Higdon's shiftiness, Wilton's feet, Linemen push & Special special teams

[detroitjohn]

BTW, if you want to review the game in twenty minutes, here's your link.

Karan Higdon, shiftmaster: If this was a taste of what's to come (yes, yes, I realize that Joe's grandkids were playing LB by the time they lost another to spearing), he will be a great asset and compliment to what we have in the backfield. He certainly showed us something Saturday. I loved what we saw from RBs: Power and determined running=Smith; Shifty, powerful, scatbacky=Higdon; Patient running=Isaac; Quick feet w. speed=Evans.

Wilton's blessed feet: Speight may have the best ability to move outside the pocket and find a receiver of any UM QB since Drew Henson 15 years ago. I did not anticipate that part of his game entering the season. I'm impressed by how he moves his feet and keeps pointed downfield to look for receivers, TEs and RBs as releases. His game continues to grow on me.

Lineman, oh those lineman: Easily the best game for both sides of the line. Lots of collapsing of protection and lanes on defense and some nice, stick-with-your-blocks on offense that created lanes.

Special special teams: Not only have our STs maintained their John Baxter, pre-MSU debacle quality and seen Jabrill add kamikaze-like returns, but I think we are actually more consistently strong than we were last year. Partridge is leading this part of our game, I believe, and has definitely had a huge impact.

Bonus, that crisp hitting: There was no letting up in terms of intensity of hitting throughout this game. Don Brown looks like he's bringing a relentless, pound-the-carrier style of hitting to us. Guys flew around all game.

 

[Reality Man]

I speak for many UM fans. We are going to finally see what kind of offense this UM team has at home. Great test because this team needs it before playing MSU.

I have changed my mind on this game since whomever wins this game is going to have a huge resume boost which may push them into a BCS playoff even if they don't win the BT championship. Maybe not but you never know.


RM

 

[detroitjohn]

I speak for many UM fans. We are going to finally see what kind of offense this UM team has at home. Great test because this team needs it before playing MSU.

I have changed my mind on this game since whomever wins this game is going to have a huge resume boost which may push them into a BCS playoff even if they don't win the BT championship. Maybe not but you never know.


RM

This loss would be devastating for Wisky, recoverable for UM since they still play the likely 1st and 2nd place division teams. There's little chance of two BIG teams getting into the playoffs. UM would have to be undefeated losing a very close game to an undefeated or one loss cross division opponent in the championship for any possibility of a second BIG team getting in (ditto O$U0.

 

[tarun262]

This loss would be devastating for Wisky, recoverable for UM since they still play the likely 1st and 2nd place division teams. There's little chance of two BIG teams getting into the playoffs. UM would have to be undefeated losing a very close game to an undefeated or one loss cross division opponent in the championship for any possibility of a second BIG team getting in (ditto O$U0.

I think a loss means nothing to either team - win the BIG with 1 loss and you are in. Basically all it means is that neither team can lose another game if they want a legitimate chance of getting into the playoffs.

 

[detroitjohn]

I think a loss means nothing to either team - win the BIG with 1 loss and you are in. Basically all it means is that neither team can lose another game if they want a legitimate chance of getting into the playoffs.

I'm quibbling, but Wisky's in the weaker division and a loss, especially by say a couple TDs, may not be easily recoverable. Iowa is looking pathetic and lost a key player for the season it looks and Nebraska is decent but not great. You're probably right...