Michigan is really good. No disrespect to CMU, but that was an a** kicking. Michigan dominated them physically, and that happened minus the two starting offensive guards and a potential starting left tackle in Andrew Babalola. Michigan averaged 7.7 yards per play, including 6.9 yards per rushing attempt and 9.4 yards per passing attempt. Michigan had seven players with a rush of 10+ yards, including two wide receivers in Andrew Marsh and Anthony Simpson.
Or Central Michigan isn't good. One thing I have noticed over the years is that the weaker opponents usually have at least one guy who's dangerous, whether it's a tough running back who's difficult to bring down or a speedy slot receiver or maybe a quick quarterback. That's not the case with Central Michigan. I didn't see anyone who made me nervous, and they couldn't threaten the Wolverines. Defensively, they might play with enough discipline to get some wins this season, but they don't have playmakers on offense.
Hit the jump for more.
Bryce Underwood >= Devin Gardner? This game for Bryce Underwood reminded me a lot of the 2013 game against CMU when Gardner was dominant physically. Gardner was another tall, athletic quarterback who could run and throw. Underwood (16/25, 235 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 9 carries, 114 yards, 2 TD) was a clear difference maker in this game, and CMU had no answer except to hope that a freshman quarterback would make a silly passing attempt or two, which he did. I've heard comparisons to Cam Newton and others, but the closest Michigan comparison is Gardner. Underwood has a stronger arm and runs more powerfully, but no comparison is perfect. I think the best overall comparison might be Josh Allen, though there's still a long way to go until Underwood is challenging for NFL MVP. MAC teams generally just have no answer for someone like Underwood.
Also, no answer for Jaishawn Barham. MAC teams also aren't prepared for a 6'3", 248 lb. linebacker who might run a 4.4 at the NFL Combine. Michigan has several playable inside linebackers (Barham, Ernest Hausmann, Jimmy Rolder, Cole Sullivan), so with T.J. Guy missing the game, Michigan simply moved Barham to an edge spot and let Hausmann, Rolder, and Sullivan rotate at inside linebacker. Barham responded with 6 tackles and 2 sacks. Rolder and Sullivan were the other leading tacklers with 6 and 5, respectively. Michigan is going to need to be creative at linebacker, because Hausmann, Sullivan, Rolder, and Barham are all probably in the best eleven defensive players.
Justice Haynes might be elite. Haynes had a 70+ yard touchdown run taken off the board because of an Andrew Marsh holding penalty, and Haynes still ended up with 14 carries for 104 yards and 1 touchdown. He already had 75-, 59-, and 56-yard runs coming into the game, and in this one, his longest official run was a 20-yarder. Pitiful! His long speed is better than some expected, and his toughness is also impressive.
I like Michigan's receiving options a bit more. The coaching staff really seems to like backup tight end Hogan Hansen (3 catches, 43 yards), and that was on display a couple times in this game. Hansen seems to be a very natural receiving target, and I would say he already looks like a smoother receiver than Marlin Klein. I think Klein is faster and a better blocker, so I'm not wanting Klein to be replaced, but I think Hansen is a good heir apparent. I also liked to see Semaj Morgan (4 catches, 69 yards, 1 touchdown) catching some passes downfield, because it was really frustrating watching him catch only screen passes last year. He did drop a bubble screen on Saturday that I'm sure he would like to have back, because he had a lot of room to run. But if he and Underwood can find chemistry, I think that would bode well for the passing game.
Gerry DiNardo a kook. I made the mistake of listening to Gerry DiNardo in the post game, and he was complaining that Justice Haynes only got 14 carries. He said Haynes needs more carries to get in a rhythm for the Big Ten season, and I say there's a reason DiNardo is in the studio and not coaching games. Is Michigan supposed to get its difference-making 5-star transfer beaten up in a 63-3 victory when it's obvious that CMU brought a golf tee to a sword fight?
Go Blue! Go Blue.
Most of my thoughts are in the preview thread, but on Semaj I agree 1oo%. Channing Goodwin may be #2, but he's JAG, and not a good one. McCulley has zero drops, has moved the chains, and has a spectacular catch to speak of, but isn't stretching the field. Semaj can seize that role, and it's going to be needed
ReplyDeleteI liked Hansen. He's probably not 1oo% yet (nor is Klein), but when the two are healthy we may have some viable toys for Bryce (combined w/ roles for Semaj & McCulley above)
Yes. Semaj use downfield. Goodwin is JAG. McCulley? Better than JAG barely but not fast enough or elusive enough to be the consistent deep threat. Jump balls are low probability. But he's reliable when he knows the play.
