GBMWolverine: Coach's Corner -- Michigan Football -- Michigan State at Michigan -- Grades

Posted at 6:00am — 10/12/2010

GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — Michigan State at Michigan — Grades

GBMWolverine hereby tenders a small disclaimer, more of a reminder, to our readers. Some of our guys, maybe all actually, are pretty tough on game grades. We watch the game and later go back and further dissect the action, looking for details that a lot of fans miss or overlook when watching a game.

Again, here is our grading scale, simple but typical, intended to provide a general summary judgment based on specific instances collectively observed.

A = Great – everything went well, execution was very notable.
B = Good – success was achieved but nothing was exemplary.
C = Average/Okay – a normal day with ups and downs.
D = Poor/Need Help – a clear weakness, obvious problems.
F = Hope and Pray for a great recruiting class at that position.

Offense: Grade C-

Start with dropped passes, 3 TO’s, and a missed wide-open WR for a touchdown. Overall the offense did a terrible job of blocking the edge. Only 17 points says it all. This group could have scored in the 30’s, and probably should have.

Quarterback: Grade C-

MSU proved DRob is human after all; 3 interceptions and under 5 yards per carry. Also Denard missed a wide-open receiver in the end zone. Two of the interceptions may have been more about judgment than vision. Look for Denard to bounce back.

Running Back’s: Grade C

As stated many times on GBMWolverine, the running game, sans Denard is a real concern. There were only 76 yards generated by 3 RB’s. Still, strangely enough the group averaged almost 6 yards per carry. What is missing is the big play threat and the ability to break a tackle or make the 1st guy miss. MSU must have had four or five ankle tackles that prevented big runs.

Offensive Line: Grade C

This group did a nice job early, especially on the inside zone play. But did not block at 2nd level very well or the edge. MSU linemen were able to stalemate and keep the UM O line from moving them backwards to get separation.

Receivers: Grade C

A dropped sure TD and a set back in blocking.

Defense: Grade D

MSU’s superior size showed, The Spartans pushed UM around despite Coach Robinson loading up the box with different combos. Again the defense gave up way too many big plays. Several two-yard plays became eight-yard plays. There was a terrible job on keeping proper leverages.

Defensive Line: Grade C

Two sacks and some penetration from Martin early on but MSU’s size showed as the game wore on. MSU’s O-line was able to cut off Michigan’s backside pursuit.

Linebackers: Grade D-

Again the backers over pursued, giving up backside shoulder leverage, leading to long TD runs. When Michigan State’s linemen moved to the second level to engage the Michigan linebackers the entire backer group had trouble shedding and getting off blocks.

Secondary: Grade D

This group gave up long passes off of play action and pocket passing and was terrible tackling in space. Martin made them look stupid at times. Like other groups the secondary gave up outside leverage too many times.

Special Teams: Grade C

Maybe the grade was even better and the group was not a complete disaster; 1 made FG and the best punting of the year. A lack of confidence in FG kicking hurt at times. The one blocked FG was huge and the return game was decent. This group did not decide the outcome as many had feared.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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