Michigan Football

[Raiderball]

Looks like talk about the Wolverines has died off after their blowout loss to Sparty.

[Orestes]

I think Robinson is still a very dangerous player if he stays healthy,the 3 interceptions killed him but he still had almost 300 total yards against a very good defense! But its no secret the powers that be in the big ten have nothing worry about with that lousy defense they put out,,Schembechler must be rolling in his grave

Of course he had over 300 total yards. He runs almost every play for Michigan. A poor to mediocre offensive output would be 300 yards of offense. Since the entire offense goes to him, he is bound to have 300 yards every game. His rushing yards per attempt is his most impressive stat. Though, that is enhanced since he never drop-back passes and thus never gets sacked. Newton and Pryor are both asked to play pocket-QB as well, which hurts their yards per carry. In college, sacks count against the rushing total.

Also of note, Pryor has played 4 quarters of football in one game. Against Indiana, he played 1 half and 1 series.

Cam Newton
Passing: 1138 yards, 64.8% completion, 12 TDs, 5 INTs
Rushing: 672 yards, 9 TDs, 6.5 yards per attempt

Terrelle Pryor
Passing: 1349 yards, 68.0% completion, 15 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing: 354 yards, 3 TDs, 6.2 yards per attempt

Denard Robinson
Passing: 1223 yards, 67.2% completion, 8 TDs, 4 INTs
Rushing: 991 yards, 9 TDs, 8.3 yards per attempt

[dazed&confused]

Just out of curiousity but who would Michigan hire if they ditch RichRod? Jim Harbaugh? Maybe but he burned bridges a few years ago. Les Miles? Please! Who would want to go in there and take the players Rich has in place and go back to playing Michigan ball? I think you're stuck with him for another year.

[Orange and Brown]

Old Rich Rod is going down down down in a burnning ring of fire. He has scared that program for years to come.

[boilermaker]

Sad but true O&B


RICH ROD MUST GO NOW!!!!!!!

[91Buckeye]

Definitely not a rich rod fan here but I don't think the transition back to a more conventional offense would be as bad as people think. It would still be more of a spread look than what we have had in the past, but ditch the spread option. UM has talent at the wr, ol, and tight end positions. They have a productive pocket passer on the roster and denard could be thrown into the rb by committee scenario or someother playmaker position. Defense is the problem. As I see it a switch back to a 4-3 alignment with a more conservative zone approach in the secondary(cover 2/4) would improve the play of our defense.

[noreply66]

Meatchicken in the title is spelled wrong

[Peake]

Let me start by saying I think I am as objective a fan as I can be (we are never 100% objective when we are fans). Michigan is at a crossroads. Do you stick with Rich Rod and hope things get better, or do you move in a different direction with a roster made up of players made for a certain scheme? Very difficult decision at this point. If Rich Rod wins say 1 or even 2 more games and they come against Purdont and say PSU then I think you make that case much easier. His three year career in the Big Ten would be 7-17 with wins over the bottom Big Ten teams and one above average Wisconsin team in 08. 0-3 v MSU and possibly OSU is pretty hard to defend at this point.

Bump Elliot also was 7-1 going into the 1968 OSU game and ranked #4 in the country, only to lose to Woody and the Bucks by nearly 50 pts and be canned after going 8-2 (they brought in some guy named Bo to replace him). Not a good lesson or good example for RR to keep his job.

Harbaugh did burn some bridges, that is accurate, but he burnt them with Bill Martin and his crones. Bill Martin has since moved on his way and David Brandon, make no mistake will do what is right for the program. He loves Harbaugh, so he would be choice #1, and the people in the know say Harbaugh is waiting patiently for the call to come home. Miles is a no. Not that I or most UM fans dislike Miles, but he is what 58 years old? They are not going to bring in someone who will retire 10 years later. They want someone who is going to be here remainder of their career. So choice #1 Harbaugh.

