You can’t ask for much more. The last time Michigan scored at least 52 points, it was just over a year ago in a 56-10 win over Nebraska in year one of the Scott Frost era. The Wolverines needed to put together a complete game in all three phases of the game, and they did so. There were a few mistakes – as there always will be – but the offense was efficient, the defense put up a shutout, and special teams created a fumble while also finally getting a decent punt returner involved once again in Donovan Peoples-Jones. It was a good old-fashioned romp.
Hit the jump for more.
The offense looked a lot more in sync. I don’t know why, but the offense looked a lot smoother. Was it because Shea Patterson stepped up to the challenge? Was it because offensive coordinator Josh Gattis moved from the booth down to the sideline? Was it because Rutgers is bad? Michigan has outscored Rutgers 256-37 over the last five contests, so maybe this game was just what the doctor ordered. This performance doesn’t mean Michigan is over the hump, but it does show the potential to get there. We’ve seen truly floundering teams have trouble with Rutgers – like the 2014 team that lost in Brady Hoke’s final season – but this was a resounding victory.
Michigan seemed to realize who they should be. I need to start off by using a caveat that I’m certainly not glad that Sean McKeon is hurt, BUT the dropoff between Michigan’s #2 tight end and its #3 tight end is so significant that the Wolverines couldn’t play a much 12 personnel. In past weeks Michigan has tried to force McKeon and Nick Eubanks onto the field, and that’s not how this offense should be operating. McKeon’s absence meant Eubanks was the lone tight end on the field for most of the non-garbage time snaps, keeping the more skilled wide receivers on the field. That spreads out the defense more and gives Michigan better options in the passing game. It showed, with Patterson going 17/23 for 276 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.
The Ronnie Bell breakout continues. My season predictions aren’t perfect – and there will be plenty to grumble about – but I was pilloried for ranking Bell at #27 in the 2019 Season Countdown. At this point some people might argue that I ranked him too low. After 2 catches for 18 yards in the season opener, he notched his third straight 80+ yard performance with 6 catches for 83 yards. Shea Patterson loves him some Ronnie Bell, and it shows.
The Cam McGrone breakout begins. McGrone earned his first start with Josh Ross out injured. While McGrone only made 1 tackle, he made his presence known by getting in Rutgers quarterback Artur Sitkowski’s face repeatedly. McGrone has good speed and explosiveness. He seems to have surpassed Devin Gil and Jordan Anthony on the depth chart at both MIKE and WILL linebacker. McGrone might be developing into that rotational #3 linebacker that this defensive staff likes to use.
Michigan took over this game late. As evidenced by some Hassan Haskins chunk runs late in the game, the Wolverines wore out Rutgers late. The Scarlet Knights didn’t have much defensive juice to begin, and the well was dry by the fourth quarter. Still, the offensive line didn’t dominate the line of scrimmage like they should have. The top three backs – Zach Charbonnet, Christian Turner, and Tru Wilson – averaged just 4.4, 4.4, and 3.3 yards per carry, respectively. The line only allowed 1 sack and Patterson wasn’t running around like a chicken with his head cut off, but I hoped for more in the running game.
Kwity Paye had a heck of a game. Paye made 6 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. His combination of speed and power made things tough for Rutgers. Michigan needs some defensive linemen to step up, and it doesn’t look like that leap is going to come from any of the defensive tackles, such as Carlo Kemp, Michael Dwumfour, and Donovan Jeter. The ends – particularly the guys who can swing inside – are going to have to step up for the rest of the year and be versatile. Speaking of Jeter, man, I’m disappointed even in that guy’s stance. He needed to step up this year, and he doesn’t even look playable against the big boys by week four.
Next week will be tough. Iowa comes to Ann Arbor next week, and the Hawkeyes are 4-0. Michigan’s 52-0 win was better than Iowa’s 30-0 romp over Rutgers, but Iowa beat Middle Tennessee by a larger margin (48-3 compared to 40-21). It should be a good game.
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This was Rutgers. Both the shutout and the passing game clicking were great psychological food.
