I have not been excited about Michigan since the 1990's. I am nervous, however, that my expectations may be too much. We are breaking in another new QB and we have a new defensive coordinator. I know Boston College was good on D last year but Brown's defenses are all about constant blitzing. I watched some of their films and FSU gashed them running the ball even though it was a tight game. BC's LB's were often blitzed out of the run play. They also played a ton of zone coverage and gave up lots of underneath stuff. I hope I am wrong, but, I remember being excited after Hoke went 11-2 his first season. Of course Harbaugh is not Hoke but what does everyone think?
Is There Too Much Hype for 2016?
- Thread starter scfanblue
- Start date
your concern at qb is legitimate. I am very bullish on the defense with Brown. We were gashed by Minny, IU, And OSU on the ground last year with Durkin at the helm. I love our secondary. If we had Henry back I think our d-line would have been the best in the nation.
Weren't you the guy that posted last year about how by Year 3 we we win a NT? I would rather high expectations versus lower ones because you get mired into accepting mediocrity. For instance, I always hated that all Hoke cared about was a BIG championship - shit aim higher - go for the playoffs with 2 victories there.
QB concern is real but this QB will have been with the team for almost 2 years versus Ruddock who had 2 months to get to know everything. As for the defense, yes blitzing does open up big holes if folks can get rid of the ball quickly and that is something you live with - I would rather that versus the prevent defense we used to play in the 90s. As for people being able to run on Brown - well it could not have been any worse then our defense over the last 4-5 games where everybody was getting 200+ yards on us. Post-Glasgow, we were really terrible until the Florida game, and Florida was a very 1-dimensional team that could not throw.
This time last year, did you think Ruddock was going to be as good as he was in his last 7 games - he was all world? Did you think both the Glasgow brothers - neither listed as starters - would be as good as they were...both walk-ons? Did you think Chesson would develop into a legitimate threat? Did you think Lewis would become an All-American? Probably not, and if you say "yes" you are kidding yourself. About the only 2 things I was sure about last year was that Peppers and Butt were going to be really good and that is about it. So, you should expect that like last year, there will be some players this year that we probably don't even think twice about that will be fantastic for us and surprise us. The hope is that the players from last year continue to improve. Under Hoke, the biggest issue with his 2nd year was:
1) Denard got injured - without his injury we likely would have beaten Nebraska, perhaps OSU, and South Carolina - we would have been a lot better.
2) We had no WR once Jr left
3) Every player regressed versus improved
Point #3 was the most important and as long as that does not happen, our team should improve a lot...now how many extra wins or losses that translates to is something to be seen.
QB concern is real but this QB will have been with the team for almost 2 years versus Ruddock who had 2 months to get to know everything. As for the defense, yes blitzing does open up big holes if folks can get rid of the ball quickly and that is something you live with - I would rather that versus the prevent defense we used to play in the 90s. As for people being able to run on Brown - well it could not have been any worse then our defense over the last 4-5 games where everybody was getting 200+ yards on us. Post-Glasgow, we were really terrible until the Florida game, and Florida was a very 1-dimensional team that could not throw.
This time last year, did you think Ruddock was going to be as good as he was in his last 7 games - he was all world? Did you think both the Glasgow brothers - neither listed as starters - would be as good as they were...both walk-ons? Did you think Chesson would develop into a legitimate threat? Did you think Lewis would become an All-American? Probably not, and if you say "yes" you are kidding yourself. About the only 2 things I was sure about last year was that Peppers and Butt were going to be really good and that is about it. So, you should expect that like last year, there will be some players this year that we probably don't even think twice about that will be fantastic for us and surprise us. The hope is that the players from last year continue to improve. Under Hoke, the biggest issue with his 2nd year was:
1) Denard got injured - without his injury we likely would have beaten Nebraska, perhaps OSU, and South Carolina - we would have been a lot better.
2) We had no WR once Jr left
3) Every player regressed versus improved
Point #3 was the most important and as long as that does not happen, our team should improve a lot...now how many extra wins or losses that translates to is something to be seen.
This team will be very good all the pieces are there for a great run. I have great faith that this staff will have the right quarterback in place and that the defense wifi be better then last years. I can't see Jim not putting more into the stopping the run. We lost Henry but got Mone and Glasgow back and with Gary coming in it's hard not to think we will be faster and more physical at the point of attack. The linebackers will be new but more athletic and play faster and this could be one of the top set of defensive backs in the nation. All in all we know we are going to run the ball better and defend better. Don't read to much into the spring game with a split squad and not showing the whole play book just remember last years game and all the muttering about we had no recieivers that could catch the ball. Go Blue!
I'm cautiously optimistic about the 2016 season. Talented team but young inexperienced QB and 3 road games against MSU, OSU, and Iowa will be tough
I would not worry about this year so much as next. Graduation will leave some holes and several players might leave early. The main concern is the 2015 class only had 14 recruits including two QB's and a kicker. There could be depth issues for a year or two. Having early enrollees should help some, but it is a worry.
