beamer Ball like they do.

 

[BIGIRISHMAN]

PS. To your "location"... yeah VT fans in these parts are pretty funny. Not because they're total dicks a la some other fan bases... but because they think the rest of nation worships Beamer Ball like they do.

I find them absolutely hilarious there not dicks there just funny, i always burst into laughter when im walking through a convinience store or some such location and i hear a cell phone erupt into gobbles

on a serious note, I just don't believe UM will be acclimated enough to all the newness of there schemes, i think Denard will tire of trying to be in the pocket and end up running right into a linebacker[ouch he's small] and what you said about the D makes perfect sense but rome wasn't built in a day i believe they'll retain there bad habits and they lost there most skilled defensive player [Jonas Mouton] IMO i don't see it being any better but that's just my opinion [which means nothing] i'm young and not very intelligent truth be told but hey at least I own up to it lol