GUNS DON’T KILL PEOPLE. MICHIGAN’S DEFENSE DOES
The numbers are ghastly enough. Michigan’s sitting at number one in total rushing defense, giving up a paltry 32.6 yards a game and bludgeoning opposing running backs and lines in the process. Stats aside, the anecdotal and visual evidence of their confirmed nastiness is accumulating.
First, the anecdotal:
Doctors haven’t cleared starter Anthony Morelli or backup Daryll Clark for full contact in practice after both quarterbacks sustained concussions when Penn State (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) lost last week to No. 2 Michigan.
And second, the visual. If Michigan wins the national title, this will be its enduring brand on the psyche of college footballdom:
The best college football photograph taken in recent history: flattened.
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1
Rich Eisen says:
Uh oh…you guys are in trouble…Brian’s been taking a lot of heat over at mgoblog for posting that picture not once, but twice. Apparently it’s classless to post a picture showing the result of a big hit in a college football game.
Me? I think the photo is amazing.
October 18th, 2006 at 9:29 am
2
NewAZTiger says:
Grrr, no photo here….
October 18th, 2006 at 9:38 am
3
Jeremy says:
But it was a vicious, deliberate, helmet-to-helmet late hit. And by “helmet-to-helmet” I mean “helmet-to-shoulder-pad.” And by “late” I mean “less than two tenths of a second after the ball was released.”
And yet there are PSU fans on their Rivals forums calling for assault & battery charges against Branch.
This defense is so much fun to watch, I wish we’d kick off at the start of both halves.
October 18th, 2006 at 9:41 am
4
PSUrob says:
PSU fan at the game (don’t remember most of it though). Sucks that Morelli got hurt and the Michigan D was that good, but I can appreciate the photo. Hate to say it, but that 1 picture pretty much sums up the game.
October 18th, 2006 at 9:46 am
5
Shop Smart, Shop S-Mart says:
All I ask is that they are able to replicate that with Troy Smith on Nov 18th. Sadly though, if they do, the fat-robots man crush will probably win the Heisman.
I also fear for the spinal cords of Ball State, Indiana, and Northwestern’s quarterbacks, every single one. I fully expect that their entire depth chart will be used in all three games.
October 18th, 2006 at 9:57 am
6
AUAlum says:
In PSU’s defense those helmets are distracting. Maybe Peter Kerasotis could write an article about how unfair they are.
October 18th, 2006 at 9:59 am
7
irishoutsider says:
Anthony Morelli can throw a football over those mountains.
If coach had put him in in the fourth quarter, they would have won state.
October 18th, 2006 at 9:59 am
8
The Contrarian says:
I don’t like to mix up sports here, but that photo reminded me of seeing former Philadelphia Flyer Eric Lindros lying in a crumpled mess on the ice at the Wachovia Center in Philly following a clean but brutal hit from former NJ Devils badass defenseman Scott Stevens (who also played linebacker on his HS football team in Canada) during the 2000 NHL playoffs.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:02 am
9
NoleinTexas says:
Man, Michigan’s defense but get half a chubby when Penn State comes on the schedule. One of the greatest hits I can remember was Charles Woodson (190 lbs, or so) leveling a Penn State tight end (240 lbs) in 1997. Hit him so hard, his future grandchildren felt it.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:03 am
10
Paternover says:
I was at the game. Mich’s D is simply lights out. It was pretty obvious that Penn State’s D needed to score to keep them in the game. It will be interesting to see if Mich can get by Tressel, Smith & Co. at the shoe.
And since we’re talking about whiney fans, lets keep in mind how mgoblog and others got their panties all wadded up over Paterno’s oh-so-offensive and controversial press conference statement about Henne:
“We tried to recruit him and, in fact, he had committed to us verbally and then he changed his mind, which he certainly was entitled to….I know he has had some critics there last year, but I am not sure where that criticism comes from because I looked at him last year as well as this year and he is a very intelligent, good athlete who is the kind of quarterback that can take a football team and carry it and he is doing that. I think he is an excellent quarterback.”
apparently its classless to mention that you tried to recruit an excellent QB and he decided to go elsewhere.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:07 am
11
notthequarterback says:
That pic gives me a special feeling in my Magic Johnson. I still don’t think the defense is as good as the ‘97 team (The DL of Steele, Williams, Renes might have met their match, but there was no Woodson on this year’s squad). It feels sick though, I don’t see us beating the machine that is tOSU. Those bastards play so hard under Cheaty, you’d think he has incriminating pictures of all of them.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:07 am
12
Russ says:
Nole in Texas, I remember that hit too, but it wasn’t Woodson. It was Daydrion Taylor, and the hit ended his career. Both players were unconcious. Biggest hit I have ever seen on a football field, and it totally changed the tone of that game.
