Michigan Football: Don’t Save Jabrill Peppers for Later
We cried for it from the beginning of the season, and it finally happened against Michigan State. Out trotted Jabrill Peppers on offense, and Michigan football was suddenly on the brink of revolutionizing its offense.
Or at least it seemed that way.
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Peppers made his way on the field for three snaps against the Spartans and got the ball twice, tallying 35 yards.
The first time Peppers went out on the field, Mark Dantonio felt it necessary to call consecutive timeouts to make sure his team was prepped for whatever might happen.
It’s not like I’m saying anything new about Peppers being an explosive player, but the conversation has now turned to how to manage that.
Do you pull out all the stops because you’re on a win-by-win, week-by-week basis? Or do you reserve him for more critical situations in more critical games?
One thing we’ve learned about Jim Harbaugh this season is that he’s not afraid to go into neutral when things are under control. Giving your opponent so little to study could come in handy the next week.
Seven games into the season, though, how much more could be left to hide?
There are plenty of teams—even high-level teams—that would visit some low places to get a player like Jabrill Peppers.
It’s almost like Harbaugh has the shiny new toy that everyone wants, but he chooses not to play with it so the other kids can’t even get a glimpse of it and, more importantly, what it does.
I understand that logic, but Michigan is at a point in the season where one more loss does derail the higher goals. That wasn’t the case before playing Michigan State, but that loss changed a few things.
With two losses (one in the Big Ten), Michigan has to finish on a 5-0 run if it wants a shot at a New Year’s Day Six Bowl or a Big Ten Championship.
Two of three weeks ago, I would’ve been lobbying on the other side. But at this point in the season, it’s not about concealing your weapons; it’s about using everything you’ve got to win these remaining games.
That’s why I’m in favor of using Peppers at whatever capacity is needed.
If we see him once against Minnesota, fine. If we see him 15 times against Minnesota, fine. If Michigan is up 35-7 in the second quarter, it’s a different story.
Bottom line: If you have a weapon at this point in the season, what’s the holdup?
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I hate the term “lightning in a bottle,” so I’ll say Peppers is the jet on deck. That’s what Michigan’s got.
Peppers makes the Wolverines’ offense better when he’s out there. It’s as simple as that.