GBMW: What Happened and Why? EMU and UM

What Happened and Why? EMU and UM

Take note that the preview and predictions from the GBMW group were right on target. Also take note that the EMU game did indeed offer the best chance for these near spot on score predictions and game analysis to occur. So, good job but no rocket science was needed regarding this game. That will change in the future with Iowa and especially MSU. And now on to a quick look back at Saturday’s game.

It was another Chamber of Commerce day in Ann Arbor. One that we all take for granted until the weather turns for the worst as November nears.

Eastern received the ball and moved it well, mostly on the ground and field goals were exchanged. In the Spring I wrote the following about Carlos Brown at practice: “Carlos runs like a cross between a pissed off antelope and a raptor.” This refers to when he breaks the big one past the linebackers with no safety support (a benefit of working the spread to influence the position of the safeties

All of us here at GBMW have been waiting for the raptor moment to occur and finally it happened in the second quarter. Ninety yards, I read in a release, was the third longest running play in Michigan history. The score was not in doubt, really, just a few steps into the secondary. The safeties had neither the speed nor the angle to catch Carlos. What a big day for Carlos, granted long in coming, but one that he will long remember. ). Make no mistake, Minor is still UM’s best tough yardage power runner.

There is always a why so and part of what happened to the Michigan ground attack can be attributed to the EMU defense. But, hear this, Michigan’s ground game is getting better as more weapons and possibilities emerge. Even with what I considered a very good game plan on both sides of the ball by Eastern, Michigan could run basic plays for three to five yards anytime during the game. Throw in the occasional big play, on this day a reverse to Odoms and big runs by Carlos and Denard Robinson, and the final rushing total neared 400. Anytime a team can run for nearly 400 yards against any opponent that is truly impressive.

From the stands I found myself keying on John Ferrara. I thought the entire right side of the line (Molk is included as a member of both sides) played very well. This is comforting since the obvious inference could be the right side is not nearly as strong as the left side (taking into consideration Moose’s injury). Happily that inference appears to be in the trashcan. Many big runs this season have been the work of the right side. Having a good balance of success on both sides increases the chances of running against a really strong defense by preventing the opponent from loading up or gaming into one side.

Coach Rod mentioned after the game that he was also pleased with the perimeter blocking as well. This improvement is night and day from last year’s team. Last year the poor backs were searching for cracks that were inches wide and there were hardly any cracks ever on the perimeter. The backs just kept running and running laterally and ending up with no gain. On Odom’s play watch a lineman come out and get a seal so that Mo could cut inside and take it to the end zone. Last year, I observed linemen get there a full second or even a second and a half late as the slot got clobbered to the ground.

The passing game just did not get untracked. This is what I saw. First of all, UM could run and run at will. So, the game plan probably had the passing element pegged as experimental or backup plan B. Coach English, I believe, focused on Tate and his defense threw some really nice blitz packages Tate’s way. Previously, Tate beat some defenders one-on one, but yesterday it was one-on -two or one-on –three. The defenders took good angles towards Tate and he was corralled. There was a swilling wind in the stadium and while the effect could not be termed significant, if was enough to float and cut down some throws. Both teams threw deep sidelines with little success, excluding strange flags or non-flags within the definition of success.

Denard’s throws were experiments in my mind. The throw over the middle was a tad late and got caught enough in the wind for the d back to easily recover and get a pick. The second interception was a throw it up and get a jump ball situation. I close this paragraph with the following: Denard can throw well and throws much better than some believe. Good quarterback coaching can make him at least an average Division 1 arm, and not just a run, run, run guy. He does sail it a little high and could use a little more juice on the ball. But he is close to being respectable regarding throwing.

The defense was attacked rather well by the Eastern strategy. Eastern could run almost at will in the first half and like Notre Dame the week previous almost could not be stopped. Schmitt is a good quarterback, but a different qb than Western’s Hiller. Schmitt could roll out and bootleg, hitting Michigan hard a couple of times in the first half. His short passing timing is good. Eastern will score points this year.

Priest is a solid running back and EMU ran straight for Obi and Leach. The two linebackers were credited with 19 tackles between them but both were attacked head on. Walk-ons starting are a nice story, but UM gave up almost 200 yards rushing. Now, the obvious conclusion, Mouton was really missed. Leach gave it everything he had, played hard, but there is a big difference between the tough nosed kid and Mouton. Coach BT and others have mentioned numerous times Obi would probably be better off somewhere else, but UM has little option. Depth in the back seven has been detailed by GBMW for months and this defense remains a thin blue line held together by Coach Robinson’s intellect and half-time adjustments. Sadly, there can come a time when adjustments do not work and a defense can get pounded. MSU and Wisky will run straight at the Wolverine defense, likely others as well. Mike Martin remains a monster and not too many plays dial up B. Graham’s number.

So, do not think total gloom and doom from the writer. There are some defensive items that stand out as clear positives. It is hereby proclaimed that Craig Roh is as good as advertised as a near five-star player. Holy Cow, he played three or four spots and played them well. He has to play but he is not a band-aid. Yes, it was Eastern, but he reacted very well and appears to have the speed necessary to make the “spin” off to different locations on the field. The events of yesterday (sacks, rushes, interception) may not come against the elite teams UM faces this year, but Craig’s future is as bright as any UM freshman.

The safeties continue to do the job asked by this defensive scheme. The year is young and things will happen, but wow, such a great thing to see UM play a game and not get drilled in the middle seam time after time.

Boo-boo and Warren held down the fort. Boo-boo will have to keep that me against the world attitude (like the mere flesh wound in Monty Python) because folks are going to call a coming.

The coaches are doing a very nice job on both sides of the ball. Yes, the offense gets a little cute and tinker toys around somewhat, but this will yield benefits down the road. The two headed snake known and mandated nationally by the media nationally as the controversial two-quarterback system is a bogus concept. Such a situation can work with intelligent moves regarding when to insert whom. In such a system both quarterbacks must show great support for each other and for the coaches who make the moves. There is no evidence of any of the negatives a dual system can bring about at this time.

The special teams on both sides of the kickoff game were just ok yesterday. Viewing from the stands there were two or three occasions where Eastern was one small seem away from breaking big ones. But the placekicking (although not under any duress yesterday) keeps contributing. One punt was partially blocked and there remains no fumbles in the return game.

And so, what should be taken away from this game? See if you all agree with these points:

-Eastern came in well prepared and played hard, they still do not have the defensive personnel to stop anyone. Coach English is wished the best, but his task is daunting.
-UM can be attacked on the ground and was attacked in the air last week.
-UM has come light years on offense, and the old adage that a spread offense needs a certain type of qb has been reinforced by Michigan’s performance this year.
-UM has equaled its win total of last year and goes forward now with much bigger fish to fry. The Notre Dame game was considered the swing game in season predictions. At the worst UM now depends on beating D. State and Purdue to be bowl eligible. At the best UM can focus on moving up the college football ladder, by winning as many as possible against the middle tier of the Big 11 (MSU, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois).

-So far UM has found a way to win one big game. The midterms this year will be difficult and the final exam will be brutal. But college kids know there is always a way, somehow, someway.

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Written by Doc4Blu