Congrats Bob,Cindy and Matt. This is like a broken record and maybe a curse. With 2 losses, I had to make a choice between steak at Ruth Chris's, making a fews bucks at the Casino or watching Penn State play. Obviously I made the right decision. Michigan front 7 did a number on PSU. That's by far the best defense PSU has faced this year. Good luck. Looks like smooth sailing till the OSU game, maybe # 1 vs # 2. That should be one heck of a game.
Thanks A.J. I think this Michigan team might be the best defensive team we have ever had. Our 97 team had a great defense but the front line and linebackers of this squad are superior to our 97 team. In fact, I cannot recall a Michigan team ever having a defensive line remotely as dominating as this team's. I thought PS's defense played an excellent game. If the Lions had a bit more success on offense, this game could have turned out differently. Connor had a tremendous game and was all over the field. Bradley did a real nice job changing his defensive schemes & kept our offense off balance much of the evening. The unknown for Michigan will be how the D performs against a talented mobile QB like Troy Smith who I think was the main reason for Ohio's two straight wins over us. So far, with the possible exception of Vandy's green frosh QB and Stanton, whose team folded up its tent after the loss to Illinois, all of the QB's faced by M this year have been traditional stay-in-the-pocket QBs and our defense has eaten them alive. But, a gambling, hyperaggresive defense creates a lot of open territory that can be exploited if you can evade the initial pressure.
Bob, I remember the 97 defense. Woodson alone, took out one side of the field. Maybe the front 7 is better but you don't see many shut down corners players like Woodson around. How are UM's numbers compared to 97? As I recall, the 97 team had great defensive stats.
In my opinion Michigan is the only team in the country with a chance to beat the Buckeyes. You are right about their defense; they are big, fast and tough. They manhandled Notre Dame's O-line. If they can keep Ginn from going deep more than once and can run the ball with any regularity they can win the game.
I am much more impressed with Manningham than our man Ted Ginn Jr. as a wide receiver. Ginn has incredible speed and is a great kick returner and will make huge plays after catches...but Mario Manningham catches everything...I mean everything...and he's pretty darn fast as well... I think he's supposed to be back and healthy in a couple of weeks. He's an amazing talent. Then you add Breston as their elusive returner...he makes everybody miss. Our defense has been very generous in terms of yardage, but stubborn in terms of giving up scores and very good at getting turnovers....I hope they can handle Hart, Breston, Manningham, Henne, and Arrington but I'm afraid these guys might take advantage of our tendency to give up yards. And the Michigan D looks awesome, top to bottom. Should be a great game...
I'd have to 2nd that emotion on Manningham. He's one of the most impressive recievers I have seen this year.
AJNJ Things have been nuts at work so I really have not had the time to do any stat analysis. But, I read in today's Chicago tribune that teams have averaged only 32 yards rushing against Michiagn which is an incredible stat. Also, I think last week's game was the first time a Paterno team was held to negative yards in rushing. This team does not have a db of Woodson's caliber but this team's front line is superior to the 97 team. The strength of M's defense is usually in its linebackers and dbs. We usually have good but not dominating lineman. This front line is the best I have seen play at Michigan since I started following M football back in 69.
:lol: :lol: BobDa, nice pic....I knew that couldn't be our #7 because you guys have not been that close to him in years...... :lol: :lol:
BobDa, you're right about that at least in terms of his punt returns....as I remember he muffed at least 2 punts and made some bad decisions on a few other occasions. But, if I recall correctly, he was our leading receiver for the game and redeemed himself down the stretch when he was absolute money..... nothing spectacular ala Smith/Gonzo but 3 or 4 clutch catches on the winning drive. I think we'll keep him!