Buried in another thread so I thought I’d repost it here. Thoughts?

———————————————————

I think there are primarily three issues hindering the passing game (which imo isn’t bad but also isn’t as good as it could be):

1) JJ is still young. JJ often doesn’t see open receivers. And without knowing his progression and read that could be play design, but far too often (imo) it’s a guy sitting in the middle of the field at an intermediate depth (8-12 yards). Maybe he’s been told not to throw to the middle of the field. Maybe the play is designed for him to come off that read too quickly. Who knows? But it’s been happening all season and MSU’s cover 3 left it open a lot - they knew he wouldn’t throw there.

2) Over-reliance on crossing routes. I think UM’s route design too-often signals where the ball is going. The DBs are often switching off on crossing routes which negates why they’re used - to get the defender a step behind the receiver. And it’s not as if we’re using rub routes like Ohio State relies on (ignoring their blatant OPI 50% of the time). UM seems to be more successful on option routes as far as my eyes can see (of course, some of our receivers run options routes better than others which is an issue).

3) Refusal to throw so-called 50/50 balls. If our WRs are as good as we think they are, then you trust Wilson/Bell/Johnson/Anthony to go up and get a 50/50 ball a couple times a game. We seemingly refuse to throw them at all. You need to be willing to throw a “go up and get it” ball when faced with one-high or zero coverage. We aren’t wiling.

All things I think UM can improve - especially as JJ gets more experience (and sees more coverages). I do like that they’ve taken advantage of putting him on the run with multiple receivers in his window. He’s left a few yards on the field on those but that’s ok because they’re going for positive yards and first downs.

She's on a crusade against the Big Ten this year, and it's completely obnoxious at this point.

Earlier this week, she spent the majority of her time on ESPN focused on Michigan's strength of schedule (specifically their OOC schedule) and how the committee didn't like Michigan's SOS and thus debuted us at 5 in the first CFP rankings. Some people pointed out the fact that Clemson was put ahead of Michigan in the CFP rankings, while most polls had Michigan ahead of Clemson. But here comes Heather, railing on Michigan's SOS and justifying Michigan being placed at 5.

So then today she writes an article focusing on the CFP impact from this weekends game, and her first point is "The Big Ten's Dream of 2 Teams continues to Fade". Wow, how shocking. She's obviously worried that the Big Ten may have 2 of the top 4 teams in the country. Her first line mentions OSU was trailing NW 7-0 in the 1st quarter. I dislike OSU as much as the next person, but really? "OSU was trailing NW by 7 pts in the 1st quarter"? This is now big news? And then she mentioned Michigan trailing 17-14 at the half against Rutgers.

News flash: many games can be broken down in some fashion to present a more negative narrative. Michigan won 52-17, it's a 60 minute game. But instead, lets just focus on the first half because that helps the end goal, which is propping up the SEC and burying the Big Ten.

Embarrassing journalism, and just an unreal commitment to carrying the water for the SEC. Cannot stand ESPN.

Which regent up for election is most NIL friendly?

Rutgers? With the -28.5 point spread it seems like Nebby has Indiana or Rutgers type talent.

Wondered if he’d be a good candidate for some of these new openings on the collegiate level but know that is not a transitions Pro HCs typically want to make

Seems like with Auburn changing coaches, his affinity for Biff , he might consider coming.

I assume his restrictions have been lifted at this point.

Breakdown
Jim Harbaugh 00:00-:30
Open :31-4:16
Harbaugh sideline demeanor 4:17-13:24
Ohio State 13:25-15:45
Nebraska & Illinois 15:46-25:23
First half film analysis Rutgers 25:24-45:07
Second half film analysis Rugers 45:08-59:02
Login to view embedded media

Joshua Perry and Jake Butt. Jake goes out his way to not look like a homer. Overhyping a team like Rutgers...hyping Rutgers "physicality". (Side note my wife says people should have to drink every time an announcer says physicality) yet no mention of the true ass whoopin Michigan put on Rutgers until Rutgers "was worn out". How the hell do you think they got worn out Jake?

Disclaimer...I love Jake Booty!

Perry is an absolute joke. He doesn't have an objective bone in his body. 100% homer. Has very little to nothing negative or at least contructive to say against osu.

I know I shouldn't be shocked by this but it can grind me at times. So much so I alway fast forward through the osu final drive segments and whenever Perry begins to open his mouth!

