Michigan 29, Minnesota 26

Michigan 29, Minnesota 26


November 1, 2015


That was a great game for Minnesota. If the Gophers were facing almost anyone else, I would have been rooting for them to win. With the recent retirement of Jerry Kill, the frenzied crowd, the excited players, that was a fun game to watch. As a Michigan fan, player, or coach, you had to be wary of the emotions of the game. Some teams totally cave in that situation, and some play out of their minds. Minnesota did the latter. Unfortunately for them – but not for Michigan – I think head coach Tracy Claeys and his staff let the moment get a little too big for them at the end with some questionable game management.

I was closer to being right than I wanted to be. In my game preview (LINK), I predicted “Jake Rudock gets knocked out of the game, Wilton Speight can’t find his helmet, and Shane Morris burns his redshirt to come in and win the game.” Well, hot damn. Rudock did get knocked out of the game, and Shane Morris was warming up on the sideline, but it was Speight – helmet and all – who came in to throw the game-winning touchdown pass. Michigan seemed snake-bitten all game, and at one point late in the game, Michigan was without its starting QB, its starting RB, and its starting TE. I had started to think that it just wasn’t meant to be for the Wolverines on Saturday night.

Hit the jump for the remainder of the recap.

How much is Michigan’s defense pretending? The three straight shutouts this year set up some unreasonable expectations for Michigan’s defense, and I think Michigan fans need to pull back on those before they suffer a full-on bout of depression. Michigan’s defense is good, but the shutouts and the lights-out defense are/were unsustainable for this unit. The unfortunate truth is that Michigan lacks a natural pass rusher (especially without Mario Ojemudia), dynamite linebackers, great safety play, and a quality second corner. They have a very strong defensive line, a great corner in Jourdan Lewis, and solid players elsewhere, but weakside end is a glaring hole and two consecutive opponents have taken advantage of Michigan’s linebackers and second corner in coverage.

Wilton Speight was shaky but got it done. For good reason, I think, I got very nervous when Wilton Speight entered the game. He has not looked great in mop-up duty earlier this year, and he looked nervous to begin this night. It looked like he may have turned the wrong way on his first play after replacing Jake Rudock, and he almost lost the handle on a routine shotgun snap. He finished the game 3/6 for 29 yards and 1 touchdown. But in just one meaningful game, he has done more than recent backups Russell Bellomy and Shane Morris ever have – namely, throw a touchdown pass and win a game. I don’t know if Speight is the next Michigan QB or not, but this represented a significant step forward for Michigan quarterback depth.

Was Jake Rudock targeted? I don’t think anyone has any idea what “targeting” is at this point, just like no one in the NFL knows what a “catch” is. When I was growing up and watching the NFL, I don’t remember so many controversies about what constituted a catch or not. Now I watch the NFL, and people talk for weeks (and years) about Calvin Johnson, Dez Bryant, Golden Tate, etc. Now I watch college football, and targeting seems to be the controversial call du jour. We saw Northwestern cornerback Matthew Harris get his targeting ejection overturned after he hit Rudock, James Ross III get kicked out of the Northwestern game for targeting Dan Vitale (justifed, in my opinion), Joe Bolden got booted for “targeting” Michigan State QB Connor Cook (totally unjustified), and then Minnesota twice did things just as violent – or worse – to Rudock, and not a single play was called. The first was when Rudock was nailed in the chin after he threw a pass near the sideline, and the second was when he was knocked out of the game with a violent hit from behind. So far this season, Rudock has taken at least three violent hits to the head/neck area, and Michigan has not benefited even once. I don’t know what constitutes targeting anymore, but I am fairly certain that at least one of those three hits to Rudock should have resulted in an opponent being ejected.