YouTube has it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dGs0fALZ_8
October 18th, 2006 at 10:10 am
13
Jeremy says:
NoleinTexas — I think you’re referring to the hit that Dadrian Taylor put on the tight end. It ended both players’ careers.
It’s about 2:10 into this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAcnN6cYMR4
October 18th, 2006 at 10:12 am
14
Nick says:
The first thing he asked was if he completed the pass. Yes he did, got them out of the shadow of their goalposts.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:12 am
15
notthequarterback says:
Good lord, you sick bastards were all over that. A hat tip to both of you, fine gentlemen.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:14 am
16
DevilGrad says:
Chuck Norris wears a Michigan sweatshirt on fall Saturdays.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:15 am
17
Chris says:
The fact that it is a PSU player flattened out in this picture makes it more gooder.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:29 am
18
tbmd96 says:
If that happened in the Bengals/Bucs game last weekend, it would have been roughing the passer.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:32 am
19
Herringbone says:
I know that we have to proclaim UM defensive corps as the Monsters of the Midway now that it actually HAS a defense, but I am seeing more movement in Anthony Morrelli in that picture than I do when he is reading progressions…dare i say… he is very John Navarre-esque..
I guess what I am really trying to say is that tackling AM is like tackling an orange road construction barrel. However, the orange barrel is definitely more mobile.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:37 am
20
MSR says:
Contrarian,
You said something about “mixing up sports” and then referenced some guy named Lindros and the NJ Devils. I’m confused.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:37 am
21
Joe says:
Awesome photo. Reminds me of those great FSU defenses of the mid-90s playing until the “echo of the whistle.” Speaking of which here a photo of perhaps my favorite all time college football hit -
http://www.fsukxaz.com/Images/MarvinJones01.jpg
I believe Marvin Jones once said he would know he’d made the perfect hit when he saw a trauma chopper landing at midfield.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:47 am
22
Mosby says:
Any truth to the rumor that Morelli’s IQ actually increased following that hit?
October 18th, 2006 at 10:49 am
23
Chazz Reinhold says:
Greatest hit ever? How about Junior Rosegreen rocking Reggie Brown’s world in the 2004 Auburn/Georgia game. Everyone who was there thought Brown was dead.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:06 am
24
PSUgirl says:
I’m rooting for amnesia and that he forgets all of the “coaching” he gets from jayPa.
Not going to bellyache too much about it – helmet to helmet is usually a penalty – but who cares.
um played a decent game – PSU helped.
Lloyd paid us back for those 2 seconds – passing on 3rd down (with 0 PSU timeouts) – was BRILLIANT! (be sure to use that strategy in the shoe) unfortunately, the Lions didn’t take advantage.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:18 am
25
Chazz Reinhold says:
Linky on the Rosegreen hit for anyone feeling nostalgic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55d_pvNp634
October 18th, 2006 at 11:18 am
26
Orangeblood says:
Here’s a big hit by Tony Brackens on a kicker:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zorwg3ZtGEg
I was at this game and remember hearing the crack of the helmet all the way up in the stands.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:25 am
27
Allaha says:
UM has a great defense, but I have a stats question. It can be misleading to simply look at opponents’ total yards, particularly rushing yards. Does anyone know if there are stats that one can access online that list not opponents’ total yards (and rushing yards) in absolute terms but as a percentage relative to averages against other teams? In other words, a stat that rather than saying UM opponents are averaging X total yards per game instead says that UM is holding opponents to only Y percent of their season average.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:28 am
28
Rich Eisen says:
PSUgirl-
If Breaston catches that pass that hit him in the hands (big if, but still), the game is over. Besides, Lloyd knew that Penn State’s offense was totally impotent (but for two fluky screen passes). The game was pretty much over either way.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:28 am
29
Theri Maa Bhanchod! says:
Thank you for posting that picture i can never see it enough. And the PSU fans who are crabbing about ‘helmet-to-helmet’, it wasn’t. It was a hard, clean hit, and the helmet hit morelli in the upper chest. jesus, it’s like these pussy qb’s need to have pillows on the ground behind them nowadays to make sure they don’t a boo-boo.
