I watched a lot of football yesterday, but all I really wanted to do was watch the Michigan game over and over and over. I loved hearing Chris Spielman say that Michigan just put the rest of the B1G on notice. And then, I turn on College Football Sunday and hear Kevin Carter recommend that Alabama do what Michigan is doing. Wait! What? Alabama, the golden child of college football, needs to do what Michigan, Michigan is doing. Could you say that again? For the past 7 years, minus that one 11-2 season, Michigan has been the laughing stock of college football. But now, we're the example of what top tier teams should do? That's right, cuz we got Harbaugh. And, This. Is. Michigan.
This is the Michigan of old. A traditional run offense from the power I formation with a defense that plays hard and gives up nothing. I saw a stat this morning that made me giddy. 2nd in overall YPG allowed. 5th in pass YPG allowed. 10th in rush YPG allowed. 4th in points per game allowed. That is what a Michigan defense is supposed to do.
I realize this is only one game, but that sure was fun to sit back and watch a relaxing rout of a ranked team. To say, 'We're back', might be just a bit premature, but we certainly are on our way back. The offense it's finding it's rhythm. The defense in clicking on all cylinders. The special teams are so close to getting one blocked. And that coaching staff, I just can't say enough about the job they've done in these first 4 games.
Go Blue!
~Bekki
My Pick 6 top plays from yesterday, in order:
1. Amara Darboh channeling his inner Odell Beckham Jr.
2. De'Veon Smith's amazing run
3. The double fake, then pass up the middle to Hill.
4. Peppers the screen destroyer
5. Ryan Glasgow getting off the block for a sack
6. Rudock throwing it away!!
A blog written by two women who share a passion and love for college football needing a place to talk, express, discuss, rant and rave about our favorite sport.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Fog clearing
So, keep in mind that I started this blog on Saturday. Then I got "The Book" aka Endzone: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Michigan Football, and have been consumed ever since. Forgive me. Or not. Nevertheless, here is my postgame analysis.
The fog, both proverbial and actual, has lifted. I can see clearly now that this year is going to be a process of growth. The past seven years were real. As much as I would like to forget them, pretend they never happened. They did. And they have left a lasting effect. It is going to take some time to rinse the Hoke off these players. They have been soft. They have been coddled. They have not been developed. But they will be.
That is where my hope lies on this Saturday morning while I watch College GameDay with my coffee in hand. I hope, no, I know, these players will get better. They will be coached. They will improve. They will not be coddled. They are not soft. All of these were evident if you watched closely Thursday night.
There were many positives to take away from the game, here are my Pick 6:
#1 Our quarterback never got sacked. Yes, there was pressure at times, but he never got sacked. I don't care to report, nor know, how many times Devin Gardner ended up on his back last year. This is progress.
#2 Given that the quarterback was never sacked, this gave Rudock time to progress through his reads and make plays. Yes there were some passes overthrown and some, 4 exactly, that shouldn't have been, but the pass protection was much improved. This is progress
#3 I like Jake Butt. Always have. Always will. And, who wouldn't love a tight end named Butt. It's storybook classic. The guy is just plain good and should have been used so much more in the past. I'm excited to see what the future hold for him. Being a regular target and a good one is going to pay off in the end. This is progress
#4 Jabrill Peppers is going to be a beast. On more than one occasion, he made great open field tackles while pushing his defender to the side. Simply because he was able to be on the field and do what he does best. Get after it. That's progress.
#6 The wide receivers. They were able to create space between them and their defender. And more than just breathing room. There was actual space there to make a move and make the catch. This is progress.
#5 In game and halftime adjustments. I've said to many people, "I don't expect to win every game, but I do expect we won't be out-coached." When things weren't working, changes were made. By the coaching staff and players. It was a thing of beauty. This too, is progress.
#6 Every play we had 11 guys on the field. Refer back to #1 when I say, I don't care to know how many times this didn't happen last year. This is just inexcusable. There is no reason to have that happen once, let alone, multiple times in one game. This is progress.
I'm excited for the season to come, there will be ups and downs, but for the first time in a long time, I'm confident I just watched the worst game they'll play all season. Time will tell, but I think I'm right.
Go Blue!
~ Bekki
The fog, both proverbial and actual, has lifted. I can see clearly now that this year is going to be a process of growth. The past seven years were real. As much as I would like to forget them, pretend they never happened. They did. And they have left a lasting effect. It is going to take some time to rinse the Hoke off these players. They have been soft. They have been coddled. They have not been developed. But they will be.
That is where my hope lies on this Saturday morning while I watch College GameDay with my coffee in hand. I hope, no, I know, these players will get better. They will be coached. They will improve. They will not be coddled. They are not soft. All of these were evident if you watched closely Thursday night.
There were many positives to take away from the game, here are my Pick 6:
#1 Our quarterback never got sacked. Yes, there was pressure at times, but he never got sacked. I don't care to report, nor know, how many times Devin Gardner ended up on his back last year. This is progress.