Jabrill Peppers filled up the stat book. Peppers played 92 total plays, which is a little concerning. That seems like a ton of plays, and since he’s touching the ball so often on special teams and offense, I’m afraid that might not be sustainable. Michigan will probably peel back his number of offensive plays if they’re winning games comfortably, but his playmaking is necessary in tight games. He had 3 tacles and 2 pass breakups; 4 carries for 16 yards and 1 touchdown; 1 kickoff return for 43 yards; and 1 punt return for 41 yards. He lined up at Wildcat quarterback for several plays and ran a play action pass, but he was forced out of bounds for a sack. I didn’t mind the play call so much, although he was rolling to the short side, which prevented him from having much of a chance to use his legs. Overall, I thought he was used rather judiciously in this game, but I hope he doesn’t get worn out.

Drake Johnson has to be the answer right now. Ever since De’Veon Smith initially injured his ankle, he has left each game for at least a stretch of time. He was not fast to begin with, and he looked particularly slow against Minnesota (9 carries, 15 yards). I did not see Ty Isaac make an appearance in this game, and Derrick Green (3 carries, 4 yards) is just a guy, really. The only one who brought any kind of life to the running game is Drake Johnson (10 carries, 55 yards). It’s frustrating to watch Michigan run the ball, because almost every yard has to be manufactured by scheme and coaching, not talented skill players.

Minnesota’s Mitch Leidner played with fire and never got burned. He threw a ton of 50/50 balls, and Michigan was never able to reel in one of them. Jabrill Peppers, Dymonte Thomas, Jeremy Clark, and Jarrod Wilson all had great shots to snag turnovers, but each one was dropped or misplayed. The Clark misplay turned into a Minnesota touchdown. It would have been nice to make Leidner pay for being just a so-so quarterback, but I guess he was on his game tonight. He seemed extremely focused and locked in, and I appreciated his spirited run around the stadium with the “Jerrysota” flag before the game.

Burned redshirt update. With freshman offensive tackle Grant Newsome burning his redshirt in this game for some reason, the freshmen who have participated this year are now: WR Brian Cole, RB Karan Higdon, S Tyree Kinnel, Newsome, and WR Grant Perry.

The goal line stand. Very late in the game, Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner and wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky took advantage of Channing Stribling on a double move, much like Michigan State torched Jeremy Clark two weeks ago. It initially looked like a touchdown, but the ball was placed on the half-yard line after a review. As mentioned above, this is where Minnesota interim coach Tracy Claeys was in over his head. With 19 seconds on the clock after the review, he (or his staff, whatever) called for a play that included an offensive shift. Unfortunately for them, the game clock started rolling when the ball was put in play, so several seconds were lost by the time they snapped the ball. After Leidner rolled right, got pressured, and threw an incomplete pass, there were just 2 seconds remaining. Those nineteen seconds would have given them time for at least three plays if they were the right ones, but instead they had to go for either a field goal or a touchdown with those 2 seconds remaining. The prevailing logic is to go for the tie when you’re at home, but instead of sending out the field goal unit, Minnesota called for an old-fashioned quarterback sneak behind their true freshman center.

Michigan nose tackle Ryan Glasgow thought that was a bad idea.

36 comments

  1. Comments: 522
    Joined: 8/12/2015
    DonAZ
    Nov 01, 2015 at 11:35 AM

    This team is what it is, and it’s not going to magically be more than it is. Thankfully Harbaugh and staff is able squeeze as much out of them as is possible.

    Agree that people should tap the brakes a bit on this defense. Very good, but not shut-down / elite. I believe I argued that point a few weeks back and received some push-back. It’s nice to see my point then validated here.

    So from Tucson … Arizona takes a thumping 49-3 from Washington up in Seattle. As I wrote elsewhere, the natives are restless. There won’t be any “Fire Rodriguez” movements. But if some really tempting offer comes Rodriguez’s way, the odds are greater than zero (but less than 100) he might consider. Last year was a nice outlier year for Arizona. 8-4 is a much more typical year. And this year they may be lucky to achieve that … 6-6 or 5-7 is more likely.