For as much grief as PSU fans give Michigan for the ills of the world (:02, Avant’s foot, etc etc), i like the Lions program. Hard working kids, always play tough and classic if not boring blue uni’s, in the beautful Pennsylvania mountains.
Now please God, let Mr. Branch stomp a mudhole in Troy Smith. Go Blue!
October 18th, 2006 at 11:42 am
30
Maize n Brew Dave says:
For best hit I’ve gotta go with Biscuit on Beuerlein.
Morelli knew it was coming. Beuerlein had no clue. He was out before he landed on the tarmac.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:43 am
31
RodBeck says:
Ah, very Bednarik/Gifford-esque:
http://plukphotos.smugmug.com/gallery/725036
But, they might just have a wee bit more trouble getting to Troy Smith, et al with the same effect.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:50 am
32
NoleinTexas says:
Oops, thank for the correction guys. Thought it was Woodson.
For Orson, I’ll just throw out Lawrence Wright v. Joey Kent.
In the first FSU game I ever saw in person, Marvin Jones and Michael Barrow had dueling de-soulers in the Orange Bowl in 92. I was in the upper deck and could hear both clearly.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:53 am
33
PSUgirl says:
Seriously, are you that arrogant that you can’t recognize and/or allow an act of humility? I could have gone all PSU cult member – (read with whiney high pitched voice, in your head) talking about the officiating, play calling, mean/ungracious michigan fans (who obviously never saw the big ten commercial about being a good sport – before, during and after – the game), and so on -
Yeah, you’re right Lloyd Carr is a masterful strategist – perhaps his plot these past years is to make tressel look omnipotent, and then bring out the “game” this year, to look all the more “special”. (I believe they have olympics for that)
if he runs the ball the game is over as well -
October 18th, 2006 at 11:55 am
34
AGS says:
RE: comment #10 by Paternover
The “whining”, as you refer to it, was not about Paterno mentioning people verbally committing to PSU and then signing elsewhere. It was about the hilarious JoePa hypocrasy, considering his current quarterback gave Pitt the backhand ON SIGNING DAY and signed with Penn State. So, apparently it’s ok in JoePa’s mind to shat on another school if you sign with PSU. THAT is what all the “whining” was about.
October 18th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
35
Dave says:
I have already prayed to Jesus Claus for an early Christmas gift in the form of Troy Smith taking Morelli’s place in a new but very, very similar photo.
October 18th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
36
Dave says:
Michigan D’s new motto: Turf sandwiches, bitches.
October 18th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
37
Miami Bass War says:
“What’s your assignment?”
“Kill the quarterback. Hit the tight end so hard his girlfriend dies. Kill everyone.”
October 18th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
38
PeterKlima says:
That picture should really be put next to the other picture of Shawn Crable standing over Brady Quinn. Michigan fans know the picture. I can’t find it, but it definately makes the same statement: “flattened.”
October 18th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
39
Aerobab says:
Allaha: you can create any stat that you’d like (that’s the joy of numbers). In your question, if you take PSU’s -14 yards on the ground vs. UM and divide that by their season average ypg of 162…then that means UM held PSU to -8.64% of their season average. I don’t have the time to compile their entire schedule to date, but there’s a taste. Just pick up a math book and a calculator.
October 18th, 2006 at 12:45 pm
40
Shop Smart, Shop S-Mart says:
I gave a rough look at the rushing defense stats earlier. I’m pretty sure you could take Michigan’s sack yards out, allow every other defense in the nation to keep theirs, and Michigan still ranks in the top 10 in rushing defense.
This makes me think a Michigan/WVU MNC game would be the absolutely hilarious. Michigan has been putting up those numbers by using seven men in the box for the majority of the time. Imagine if they brought another LB or S in for the majority of the plays. They could conceivably do that on a regular basis against WVU.
October 18th, 2006 at 1:07 pm
41
QuietStorm says:
WE OWN…
PENN STATE!!!!!
October 18th, 2006 at 1:14 pm
42
Miller says:
That IS a great pic. Michigan is playing great football–and I say that as a dyed-in-the-wool Buckeye fan–but anyone who thinks they know the outcome to the 11/18 game is really on some very good medication. That one is going down to the wire, and whichever team wins will go to the championship game and show the nation just exactly how the Big 10 plays ball.