#2 Given that the quarterback was never sacked, this gave Rudock time to progress through his reads and make plays. Yes there were some passes overthrown and some, 4 exactly, that shouldn't have been, but the pass protection was much improved. This is progress
#3 I like Jake Butt. Always have. Always will. And, who wouldn't love a tight end named Butt. It's storybook classic. The guy is just plain good and should have been used so much more in the past. I'm excited to see what the future hold for him. Being a regular target and a good one is going to pay off in the end. This is progress
#4 Jabrill Peppers is going to be a beast. On more than one occasion, he made great open field tackles while pushing his defender to the side. Simply because he was able to be on the field and do what he does best. Get after it. That's progress.
#6 The wide receivers. They were able to create space between them and their defender. And more than just breathing room. There was actual space there to make a move and make the catch. This is progress.
#5 In game and halftime adjustments. I've said to many people, "I don't expect to win every game, but I do expect we won't be out-coached." When things weren't working, changes were made. By the coaching staff and players. It was a thing of beauty. This too, is progress.
#6 Every play we had 11 guys on the field. Refer back to #1 when I say, I don't care to know how many times this didn't happen last year. This is just inexcusable. There is no reason to have that happen once, let alone, multiple times in one game. This is progress.
I'm excited for the season to come, there will be ups and downs, but for the first time in a long time, I'm confident I just watched the worst game they'll play all season. Time will tell, but I think I'm right.
Go Blue!
~ Bekki
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
'Twas the Night Before Football
'Twas the night before football,
when all through my mind
Were visions of winged helmets
and cleats of all kinds.
The uniforms were hung
in lockers with care,
In hopes that the players
soon would be there.
The fans were nestled
all snug in their beds,
While visions of touchdowns
danced in their heads.
My hubby in his jersey
and I in my shirt,
had just settled in
for a long season of smirks.
When out on the field,
the band loudly played
"Hail to the Victors",
as the flags proudly waved.
Down to my seat,
in row 22,
High fives all around
and "It's great to see you!"
The sun on the turf
Had given great light
To the dawn of a new season
With new battles to fight.
When what to my tear filled
eyes should appear,
But a team on the field
In their maize n blue gear.
With a brand new coach
The "chosen one"
Who had earned the nickname
the "prodigal son."
More ferocious than wolverines,
his generals they came
as he whistled
and shouted
and called them by name.
Now Wheatley
Now Baxter
Now Durkin
Now Mattison
On Drevno
On Fisch
On Tolbert
An Jackson
From the top of the bleachers
To the top of the wall
Now go coach them
And teach them
How to play football.
With the crashing and hitting
I heard during the game,
I knew how thankful I was
That he finally came.
Back to his home
Where he wanted to be
to coach the maize and blue
Like Bo wanted him, you see.
All dressed in his khakis
with his whistle and pen
And that block M sweater
Purchased from the MDen.
He sprang to his spot
With the play card in hand
Ready to get started
on this promised land.
For this place is so special
to this man and to all
Who fall in love with Ann Arbor
And can't wait till the fall.
The Buckeyes and Spartans
were at the top of the list
to find our redemption
and show them the fist.
And with that I smiled
and watched them do battle
It was finally time
to sit back in the saddle.
For the last seven years
have been less than fun
But those years are gone
It's now time to stun.
To cross the nation
they made a Harbus
and on it said,
"Who's got it better'n us?"
As they took the field
ready to play
I heard him yell,
"I'm hear to stay!"
Happy football to you
and to all Go Blue!
~Bekki
when all through my mind
Were visions of winged helmets
and cleats of all kinds.
The uniforms were hung
in lockers with care,
In hopes that the players
soon would be there.
The fans were nestled
all snug in their beds,
While visions of touchdowns
danced in their heads.
My hubby in his jersey
and I in my shirt,
had just settled in
for a long season of smirks.
When out on the field,
the band loudly played
"Hail to the Victors",
as the flags proudly waved.
Down to my seat,
in row 22,
High fives all around
and "It's great to see you!"
The sun on the turf
Had given great light
To the dawn of a new season
With new battles to fight.
When what to my tear filled
eyes should appear,
But a team on the field
In their maize n blue gear.
With a brand new coach
The "chosen one"
Who had earned the nickname
the "prodigal son."
More ferocious than wolverines,
his generals they came
as he whistled
and shouted
and called them by name.
Now Wheatley
Now Baxter
Now Durkin
Now Mattison
On Drevno
On Fisch
On Tolbert
An Jackson
From the top of the bleachers
To the top of the wall
Now go coach them
And teach them
How to play football.
With the crashing and hitting
I heard during the game,
I knew how thankful I was
That he finally came.
Back to his home
Where he wanted to be
to coach the maize and blue
Like Bo wanted him, you see.
All dressed in his khakis
with his whistle and pen
And that block M sweater
Purchased from the MDen.
He sprang to his spot
With the play card in hand
Ready to get started
on this promised land.
For this place is so special
to this man and to all
Who fall in love with Ann Arbor
And can't wait till the fall.
The Buckeyes and Spartans
were at the top of the list
to find our redemption
and show them the fist.
And with that I smiled
and watched them do battle
It was finally time
to sit back in the saddle.
For the last seven years
have been less than fun
But those years are gone
It's now time to stun.
To cross the nation
they made a Harbus
and on it said,
"Who's got it better'n us?"
As they took the field
ready to play
I heard him yell,
"I'm hear to stay!"
Happy football to you
and to all Go Blue!
~Bekki
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)