    • Comments: 183
      Joined: 9/3/2015
      suduri xusai
      Nov 01, 2015 at 2:09 PM

      Rodriguez was/is never the elite level coach that Saban or Meyer is because his defenses were never that good, even at height of his power at WV. I don’t know what happened at Washington last night, but Arizona was totally exposed for its gimmicky offense and suspect defense.

      I don’t think he will be seriously considered at places like USC or the other USC, but Miami might call him. I think he will probably do better at Miami than Arizona, but if he goes now it really looks bad — looks like he is running away from Pac-10 competition. Miami will have to settle for 10-2 seasons as the sealing with Rodriguez. His defenses are just never that good to win real championships.

    • Comments: 6285
      Joined: 8/11/2015
      Lanknows
      Nov 01, 2015 at 3:38 PM

      ” It’s nice to see my point then validated here.”

      And here I thought you were a Michigan fan, Don.

      • Comments: 522
        Joined: 8/12/2015
        DonAZ
        Nov 01, 2015 at 4:19 PM

        I am … as passionate as any. My taking a sober view of Michigan’s defense doesn’t make me any less so.

        • Comments: 6285
          Joined: 8/11/2015
          Lanknows
          Nov 01, 2015 at 7:11 PM

          You viewing their failure as “nice” was my point. That would be putting yourself before the team Don… Just poking at your choice of wording. I’m assuming you would be happy to be wrong if it means good things for Michigan, as any real fan would. I mean, I’d love it if Ty Isaac had 2,200 yards rushing right now even if it meant I was dead wrong in the preseason.

          • Comments: 522
            Joined: 8/12/2015
            DonAZ
            Nov 01, 2015 at 8:09 PM

            Ah, I see … yes, of course — I wish Michigan’s defense was every bit the killer force some claimed it was. I don’t revel in weak spots; I wish Michigan was a destroyer of opposing teams’ souls. But the reality is something different.

            Actually, here’s an point of discussion — if we could clone one (just one) Michigan defensive player, which would clone to *most* improve the defense? The obvious choice is a second Peppers, but I wonder … would a second Jourdan Lewis be relatively more profitable?

            Or imagine a linebacker-sized Peppers … all the speed and athleticism of the current Peppers, but with the frame and muscle of a LB.

          • Comments: 6285
            Joined: 8/11/2015
            Lanknows
            Nov 02, 2015 at 12:36 PM

            Is an option to clone a healthy Ojemudia? I’d do that.

            If I cloned Peppers, I’d stick him at RB/WR exclusively. He’s not a better CB than Clark or Stribling IMO. He’s probably better than Hill, but I”m not sure the improvement would be that dramatic.

            Lewis is a better CB than Peppers by far. I just don’t see CB as a weakness for Michigan.

            I still think you’re overstating the negativity about this defense. I think they are elite. If you hate that word, I’ll put it differently — clearly a top 5 college defense. We’d do better against the Baylors and Clemsons of the world than anybody else IMO – right up there with Alabama.

  2. Comments: 117
    Joined: 9/28/2015
    PapaBear
    Nov 01, 2015 at 11:58 AM

    Thunder,
    Thoughts on Shane Morris? Talented flame thrower perhaps lacking upstairs? Transfer?

    I was at the Bank yesterday! It was Horseshoe/Rabbit’s foot night as everything went the Gophers way! UM could not catch or catch a break minus the coaching blunder at the end!

    Do you see he offense running some zone read/ triple option with Jabrill in the future?

    Thanks!

    • Comments: 183
      Joined: 9/3/2015
      suduri xusai
      Nov 01, 2015 at 2:03 PM

      Shane probably got to transfer as a graduate transfer. Saw a pic of him on Saginaw Valley State gear… maybe that’s where he’s headed. I don’t think he has a chance with more and more QBs entering the fray, and with Speight appearing serviceable.

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      Nov 01, 2015 at 2:11 PM

      I have thought for the last year or so that Morris would end up elsewhere to finish his career. I don’t think he’s “lacking upstairs” as in he’s stupid, but I just don’t think the game clicks for him.