Oh, and FWIW, I watched the UM/PSU game all the way through, and Branch’s hit on Morelli couldn’t have been any cleaner.
Just don’t count on seeing the Troy Smith-o-bot in the same position, Wolverines
October 18th, 2006 at 1:18 pm
43
Run Up The Score says:
// Charles Woodson (190 lbs, or so) leveling a Penn State tight end (240 lbs) in 1997 //
That wasn’t Charles Woodson. I forget the Michigan player involved, but neither he or the PSU guy ever played again.
Also, I posted the Morelli / Branch play over at my site. If assault and battery charges should be brought, they should be against the five offensive linemen, whiffing tight end, two offensive line coaches, and the PSU offensive coordinators for not realizing that Morelli DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH GODDAMNED TIME TO THROW 20 YARD OUT PATTERNS.
My god, I just want to kill myself thinking about it.
October 18th, 2006 at 1:30 pm
44
Russ says:
Re: 40, I just ran those numbers.
Officially, Michigan has allowed 228 yards on 166 carries in seven games, for an average of 1.37 per carry and 32.6 per game, both best in the nation.
But those totals include 24 sacks for -201 yards. Deducting the 24 carries but adding the 201 yards to the above totals means Michigan has allowed 429 yards on 142 carries this season, an average of 3.02 per carry and 61.3 yards per game.
The 61.3 ypg figure would place Michigan 4th in the nation even if everyone else got to keep their sack yardage.
Math bitches, math!
October 18th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
45
Paternover says:
WE OWN…
PENN STATE!!!!!*
*but we’re still paranoid and insecure about the ramblings of their 80-year-old coach!
October 18th, 2006 at 1:44 pm
46
Theri Maa Bhanchod! says:
Miller,
couldn’t have said it better myself re: the Game on 11/18, it’s going to be a humdinger/slobberknocker/whatever lame term I haven’t used yet. Though I hate Ohio St w/ a passion, gotta respect a D that has 9 new starters and is leading the nation in scoring D.
i’m fine w/ Troy Smith living after the game, but for catching the opening TD in 04, and last yr’s reverse aerial keep the drive alive grab, Anthony Gonzalez must receive vicious Brandon-Meriweather like cleat-in-nuts.
October 18th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
47
RowdyRoddyPiper says:
Inre: AGS #34, I’m not quite sure how Paterno shat on Michigan in that statement. He was saying he recruited Henne, had a verbal and then he signed with Michigan, in fact he pointed out that he was entitled to change his mind. I don’t think he said anything negative about Henne and he didn’t say anything negative about Michigan. In fact he said that Michigan has a QB that Penn State would have liked to have. In fact, the “hipocrisy” which you refer to was precipitated by Henne changing his mind. Seriously. PSU thought they had Henne locked up so they turned Morelli down. Only when Henne changed his mind did PSU again recruit Morelli.
October 18th, 2006 at 2:20 pm
48
Allaha says:
Aerobab: thanks, and I understand the concept of division. My question is not how to do the math but instead whether there is an existing online site that has already done the calculations. . . . BTW, while absolute numbers can be impressive (such as those put up by the UM defense), the more meaningful statistic would be the average of the (presumably negative) standard deviations from the mean of opponents’ total yards.
October 18th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
49
Scott says:
PSUgirl -
If Michigan runs the ball on that last play, they probably don’t get the first down (PSU was expecting run). In that case, PSU still gets the ball back with about 1:00 to play (instead of the 1:44 they got). That’s enough time ofor a team to move the length of the field and score a TD. The pass was the right coaching call. Breaston was open. The pass hit him in the chest. It would have been a first down and the game would have been over, but he dropped the ball. It’s not like Henne heaved the ball to the end zone. Carr was looking to run up the score – he was trying to end the ball game and do so without subjecting PSU’s 3rd string QB to the same kind of abuse Morelli and Clark suffered.
October 18th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
50
jonsi says:
Michigan’s run defense:
Player Season avg. vs. Mich.
Jackson-Garrison (Vandy) 65 2
Sneed (C. Mich.) 47 33
Walker (Notre Dame) 88 25
Hill (Wisc.) 141 54
Pinnix (Minn.) 92 91
Caulcrick (Mich. St.) 58 29
Hunt (Penn St.) 112 33
Keep in mind the season average includes their low totals against UM. The stat that matters is average against other teams not including UM. Add 15 or more for everyone except Pinnix.
