Quarterback Preview: Michigan vs. Virginia Tech

Quarterback Preview: Michigan vs. Virginia Tech


December 13, 2011
Logan Thomas

MICHIGAN
Starter: Junior Denard Robinson (6’0″, 195 lbs.) is 133/237 (56.1%) passing for 2,056 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.  He has also rushed 208 times for 1,137 yards (5.6 yards per carry) and 16 touchdowns.
Backups: Sophomore Devin Gardner has played in 9 games, sometimes in a package with Robinson on the field.  Gardner is 11/23 (47.8%) passing for 176 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.  He also rushed 25 times for 53 yards and 1 touchdown.  The next guy on the depth chart is true freshman Russell Bellomy, who has yet to play this season but has traveled to road games.

VIRGINIA TECH
Starter:
Redshirt sophomore Logan Thomas (6’6″, 254 lbs.) has started all 13 games this season, going 215/363 (59.2%) for 2,799 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.  He has also rushed 137 times for 416 yards (3.0 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns.
Backups: Redshirt freshman Mark Leal has played a backup role in 3 games this year.  He is 9/13 (69.2%) for 153 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.  Redshirt junior Ju-Ju Clayton is the third quarterback but has yet to play this season.

THE TAKEAWAY
Thomas is capable of excellent play; against Miami he went 23/25 (92%) for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air, plus 2 more rushing scores.  He played some great football throughout the year.  But he’s coming off a game against Clemson in which he completed 50% of his passes, threw 2 interceptions, and rushed 12 times for only 2 yards.  Meanwhile, Robinson is one of the most dynamic players in the country, capable of taking over a game at any given time.  While he has been prone to interceptions and erratic passing, he’s coming off a three-game winning streak in which he completed 60% or more of his passes, scored 11 total touchdowns (5 passing with only 2 interceptions), and played arguably the best game of his career against Ohio State (14/17 for 167 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 170 yards on the ground and 2 more touchdowns).  Thomas is good, but Robinson has the ability to be unstoppable.
Advantage: Michigan

4 comments

  1. Comments: 21383
    Anonymous
    Dec 13, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    I agree with your review. I would like to add one thing to this. I have watched all of Va Tech's games on mgovideo.com and determined that the games Logan Thomas struggled were the games when teams were constantly bringing pressure. He wasn't always being sacked, but the defenses were making him move his feet and moving him out of his comfort zone. Additionally, We must remember that this kid was recruited as a tight end and this is his 1st season as a starting QB. I hope Coach Mattison has something special in store for him.

  2. Comments: 21383
    Anonymous
    Dec 13, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Nice review and I agree that Michigan is the winner here. I would even take Devin over this kid Thomas; I'll explain.

    I have watched all the games that VA Tech played this year(thanks MGOVIDEO.COM) and realized that when defenses put pressure on him(thomas) and he has to move his feet, he struggles with accuracy. Both Clemson games they blitzed this kid like crazy, what happened? He sucked and turned the ball over. What about the Miami game? You say. Ok, ok. Watch the Miami game. they don't blitz, PERIOD. Therefore, Thomas looks like the second coming of Tom Brady(not really).

    Therefore, What I'm praying for this Christmas season is for Coach Mattison to cook up some insane delicious blitz packages. If we get pressure on this kid, he will turn the ball over. Plus their O-line is questionable.

    If you don't believe me just watch the games.

    Go blue,
    MGOUSMC

  3. Comments: 21383
    Lankownia
    Dec 13, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    Hurrah for counting all of Denard's TDs!

  4. Comments: 21383
    Dec 14, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    Thomas balls out when he's not pressured and the running game works. These things are usually linked.

    I'm much more worried about David Wilson; if we can shut him down, Thomas will be much less of a problem.

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