      I don’t think Michigan will run a true zone read with Peppers. He just doesn’t have the time to take those reps, get the timing with the backs, etc. I think you might see some play action like you did last night, or some designed runs with fake handoffs, but I don’t think he’ll be reading anything.

      • Comments: 183
        Joined: 9/3/2015
        suduri xusai
        Nov 01, 2015 at 2:21 PM

        Right. Peppers is playing so much at defense and special teams already — I don’t think he can also play a Denard Robinson-like role. I am already worried that he’s playing too many snaps. I hope he can take it easy for the Rutgers game.

  3. Comments: 142
    Joined: 8/12/2015
    coachernie
    Nov 01, 2015 at 2:02 PM

    After what I saw last night I am now concerned we will be fortunate to win 2 of the next 4. I had thought with mostly an upperclassman Sr & Jr lineup in the 2 deep we would have a year like Hoke managed his first year winning the Sugar Bowl and finishing with 11 wins. Is Hoke a better coach than Harbaugh??

    at., Nov. 7 vs. Rutgers * TV Michigan Stadium 3:30 p.m. ET
    Sat., Nov. 14 at Indiana * TV Bloomington, Ind. TBA
    Sat., Nov. 21 at Penn State * TV State College, Pa. TBA
    Sat., Nov. 28 vs. Ohio State * TV Michigan Stadium TBA

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      Nov 01, 2015 at 2:08 PM

      I think your hopes were way too high for this season. Hoke had more offensive talent to work with (Denard Robinson, Junior Hemingway, Fitzgerald Toussaint, etc.), as well as some pretty good defensive players (Martin, Van Bergen, etc.). Hoke isn’t a better coach than Harbaugh. You’re either being facetious or too emotional, but it’s a silly question either way.

    • Comments: 183
      Joined: 9/3/2015
      suduri xusai
      Nov 01, 2015 at 2:18 PM

      I don’t know what you are talking about — 2011 was a fluke year with Denard Robinson and a lot of other good players being seniors and a lot of luck bouncing our way. The schedule was also much easier: we didn’t get Penn State or Utah like we did this year. And OSU had a terrible down year and almost beat us.

      Harbaugh >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hoke

    • Comments: 6285
      Joined: 8/11/2015
      Lanknows
      Nov 01, 2015 at 3:40 PM

      Ernie’s insights nail it again. Hoke is better than Harbaugh for sure. Bring back Dave Brandon. Start Shane Morris and Ty Isaac.

  4. Comments: 35
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    TriFloyd
    Nov 01, 2015 at 3:08 PM

    Right now (i.e., with a week to prepare for the next opponent), would you rather than Speight or Rudock as QB right now? Speight looks like he can go downfield better and throws a more accurate ball. Rudock appears to need a big windup for throws behind 25 yards. We need to threaten down the middle and downfield, and Rudock can’t seem to accomplish this. Iowa game-manager Rudock appears to be elusive for us. So, we we give up the ghost of trying to get Iowa game-manger Rudock?

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      Nov 01, 2015 at 3:17 PM

      I still think Rudock gives us the best chance to win. He doesn’t have the same physical tools, but Speight has not looked good except for those final few plays. Don’t get me wrong – that’s great for Speight. But I don’t think Rudock should be pushed aside for Speight just yet. After all, Rudock is the guy who managed this team to a 5-2 start after Michigan went 5-7 last year.

      • Comments: 6285
        Joined: 8/11/2015
        Lanknows
        Nov 01, 2015 at 3:46 PM

        I liked Speight for one reason as a recruit – I thought he put nice touch on the ball. I liked seeing him do that on the GAME DECIDING 2 point conversion pass.

        Rudock is obviously the man though, for the rest of the year. It’s comical to me how often people go for the backup QB thing no matter how little evidence for it there is or how much counter-evidence against it.