Henne’s official position is that he never gave Penn State an actual verbal commitment. His commitment was along the lines of “I really like Penn State and am leaning towards you guys but am still talking to other schools.” Perhaps I am wrong about this, but I’m inclined to believe Chad.
October 18th, 2006 at 2:38 pm
51
kingtut says:
The stats jonsi points out (from ESPN’s recap of the PSU game), work out like this, in terms of percentages for Michigan’s opponents top rusher:
VAND:3%
CMU:70%
ND:28%
WISC:38%
MINN:99%
MSU:50%
PSU:29%
So only Pinnix managed to approach his season average against UM.
October 18th, 2006 at 2:55 pm
52
Allaha says:
Thanks Jonsi and Kingtut. I think these stats are even more impressive than the absolute yardage stats because they show how completely UM has shut down 6 of the 7 rushers they have faced. (And as Jonsi observes, the numbers would be even more impressive if the rushing averages did not factor in performance against UM.)
As Russ says: math bitches, math!
October 18th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
53
Flatout says:
You know what must have made a great YouTube video also?-
Alan Branch break-dancing. I kid you not. As a freshman he entertained the team with some routines. That should give you an idea of his athleticism and why NFL scouts will get a woody watching him at the combines. Although he insists he cant do it anymore because of his increased weight, he can still pop a few moves:
http://www.mgoblue.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=21699
Look for the photo of Branch being sprayed with a hose. I was there with my car and he actually had some pretty darn good moves.
BTW_ This defense is downright bloodthirsty checkout some quotes from today’s Michigan Daily
Branch:
I hit him,” Branch said, cackling. “I mean, he threw the ball. I didn’t know if he threw it or not, so I gave him a little shot.”
Then Branch summed up Morelli’s unpleasant situation.
“And he was down,” Branch said matter-of-factly.
Taylor:
“We keep coming, we keep hitting you,” Taylor said. “If you stand back there, we’ll keep hitting you, we’ll keep coming, we’re not going to let up. It’ll be 60 minutes, four quarters and we’re gonna keep coming. We’re gonna hit you.”
The Summary:
These guys aren’t playing dirty, and they’re not aiming to injure their opponents. But if that’s the natural consequence of their bone-crushing hits, don’t expect any apologies from Michigan’s fierce defensive linemen.
October 18th, 2006 at 3:27 pm
54
Run Up The Score says:
And they shouldn’t apologize or hold back. It’s football.
October 18th, 2006 at 3:47 pm
55
jonsi says:
Ok, those car wash photos remind me more of the Zoolander gasoline fight than breakdancing.
October 18th, 2006 at 4:06 pm
56
UGA Undergrad says:
1st off, I didn’t watch the PSU Michigan game, so this isn’t specific to that. It’s more general.
I think that for a hit to be a good hit, it first has to be a clean hit. Helmets do get contacted and contact each other in football games. I think sometimes the illegal hands to the face or helmet to helmet rules are taken too far. Especially in cases where the contact is slight or incidental and no injury occurs b/c of the helmet to helmet. Currently, I think the rules can be too cautious, especially in the NFL.
However, whenever a player makes an obvious effort to lead with the crown of his helmet to contact an opponents head and neck area, you have to draw the line. Then the hit is “dirty” or illegal or whatever. At that point the nastiness of a good hit is lost. There is a little sportsmanship lost when a player makes an attempt to intentionally hurt another player, whether it is through helmet to helmet, face mask, or a nut punch at the bottom of a pile.
Respect must be maintained for the game. The intention should never be the direct and intentional cause of injury to another player. Injuries and hard hits should only happen indirectly as part of a play or as part of the game. Players should play hard to help their team win, and what happens happens.
That being said, Junior rosegreen is an asshole. he should’ve been kicked out of the game. I think the only reason the refs didn’t throw a flag is b/c they actually though Brown was dead too. I know that is what I thought. Auburn fans celebrated at first, but became sullenly quiet when they realized a serious injury might have occured. They displayed class when chanting Reggie’s name as he was helped off the field. No one needs to get hurt like that and no one needs to get hit like that. I think that the crowds initial reaction folowed by their sudden change in demeanor show that most of them agree with me.
Rosegreen’s hit wasn’t great, it was cheap and illegal, regardless of whether a flag was thrown or not.
October 18th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
57
Herringbone says:
Well….
