Brandon Peters (image via FDFP)
Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Brandon Peters. Obviously. He went 10/14 for 124 yards and 1 touchdown. He didn’t take any sacks, and he seemed to be finding the open guys. Perhaps more encouragingly than what we saw with O’Korn against Purdue, Peters mostly wasn’t fitting the ball into tight windows. While O’Korn seemed to be locking onto one guy and getting him the ball no matter what, Peters seems to be going through his progressions a bit more. O’Korn was 3/6 for 13 yards and 1 interception with 2 fumbled snaps prior to leaving the game.
Hit the jump for the rest of the awards.
Let’s see less of this guy on offense . . . O’Korn. I like the guy and think he has a good bit of physical talent. He throws a nice ball, and he can move. But for whatever reason(s), his mental makeup isn’t there when the bullets are flying. You can’t be a fifth-year senior and dropping multiple snaps.
Let’s see more of this guy on defense . . . guys from one state playing against their home state teams. Last year it was Jabrill Peppers. This year it was Rashan Gary and Michael Dwumfour (and Kareem Walker on offense) who were standouts. The Garden State products created 6 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.
Let’s see less of this guy on defense . . . Wildcat quarterbacks. Saquon Barkley and Janarion Grant have created two huge touchdown runs over the past two weeks. If you’ve got a guy who can play Wildcat QB with Michigan coming up, you probably want to get him ready. Grant had a 65-yard score in this game, and Michigan doesn’t have a true burner at safety who can chase down other teams’ fastest guys.
Play of the game . . . Brandon Peters’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Chris Evans. The pass wasn’t perfect, but the thing that stood out was what it represented. First of all, it was a touchdown, and Michigan needs more of those. Second, it was a passing touchdown, which Michigan only had 4 of going into this weekend. Third, the light finally came on for Michigan’s offensive staff that running back wheel routes can be mismatches against linebackers, something that every staff utilizes against Michigan but the Wolverines never use for themselves. Fourth, it showed that Michigan is realizing that running backs are capable of catching the ball, including Evans (who was a part-time slot receiver in high school) and Isaac (1 catch for 10 yards). And last but not least, it came from the backup QB that many people have been clamoring for over the past year and a half.
MVP of the game . . . Brandon Peters. I don’t think there’s any mistaking that Michigan was just treading water early in the game. A 7-7 game against Rutgers in the second quarter is a wee bit embarrassing. Peters came in and pushed the lead to 28-7 and helped the team finish off a 35-14 victory. He was 10/14 for 124 yards and 1 touchdown, but even before the passing TD, the running game seemed to get an extra boost from his presence, too.
You need to login in order to vote
The offensive line has improved every week since Ulizio was moved to the bench. At least twice and I think three times, Onwenu pulled and couldn’t find anybody to hit, not because he couldn’t find anybody to hit, but because there was nobody left to hit. Kugler, Bredeson, Cole and I think always Poggi had already driven everybody out of the play. All Onwenu did was burn some calories. Which is still a good thing. We looked a little like the Stanford power that everyone has been waiting for. Is it possible Drevno finally remembered whatever it is that he had forgotten about coaching offensive linemen?
I keep thinking that it’s not just the football gods, who are just minor deities in the overall scheme of things, but some serious, mid level, life gods that are out to get O’Korn. When a fifth year senior at the D1 college level is dropping snaps, not just in the shotgun but from under center as well, you gotta think that this thing just ain’t gonna happen for him.
I really liked Rashan Gary on the sack he didn’t get. Gio sees him coming hard and spins him off his back to the ground. Gary hits the ground on his belly and is up and after him again in a blink. Nice hustle from a kid that is going to the next level anyway.
I got to watch college football this weekend for the first time this year. I had some thoughts.
Sparty has the best tackling secondary i’ve seen in a long time. They do that Pete Carrol wrap and twist thing to perfection. They hardly ever miss, guys almost never fall forward and they preserve their bodies. Lewerke is a very nice Qb. If I have one game to win right now and get to select a BIG Qb, I’m taking Lewerke over all of them.
What has OSU done to their beautiful home uniforms. They look like pale excrement running around out there in those hideous grey on grey things. And my dear Lord, that helmet. The Buckeyes have become a fashion tragedy.