😳Wow! Just wow!

Josh- thanks again for the fantastic job laying out all the stats on how we stack up nationally in every category.
This is really impressive! Offense, defense…okay, someone could be critical of a given area in ranking, but just look at the BALANCE ! Have we ever shown out so high in so many areas. I know “on paper” under the Brown D, that looked good (until we didn’t). But we are indeed dominating on O…on D.
Yes, tighten up that “red zone.” Get people open more.
But we should look at this great chart you’ve compiled, Josh, and smile “ear-to-ear.”
Thanks again.

msu is on the front page.

Michigan backpage.

And there's a saybean article about the Edwards retweet.

And you out of staters wonder why we in staters hate them.

Did I miss them? Was mainly curious on the snap counts with all the guys “resting”.

Technical issues with PFF forced us to be a day late posting these. Apologies!

Looked like the same old Red Zone play calling. In a game like this, why aren’t we running anything more creative?
That being asked, it’s the only glaring weakness I see on an otherwise great team that is bonding together big time.

Heading up on Friday for the game. What are the best brunch places in Ann Arbor?? Preferably places with Mimosa/Bloody Mary availability.

You guys were great with the Bar/Craft beer recommendations!

Thanks!

who their West opponent will be.

This may end up being the perfect game for this team. Rutgers threw absolutely everything the possibly could at us in the 1st half, and found themselves ahead 17-14. Credit Greg Schiano - I think he coached a whale of a 1st half. The punt block was a great scheme, and the onside kick was a brilliant call. Still can't believe we recoved that. He also had their DL and front 7 ready to play - they played hard, and tough, and should be credited for that. The punt block TD changed everything about the 1st half, and I think that adversity will prove to be galvanizing for this team. In a way, we needed that kind of adversity (trailing 17-14 at half). It's going to make this team better down the road, IMO.

I've been vocal here that I'd like to see the passing game improve. And that really has nothing to do with the run game - I'd just like more creativity when we do pass it. At the half, the BTN reporter said Jim had adjustments, and I was skeptical. Well, Jim backed that up. The obvious offensive adjustment I observed was to utilize Donovan Edwards in the passing game. Had a big catch on the 1st drive in the 2nd half, and then caught the TD (what a catch, by the way!). Credit to Jim and staff for making good adjustments in the passing game at the half.

Jesse Minter...man, that guy was a home run hire. The Will Johnson INT was just beautiful. He brought pressure, which led to a quicker type throw. Instead of having Will Johnson in press man, he had Will backpedal so that the play was in front of him. The Rutgers QB tossed up a 50/50 type ball, which is what their preparation likely called for. Our DB's have struggled in those situations. As soon as Will started to backpedal, and as he threw the ball I was screaming "pick it!". Thanks to Minter's call, Will had the whole play in front of him, saw the ball thrown and broke on the ball to made the play. That is absolute beauty from a defensive perspective. Jesse Minter schemed up that INT. That doesn't happen if Will is playing press coverage.

One thing I noticed from a play calling perspective - every time we threw the ball on 1st down, we followed that up with a run on 2nd down. Unless I missed something, I think that was the sequence every time we threw on 1st down. I'd like to see the offensive staff be comfortable following up a 1st down throw with another throw. This aspect of the offensive game plan was very conservative. Hopefully they are trying to build up tendencies that they will ultimately break in Columbus?

And how about Michael Barrett? His mistake led to the game changing play (blocked punt TD). So what does he do? Goes out and makes a great INT in zone coverage, then follows it up with a tipped INT, ridiculous spin move, and a return TD. Congratulations to that kid for more than making up for the missed assignment on the blocked punt. Love to see that.

And on that note, it was awesome to see our defense force turnovers. The 1st and 3rd INT's were 100% our play calls, which is awesome. The 2nd INT on the tipped ball was more on Rutgers, but give Barrett credit for making the play. We've all seen too many missed opportunities to get an INT this year, and in years past. It was great to see 3 of these in the 2nd half.

The first half wasn't fun, but if we're looking long term I don't think this game could've gone any better. We faced real adversity on the road, made adjustments, and came out and played a ridiculously good 2nd half. The coaching staff now has plenty of ammunition to push this team and get even better.

Seems like the top 3 are obvious…
(1)Georgia
(2)MICHIGAN
(3)OSU