Mister B,

I would agree with you if, and this is a big if, Casteel came to UM. RR has put down the law that our base defense is a 3-3-5. Problem is, GRob is not a 3-3-5 defensive base coach. GRob has made his money running a 4-2-5 with the SS floating up near the LOS acting as a spur-bandit-rover or whatever you want to call it. If RR would leave GRob alone and let him run what he has won with, then I think I would have more faith. Casteel has made it clear, he is not coming to UM. He likes WVU and UM has called twice only to hear no thanks. So I would tend to agree with you, but without a DC who believes and knows how to run a 3-3-5, this defense is doomed to fail. Not to mention the strength of our defense is our DL and they have been average all season, and our secondary is awful. RR is loyal to his buddies, and that is a big part of his problem. Until he parts way with some of his friends and does what is best for the program, then it just won't work. S&C has also been a big problem for our big guys. People around both the WVU and UM programs think Barwis is God, and to an extent he is with skill players, but the current program is killing our DL. RR doesn't believe in big space eaters, and that was fine playing in the Big East, and while we are on the topic lets be real, there is a difference in playing week to week in the Big Ten v the Big East. Good Big East teams given time to prepare for teams (see Oklahoma-Georgia-etc) can be successful, but on a weekly basis would be middle of the pack in other major conferences. Anyway back to our DL, they are track stars, and RR wants guys who are quick and are in better shape cme the 4th quarter, but it doesn't matter if they have been moved around for 3 quarters. Mike Martin has made this DL look respectable, but without him this DL would be the worst in the Big Ten. S&C philosiphy has to change. It has been a tough transition due impart because RR really believed we could just play Big East football in the Big Ten and it would work, and it won't. Funny though how RR is such an evolutionary figure when it comes to the game, yet he refuses to adjust his schemes.

Last point---Denard. If you think Denard is just average, you know absolutly nothing about football. In a bad game he accounted for over 300 yards of total offense and two TD's. He needs a RB option that will take some heat off of him. It's unfortunate because the guy that was supposed to do it has been hurt and only played two snaps the entire season. Until he gets a RB option it is going to be difficult for him to look like he did v Indiana, etc.Mgoblog had a great breakdown on several plays Denard made by himself, and it broke down the blocking assignments and how poorly the line played (especially the OG), and despite that Robinson was still able to nearly gain 100 yards on the ground. On a QB lead Michigan used an H-back and pulled an offensive G to block two defenders. H-back got his block and hit the S coming up to stop the run, problem was the OG got blown off the ball and pushed backwards into the backfield. By the time Denard had turned it up field for what should have been a TD, he had already passed the OG pulling 3 yards in the backfield. He makes the unblocked LB miss (greg jones best LB in teh Big Ten) and turns what should have been a 1 yard gain into an 8 yard gain. So, one guy gets blown backwards, misses his block, Denard has to make the guy miss, backside persuit catches him 8 yards down the field on what should have been a 1 yard gain. Now had you not known that, you would say he was contained, imo it was more the OL getting pushed back and missing assignments v Denard being exposed. That play would have resulted in a 50+ yard TD had everyone gotten their blocks. Denard made the correct reads on all but one int, he just threw it behind his man. He made mistakes and I expected him to at some point, remember the kid is only in his 6th game starting. He missed a wideopen Stonum in the endzone on the second drive. Had Denard had time to set up in the pocket rather then being flushed out and forced to throw on the run, it is probably 6, but it wasn't. He hit Roundtree on what should have been a 50 yard TD that Rundtree dropped (unlike him). Had he caught the ball that shows up on the highlights, rather then a 12 yard screen pass that goes for a TD.

My point, Denard is a very good player, and I don't think he was exposed. I think what happened was the kid was on a big stage, made some mistakes, played a little tight, and had a below average day for a 6th game starter true sophomore. He is not going to produce 400 yards of total offense eveygame, and if you expected that you are nuts. If that is what he has to do for people to think he is a dynamic player then good Lord that is asking him to do what no other player has ever done. Point is Denard is a very very good player, and if for some reason you think the opposite, I think you probably think the football is stuffed and not pumped.

[Peake]

91 buckeye,

I agree with you, but that is not what RR wants. He wants a base 3-3-5. Which is really stupid because he is relieing on the positions that are the weakest in this scheme. In our scheme now we run a very generous-conservative 2-under zone 99% of the time. I agree we should switch to a 4-3/4-2-5 allignment and let GRob coach what he knows, but RR doesn't want that.