DeleteMcCulley has gotta block like a TE and then we're in business because he is what he is at WR - good size and hands but limited ability to get open.
Hansen has the most upside as a receiver. You wanna throw a contested ball he's your guy. Klein has the speed and has turned into a good blocker but doesn't have the receiving skills to play outside consistently like Loveland. WR is a skill position because it takes skill. Hansen has that skillset, Morgan has it, I dunno if anyone else has it because Klein is still pretty new to football and McCulley was busy at QB and Goodwin just doesn't have the ceiling.
For the first time in a while Michigan is limited by skill position talent and lack of playmakers. QB is there to create opportunities and OL is functional and OC knows what he is doing. This is the team where we want Nico, Don, even AJ Henning LOL.
Still have hope in Marsh once he stops doing dumb stuff.
Where is Prieskorn?
We were limited in playmakers last year too, as expected. Only Kalel Mullings made plays AND was reliable for the season. 2o17 was another year we were limited in playmakers
Delete*McCulley gets open, but either Bryce doesn't see him or get his progressions. On our first drive against OU, McCulley is running free for a touchdown, but (RPO?) Bryce gives to Haynes for a short gain. A tougher throw happens a few plays later, but despite OU making McCulley deep a priority, there's room. Bryce overthrows by a chunk. Later, McCulley cooked his defender on a Slant, but Bryce misfired. Then there's completions that went for 38, wide open and YAC
Throw in the jump ball - our best catch in two years - and the opportunities are there, even against our toughest opponent
What I'd like to see is Semaj fly by, taking a Safety with him. That leaves the Secondary with a choice between our two healthy TEs or McCulley
... which opens up SMASH
WEIRD THAT COLSTON LOVELAND GOT DRAFTED WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO MAKE PLAYS AND DONOVAN EDWARDS (SUPPOSEDLY BOOM/BUST) ALSO CAN'T MAKE PLAYS.
DeleteSHOULDA JUST TAKEN THE DUB ON GETTING AGREEMENT WITH MORGAN AS A DOWNFIELD THREAT BUT #NEYBY
Loveland didn't make plays? You're on a role with your lies, t0bY
DeleteMaybe we can BET? I'll provide at least a half dozen 2o24 highlights, more than you ever could for Tyler Morris and the WRs losing snaps to ... Channing Goodwin, lol
*and to McCulley, as expected
(TIGHT END) Loveland was a first round pick because he made plays 2o22, 2o23 AND 2o24. Edwards was Boom-Bust, but at least the BOOM was fun
From this week's UFR:
"Justice Haynes is inconsistent but incredibly talented. He'll be up there with Haskins/Corum/Mullings by end of year IMO"
Who's missing, lAnKt0bY? Why?
#RBmatters
TOO EASY
#jeDub
"We were limited in playmakers last year too, as expected. Only Kalel Mullings made plays AND was reliable for the seaso"
DeleteWHO OMITTED LOVELAND FROM THE PLAYMAKERS. NOT ME!
#NEYBY
LOVELAND AND EDWARDS WERE PLAYMAKERS ON THE ROSTER. NOT JUST MULLINGS. EVEN YOU KNOW THAT. BUT YOU'LL DUCK DODGE DEFLECT RATHER THAN ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRUTH.
MORGAN WAS A PLAYMAKER IN 23 AND JUST MADE A HELLUVA PLAY FOR A FIRST DOWN IN 25. PLAYMAKER? YEP. WHAT ABOUT IN 24? DID HE TAKE A YEAR LONG NAP IN 24? OR WAS THERE A LACK OF OPPORTUNITY?
