Playing with House Money: 2022 Michigan Football

Zososoxfan

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Definitely a bit eye-opening to me that Michigan finally aired it out a bit and it didn't pay off. CJ had some bad drops, Bell was up and down, and Andrel didn't get enough targets to say one way or the other. I guess the takeaway here is that they miss Roman Wilson? In any event, now I get why they're so focused on the rungame. Although I still think they need to have a gameplan like this for the next 2 weeks in case OSU line up with 7-8 in the box and dare Michigan to throw.

That's counterbalanced with Donavan Edwards' best game as a Wolverine by far. He showed patience as a runner without sacrificing his burst, and his catches out of the backfield were WOW-worthy.

The D was downright amazing, as the trio of Morris-Mazi-Jenkins all played outstanding games. The LBs also had their best games of the year, with Barrett really shining--2 INTs (1 a pick 6), and Colson had 1.5 TFL.

Gotta hope that Hayes' and Paige's absences are more like flu/virus issues. Onto Nebraska!
 

Minneapolis Millers

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That's counterbalanced with Donavan Edwards' best game as a Wolverine by far. He showed patience as a runner without sacrificing his burst, and his catches out of the backfield were WOW-worthy.
I think Edwards is an X factor down the stretch. LBs can’t cover him. He can run multiple routes and has great hands and body control. I’m really hoping they’re saving some creative stuff with him for OSU. Like having him in with Corum at the same time.
 

Zososoxfan

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I think Edwards is an X factor down the stretch. LBs can’t cover him. He can run multiple routes and has great hands and body control. I’m really hoping they’re saving some creative stuff with him for OSU. Like having him in with Corum at the same time.
Oh, I like that. Who's the lead blocker on those running plays? Probably Corum. But then it's a PA and JJ throws it downfield! Lots of good options with that.
 

trotsplits

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Gotta hope that Hayes' and Paige's absences are more like flu/virus issues. Onto Nebraska!
There was some talk on the MGoBlog Pod that the flu had gone through the team - Corum and Schoonmaker both looked wrecked near the end of the game (more than usual). JJ was definitely off target on multiple throws. Worst special teams day in the Harbaugh era. Et cetera.
 

Zososoxfan

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Just an absolute hamblasting this week against Nebraska. Michigan's OL was delivering RBs 3-5 yards downfield before contact--that's the summary of the game.

I think Michigan is pretty much done trying to 'work on things' before The Game. At this point, it's get thru teams and let the chips fall where they may against OSU. JH and Staff clearly seem ready to try to manball OSU first, and will obviously have a more complex approach to that, and backup plans.

I didn't get to watch the game closely. How did the D do? I know they only gave up 3 points (that's good!), but did they get pressure with 4? How did the LBs do? Did Nebraska continue having the success of previous opponents going 1v1 on jump balls on the outside against the CBs?
 

trotsplits

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How did the D do?
Hard to say because Nebraska is a complete wreck. Same as other weeks, I guess. There was an obligatory big play in Nebraska's scripted drive that proved harmless. Their QB escaped pressure and gained yards a couple of times - containing the edges could be an issue against Stroud. Otherwise, Minter stunted and applied pressure when necessary. LB's have not been the weakness we thought they would be at this point.
 

Jason Bae

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Hard to say because Nebraska is a complete wreck. Same as other weeks, I guess. There was an obligatory big play in Nebraska's scripted drive that proved harmless. Their QB escaped pressure and gained yards a couple of times - containing the edges could be an issue against Stroud. Otherwise, Minter stunted and applied pressure when necessary. LB's have not been the weakness we thought they would be at this point.
Seth from MGoBlog did a really good piece about this.

https://mgoblog.com/content/neck-sharpies-hammer-and-anvil

Containing Barrett in the 2nd half was a huge issue in 2016.
 
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Average Reds

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Harbinger of things to come, or look ahead performance? I lean blowout loss coming.
Always possible, but the reality is that they hadn’t really had a off-game all year. (Last year they had three - Rutgers, Nebraska and MSU.)

If they get Corum, Edwards and Morris back, I’m a lot less worried. Would also help if the receivers are able to catch balls that hit them in the hands.
 

Jason Bae

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Always possible, but the reality is that they hadn’t really had a off-game all year. (Last year they had three - Rutgers, Nebraska and MSU.)

If they get Corum, Edwards and Morris back, I’m a lot less worried. Would also help if the receivers are able to catch balls that hit them in the hands.
And Schoonmaker.

Receiver play has to be the only real disappointing aspect of this team. Crazy to think it was considered one of the strengths coming into the season, just feels like they struggle to get open or catch.

Beat Ohio.
 

Zososoxfan

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Heart says caught looking ahead--thought Illinois wouldn't care since they racked up two losses--head says this isn't great. However, OSU also struggled, as did UGA, as did USC. Maybe just hangover week?
 