On the positive side … if you’re a Buckeye … they can still play football. Penn State caught every single break in that game for 3 and 1/2 quarters. They aren’t even in it without some almost incredibly timed good fortune and likely bad calls. By rights, Penn State should have been blown out.
You need to login in order to vote
The buckeyes became a fashion tragedy when they put glitter on their helmets like some disco queens. How teams act all tough with glitter on continues to amaze me.
I was enjoying this analysis until the audacious claim of Lewerke over Barrett. Particularly after dude cost his team a game with a dumb INT. No. 25 TDs and 1 INT. Nearly 9 YPA and 70% completion percentage…. and that’s not even what he’s best at. He has more help yes, but he just toasted PSU’s Defense and Lewerke can’t touch him.
You need to login in order to vote
From the man who gave us Devin Gardner NFL Qb and Wilton Speight, early entry NFL Qb.
You need to login in order to vote
I did think Gardner would be in the NFL.
I do think Speight will be.
Nonetheless, you can’t pretend like “JT Barrett is really good at college football” is a hot take.
You need to login in order to vote
I like Barrett, I think he’s a fine college Qb. And maybe, the light finally came on in the last third of his senior year when it comes to passing the football. I’ll be pulling for him for the rest of the season … except for one game in which I hope he chokes on his hideous buckeye stickers.
But … given equal talent around them , I’ll take Lewerke.
You need to login in order to vote
Many of us have been saying for a while to get Evans involved with the passing game.
I would like to see more of Peters to Evans (Slot/RBs) in short routes, slants and screens and then pop a deep pass to DPJ.
You need to login in order to vote
All they needed was a QB to get it to them! Speight wasn’t very good in the flats, and JOK just wasn’t good. This could get fun, quick
You need to login in order to vote
Keep calm and remember purdue.
I just don’t want you to get too upset JE.
You need to login in order to vote
After Purdue I was most adamant that better (not incompetent) QB play would make the entire O play better. It did. Later that evening I came to, an questioned whether JOK could come even close to that
I maintain that QB is still all that’s keeping us from 7-1, and on the way to 9 or 10 wins–but competitive either way. Peters won’t win us too many this year, but I don’t think he’ll have us gagging as we have for almost a year now
You need to login in order to vote
Hope you’re right. I think you saw a couple bad mistakes, even in a groove against Rutgers that indicate OSU and Wisc will still be ripe for big struggles from the position. We’ll see.
I think the relevant comparison here is O’Korn vs Purdue compared to Peters vs. Rutgers. That is until we see Peters against Indiana/MSU caliber defenses. Unfortunately there will be much tougher tests at the end of the the year.
You need to login in order to vote
Rushing game will get a boost when the defense fears a passing attack. I’m not saying Peters is going to instill fear into defenses on a go-forward basis, but 2nd quarter Peters was impressive enough throwing the ball. First drive he was 3/3 for 37 yards, not a ton of yards after catch. Second drive he was 2/4 for 32 yards and a TD. He did have that terrible slant.. locked eyes onto Perry, safety knew it was coming the entire time. But, nothing bad happened! Hopefully it’s a teachable moment to look off the quick slant before rocketing it in there.
We finally got to see some Peters! I’m happy with how he played, excited to see what he can do next week. We have < 1% chance of winning the BIG this year, so for the rest of this season I'm excited to see what Peters is able to do, to hopefully create more QB controversy for next off season when a healthy Speight returns. Lank I'm looking at you.
GO BLUE
You need to login in order to vote
Watch the spring game, he did it a lot then too. I’m sure we’ll see similar this year, but it is coachable
“Hopefully it’s a teachable moment to look off the quick slant before rocketing it in there”
You need to login in order to vote
Yes, to an extent. The run game was still weak when Rudock was consistently productive the second half of 2015.
I would LOVE to see a legitimate QB battle (for the first time IMO) in 2018. I don’t expect one, but I would love to see Peters excel.
For now, I see too many parallels between Purdue and Rutgers games to say anything meaningful about our QBs. I do think Peters looks natural and talented. But again, that’s a lot easier to do before your teeth have been kicked in via our OL. That’s when you start hearing footsteps and making bad decisions.