YEP
#HIU
I wrote (and you copy/paste quoted) "for the season." Loveland missed a lot of time last year lAnKt0bY, including the last two games
DeleteEdwards wasn't reliable all season. He was Boom-Bust. And fumbled a couple times. Hence, the bench when the game was on the line
Morgan made a couple of plays in 2o23. A catch & tough run against (a bad) Indiana, and a Punt Return in the conference title game. That's a guy who made a couple plays, not a pLaYmAkEr
Semaj had 27 catches last year. That's 27 opportunities to make a play. I credited him for ONE, against Texas, which you negated because it was garbage time (and Davis threw it). Not even lAnKt0bY believes lAnKt0bY
No dodging from je93, ever. Just the all the facts lAnKt0bY
Wow, that was easy!
"FOR THE SEASON" LOL. IS THAT YOUR ATTEMPT TO DODGE?
DeleteLOVELAND PLAYED IN 10 GAMES MULLINGS IN 12. NEITHER PLAYED THE WHOLE SEASON.
MULLINGS WAS DEMOTED (AKA BENCHED) TO 3RD STRING WHEN HE STRUGGLED BADLY MIDSEASON (WITHOUT ORJI). BEN HALL WAS RB2 AGAINST INDIANA NOT MULLINGS. WHY? BECAUSE MULLINGS WASNT DOING ANYTHING NOTE MIDSEASON AGAINST UW, ILL, MSU, OREGON, INDIANA. BOOM/BUST?
THE ONLY THING THAT BENCHED EDWARDS WAS HIS INJURY AGAINST OSU.
THANKS FOR ADMITTING MORGAN IS A PLAYMAKER. WHICH IS........A PLAYER WHO MAKES PLAYS.
AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF OF ARGUING YOU STILL DONT DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PLAYMAKER AND A GUY WHO DOES THE JOB PLAY IN AND PLAY OUT. NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES ITS EXPLAINED TO YOU.
#2SOMETHING
MORGAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PLAYMAKER AND ALWAYS WILL BE. IS HE A PLAYER THO? CAN HE GET THE JOB DONE PLAY IN AND PLAY OUT. NOT DROPPING THE BALL. NOT RUNNING THE WRONG ROUTE. NOT MISSING A BLOCKING ASSIGNMENT. NOT CATCHING AN EASY ROUTINE PLAY. TBD IF MORGAN CAN DO ALL THAT. IT'S A DIFFERENT QUESTION. LEARN THE GAME!
#HIU
"for the season" that's not a dodge, but the original post, here on on 16 Sep at 1137PM
Delete#receipts
Benched? Prove that ... bet me lAnKt0bY, or tuck tail (AGAIN)
FACT: Mullings had more than twice the carries & more than three times the yards as Hall, and more TDs than Ben Hall & Edwards COMBINED
FACT: Hall got ONE second half carry, early in the 3Q, while Mullings got the milk bulk AND the last two of the 5pt game
Mullings was involved in the sparty fight, and was PERHAPS punished, but the data shows he was still our best RB of the Indiana game
#fxckyourfeelingst0bY
I said Morgan made "a" play (which you negated). Not "made plays" ... know the difference t0bY
Hahaha, troll gets owned AGAIN
#dotheyknow
10 GAMES VS 12 IS A.........DODGE.
Delete#WHITEFLAGACCEPTED
#LOVELAND IS A PLAYMAKER
MULLING PUNISHED? GOT ANY EVIDENCE? OR THIS IS A JEDUB FANTASY?
MAYBE IT WAS 13 CARRIES FOR 18 YARDS VS MSU OR 8 CARRIES FOR 16 YARDS AGAINST OREGON.
#HIU
PSSST ... the regular season is 12 games lAnKt0bY. Meaningless Bowl games are often skipped by draftable players
Delete#themoreyouknow
I wrote (in all caps) "PERHAPS punished" ...
Now, do you have evidence he was benched, or an example of a benched player who continued to send those ahead to the bench with superior performance?
#betmelAnKt0bY
#tucktail&dodge
#gocrytothunder
THE 24 SEASON WAS 13 GAMES. NEITHER GUY MADE IT THROUGH. 12/13 OR 10/13. YOU ARE DODGING.
DeleteLOVELAND IS A PLAYMAKER. SO ARE EDWARDS, MULLINGS, MORGAN AND MORE. YOU WERE TOLD THIS AND YOU QUIBBLED. SOME PEOPLE JUST WANT TO ARGUE.
HOLD UP YOUR L.
CHECK THE PLAY BY PLAY AND MAYBE YOU'LL LEARN SOMETHING.