Spread option read. We honestly run very little of this now. We run a lot of designed stretch runs and QB leads. Very few actual option plays. I agree our WR's are pretty good and our TE's would be AA type players in another system. The transition would not be difficult if say Harbuagh came here. Denard would not go to RB, and I could garuntee you he would play QB for Harbuagh. He'd make it work.

[Peake]

Orestes,

I disagree with your assesment of Denard and TP. TP plays out of the pistol alot, and stands in the pocket longer then he should a good majority of the time. I have seen it pointed out on here several times that he won't run because he wants to be called a pocket passer rather then dual-threat. Denard had over 100 yards on Saturday on the ground, but due to sacks it pushed it back to 84. I think you are giving him little credit for being able to escape the rush and the OL protecting him. Sometimes I watch TP and go what the hell is he doing, take off, you have lanes everywhere, but he stands in the pocket to prove a point.

[91Buckeye]

peake,

Exactly my point on the defense, substitute a more experienced d lineman for a younger inexperienced db. This is exactly what frustrates me about RR, inability(or refusal) to adapt his scheme to his talent. Good coaches find a way to get the best 11 on the field. As far as Denard moving to rb that would be out of necessity, like you said the guy who should be starting has been hurt almost all year and noone else has stepped up and been a consistent playmaker. Hopkins has shown the ability that would suit a more conventional offense and might be a viable option if a change is made. Whoever the coach is I just want them to give UM the best possible chance to win.

[mister b]

peake,

I agree about Casteel, the defense and RR being loyal to a fault to his friends. As I said, GRobinson is doing the best he can with what he has got to work with. I don't see Casteel leaving WVU anytime soon. Born and raised in WV and has coached at WVU for 10 years. He seems to have a handle on the 3-3-5 system.

I feel that Denard is a special player, never average. And I agree he needs that 1 back that he has confidence in much like White had Slayton, Devine at WVU. For this only being his first year as a starter, he has done well, but the learning curve is now getting much steeper as the Big 10 season starts and he needs help as he just can't do it alone.

As for RR keeping his job or not, I would think UM would look at the whole body of work over the 3 years and not have a knee jerk reaction to the MSU loss. If they do change coaches, my money is on Harbaugh, but he will need time as the players now at UM are much different than what he needs for his system. Another year or 2 tops for him to see light at the end of the tunnel. And, I think if UM comes calling, he will go and Stanford won't offer anything to keep him.

JMO.

[91Buckeye]

Another angle to consider on the Harbaugh/RR debate is that if the NCAA finds that RR created an environment of non compliance, UM could void his contract without the huge buyout and make a run at Harbaugh, which makes Brandon's decision infinitely easier. My personal feeling is that if this investigation had moved along a little faster in the offseason and not pushed into springball and fall practice a change may have already been made.

[Just_A_Fan]

Peake

How long did Michigan sign RR for was it a 3 year deal or a 5? And whats the buy out if there is one?

[boilermaker]

Another fine defensive effort by RR 's defense ,also a outstanding offensive display.

RR MUST GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bleeding Red]

Another fine defensive effort by RR 's defense ,also a outstanding offensive display.

RR MUST GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like Rich Fraud :122249

[farmer]

Just give Rich a few more years and he will really screw them up.
They dug themselves a hole and made a late run. But no defense and to kick the ball out of bounds twice during the game. Seems like Rich Rod made a good choice in keeping Forcier in with the comeback but not sure how the effects Robinson. Since Robinson thought after sitting out one series he would be going back in. This is the Big 10 must a defense to end up in the top of the Conference. They may get great players on offense but you still have to slow down someone.

[Orange and Brown]

Meatchicken Football at it's best!

[fuzzhead]

They are a poor man's 2008 WVU. Just outscore the opponent and slow the opposing offense down somewhat

[1987chieftains]

They are a poor man's 2008 WVU. Just outscore the opponent and slow the opposing offense down somewhat

they can even do that fuzz.
everytime the other teams offense takes the field the question isn't can they stop them. its how long is this td run going to be. the only time they can stop a team is if that team shots themselves in the foot.