GBMWolverine: Iowa – Michigan Wrap Up
Posted at 8:00am — 10/21/2010
GBMWolverine: Iowa – Michigan Wrap Up
What Happened and What It Means
Unfortunately, things sent as predicted Saturday, with most of the GBMWolverine group predicting a loss of from a point to two touchdowns. There were positives; the game atmosphere was great, the opponent was very worthy, for the most part people played very hard, and recruits got to see a good side of the Michigan experience, albeit in a loss. The team came storming back as Iowa took the foot off the gas in the fourth quarter and one open field tackle would have made the game a down to the wire nail biter.
On the positive side, the author would like to recognize Jordan Kovacs, a player listed as a 195 pound safety who basically played as an under safety or a linebacker. Jordan did not over pursue, he read the play well (a strength), and gave it everything he could. Demens played decent and he filled pretty well against the run. As many of you have read or heard, it appears that Demens is on executive order to play middle linebacker for the rest of the season. One play demonstrated why so, and the thought will end with kindness to protect the guilty. Tate came in and got on a mini-roll, but then…..
Iowa ran on third down when needed and passed on third down when needed, but overall the Hawks yardage was less than 400 yards, a bold statement in these parts anymore.
The most unfortunate news of the day, other than potentially serious injuries, was a return to old habits against good competition.
The turnover bug, mostly unforced really, reared up again to ruin promising results. Again, Michigan stops itself more so than the opposition. Four turnovers, three interceptions and one very ill timed fumble took points off of Michigan’s potential total and added to Iowa’s point repository. The Wolverines played right into Iowa’s simple spider web strategy: come on in, you can make the turnovers today, we will wait and be patient. Two of the turnovers, at least, were unforced.
The same old song on assignment reading and reacting was there; whiffs, overrunning the hole, missed coverage, etc.
The kicking game (minus punting which got some lucky rolls) is unattractively fatal. It would be hard to blame a coach for going on fourth down about anytime or anywhere the rest of the season. There will be a time or two that important marbles are placed on the kicking team, we will see what happens when and if the scenario dictates. There really is no excuse for kicking the ball out of bounds consecutively. As stated on the message board, it is obvious the guy duck hooks, move the ball over.
There are still too many penalties, especially regarding formations. Once in a while personal fouls happen, the key is the timing. There is a time to make a point and a time to be smart.
The same argument will pop up this week: youthful inexperience or talent level. This is like the classic psychology enigma that still rages: genetics versus environment. In both cases the answer is both.
Coach Robinson used about everything he could Saturday. The 3-3 front turned into a playground looking assembly of bunches of bodies near the line: to which Iowa responded with the quick pass to the flat or a play action waggle. Still at times the A and B gap area got pounded, even with guys trying to clog.
Again, Michigan faced a critical short yardage situation and went with 170-pounder, the big-hearted, Vinnie Smith. Hopkins is starting to look like a guy who just cannot be kept out. We are not alone in liking how he runs downhill with some power.
Next up are three games that can all be won or all can be lost. Michigan has slipped from the favorite to a toss up status. Penn State has played its way to a toss up state with Michigan.
There is news afloat that PSU is horrible. Be wary: the Lions are bigger and stronger than the Wolverines and so Joe will try to make it a simple game to let his offense use its strengths. Michigan is faster and much more diverse on offense. The big part of the game will be if Michigan can neutralize the line advantage PSU has, But all of this is for another day.
This is a good time for a bye week.
Written by GBMWolverine Staff
Go Blue — Wear Maize!