#LOL NAW
IT'S OK. YOU KNOW IT. HOLD UP THE L YOU PUT ON YOURSELF AKA 'JEDUB'
Lmao, "mAdE iT tHr0uGh"
DeleteMullings opted out, as is typical for Bowl season. Loveland was injured. Just as he was for parts or all of other games, and continued to be through the NFL Combine, Rookie Mini Camp and OTAs
#themoreyouknow
#notsmartenough
#gotellthunder
Gardner had about the best QB game I have ever seen, the ND at night. He did throw a horrible pick 6 from his endzone but other than that did a Cam Newton on them. I thought we had it made at QB and all we did was get him beat up with a sieve OL while Hoke would talk about "how tough" Michigan was.
ReplyDeleteGardner talks about his time at UM on a weekly insider podcast with Webb. Every Sat was like getting in a car wreck where it took 2 days to even be able to move, then start to practice on TU, Fr start to feel acceptable and then get beat up again on Sat. Repeat.
Not sure about our WR coaches. Teslaa played at Hillsdale and wanted to transfer up, right?
ReplyDeleteHillsdale is what, 40 miles from Ann Arbor?
Arkansas (that Arkansas), from the SEC, comes and gets him without our coaching staff even bringing him in for a visit?
That...is a fireable offense.
Who? I don't see that name on Arkansas stat sheet
DeleteNo question it's a missed opportunity but so is nobody recruiting Josh Allen out of HS, the Glasgows being walk-ons who could have ended up elsewhere, etc.
DeleteNot recruiting a guy from Hillsdale is not a fireable offense. Moreover...
"TeSlaa said his decision came down to "what’s best for me culturally and obviously coming somewhere I can have a big role on the offense," he said. "They showed me that so the opportunity is there for me. That's definitely a good point.”"
Does Michigan have a similar culture to Arkansas? Nah
Teslaa was #2 at Arkansas immediately. Did Michigan have similar opportunity with Wilson, Johnson and Loveland returning on a playoff team? Plus Barner. Nah.
TeSlaa is a miss for sure. If Michigan offered, I think he would have joined. More likely, he was not on our staff's radar (no visit) and that WR was not a priority for this staff. In any case, it would not have made a difference last year. Not with the QB situation last year.
DeleteOne big difference between Underwood and Gardner was DG didn't start until the back half of his junior year. Love DG and thought he could have done a lot better with more help around him, but Bryce, doing what he is doing as a barely 18 year old is something else. I know he's a freshman and will make freshman mistakes but he seems exceptionally poised so far. Granted he's been a lot better against CMU and UNM than Oklahoma but that's to be expected.
ReplyDeleteI like the Josh Allen comp. He was a late bloomer though physically and obviously came up with a lot less attention and accolades as Bryce.
Nobody matches perfectly and DG might be the best bet at Michigan...since Tom Harmon at least LOL.
I think we should play Barham at DE even when TJ Guy us healthy. He could possibly be our best pass rusher (even better than Moore).
ReplyDeleteMaaaaybe. Opponent caveats are warranted here as the CMU OL kind of left him untouched a few times there. Barham definitely earned snaps. Let's see it against better competition.
Delete-iykyk
I worry about Underwood doing foolish things while running ... such as lowering his shoulder and trying to pop defenders, which he did in this CMU game. This isn't high school any more, where he was a physical specimen far superior to most defenders. When we get into Big Ten play, he's going to be facing run defensive players that can pop him back, and do some damage. I'm reminded of Dylan McCaffrey in 2018 against Penn State ... he was running down the sideline and had already picked up the first down. A defender stood between him and the goal line, so McCaffrey lowered his shoulder to try to bowl over the other guy and ... McCaffrey broke his collar bone. I sure hope the coaches are getting through to him that there's a time when he's accomplished enough with a run and to either get out of bounds, or slide.
ReplyDeleteYeah he should try to get OOB when he can. Sliding I dont love cuz you can still get popped, too many guys don't do it right, and you give up a lot of yards sometimes. but sometimes it's the right move.
DeleteI think we just have to live with the risk because the QB run is so valuable - not only in the run game but forcing pass defenders to keep an eye on the scramble threat. We can't replicate the 2021 offense so we need Bryce to be a hero. If he is hurt well that's just that we're screwed. But if he doesn't run we're also screwed.
-iykyk