Saturday didn't even give me an hour of football depression. I wasn't joyful, but the outcome is what I expected. The score was a bit one-sided, but it was a movie I had seen before. You know what I found funny? Having a Harbaugh team get blown out is media gold and with ESPN's two playoff games, they barley mentioned the Peach Bowl. Which was a bit refreshing.
What now?
When Jimmy was hired, we hoped he brought in toughness, defense, and a NFL offensive scheme. He did just that and it isn't good enough. The problem is Jimmy is playing chess and everyone else is playing checkers. I believe for Jimmy's system to work, he needs NFL quality offensive lineman and a very smart QB. He hasn't had that at Michigan. Yes, Michigan has a better QB but I don't believe 4-5 NFL lineman are walking through Schembechler Hall right now. Even the god of college football, Nick Saban realized he needed to make some changes on offense and he is getting the best of the best in recruiting every year.
Yes, you need to be able to run the football, but you have to have a dynamic passing game that leads that running game. This isn't the NFL and by the way, the NFL is trending more towards the dynamic passing game then the power run game. The only team that is doing and power run game in the NFL, is Jimmy's brother, which is a different problem.
Jimmy needs to hire an OC that doesn't agree with his offensive system. Pep is rumored to be out the door and was strangely on the Detroit Lions sideline for Sunday's game at Green Bay. If Jimmy, does have an opening he better be creative with that hire.
Don Brown's problems are just the opposite.
Don runs a very college oriented defense. He plays man to man and pressures the QB. If you have talented players, that will win you a lot of football games. The issue is, if the other team has time or a talented OC, they can scheme an NFL type of approach to beat you.
For example, OSU beat Michigan with a quick hit NFL type passing game. Which is very hard to cover in a man to man defense. They worked on that offense all year and had it perfected by the time Michigan came to town. That scheme alone is going to get Haskins drafted high in the first round. (BTW, OSU showed this offense all year and for Don not to have defense prepared for it, is terrible work)
The other issue is, if Michigan is in Man to Man, the DB's have their back turned to the QB, which gives the QB chances to gain chunk running yards. Don't get me started on the Dline not saying in their rush lanes and going wide and giving the QB huge holes to run through.
Michigan needs a defense to be just as good in zone as they are in Man to Man. Its not even a question, its a mandatory situation and it been that way for at least two seasons. If Don, can't teach a zone, then he needs to hire a new assistant that can teach it or he needs to look for other work.
The Temple job all of a sudden is open again and who knows if Don would be a candidate again. Please don't get this wrong, I don't want Don to leave, but Michigan needs a more flexible defense.
This isn't rocket science
Florida's offense is not complex and it looked like Don was coaching against Sean McVay. Everyone knew QB draw was coming and Michigan still left the middle of the field wide open.
It's also obvious when this team throws in the towel. After the pick early in the second half, I knew this game was done for Michigan. Outside a blocked punt safety, Michigan didn't do anything worth while the rest of the game.
After one of Florida's TD's the TV flashed to Don's face. He wasn't surprised, he wasn't mad, he also expected the outcome.
It's not fair to the seniors
Chase Winovich decided to play through pain and basically one handed. He needs surgery and instead of going under the knife, he dressed and played one more game. The way the season ended isn't fair to him or others players that played hard. It's not fair and a bit dangerous to have a game where everyone is not bought in. This photo by David Turnley shows the emotion of a final game loss as a senior in a private moment.
- Michigan got some good news when Hill and Metellus decided yesterday to come back to Michigan for their senior year. Now its up to David Long to make a decision.
from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/12/michigan-monday-more-changes-needed.html
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