        The only interesting part was that Morris didn’t come. I was pretty surprised about that. My (wild ass) guess is that Morris is now committed to compete for the job next year and then, if he doesn’t win, make sure he has that 5th year to seek opportunities elsewhere. They may have a deal like this in place with him.

  5. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    Nov 01, 2015 at 3:37 PM

    Wow, I can’t believe some of the negative nellies out there. A few points.

    1. This is a great defense. Maybe not an all-time elite unit or one you’ll tell your children/grandchildren about, but a top 5 right now in college football. Some of you all would have dismissed the ’97 Michigan team after they gave up 24 points to Iowa. (7 on special teams, but still).

    This defense isn’t perfect, and we knew that. No defense is. Our weak link is the lack of a scare-you end rusher and linebackers that aren’t elite athletes. You know what – these guys are all seniors and some have them have been starting for 4 years. If THAT is your worst problem, you’re in a good spot.

    How about we just give Minnesota a little credit for playing a heck of a game and remember that they were at home, at night, and playing some inspired ball. Leidner played great, but was also EXTREMELY fortunate multiple times on 50-50 balls.

    And yeah, I get that it’s 2 weeks in a row that we’ve made QB’s look great. It happens. I’d be more worried about busted coverages or CBs that can’t cover people one on one (like vs Tyler Lockett). I’m less worried when a QB stands up to pressure and hurls a ball perfectly placed to a well covered guy who makes a great catch.

    Sometimes you get unlucky twice in a row.

    2. Speight looked about as good as Russell Bellomy there for a bit. It’s nice that he settled in for that last drive but uhh….anyone who seriously thinks Harbaugh has been missing the boat on the right guy to run this offense is flat-out delusional.

    3. The offense is bad. Flat out. I HOPE that this is mostly on Hoke’s coaching and maybe talent identification, but it’s not like Higdon, Perry or any other freshman have shot past the older guys.

    Everyone is just assuming Harbaugh is going to fix it (just like they assumed Hoke would) once he gets HIS GUYS. And maybe he will, but so far the skill position recruiting has been unexceptional. Michigan has missed on all it’s elite offensive targets. Chris Clark, Mike Weber, Donnie Corley, you name the position and they are not getting elite guys.

    So, I’m going to remain worried about the offense until we start seeing signs of life. Leaning on Peppers this heavily is a sign of desperate measures.

    If this was even an average power 5 offense, Michigan would be undefeated and we’d be waiting for OSU like we did in 2006.

    • Comments: 522
      Joined: 8/12/2015
      DonAZ
      Nov 01, 2015 at 4:32 PM

      I will agree with you about the offense. It’s just not very good. The lack of a running game plus the lack of a credible deep threat makes it much easier for an opposing defense. I like the idea of adding Peppers *occasionally* … I am less a fan of relying on Peppers for offensive production.

      I’m not sure what to make of the running back situation. How is it possible that a team like Michigan would be so lacking at that skill position? And at what point in time do we start asking questions about Coach Wheatley’s role in this lack of production?

      Agree also — if Rudock is able to play, Rudock plays over Speight. But it’s good to know we have a backup QB that is capable of doing good things. I feel for Morris. He Tweeted his support of Speight after the game, which was a classy thing to do for Morris. Good for him.

      • Comments: 6285
        Joined: 8/11/2015
        Lanknows
        Nov 01, 2015 at 7:20 PM

        It’s concerning that the OL isn’t making more progress IMO. I know they want to blame Hoke and Funk (and if you’re mgoblog you blame the position coach whose job is 90% recruiting) but this far into the season you’d think we’d see steady improvement.

        It’s fair to say it takes time, and maybe it does, but the turnaround you saw in 2011 on the defense under Mattison and the improvement with the WR and TE blocking (for Williams) tells you dramatic improvement can happen quickly. I think the pass protection has gotten a lot better, but the run blocking is still a work in progress.

        I really don’t believe our RB position is lacking. Nobody is exceptional, but all of these guys are competent. It’s the blocking, still. You could throw Todd Gurley or Fournette in to this team and I don’t think they’d suddenly be racking up 150 yard days each week.

