I've already seen one of you guys look at the Michigan score and assume things were pretty tight. Technically 14-7 is tight but to paraphrase a Badger writer...once Michigan took the lead you felt like the game was over. Michigan out gained them over 2:1, it was nearly 3:1 in 1st downs and if Michigan hits its FGs (none was longer than 43 yds with one basically a missed chip shot) it would have been more than a 2 TD difference. So my take:
The D: It is a very good D but I wouldn't call it great. Why I don't think it is great is because they aren't a shut you down with 3 and outs D. While no team ever shuts teams down to the point where they cause more 3 and outs than not (over time)...this team doesn't impose enough of it's will between the 20s where they are going to consistently win the field position battle. Between the 20s Michigan, which is not a great running team, ran the ball pretty well gaining 162 yards (the yardage if you take out the sack losses) which is not a great running day but better than what you'd expect against a D with Wisky's rep.
However, they really do excel in two areas: The first is in red zone D. It's called bend-don't break but it felt more like bend-hit a brick wall. For a team that can't hit a FG to save it's life (like Michigan yesterday) that is bad news but if you have a reliable kicking game points can be had. The second thing they thrive at is they are a smart and opportunistic D that can force you into mistakes and often takes advantage of them. It is a D that can score either literally or figuratively by getting you to turn the ball over and giving their O a short field. In particular, I was impressed with their safeties. #19 just always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. #14 seemed to come up and blow things up when they needed a play (especially in the redzone). You have to earn points against them but as I said they can be earned.
The O: This is arguable the worst O Michigan has faced this season. The only reason I don't say it is for sure is because Hawaii was worn out by travel so I'm not sure we got their best. After their first drive (in which they tried to exploit everything they saw on tape to get an early jump) they didn't have a single drive over 6 plays. Their longest drive of the second half was 5 plays and average less than 4 plays per drive (in that half)...the basically average slightly better than a 3 and out. Their one score was set up by an INT and 40+ return down to the Michigan 31. That was the only time they even got into scoring position...on all other possessions they never crossed the Michigan 35 spending the vast majority of the game on their side of the field.
I saw parts of their game against MSU and even though the QB was adequate in that game his lack of arm strength was pretty apparent. In this game it showed he is not ready for this level until he adds some strength and can throw into tighter windows. Worse yet, you can rattle this kid. By the end of the game it looked like he was just throwing the ball up, with his eyes closed, just so he wouldn't get hit. He certainly isn't helped by having play makers around him. Wheelwright is a nice player but really a #2 WR talent wise. I can't even name (or recall the #) of their #2 since he was non-existent. The TE we kept hearing about...well maybe he had an off game but he couldn't create separation against our LBs which aren't the strength of the D.
But Wisky is a running team, right? Well not this year (well at least in this game). Clement has the physical tools but he needs an obvious (gaping) hole to run through. Other wise he wasn't finding the creases often running, as fast as he could, right into the back of his OL. In limited carries their #2 also did a good job of running into his OL's butts. However, he does look like he could be a threat as receiver out of the backfield. He did score their only TD on a wheel route. Overall, from what I understand the OL was a bit nicked up but with the vision (lack of) and patience (lack of) these back showed they are a long way from being a decent O.
Net: I feel bad for their D because they deserve better. With even an average O they would be the contender they pretended to be the first 4 weeks. It's already starting to show that their two wins against top 10 teams weren't quite as impressive as originally thought. I think NU wins this game if you protect the ball and don't give up on the run...you'll eventually start moving the ball and pressing too much plays into their D's hands. You'll also be able to load the box because right now they can't hurt you deep. But, now that I've said the above I'm sure Chryst will turn into a magician, get that O going and make my analysis look foolish...that's how the message board jinx works.
The D: It is a very good D but I wouldn't call it great. Why I don't think it is great is because they aren't a shut you down with 3 and outs D. While no team ever shuts teams down to the point where they cause more 3 and outs than not (over time)...this team doesn't impose enough of it's will between the 20s where they are going to consistently win the field position battle. Between the 20s Michigan, which is not a great running team, ran the ball pretty well gaining 162 yards (the yardage if you take out the sack losses) which is not a great running day but better than what you'd expect against a D with Wisky's rep.
However, they really do excel in two areas: The first is in red zone D. It's called bend-don't break but it felt more like bend-hit a brick wall. For a team that can't hit a FG to save it's life (like Michigan yesterday) that is bad news but if you have a reliable kicking game points can be had. The second thing they thrive at is they are a smart and opportunistic D that can force you into mistakes and often takes advantage of them. It is a D that can score either literally or figuratively by getting you to turn the ball over and giving their O a short field. In particular, I was impressed with their safeties. #19 just always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. #14 seemed to come up and blow things up when they needed a play (especially in the redzone). You have to earn points against them but as I said they can be earned.
The O: This is arguable the worst O Michigan has faced this season. The only reason I don't say it is for sure is because Hawaii was worn out by travel so I'm not sure we got their best. After their first drive (in which they tried to exploit everything they saw on tape to get an early jump) they didn't have a single drive over 6 plays. Their longest drive of the second half was 5 plays and average less than 4 plays per drive (in that half)...the basically average slightly better than a 3 and out. Their one score was set up by an INT and 40+ return down to the Michigan 31. That was the only time they even got into scoring position...on all other possessions they never crossed the Michigan 35 spending the vast majority of the game on their side of the field.
I saw parts of their game against MSU and even though the QB was adequate in that game his lack of arm strength was pretty apparent. In this game it showed he is not ready for this level until he adds some strength and can throw into tighter windows. Worse yet, you can rattle this kid. By the end of the game it looked like he was just throwing the ball up, with his eyes closed, just so he wouldn't get hit. He certainly isn't helped by having play makers around him. Wheelwright is a nice player but really a #2 WR talent wise. I can't even name (or recall the #) of their #2 since he was non-existent. The TE we kept hearing about...well maybe he had an off game but he couldn't create separation against our LBs which aren't the strength of the D.
But Wisky is a running team, right? Well not this year (well at least in this game). Clement has the physical tools but he needs an obvious (gaping) hole to run through. Other wise he wasn't finding the creases often running, as fast as he could, right into the back of his OL. In limited carries their #2 also did a good job of running into his OL's butts. However, he does look like he could be a threat as receiver out of the backfield. He did score their only TD on a wheel route. Overall, from what I understand the OL was a bit nicked up but with the vision (lack of) and patience (lack of) these back showed they are a long way from being a decent O.
Net: I feel bad for their D because they deserve better. With even an average O they would be the contender they pretended to be the first 4 weeks. It's already starting to show that their two wins against top 10 teams weren't quite as impressive as originally thought. I think NU wins this game if you protect the ball and don't give up on the run...you'll eventually start moving the ball and pressing too much plays into their D's hands. You'll also be able to load the box because right now they can't hurt you deep. But, now that I've said the above I'm sure Chryst will turn into a magician, get that O going and make my analysis look foolish...that's how the message board jinx works.
