I am probably in the minority but I don't think UM wins even if

[Reality Man]

Rudock played much better (Pass to Chesson) and no pick 6. I thought Utah just did enough to keep a distance ahead of UM. Game never seemed to be that close to me.

I think the game showed that UM has a lot of work to do but improvement is clearly as possible and that every game on the schedule is winnable except maybe OSU on paper.

It wasn't a painful loss and it gives UM a level to strive for going forward to beat MSU. Not OSU but every decent team on the road too. I am glad this was the first game on the schedule. Quality team on the road. Team can watch on film that they can correct a lot of mistakes and can be a good team with discipline.

They can see that the film doesn't lie. Rudock can do some things. Defense is solid. Wr's are competent. It wouldn't be like last year where you would watch the film and be disheartened. This team can win and work and preparation can pay off.

Just my .02 cts.

 

[tarun262]

Ruddock did not play well. Read your posts from last year when Gardner had a game with 2 INTs and 4 TDs where you were saying he was terrible and you wanted to move in with Golson. Seriously dude - what is with you? Ruddock was terrible. If you WR runs the wrong route, don't throw the ball. Don't stare your WR down, especially when they are a true freshman. Those 3 picks were costly. The first pick cost us points because we were marching down. I will also saw that the slip on 3rd and 1 that he could not convert was also on him - as a QB you have to be able to audible. Ruddock was pretty reckless with the ball most of the day. You also forget that bubble screen he tried to hit and thank god for a completely misthrown ball otherwise that would have been pick #6.

I think you are one of those guys that once you fall in love with the concept of a QB, they can do no wrong. And once you hate a QB, they can do no right. I am starting to see that. Golson and Ruddock can do no wrong for you. Gardner could have done no right for you. Gardner was pretty terrible last year but Ruddock needs to improve the most by far from Game 1 to Game 2.

 

[wolverines74]

My 2 cents : Jake Rudock IS the best we have and Morris will not play so all the study, analyzing and conversation, though healthy is going to get this crowd nowhere !
If Morris was any good at all he would have seen some light on the field after pick 3.

Jake IS the QB so let's support and encourage that HE grows in the positon and that Jim and the QB coach do a great job of knowing what Jake can handle each week. Beat the Beavers for win number 1. GBGB"74

 

[ArrowheadBlue]

Rudock had his problems, no doubt, but he sure had help to look bad. When was the last time a UM tailback followed the hole? Maybe 2007?

The great news from the game -- I was on the 40 -- was to see UM make halftime adjustments and play much better in the 2nd half. When was the last time you saw that happen? 2007?

Football is a game of inches. It wasn't in the UM cards last Thursday because Rudock was inches off. I thought he stared down his receivers, too, but JH said he went through his reads well. I kinda trust the coach on that one.

Utah plays in one of the best three divisions in football -- SEC west, BIG east and Pac 12 south. It will be interesting to see how they fare. My guess is they'll be good and if the secondary gets better than pretty good (UM had receivers sprint past them on several occasions) and knock off some teams they weren't supposed to. Weren't they 10-2 last season? That's stiff competition for a team unknown to the new coaching staff.

 

[Reality Man]

Weak. A real reach on your part. Gardner was arugably the worst qb to ever play for UM.

By the way...I won't bother with all the crazy stuff in your post but there was an Iowa fan (maybe) who said Rudock didn't play well but he is better than Gardner.

Are you saying you'd rather have Gardner back? Wow. UM wouldn't have scored a td vs. Utah with Gardner. Reach. Do better next time Tarun.

 

[Reality Man]

Hey Arrowhead. Glad you brought up the running game. Was thinking about this earlier today.

I can talk about qb's,OL & coaches all day but the principal reason for the downfall of UM football is the total incompetence of the running game from the tailback position.

Last time UM had a decent run game was Fitz in the 11-2 year. I remember Minor being okay but other than that...the run game has just been abysmal. I was watching the press conference by Harbaugh and he was being a good coach talking about how everyone had their fingerprints on the game. It's true. Lots of unnecessary mistakes and blame to go around although the team looked much better. Encouraging.

That being said, you are correct. What is so hard about a running back cutting or getting into the hole correct like 25% of the time. Lol. Geez. It's painful to watch. Of course UM doesn't have this dominant line and it won't be for a while but on occasion there should be a decent hole. Sometimes (like you AB) I see this hole and the rb (many cases) just searches out some big linebacker or dlineman.

Just think if UM had Morris or Chris Howard or Bunch. Nobody great but just average. Minor would fit the bill and UM would at least look half way decent on offense. This is after all the highly touted rb's. I think Isaac has a chance although he is a big guy. I can only hope.

Contrary to the belief of Tarun...UM has upgraded from Gardner. Not some all American but a guy you can at least win with if a running game emerges.

 

[ATLBlue01]

This game really came down to 6 plays. 3 picks and 3 overthrows. On the overthrows, simply put you have to make 2 of 3. Open shots that you have to complete. I put 2 of 3 of the picks on Ruddock. Sure if a reciever blows a route he needs some talking to. But as the QB you have to recognize that and not be too locked in to just throw the ball. The pick 6 was a total joke.

Michigan played well enough to win on the road if half of these plays are different.

 

[24to12]

Rudock played much better (Pass to Chesson) and no pick 6. I thought Utah just did enough to keep a distance ahead of UM. Game never seemed to be that close to me.

I think the game showed that UM has a lot of work to do but improvement is clearly as possible and that every game on the schedule is winnable except maybe OSU on paper.

It wasn't a painful loss and it gives UM a level to strive for going forward to beat MSU. Not OSU but every decent team on the road too. I am glad this was the first game on the schedule. Quality team on the road. Team can watch on film that they can correct a lot of mistakes and can be a good team with discipline.

They can see that the film doesn't lie. Rudock can do some things. Defense is solid. Wr's are competent. It wouldn't be like last year where you would watch the film and be disheartened. This team can win and work and preparation can pay off.

Just my .02 cts.

If you are going to win in college football, and especially in the Big 10, you have to do two things: run the ball and stop the run. Michigan's defense has done a good job of stopping the run, but it's been a few years since there has been a solid running attack in AA.

 

[maelfan]

Rudock played much better (Pass to Chesson) and no pick 6. I thought Utah just did enough to keep a distance ahead of UM. Game never seemed to be that close to me.

I think the game showed that UM has a lot of work to do but improvement is clearly as possible and that every game on the schedule is winnable except maybe OSU on paper.

It wasn't a painful loss and it gives UM a level to strive for going forward to beat MSU. Not OSU but every decent team on the road too. I am glad this was the first game on the schedule. Quality team on the road. Team can watch on film that they can correct a lot of mistakes and can be a good team with discipline.

They can see that the film doesn't lie. Rudock can do some things. Defense is solid. Wr's are competent. It wouldn't be like last year where you would watch the film and be disheartened. This team can win and work and preparation can pay off.

Just my .02 cts.

Regarding more of a macro view overall rather than a micro view, here is my two cents.

This team is in for a fantastic season considering where they were last year. They might get upset once but I think they will upset at least once.

The defense basically gave up 3 drives of any significance against a very experienced offense on their home field. Giving up 17 points on the road in your home opener against a very quality opponent bodes well.

Michigan made every mistake, Utah made very few yet Michigan was still 50 yards away from tying the game mid 4th quarter before the pick 6. Pick sixes will not be the norm this year. Picks in general will likely not regardless of this first game.

If this offense can get efficient, I think the defense and coaching carries them to 8 or 9 wins, maybe 10 with a few breaks.