        No – we should not question Wheatley or Jackson. Their job is to recruit and teach their guys to not fumble and how to pass block. You can either run in space or you can’t.

        I don’t know if Speights is better than Bellomy. The guy had 29 passing yards in two drives. If Michigan’s D lets that QB sneak into the end zone nobody is talking about Speight. It’s insane, and I’m disappointed that our fanbase is even talking about this kind of thing.

        I would guess that if Morris wanted to play yesterday he could have. I don’t think he got passed.

  6. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    Nov 01, 2015 at 4:16 PM

    Other observations:

    100% agree on the targeting thoughts. What a ridiculous debacle that call is right now.

    I hate the “burned red-shirt” concept because I don’t think any player who can help win games should red-shirt.

    I like the 6th OLmen, because I think Poggi is a work in progress and none of the other TEs are very good blockers (including Butt).

    There’s an excellent chance they will need Newsome to start within the next14 months. Get him ready now.
    ….
    Trying to win the game was the right call for Minnesota. Their only mistake was burning clock.
    ………….
    Another week another call for a backup RB. As I read these Michigan blogs I’m counting down for a week where Brian Cook doesn’t blame Fred Jackson for RB cuts and Thunder doesn’t call for a change in RB carries. You’d think that as even RBs that never played a down for Jackson look the same that his argument would ease up, but no. You’d also think that as Thunder’s main man Isaac continues to descend deeper down the depth chart (is it fair to consider him 5th string yet? Just like at USC!)

    Johnson got 10 carries and Smith got 9. Given how that game was going that seems pretty good to me. I was surprised Smith got a 3rd and long carry, but other than that I liked the distribution, if not the results. Smith is a good inside power runner, Johnson is a good outside speed back. They have talent, they just aren’t complete backs. That’s fine and they are a quality duo. They aren’t why this offense is struggling IMO.

    • Comments: 142
      Joined: 8/12/2015
      coachernie
      Nov 01, 2015 at 9:59 PM

      How are you consistently so wrong??!!… You kick the FG in this case as you’ve been running up and down the field on the Mich D all day long and the Mich O now has a inexperienced Freshman at QB. They played right into our hands by trying to punch it in and not playing for OT.

      • Comments: 6285
        Joined: 8/11/2015
        Lanknows
        Nov 02, 2015 at 12:37 PM

        Michigan is the better team. You want a less than 50-50 shot of winning the game in OT or do you think your team can get that yard with 3 plays to go (assuming sane clock management)?

        Speight just led a TD drive and converted a 2 point conversion. You really think he can’t beat you in OT??

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      Nov 02, 2015 at 10:56 AM

      Johnson seemed to do pretty well as the primary back down the stretch last year. I don’t see why that role can’t be reprised (unless they’re going easy on him because of the injury, which is understandable).

      Regarding Ty Isaac, he’s STILL the second-leading rusher on the team. But hey, your guy Derrick Green is gaining 3.4 yards/carry, so let’s keep giving him the ball…

      • Comments: 6285
        Joined: 8/11/2015
        Lanknows
        Nov 02, 2015 at 12:41 PM

        I have nothing against Johnson, I just think Smith has proven to be the better inside runner. I actually think this is the most reasonable RB change you’ve called for all year. But you’ve reached Boy Who Cried Wolf levels by saying the same thing every single week.

        I’ve never once called for Green to get more carries. Green was my preseason GUESS at being the lead carrier. I couched that guess with plenty of shrugging. He was the lead ball carrier the last two years and is 3rd string now, so I don’t think this was the worst guess in the world.

  7. Comments: 117
    Joined: 9/28/2015
    PapaBear
    Nov 01, 2015 at 6:27 PM

    The last two games, Cook and now Leidner throw up 50-50 balls with great success. Rudock throws 85-15 balls. Perhaps we just do not have the playmakers?