The hope is that our OL is getting better and that will help Peters through. Playing Minn and Maryland will hopefully help but both have interesting young coaches who will be thirsty for a signature upset.
You need to login in order to vote
Like I said, I don’t expect Peters to instill fear in opposing defenses based on his Rutgers performance, but his first two drives were enough to make Rutgers honest.
It’s still an unknown if Peters is going to be a stud, but I’m hopeful, and I’m very excited about the next two games to see the offense’s development before Wisco.
You need to login in order to vote
Same here. Hoping for the best.
You need to login in order to vote
I think Speight transfers out for his 5th year. No inside info, just a hunch…
You need to login in order to vote
If nothing else, Speight is resilient but if Harbaugh tells him Peters is the guy he won’t have much choice.
I really doubt that happens. Unless Peters kills it. Speight and Rudock had 140 efficiency ratings in 2015 and 2016. With Wisc and OSU on the docket Peters will be hard-pressed to exceed that. He’s at 167 now though!
You need to login in order to vote
I think your arguments are very valid. I have no qualitative data to support my opinion. Just a hunch. Speight was never the same after the injury IMO and it almost seems like David Sills from WV who got hurt and never could throw the ball the same again so he switched from QB to WR.
You need to login in order to vote
What I’m hearing you say is:
– “Peters looks natural”
– “Peters mostly wasn’t fitting…”
– “Peters came in and pushed…”
– “Peter’s going to install fear”
– “I would like to see more Peters”
– “We finally got to see some Peters”
– “I’m excited to see what Peters can do”
I’m more of Bush fan, but I’m glad we’re all socially accepting on this site. I really think there’s a little Peters in all of us. Someone just waiting for that special moment to explode. On Saturday, we all had a happy ending.
You need to login in order to vote
Some very good stuff here from PFF via 247:
https://michigan.247sports.com/Bolt/Michigan-Wolverines-Pro-Football-Focus-grades-109655878
I think you can start to give some credit to Frey for the TE blocking.
Shout out to the handful of people who thought McKeon would emerge as the top TE back in August. I was not among them.
Solomon looks on track to be the Hurst replacement next year. Freshman living up to the hype.
You need to login in order to vote
Yep, I think we will be ok on the line and the LB’s…the safety play is the weak link.
You need to login in order to vote
The problem with wheel routes is you need a qb who has some touch. Does this remind you of Speight?
You will see some new passing routes because Peters is a natural thrower of the football. By the way, did I read above that LK said Speight is going to be in the NFL? Like the practice squad? For a cup of coffee?
You need to login in order to vote
I have always wondered why Poggi wouldn’t be a quality run blocker. He has the build. Some guys will lunge but good to hear about him playing well.
Have to do some back slapping on my own prediction that McKeon would excel this year. Always thought he had good hands and good balance going up for the ball. Didn’t realize he would be such a good blocker but looks like his future is bright.
As others have indicated, the offense may not be a PSU juggernaut but it does seem to be making a turn in it’s overall development. Amazing what a run game and a qb can do for the offense. Someone mentioned making the switch to JBB has also been a key. Really want to see this offense continue to develop to brighten the outlook for next year.
Not advocating Peters be given the keys to the entire offense
You need to login in order to vote
I have always wondered why Poggi wouldn’t be a quality run blocker. He has the build. Some guys will lunge but good to hear about him playing well.
Have to do some back slapping on my own prediction that McKeon would excel this year. Always thought he had good hands and good balance going up for the ball. Didn’t realize he would be such a good blocker but looks like his future is bright.
As others have indicated, the offense may not be a PSU juggernaut but it does seem to be making a turn in it’s overall development. Amazing what a run game and a qb can do for the offense. Someone mentioned making the switch to JBB has also been a key. Really want to see this offense continue to develop to brighten the outlook for next year.
Not advocating Peters be given the keys to the entire offense but would like to see Peters challenged to make tough throws. Don’t want to see 1-3 td/int ratio but I don’t want a gameplan called like Speight or JOK are the qb.
You need to login in order to vote