Patterson didn’t play as addled, and Gattis is needed on the sidelines. DPJ will play on Sundays and I like Bell’s work. You can’t blame it on him for Patterson zeroing in on him. Nico often Reminds me of one of my favorite possession receivers of all time Avant.
Defensively McGrone, Paye and Uche provided the Don Brown attack successfully but remember this is Rutgers.
OL is still concerning. Will need a running game to beat Iowa.
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What do you think is more likely —
1 Collins is not getting open often enough
2 Gattis is not calling enough plays that go Collins way
3 Shea has some sort of issue with Collins and isn’t looking for him.
4 Shea just prefers throwing to Bell
5 Shea prefers throwing it short and Collins is busy downfield, possibly due to wonky protection till yesterday
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My guess 4,5. Sometimes the QB just has a guy he has confidence in especially when he is hurried or flushed from the pocket.
A lot of people don’t think Patterson sees all his receivers or the route progression/coverages. Looks immediately to his outlet pass.
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Magnus,
You said McGrone has worked himself as the rotational #3 LB. After yesterday’s game, what’s the odds he passed Glasgow? McGrone seemed to add a different speed element while Glasgow had major issues, especially in coverage, containing Rutgers RBs.
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Ross might be more at risk than Glasgow right now
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“Ross might be more at risk than Glasgow right now”
I agree. I believe coaches go with a less talented guy who knows what to do (but who may lack the athleticism to cover edge runs and slots) over a guy who has the athleticism but is caught out of position too often. See: McCray, Mike, Kovacs, Jordan and Morgan, Desmond.
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This approach probably makes sense against most teams.
I would add Brandon Watson to the list. Very good play most of the year but Ambry Thomas seems to be faster and was on the bench against OSU.
Probably also should have had Rashan Gary playing DT.
Anyway Brown seems to be adjusting a bit both with who is on the field and who he is recruiting.
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Ya know it was so frikkin hard for me to muster any excitement for this game and what happened is exactly what shudda happened. We’ve witnessed it time & time again. Bully the punk & dweeb teams and like any bully when a man stands up to them they cower & fold.
My biggest intrigue re this game was whether or not the Wolverines would turn the ball over & spot Rutgers 7 points on the first drive……….. Rutgers best chance came on the 2nd or 3rd play of the game when Turner went off Right tackle for a short gain having been met by a Rutgers defender who made a picture perfect solo tackle hitting Turner low, wrapping him up, turning head sideways, colliding helmet with the ball, stopping Turner in his tracks & then down……
………..AND Turner held onto the ball!!! YEAH!!!!!
From that point on I knew it was all down hill for the Scarlett O’Hara Knights.
Come on gang. This was Rutgers – any psychological lift from this game is a continuation of complete fake juice. Now people are saying “we’ll find out this week against Iowa”. Shit we found out last week againt Wisky & the 2 weeks before against Army!
Iowa will be a game between 2 middleweights at Ann Arbor – because its home Michigan will be favored. It will be samo samo Ferentz , ad nausea and it will be samo samo Michigan and IF Michigan hasn’t cleaned up their mistakes they will lose……….
Notre Dame & MSU are looming and I don’t even want to think about the Buckeyes…………….INTJohn
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Well, we’ll find out against Iowa whether this team has hope of improving and gaining momentum, a la Penn State in 2016 after we gave them the same kind of piñata treatment that Wisconsin gave us. If we can at least win, and even look good doing it, that’s something to possibly build on. If we lose in the way we usually lose to Iowa, then any chance to be relevant this year is gone, and we’ll basically just be playing out the string.
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I kinda hear what ur sayin but When that ’16 PSU team played Mich haf their defense was on IR with walkon cheerleaders playin……..
Woodley, Graham & Woodson ain’t a comin off IR to help Mich this season and IF the Wolverines can beat Iowa – even if its an ugly as hell 1 point victory like 6-5 Michigan still has the previous mentioned PSU then ND, MSU, INDiana – yeah Hoosiers gunna give them some love – and then The Buckeyes? OSU right now looks like the best team in the country……… ND impressed me with how they played in a total hostile road game against Ga – this was prelude to the Irish coming to AA, xcept Michigan ain’t Georgia.