Zososoxfan

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From 11Warriors, the OSU version of MGoBlog.

Re the stakes this season:

2022 feels different than [2006]. Ohio State and Michigan once again come into the last week of the season as Top 3 teams, but there's an edge this year. And I think it's because this could be a turning point. In 2006, there was still the assumption that these two powers would be inexorably, eternally linked at the top of the Big Ten no matter what transpired on the field.

Now there's the realization that maybe the increasingly inaccurately named Big Ten is still really only big enough for one hegemon. That Ohio State, for the first time in decades, is in real danger of letting that slip. And that maybe this is Michigan's best, last chance to regain national relevance in college football under Jim Harbaugh.

So this isn't a party. This is Defcon 1.
Not sure about the framing of the 2006 game, but this year's iteration does seem immense and of national import. An OSU win and they keep their blood deep blue, and get the honor of continuing to compete with SEC monsters UGA, Bama, and whoever else joins the elite ring in the rotating seat. A Michigan win probably launches Michigan into another level of recruiting and program momentum. Last year could've been enough, but instead of following up a hugely successful season on the field JH stepped all over his dick, flirted with the NFL, and Michigan didn't make quite as many strides as a program as they should've.

Re the offense:

I've given up trying to figure out what Harbaugh and company are trying to do with McCarthy. He's got the arm to stretch defenses, but the Wolverines steadfastly refuse to let him try.
...
Maybe it's that Michigan rightly has no faith in their wide receivers, or maybe it's that safety valve tight end Luke Schoonmaker was out, but either way the Wolverines are ride or die with the running game.

Which is why when Blake Corum got hurt, everything went to shit for Michigan.

Corum seems "fine" in that The Game week definition of "fine" where you're going to play regardless of how banged up you actually are, but now we've gotten a look at Michigan's offense without the dude and it isn't pretty.
This little section does not say nearly enough about Donavan Edwards. Even before the Corum injury I expected Michigan to feature Don a ton this Saturday because he's such a matchup nightmare and he showed the patience necessary to take advantage of this terrific OL. Speaking of which, if everyone on the OL is healthy, they will pound OSU effectively whether Corum's healthy or not, because Edwards is good enough.

I didn't see much incisive analysis re the D, except that they think Michigan's DBs can be beaten by OSU's receivers. A balanced offense should try to throw on Michigan because M is better against the run than the pass IMO.

The prediction:

That's who wins on Saturday: after all the injuries and doubts of the past week, the team that wins is the team that is able to have the confidence to know who they are and impose their will on a game that means everything. Michigan has the conviction and the confidence, but on Saturday I think they will be surprised to see a team standing on the other side of Ohio Stadium even more prepared than they are to take back control of the rivalry.
 

trotsplits

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"And that maybe this is Michigan's best, last chance to regain national relevance in college football under Jim Harbaugh."

Well, except for last year. And next year.

I think OSU will be more organized and maybe the weather will be more cooperative (lolz), but the Ryan Day Buckeyes don't fill me with the same sense of dread that Urban Meyer's version did. They are more one dimensional and can't rely on the running game to mess with Michigan's LB's in the way they did in '18 and '19.
 

Rick Burlesons Yam Bag

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"And that maybe this is Michigan's best, last chance to regain national relevance in college football under Jim Harbaugh."

Well, except for last year. And next year.

I think OSU will be more organized and maybe the weather will be more cooperative (lolz), but the Ryan Day Buckeyes don't fill me with the same sense of dread that Urban Meyer's version did. They are more one dimensional and can't rely on the running game to mess with Michigan's LB's in the way they did in '18 and '19.
You’ve won once in the last 10 matchups. Keep your nuts in your pants.
 

Rick Burlesons Yam Bag

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I'll give my opponent enough respect to use the first letter in their state's name, but no way in fucking hell am I gonna acknowledge their completely idiotic and inane use (and attempted ownership) of a definite article.
The “t” stands for “DRAGGIN’DEEZ NUtZ ACROSS MICHIGAN’S FACE!!!”
 

Rick Burlesons Yam Bag

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I'm 130 years old and we've generally kicked your ass. It's true of our actual alma maters as well but nobody cares.
Oh please. When you have won once in 10 years you sit at the children’s table. No one “generally kicks” anyone’s ass.

Also, I am of Ohio, but graduated from Brown, so while your second statement is correct as written….

QUOTE="snowmanny, post: 5284091, member: 16223"]
I hope the game thread is not this boring.
[/QUOTE]

Your team blows, Your coach sucks, and game threads are for losers.
 