    As for Peppers, he is needed much more on offense than D.

    The offense continues to be crucifed, but they did score 29.

    • Comments: 183
      Joined: 9/3/2015
      suduri xusai
      Nov 01, 2015 at 8:19 PM

      We don’t have great WRs, period. Boy do I miss Junior Hemingway and Jeremy Gallon. Chesson and Darboh make plays but they aren’t at the elite level imo. We need elite receivers who grab everything coming their way while being fast and elusive.

      Our offense isn’t great, but it isn’t bad either. We need everyone to be healthy and we’ll move the chains. Darboh is gone after this year and we really need younger guys to step up and be that dependable WR. Like Aaron Burbridge of Michigan State. We need a 1000+ yards a season guy who can consistently make plays.

      • Comments: 3844
        Joined: 7/13/2015
        Nov 02, 2015 at 10:51 AM

        a) Darboh and Chesson are both redshirt juniors, so both will be back next year unless something unexpected happens.

        b) Harbaugh was able to have success at Stanford (and Shaw is, too) with an offense that does not produce 1,000-yard receivers. The highest output since 2008 was Ty Montgomery with 958 yards in 2013.

        • Comments: 183
          Joined: 9/3/2015
          suduri xusai
          Nov 02, 2015 at 7:25 PM

          a) Darboh played in 2012, 2013, and 2014. He’s a senior this year.
          b) I get that, but that only works with a great run game.

          • Comments: 3844
            Joined: 7/13/2015
            Nov 02, 2015 at 10:04 PM

            Darboh is a redshirt junior. Trust me. You don’t remember his foot injury?

          • Comments: 183
            Joined: 9/3/2015
            suduri xusai
            Nov 03, 2015 at 12:21 AM

            Argh. You’re right. He sat one year out due to injury. We’ll have him and Chesson back for next year. But my (and our) concern with WRs probably continue.

      • Comments: 6285
        Joined: 8/11/2015
        Lanknows
        Nov 02, 2015 at 12:45 PM

        Chesson is better than Hemingway. Gallon was IMO one of the best WRs we’ve ever had at Michigan.

        Thunder raises a good point that Chesson and Darboh will be back. That’s going to be a position of strength for us next year as long as a big play threat can emerge as the 3rd guy.

        Our offense is bad. The skill position talent is far from elite, but it’s also not the reason for the overall struggles. The QB play has been below average and the run blocking has been middling at best. It’s all just pretty mediocre all around – nobody is good enough to scare defenses, everyone is just serviceable to decent. Our best offensive player is probably Jake Butt who is neither a game-breaking pass threat nor a good blocker. Meh.

        • Comments: 183
          Joined: 9/3/2015
          suduri xusai
          Nov 02, 2015 at 7:27 PM

          I doubt Chesson is better than Hemingway. Hemingway grew into a legitimate NFL talent and saved Denard Robinson’s ass many times.

          Darboh played in 2012, while Chesson redshirted. We won’t have Darboh back next year. I hope Chesson stays and doesn’t get the dumb idea of leaving early. We really need guys to step it up at WR.

          Our offense prob will be a work in progress next year as well. OL recruiting is super important at this point as well as development.

  8. Comments: 1
    Joined: 11/2/2015
    BlastBeat88
    Nov 01, 2015 at 10:24 PM

    Give some love to Maurice Hurst on the last play, too. Glasgow was the main guy, but replay shows Hurst as the first guy over the line and he’s way lower than the OL.

    I’m still waiting for karma to swing back our way. We’re 6-2, but we’ve faced dogshit luck in all phases (for the most part) the entire season.

    • Comments: 6285
      Joined: 8/11/2015
      Lanknows
      Nov 02, 2015 at 12:46 PM

      Hurst was really good at times. I wonder if next year, with Mone back, if they’ll slot him at DE with Henry and try to slide Charlton to Buck.

      Michigan was somewhat lucky to pull this one out in the end. We may have used up a lot of karma in 2011…

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