Take a look at the teams that UM has faced…and tell me which one was a threat with a real O-Line (Dont say ND..cause that would be sad..really sad) then we can talk about how dominating that D-Line really is…11/18 will tell us a lot of things…primarily, it will tell all of us if the UM defense is a paper-tiger feeding on teams that couldnt run the ball through a wet paper bag (with the exception of Minnehaha and Wisky) or if it is legit. I think that there are a lot questions that still exist before annointing UM as the next OSU or something when it comes to rushing defense. They are aggressive “as all get out”, but they havent faced a balanced offense yet….especially one with a QB that has the patience of Troy Smith in the pocket. One failed blitz that turns into a quick slant for seven by Ginn or Gonzalez (See UM’s aweful secondary with exception of L. Hall) and we will see the standard UM pucker on defense that was very evident from last year. Coaching can only take you so far…so here’s to hoping that UM dials up that blitz…
October 18th, 2006 at 7:57 pm
58
Desmond Brady says:
Herringballs,
I think everyone agrees that Michigan-OSU is going to be a pretty incredible game. But there’s no reason to dimish Michigan’s accomplishments prior to that. Everyone on the Michigan side has nothing but respect for the Buckeyes. If you want to compare schedules, other than Texas, what has OSU done?
Both teams have been very impressive up to this point. And both teams are getting their deserved props. Ohio State AND Michigan. Deal with it.
October 18th, 2006 at 8:34 pm
59
Herringbone says:
Hey Desmond….
Can you answer my question?
I didnt think so….
October 18th, 2006 at 9:20 pm
60
jonsi says:
Herringbone, I’d venture that Michigan has played as many good rushing teams with legit O-lines as any team thus far. I’d add Penn State to the Minny and Wisky list you started considering Hunt rushed for 135, or 102 more, against tOSU than against UM.
I have a question for you. When did tOSU have a dominant run defense? I’m not implying they have had a bad run defense the past several years, but their linebackers and secondary have been more impressive than their D-line.
If Michigan is to be exposed, what would that exposure be? A top 10 rush defense instead of number 1?
11/18 won’t prove anything. It is one game. Even if Pittman approaches 100, that wouldn’t demonstrate Michigan’s d-line was a paper-tiger. Holding Hill and now Hunt 100 yards below their averages against other teams is damn impressive!
Perhaps a run it outside approach (closer to Minny’s) will have more success as it neutralizes the d-line against a balanced offense. I actually expect Pittman to reach a buck-o-five against UM for this reason. But it doesn’t expose anyone or anything.
I have some question for you. Can Northern Illinois be considered a legit rushing team when Western Michigan shut down Garrett Wolfe? Does this mean that Western Michigan has a better defense than tOSU?
I’d say no, but if you are talking “legit” o-lines or paper tigers, we can spin it many ways.
Hope to see a great game 11/18.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:01 pm
61
jonsi says:
One other note,
the way to beat Michigan’s secondary is to not be patient. See Cupito during the Minny game. Even with Troy Smith’s mobility quick releases are the better way to beat UM’s secondary. Morgan Trent is better than average and is faster than Ted Ginn (he’s beat him head to head in track in 100 and 200 m); he shut down ND receivers well because he has insane recovery speed. An opposing QB should be impatient with designed quick release plays to prevent the d-line from getting pressure and to allow the WR’s to make plays on the ball over lessor DB’s.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:08 pm
62
Desmond Brady says:
Herringbone,
Your question was idiotic. Michigan and Ohio State play in the same conference and have played a number of the same opponents. If Michigan’s defense has been unimpressive because of the weakness of its opponents, what does that say for OSU?
October 18th, 2006 at 10:10 pm
63
Herringbone says:
Jonsi
I have a question for you. When did not tOSU have a dominant run defense? I’m not implying they have had a bad run defense the past several years, but their linebackers and secondary have been more impressive than their D-line.
You lost me here….how many times since 2001 has OSU been in the top 10 in rush defense?
2005 (#1), 2003 (#2), 2002 (#3), 2001 (#9)…you do the math brother…2004 and 2000 were mediocre, but they have been pretty conistent.
Run defense is run defense…especially when your defensive scheme is setup to funnel to your LBer’s…
It is nice for UM to come and join the party since they havent had a defense since 97…
October 18th, 2006 at 11:32 pm
64
Herringbone says:
“Your question was idiotic.”
Far from it….