Dantonio will have Sparty jackt for the Wolverines like he always does and Michigan ain’t winnin on the road against PSU.
Michigan goes to Indiana for a probably upset and then what?
OSU puttin the worst home loss ever on Michigan?
Yeah even IF Michigan beats Iowa – they still look like they might be ‘playin out the string’………….intjohn
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Yes, beating Iowa is no guarantee of anything other than beating Iowa. But you just have to play them one game at a time, and the good lord willing, things will work out.
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Iowa is even more balanced than Wisconsin. No JT, but they can run & pass. Glad to have this in AA, but we can’t afford to not score in bunches
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Seems about right. Iowa is a big game.
Michigan passed yesterday’s test with mostly flying colors but we all know that’s “necessary but not sufficient” for a good team.
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Yes, the running game still looks a bit anemic, and the Oline was still disappointingly unable to get a good push in short yardage situations. But we finally started using their receivers more effectively. We’ll see next week why that was. Would be nice to see us run more pass plays that didn’t take so long to develop. Against a weak Rutgers pass rush that worked, but we will need more change of pace against better defenses. Was glad to see Milton get some useful snaps and do pretty well with them.
Still waiting for the coaches to try to get the ball into Sainristil’s hands. Maybe some day.
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Bell and Jackson both look good when used. I think it’s OK to let go of the Sainristil hype. Not that he can’t be a good player just that he’s just not that high on the pecking order for this team. Remember that a number of WRs were hurt in the spring and Jackson wasn’t on campus yet.
He’ll probably be a critical piece next year. That’s fine.
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We don’t need Sainristil to be The Guy, but the offense is themed Speed In Space. If All & Schoonmaker can’t block, they’re no help. Sainristil doesn’t have to be ahead of our main guys, but should still be in before those two slow & not-strong TEs
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We definitely don’t need him to be The Guy, and I was frankly always skeptical of the hype for a true freshman WR, that he’d “won” a starting spot, blahblahblah. But the coaches kept pushing it when it clearly wasn’t warranted, which makes me think that either their judgement or (more likely) their honesty is in question.
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I don’t hear anyone advocating for more 2TE sets. We have 4 very good WR and then a bunch of promising WRs after that of which Sainristil is one.
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This game was fine from this Michigan fan’s point of view, but the game next week will show if there is any reason for optimism about the rest of the season.
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– on completeness of game:. You mentioned it later, but our run game is a major concern. I can’t believe how disappointed I am in Ruiz, but the rest of the OL looks lacking in strength, power and footwork
– on TEs: I still thought we saw too much All & Schoonmaker. Neither are playmakers, and neither can block. Find packages for your explosive FR, Jackson & Sainristil!
– on LB: Cam McGrone should start! He probably isn’t ready to make the calls Ross can at MIKE, but his speed & athleticism is what we need. Glascow is all heart & effort, and a valuable asset … for SpTms
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I also thought All played a ton. Didn’t see the hoped for shift away from 2TE sets, at least not to the degree you’d think.
I have to think this is a Harbaugh thing. Continues to want see more talent in his TEs than is there.
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That game was a relief. Can’t ask for too much more but you hit on both things that left me feeling concerned.
“Michigan needs some defensive linemen to step up”
Jeter just does not look ready to play. He was healthy enough to be out there but I am hoping he and Dwumfour are still working through some issues and this isn’t the best they have to offer. Hutchinson at DT and more Danna and Uche at end still seems like the best option.
“the offensive line didn’t dominate the line of scrimmage like they should have”
Indeed. YPC doesn’t quite capture it because there were a lot short yardage runs in there and no chunk play to prop up YPC. What was concerning was that there just wasn’t any force to the run game. Too many short yardage stuffs considering it was Rutgers. Not enough gaping holes. I guess it’s good we can lean on the pass game.
