Michigan is Sludge

[Eric]

Watch this team. Watch this constipated offense. This is an offense that plays four yards downfield all of the time, executing maybe two out of three plays. Guess what? That's a 3-and-out. There is no explosiveness outside of Funchess. Devin Gardner has guys wide open and makes awful throws. Just more of the same here, but I thought our defense would step up and take a close game. Now it's looking like we have no chance and it's because of the terrible offense. Which starts with Hoke and then Nussmeier and then Gardner, but they've all been equally terrible this year.

[Eric]

Actually a lot of the B1G is the same way. I've been watching the Texas State / Illinois game before it got stalled in a delay, but Illinois is so much bigger than Texas State both in the trenches and at WR and RB. But athleticism? It's a wash, with Texas State being more slender. Texas State just has a higher football IQ and more explosiveness than Illinois who runs a spread offense. This just goes back to the recruiting thing. If you are Illinois, you should recruit better than Texas State, so how does Texas State sport more athleticism and a higher football IQ than Illinois? How can Michigan not find a guy who runs a 4.5 and get them in open space and hit a home run? College football is a game of explosive plays, not sustained drives unless you are a team that can completely bowl people over. College football is a game rife with mental errors, especially on defense. Make plays downfield and score 30+ yard touchdowns, that is the name of the game. So these constipated offenses keep trying to convert one first down on three plays and there is nothing going on downfield. You have to take chances to score points.

[Eric]

It's official: Devin Gardner is a high-school QB playing at the college level. The mistakes this guy makes are high-school material. I hardly ever see QBs in college throw the football that he just threw. It probably slipped out of his hands, but....How? How? That is something a high schooler does, other QBs make sure that they have a grip on the ball before they release it. Gardner just doesn't mentally process everything that is going on.

[Derek]

Do you guys needs new offensive coordinator?? We've got one you can have.

[Eric]

Nussmeier was supposed to be the hotshot guy that put us in the Big 10 mix. Turns out we're even worse than last year

I'm glad the boo birds are coming out. Michigan hasn't even gotten to the RED ZONE against Notre Dame AND Utah. I mean, how is that even freaking possible? The red zone. The red zone. Savannah State probably got to the red zone against Oklahoma State and Miami and Florida State the past few years.

[billybud]

Nussmeier was supposed to be the hotshot guy that put us in the Big 10 mix. Turns out we're even worse than last year

I'm glad the boo birds are coming out. Michigan hasn't even gotten to the RED ZONE against Notre Dame AND Utah. I mean, how is that even freaking possible? The red zone. The red zone. Savannah State probably got to the red zone against Oklahoma State and Miami and Florida State the past few years.

I know that it is hyperbole...but Savannah state probably did not get into the red zone vs Florida State...55-0 FSU's way.

Savannah State had 28 total yards.

[Eric]

Nussmeier was supposed to be the hotshot guy that put us in the Big 10 mix. Turns out we're even worse than last year

I'm glad the boo birds are coming out. Michigan hasn't even gotten to the RED ZONE against Notre Dame AND Utah. I mean, how is that even freaking possible? The red zone. The red zone. Savannah State probably got to the red zone against Oklahoma State and Miami and Florida State the past few years.

I know that it is hyperbole...but Savannah state probably did not get into the red zone vs Florida State...55-0 FSU's way.

Savannah State had 28 total yards.

Ah, I thought they might have gotten there once, maybe against the third stringers

[Eric]

Nothing new to see here, Michigan on pace for about 100 yards of offense through one quarter. Morris can't make accurate passes, the offensive line can't pass protect, and the receivers can't get any separation. Move along

It's absolutely embarrassing. But, Michigan just scored their first touchdown against a "Power 5" team this season! I'm ecstatic

[Eric]

It's hard to explain what just happened today. Today is not the day you start Shane Morris in an infinitely winnable game against an unintentionally one-dimensional football team (Minnesota completed one pass last week against San Jose State although it was without Mitch Leidner, who is a bad passer anyway; by that I mean they are one-dimensional because they have to be, not because they necessarily want to be). Even if Gardner was terrible, as he probably would have been, that might have been enough to stay in the game. He can at least run the ball and when you have inaccurate passers, an offensive line that can't block, and receivers that have zero explosiveness or ability to separate from coverage, at least having a running threat might net you an extra touchdown over the course of the game, but no, Hoke decides to use the unproven, obviously rattled, unready pocket passer behind an offensive line that is absolutely terrible and receivers that aren't going to give him any help. So now you are entirely dependent on your QB throwing the ball instead of at least keeping the defense honest or on their heels. Terrible decision. If Gardner was so bad for a half, you could at least go to the bench in the second half but I'm giving Gardner a shot after what I saw from Morris last week. And Hoke should have known Morris wasn't ready through practice because there is no way he had a good week of practice because he doesn't have any skill.