It was suggesting that the D-line is probably in for a surprise when it plays against a team with a good amount of offensive firepower in both aspects of the game…I mean…I know that ND is a “wunderkind”, but that game was over as soon as the first INT was returned for TD….
October 18th, 2006 at 11:34 pm
65
Andrew says:
Is there some kind of email alert that goes to OSU fans that a thread involving Michigan or Ohio State has been posted somewhere on the internets so they can go there, proclaim that they’re great, that Troy Smith is a robot qb, that Jesus would worship Tressel, and that anyone questioning the result on 11/18 is delusional?
Or are there just no good OSU blogs?
October 19th, 2006 at 2:45 am
66
Miller says:
Theri,
If Michigan wants to shut tOSU down, here’s the real key: contain Troy and cover Gonzo. Ginn, as good as he is, has not since 2004 shown anything like the potential seen in his first year, but he’s all you hear about (in terms of our wide-outs). Gonzo is the one you really need to watch.
I fear that as solid as they are, neither Pittman nor Beanie Wells will be able to run much against the UM d-line, but we’ll have to see–it’ll be fun watching them go at it.
Andrew — there are plenty of good OSU blogs (check the blogroll at right for two of the best), but, yeah fans of tOSU and UM all get a little IM whenever the programs are being talked about, anywhere, at any time. Gotta have priorities.
October 19th, 2006 at 7:25 am
67
jonsi says:
I attribute the great rushing D of tOSU those years to their linebackers and secondary. Michigan’s run defense of this year is attributed to their defensive line. NCAA/ESPN/CNNSI doesn’t have historical sack records, but I recall tOSU getting many sacks from those guys.
Nonetheless, we get it. OSU was better than UM recently. And OSU is very good if not great this year. But all those years that OSU was supposedly great…it would be just as easy to point at their schedule and say “who have they played with a legit o-line and running game” as it is for you to say that about Michigan this year. 11/18 should be a great game between two great teams. It’s odd, however, that at the mere suggestiong that Michigan is pretty good this year and the matchup should be epic evokes the response “good?!?, look at us the past few years. Do that and then you can be good” when the past couple seasons have no relevancy to this season.
Then again, if you study really hard, someday you might get into tOSU.
But if you study really hard and go to Michigan, you might get into space, bitches, space.
October 19th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
68
Harry Hasselhoff says:
Man Herringbone, you just have to fit into the stereotype of the nasty, vitirol filled OSU slappie. I thought you were pretty classy up until then.
See you on Nov. 18. I can tell you’re scared already.
October 19th, 2006 at 5:37 pm
69
Rob says:
same view different angles. A&M vs. TCU circa ‘91. Quentin Coryatt lays the wood on some poor fool
http://www.aggies9496.com/Images/AggieGifs/TheHit2.gif
http://www.aggies9496.com/Images/AggieGifs/TheHit.gif
October 20th, 2006 at 1:00 am
70
Herringbone says:
“Man Herringbone, you just have to fit into the stereotype of the nasty, vitirol filled OSU slappie. I thought you were pretty classy up until then.
See you on Nov. 18. I can tell you’re scared already.”
Harry…get over yourself. My homerism is only rivaled by that of Brian on Mgoblog…I can be a dreamer though right?
While I agree that UM is a fine learning institution, dont act like it is the same as getting admitted to MIT, Stanford, or Princeton.
Vitriol is what I am all about. I have been saving up for you guys. Fortunately, I have been pointing it at Tommy Tuberville and his merry bunch speedy SEC brethren.
Sorry that I am not all over that bandwagon just yet. A little too much history of UM defensive teams that are about solid as OSU goaltending in the CCHA.
I also didnt realize that defensive rushing statistics only count when your D-line makes the plays. Geesh…and you guys are questioning my intelligence. Fantastic….
You guys will get over it. I am already over it. Good luck on the 18th. I am so scared that I think that I may go home cry myself to sleep. LOL…
October 20th, 2006 at 2:05 am
71
Zinian says:
Firstly, I’ll admit that i’m a shameless PSU fan, and that this is a totally bias comment.
I find it amusing that one of the main factors in UM’s loss to OSU this year was the late hit call when TS was drilled out of bounds.
Looks like Cheat-A-Gin will have to stop trying to knock QB’s out of the game and actually learn to play without being dirty next seaon.
Haha, no National Championship for you.
December 18th, 2006 at 1:26 pm