Previously: Michigan Rush O vs. TCU Rush D (LINK), Michigan Pass O vs. TCU Pass D (LINK), Michigan Rush D vs. TCU Rush O (LINK), Miscellaney (LINK)
The Wolverines are #22 in pass defense (191.8 yards allowed/game) and they rank #5 in yards allowed per attempt (5.8). They rank #4 in passing efficiency defense and have allowed just 9 touchdowns while making 12 interceptions. It's a very good unit overall, even though Purdue's Charlie Jones went off for 13 catches and 162 yards in the Big Ten Championship Game. Freshman Will Johnson has developed into Michigan's best corner (25 tackles, 2 TFL, 3 INT, 2 PBU), but D.J. Turner II is probably an NFL draft pick, Gemon Green is a starting quality player, and slot corner Mike Sainristil has wowed everyone this season. On the back end, sophomore Rod Moore is tied for the team lead with 3 picks. The pass rush has been present but sometimes inconsistent, especially with leading sacker Mike Morris (21 tackles, 11 TFL, 7.5 sacks) missing the last couple games due to injury; he is reportedly back practicing with the team and healthy. Otherwise, pass rush specialist Eyabi Okie (4.5 sacks) and outside linebacker Jaylen Harrell (3.5 sacks) are the most consistent rushers.
TCU has an explosive passing offense. They're #25 in passing yardage (273 yards/game) but #5 in passing efficiency and #9 in yards per attempt (8.8). Quarterback Max Duggan (6'2", 210) has completed 64.9% of his throws for 3,321 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. He was not considered the starter to begin the season under new coach Sonny Dykes, but he took over the gig in week two and never looked back. Junior receiver Quentin Johnston (6'4", 215) is the star with 53 catches for 903 yards and 5 touchdowns, but there are several capable targets with senior Taye Barber (5'10", 190), senior Derius Davis (5'10", 175), and junior Savion Williams (6'5", 215) all having 29-35 catches and 4-5 touchdowns. Senior tight end Jared Wiley (6'7", 255) has 21 catches for 225 yards and 4 scores. TCU is tied at #50 with 1.77 sacks given up per game. Dykes is a disciple of Hal Mumme and Mike Leach, so he runs an up-tempo Air Raid offense.
Advantage: Michigan. TCU will make plays through the air, but Michigan did a pretty good job of shutting down Ohio State's high-flying passing attack. The X factor is Duggan's ability to run. If the defensive line can't keep him in check, then the threat of the quarterback run could open things up on the back end.
ohio didn't produce their typical results against MICHIGAN, but that's got a lot to to do with Day. He wanted to prove how tough they were, and ignored matchups down field, Egbuka had Saint lined up outside, and had the Slant open most of the day. Harrison could get open enough to make 2021-The Game type catches ... the players could have done more
ReplyDeleteJJ MCCARTHY COST MICHIGAN THIS GAME
ReplyDeleteI BEEN TELLING ALL OF YOU ALL SEASON HE IS CARELESS
NOW YOU SEE IT IN ALL TO VIVID AND PAINFUL COLOR
HEAVILY TALENTED PLAYER
BUT SOFT MINDED
UNDEVELOPED GIFTS
DOESN'T READ THE FIELD
ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE HOME RUN PLAY
DOESN'T USE THE SAFETY VALVE RECEIVER
NEVER SAW A SHORT PASS HE LIKES
DEATH BY A THOUSAND JJ CUTS, AND 2 HUGE GASHES
JIM HARBAUGH MADE A TACTICAL MISTAKE IN CHANGING QB's
THEY WERE REALLY GOING SOMEWHERE WITH MCNAMARA
THERE WAS A GREAT FEELING ABOUT THINGS
THAT FEELING WAS NEVER THERE ALL YEAR WITH MCCARTHY
POWERHOUSE MICHIGAN LOSES TO BIG12 TCU
HAHA
JIM HARBAUGH GETS WHAT HE DESERVES FOR BETRAYING THE BEST QB HE'S HAD SINCE HE'S BEEN AT MICHIGAN, PROBABLY THE BEST MICHIGAN QB IN THE MODERN ERA
LOOK OUT FOR IOWA
Well, let's not muddy the waters with the fact McNamara was injured and needed surgery.
DeleteThis doesn't make sense. His two interceptions were on a slant and a 5-yard out. Those aren't "home run" plays. He actually hit several "home run" shots, and a couple of the ones he tried unsuccessfully resulted in PI.
DeleteMichigan isn't playing in the CFP with Cade McNamara at QB. But it doesn't matter because McNamara had season-ending surgery anyway. The clamoring for McNamara is nonsensical at this point.
I didn't say he doesn't throw short passes, did i.
Deletea couple of his bombs were poorly thrown and incomplete
Deleteand he didn't hit on "several"
that is an exaggeration
and it's not "clamoring for McNamara"
it's pointing out that McCarthy is not as good as you, and many others, say he is.
Those pick 6 passes were poorly thrown. Do you agree?
you made things up Thunder
Deleteread more carefully next time, and don't add in what isn't there
JJ McCarthy cost Michigan the game. and he was childish in the press conference afterward,
and who cares that he says they will get better,
that was supposed to be what happened this year, and they actually got worse in the post season.
they were facing the #73 defense in the Nation. Of course they scored. They should have scored more. 6 in the 1st half? lol
They would have gotten beat up by last years Georgia defense.
It is delusional to defend JJ McCarthy over yesterday. But, that appears to be what some Michigan fans are doing, being delusional.
That out pattern pick 6 was completely unacceptable. there is no way to justify it. It was a mistake that a 9th grader would have been doing laps for at practice, and anyone who said it was ok for the 9th grader to throw it that poorly would look stupid. But it's JJ, so it's ok, right?
Why doesn't someone say once more "JJ is going to be the #1 Draft pick" and put a cherry on all this delusion about him.
The delusion about JJ is worse than the delusion about Milton when he was here.
Cade in the '21 playoff <<< JJ in the '22 playoff
Delete