Tag: Donovan Peoples-Jones

Review of 2018 Season Predictions

Nico Collins (image via MGoBlue)

I always like to look back at my predictions for the previous season to see how well I judged the year beforehand. Here’s the link to my 2018 Season Predictions (and the comments): LINK.

LEADING RUSHER
Prediction: Karan Higdon, 1100 yards
Actual: Higdon, 1178 yards
Thoughts: Higdon was about as effective as I thought he would be, although he would have ended up with more yardage if he didn’t miss one regular season game (due to injury) and then the bowl game (due to selfishness). I was surprised he was named First Team All-Big Ten, but there were some other backs in the conference who were not as effective as I thought they would be.

LEADING RECEIVER
Prediction: Donovan Peoples-Jones, 750 yards
Actual: Nico Collins, 632 yards
Thoughts: Collins had a breakout season, going from 3 catches for 27 yards in 2017 to leading the team in receiving yardage (and being #2 in receptions) in 2018. Peoples-Jones was just behind Collins by a mere 20 yards and led the team in receptions (47), but Collins was the big downfield target.

LEADING TACKLER
Prediction: Devin Bush, Jr., 95 tackles
Actual: Bush, 79 tackles
Thoughts: As the middle linebacker, Bush was an obvious choice, but his instincts and sideline-to-sideline speed ensured that he would make plays all over the field. Safety Tyree Kinnel was not far behind with 74 tackles in one more game, since Bush missed the bowl game.

Hit the jump for the rest of the review.

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2018 All-Big Ten Offense

Karan Higdon

The Big Ten released the all-conference defense and special teams yesterday (LINK), and today it was time for the offense. Michigan players include:

COACHES

First Team
Running Back: Karan Higdon
Offensive Tackle: Jon Runyan, Jr.

Second Team
Offensive Guard: Ben Bredeson

Third Team
Quarterback: Shea Patterson
Wide Receiver: Donovan Peoples-Jones
Tight End: Zach Gentry
Center: Cesar Ruiz
Offensive Guard: Michael Onwenu

Honorable Mention
Wide Receiver: Nico Collins
Offensive Tackle: Juwann Bushell-Beatty

MEDIA

First Team
Running Back: Karan Higdon

Second Team
Offensive Guard: Ben Bredeson
Offensive Tackle: Jon Runyan, Jr.

Honorable Mention
Quarterback: Shea Patterson
Wide Reciever: Donovan Peoples-Jones
Tight End: Zach Gentry
Tight End: Sean McKeon
Offensive Tackle: Juwann Bushell-Beatty
Offensive Guard: Michael Onwenu

2018 All-Big Ten Defense and Special Teams

Devin Bush, Jr.

The Big Ten released its all-conference defense and special teams units on Tuesday (LINK). Devin Bush, Jr. was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year as well as the Linebacker of the Year. Other Michigan honorees include:

COACHES

First Team
Line: Chase Winovich
Line: Rashan Gary
Linebacker: Devin Bush, Jr.
Defensive Back: Lavert Hill
Defensive Back: David Long, Jr.
Punter: Will Hart

Second Team
Defensive Back: Josh Metellus

Third Team
Return Specialist: Donovan Peoples-Jones

Honorable Mention
Line: Bryan Mone
Linebacker: Khaleke Hudson
Linebacker: Josh Ross
Linebacker: Joshua Uche
Defensive Back: Tyree Kinnel

MEDIA

First Team
Line: Chase Winovich
Linebacker: Devin Bush, Jr.
Defensive Back: Lavert Hill
Punter: Will Hart

Second Team
Line: Rashan Gary
Defensive Back: Josh Metellus

Third Team
Defensive Back: David Long
Return Specialist: Donovan Peoples-Jones

Honorable Mention
Line: Kwity Paye
Linebacker: Khaleke Hudson
Linebacker: Joshua Uche
Defensive Back: Tyree Kinnel

The #1 story I take away from this is that Michigan’s defense is pretty darn good. But the #2 story is that other coaches in the conference pegged Josh Ross as an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten linebacker, but he couldn’t wrangle the starting gig away from Devin Gil.

Ohio State 62, Michigan 39

Jim Harbaugh (image via Wolverines Wire)

That wasn’t close. Las Vegas picked Michigan. Virtually all the experts picked Michigan. I picked Michigan. We were all wrong, and it wasn’t close. That was an extremely disappointing performance in all three phases of the game. I’m sure I won’t cover every disappointment, but I’ll get it started.

Hit the jump for the rest of the preview.

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Michigan vs. Michigan State Awards

Donovan Peoples-Jones (image via Twitter)

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Dylan McCaffrey. We have seen Penn State use two quarterbacks on the field at the same time with some effectiveness in recent years, and they also let running backs take direct snaps on occasion. I would like to see the Wolverines give McCaffrey a couple plays on the field with Shea Patterson, like they did briefly against Wisconsin. McCaffrey is a good enough athlete to do a few different things (run, catch, and throw).

Hit the jump for the rest of the awards.

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