Rick Burlesons Yam Bag

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That thread was:

a) not a game thread, it was a xlaasic pre-game Shit-talk thread. You graduated from Xichigan????
b) Quite seriously me lying down facts for how the next 5 seasons would go and you dinguses holding to your belief in Harbaugh like members of Jonestown telling each other that you heard the Kool Aid was amazing.
 

Minneapolis Millers

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That thread was:

a) not a game thread, it was a xlaasic pre-game Shit-talk thread. You graduated from Xichigan????
b) Quite seriously me lying down facts for how the next 5 seasons would go and you dinguses holding to your belief in Harbaugh like members of Jonestown telling each other that you heard the Kool Aid was amazing.
Dude, you didn’t even go to OSU and you’re sh!t-talking?

From Ohio? Great. Go root for Oberlin. Or root for and post in the forum for YOUR alma mater‘s football team. Or go away.

And yeah, people who graduated from Michigan can rest easy knowing that virtually everyone for the past 40 years (longer, really, but at least since people started trying to “rank” the quality of schools) acknowledges Michigan as a top 3-5 public university in the country. OSU? Not so much.
 
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Minneapolis Millers

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For those not interested in just sh!t posting, thoughts given each team’s injuries? If Corum and Edwards both aren’t healthy, I think Blue is in trouble. They HAVE to control the clock on the road. (Need Schoon and Keegan, too.). Giving OSU too many possessions, even if their running game is hampered, is a recipe for disaster. They can only hope to keep Stroud, Harrison et al in check for so long.
 

Rick Burlesons Yam Bag

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Dude, you didn’t even go to OSU and you’re sh!t-talking?

From Ohio? Great. Go root for Oberlin. Or root for and post in the forum for YOUR alma mater‘s football team. Or go away.

And yeah, people who graduated from Michigan can rest easy knowing that virtually everyone for the past 40 years (longer, really, but at least since people started trying to “rank” the quality of schools) acknowledges Michigan as a top 3-5 public university in the country. OSU? Not so much.
tOSU.

Secondly, eat my balls. Telling other people how and for whom to root is hilarious, but mainly pathetic.

I’m Rick Burlesons Yam Bag. I post wherever the fuck I want.

Michigan will always be a pretty good third or fourth tier school. But you are no Stanford, or Northwestern even. Sit down.
 

thehitcat

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For those not interested in just sh!t posting, thoughts given each team’s injuries? If Corum and Edwards both aren’t healthy, I think Blue is in trouble. They HAVE to control the clock on the road. (Need Schoon and Keegan, too.). Giving OSU too many possessions, even if their running game is hampered, is a recipe for disaster. They can only hope to keep Stroud, Harrison et al in check for so long.
Agreed Michigan needs a healthy running game to lean on OSUs defense. Also would be nice to have the pass rush cause some quick throws even if they aren’t getting all the way home.
 

Minneapolis Millers

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tOSU.

Secondly, eat my balls. Telling other people how and for whom to root is hilarious, but mainly pathetic.

I’m Rick Burlesons Yam Bag. I post wherever the fuck I want.

Michigan will always be a pretty good third or fourth tier school. But you are no Stanford, or Northwestern even. Sit down.
Ooooh. Another internet tough guy. You can root for anyone you want. You just don’t have to be an ass about it. Also, grow up.

In any event, you’re not worth anyone’s time here.
 

snowmanny

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Just spectacular. They looked screwed at the start of that game and then just blew them out. Beautiful.
 

twibnotes

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I’m blissfully in shock

is yambag a real person or a made up caricature of an osu fan?
 

LogansDad

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Damn, seeing this score on the ticker is the first time I wish I hadn't quit watching football a few years ago. Congrats, guys.
 

phineas gage

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This made me look up Oberlin's season. Good God. 0-10, outscored 505-127.
As an Oberlin alum, I can assure you this is typical. Regularly beat by epic powers like Muskingum by 60 points or more.

There are, or used to be, good things about that school, but athletics is most assuredly not one of them.
 

Granite Sox

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Michigan teams of the 2010s (both Hoke and early Harbaugh editions) regularly peed down their legs at the first sign of trouble. No intestinal fortitude. Something changed after the 2020 Covid debacle season, because The Team the last two years has been nails in crunch time in the B1G (excepting MSU last year). OSU was dominating TOP in the first half and completely stuffed the running game. I thought Michigan was hanging on for dear life at that point, but then got the second C. Johnson touchdown (75yd bomb) right after an OSU FG to make it 17-13 and I think they realized, “Hey… OSU‘s defense is selling out and can be had.”

It was so weird seeing OSU shit themselves while Michigan continued to gain confidence in the second half. The Buckeyes starting taking stupid penalties and taking bigger risks on defense and got blown apart. The tables have turned two years in a row, and I couldn’t be more delighted.

First win in Columbus since 2000. That’s wild.