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RE: Bell and getting “pilloried”
The arguments in the comments were not anti-Bell in general. They were about putting the 5th WR that high.
Bell isn’t the 5th WR. He is probably first or second. His ranking is panning out and indeed he was probably too low – Because we all got his place in the pecking order wrong. The other WRs were all too high.
It is good news that Michigan has a Big 4 at WR instead of a Big 3 but I didn’t see anybody predict Bell would be a starter or lead the team in receiving.
To the crux of the preseason debate – the 5th WR has 23 yards on 2 catches. Thats not very much and it comes, even with DPJ missing half the season. Sainristil is a total non-factor. 2TE sets are still common. Nobody after the top 4 WRs is doing anything impactful beyond maybe Jacksons combined role across special teams and RB.
The critique about putting 5 WRs in the top 27 players appears to be valid though there is a lot of season left.
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I like Hutch & Paye at DT on pass downs and against quicker teams, but Wisconsin, Iowa, and even sparty/ND will be able to grind on them, sacrificing our outside advantage without anything in return
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Danna was a pass-package DT yesterday. Uche obviously needs to be in. I like those 2. I would consider pulling Paye and/or Hutchinson in these situations entirely because they’re too important on other downs. Dwumfour when healthy has shown ability in this context.
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I obviously don’t share your optimism on Dwomfor. Can anyone – ANYONE – name a single play he’s made? At least Kemp plays with heart. I’ve seen nothing of note from Dwumfor. Top Billin did a hype video on him, and even the most impressive part was the author’s selection of adjectives
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9gd7FvcHfo
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Even in a highlight reel, not much:
ND RG missed a chip, making it nearly impossible for the Tackle to block him
Indiana INT literally fell into his hands
Beat NW 2star Guard. Yay
Didn’t show him beat Maryland on the sack, do I can’t tell if that was talent, or a blown assignment by their OL (it matters, if you wanna pin our hopes on him)
Sparty was killed with injury, I believe this was the 4th guy to play RG. Yay?
WMU is hardly a highlight. It shows a MAC OL stalemate a UM DT, and a tackle made after a small gain
Same with Florida, he was pushed beyond the LoS
*He does look pretty fast, chasing down sparty
They included a successful ND short yardage 1st down, where Dwumfor got an assist. THAT made a highlight, after three years on campus
1:40, including a few replays and closeup shots. Nothing demonstrating he is even a poor man’s Hurst
We’re in trouble
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Dwumfour is more proven than the freshman.
Dwumfour is higher on the depth chart than the freshman despite injury issues.
Dwumfour has shown an ability to be a penetrating DT.
Is he a savior? No. Is he the best option when healthy? Probably.
If he can get over the injury issues he can plug into the void.
I watched his play against OSU last year and it was mostly unexceptional. Didn’t get blown up much. Got penetration a number of times. If anything he did the think mgoblog cricizited Kemp for – shooting too far into the backfield. Neither an impact player nor a liability, though his situational use suggests he was protected somewhat.
I think he, Kemp and Hutchinson are our best options at DT on standard downs. Jeter is disappointing though possible probably also affected by injury.
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Anything we get from Dwumfour at this point is gravy. He’s CONSTANTLY injured. I look toward the future as if he’s not a part of it, because he usually isn’t.
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Dwumfour played in every game last year. He played in 9 the year before. Jeter missed that whole season with injury.
Obviously MD needs to be healthy. I agree. That goes for Jeter too. Or any player.
Last year both were, more or less and Dwumfour was well ahead of Jeter. I heard the Jeter hype but I haven’t seen even a flicker of evidence that Jeter might have surged ahead of Dwumfour. Not yet. Would love to see it just as I would love to see an impact freshman do it.
We have FBs and walk-ons in the rotation at DT. That’s very bad. I hope we can do better one way or another.
So – that’s where I’m going to put my hope. The more proven player who is hurt.
Obviously MD has to be healthy. He played in every game last year.
Jeter missed all of 2017
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I mean evidence on the field. Jeter has looked very bad to my eye. Last year he looked totally unprepared and his playing time reflected that. This year he looks the same and or is being held back by injury.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auvsBbblL7k
OSU reel
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Yep, we’re in trouble
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It’s not optimism it’s hope. We’re just arguing about the more reasonable place to put it. If you don’t want to hope that’s fine too.
We need 3 DTs who can play at least. We have 1 healthy capable player. I don’t care where we find the other 2 from. Healthy upperclassmen, rising freshman, position-switches, whatever.
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Just yesterday it was “hope doesn’t equal reality”
Today, it’s all about hope. That’s how bad our DL situation is. I include the entire line because the only way to create depth is to take our good DEs, and put them inside, where they’re outmatched against good OL and physical teams
We’re in trouble
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I’m not calling for any change based on my hopes. That’s the difference.
Anyway, hoping for a proven player to get healthy is on a different level from hoping totally unproven players on the bench are some kind of a solution.
Everyone is worried about DT. Nobody thinks we’re not in trouble. I hope they get out of it. I think it’s possible they do.
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I’m surprised there isn’t much talk about the goal line offense and their lack of skill players. Once again, on the first time inside the 5 they hand the ball off to a RB with a handful of carries (Haskins) and it doesn’t go anywhere. Instead they throw out 7 extra TE’s (Spooniebaker) and take DPJ, Nico, Black, Charbonnet, etc OUT of the game. This is the type of BS that Harbaugh still has his hands on. I don’t get it at all and it will backfire 9 out of 10 times on good teams. They got away with it against Rutgers.
Also, D-line is bad. Been waiting for McGrone for 2 years and like what I see so far. O-line pass protected well against Rutgers HS but even their run blocking blows. Still see losses to OSU, ND, MSU, and PSU. 50/50 on Iowa but have feeling they squeak out ugly win.
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Our WR production would go up if they were the priority, and TE was downgraded
I rank our upcoming opponents:
1) ohio (haven’t played anyone, but have had a flawless September)
2) ND looked really good against a talented UGa, and appear well balanced
3) Iowa. Will be tough to defend, since they do so much, so competently. Gotta score, a lot
4) sparty. Don’t always look good, but they hate us and will be ready. Not sure our one-dimension offense can score on their stubborn D. Not sure our DTs can take advantage of their inconsistent O
5) haven’t played anyone, but it’s on the road and they have looked better than us
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Oops, 5) PennSt
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Agree. I like Collins or DPJ split out in a goal line situation more than bringing in All or Schoonmaker neither of which are very good at blocking. Collins DPJ are either 1-1 with a DB or require defense to put another player on them to help which takes the away from the goal line which is likely better than a small TE.
Overall this was Rutgers but UM did at least do what it was supposed to do which was control game and win big. Good to see Milton get some time and to see him throw a nice TD pass to Jackson but the Cam Newton Superman move is a bit much though. I do believe there was a Chris Hinton sighting late in game but still no sign of Mazi Smith
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Hinton was in, and made two tackles. What I liked though, was he created PUSH. Yeah, Rutgers 4Q and all, but Speight was on skates, as did Upshaw (by a backup Rutgers TE!)
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My biggest worry is the lack of a running game. Before garbage time, Rutgers held Michigan below 100 yards rushing. Rutgers is such a horrible team that it didn’t matter. Against any opponent with a pulse, the passing game will struggle if the defense doesn’t respect the run.
The running game was not very good against Army, and against Wisconsin it disappeared entirely. So this not a one-week thing: it’s who they are.
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Here’s some stupid information for you.
Michigan’s margin of victory against Rutgers:
2016. Win by 78. Finish 6 in S&P.
2018. Win by 35. Finish 10 in S&P.
2015. Win by 33. Finish 10 in S&P.
2017. Win by 21. Finish 13 in S&P.
2014. Lose by 2. Finish 42 in S&P.
2019. Win by 52.
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I realize not all of you are data scientists so I will spell out the conclusion below.
Rutgers is the only game that matters.
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