Okay, onto part two. Not only did Hoke make the wrong decision from the start, he almost injured Morris even worse. After taking a shot in the fourth quarter, Morris had already sustained a nagging leg injury minutes prior. The guy almost collapsed if he didn't lean on the shoulder of an offensive lineman. They called to get him off the field and Morris waived them off, trying to look tough. And the idiot coaches listened? The guy can't go and him saying otherwise is just posturing. You have to make an executive decision. So his next pass is completely off target because he can't push off his leg and you put him at risk for an even greater injury. This was inept coaching and non-existent leadership at its worst. And of course Gardner's helmet pops off on the third play of his drive, meaning he has to sit out a play. So where's the backup? Oh, Russell Bellomy had a headset on with no helmet. As he is scrambling looking for a helmet and none of them fit, Hoke is forced to put Shane Morris again who limps onto the field and limped while taking a snap to hand off to Green. Pathetic again.

Michigan is not going to make a bowl game at this rate. I keep convincing myself that Michigan will not exactly turn it around, but at least cease to be Georgia State-level atrocious on offense. They obviously have no shot to beat Ohio State or Michigan State, so that's five losses. Now you still have Penn State, @ Rutgers, Indiana, Northwestern, and Maryland. Penn State isn't quite as bad as they played today, they should demolish Michigan. Now Rutgers will be pumped up at home to knock off a historic program like Michigan in their first year in the B1G. Maryland is obviously dangerous and even Indiana and Northwestern will be tough to beat the way this pathetic team is playing. I don't see four more wins on this schedule. We're probably looking at 4-8. Rich Rodriguez's first-year team with Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet was better than this steaming pile of dung.

I'll stop complaining eventually and accept how horrible Michigan is. I feel like the minute I start picking against Michigan, they will start to look like their mediocre selves instead of their FCS impression, but going off of what you're seeing on the field, how is Michigan not one of the 35 or so worst teams in the country?

[Derek]

I watched a good bit of this game today, and I am flabbergasted at Michigan's coaching.

The whole staff needs to be cut, from the Head Coach on down.....

When they sent the 2nd string QB back in hobbling on one leg due to the QBs helmet coming off, I almost vomited. I can't believe they told the 3rd string guy to put his helmet on, and when he starts to run out, they tell him to forget it.

Who's in charge there???

[Eric]

Who's in charge there???

That's a good question, because I don't know if it's Brady Hoke. Hoke said he didn't see Morris hurt or limping around. Which begs the question, is he even watching the game? Nussmeier must have known, right? Morris getting sent back out after Gardner had to come in was ridiculous. He only went out there to hand the ball off, but the guy could have been concussed which is something you just don't do. Call a timeout or something. And why didn't Bellomy have his freaking helmet? He had a headset on when Gardner was already running the offense for three plays. You're the backup QB now, dude, you better at least be prepared on the offchance that you have to come in.

Anyway, you are right, the lack of direction is astounding. I don't get what happened between Ball State, San Diego State, and Michigan. Hoke was a winner at those schools, his recruiting was okay, he turned them around quickly, and they could move the football. So what changed? Is it just this particular group of guys that are just duds and don't respond to him? Is it "institutional" at Michigan and, if it is, what does that mean specifically that prevents these athletes from getting coached up and prepared?

If Michigan turns into a total disaster and goes 3-9 or something, who would want to take this job? These players would obviously have quit, they obviously would not know how to play the game of football, so what are you walking in to? Regardless of what Rivals says, these guys obviously don't know how football works on a fundamental level, so how long would it take to turn it around and get the right pieces in place and what is the likelihood that it turns around at all? I don't think Harbaugh would want to walk into a disaster program, it's more likely he'd like to go somewhere where he knows he can win immediately. The same goes for Les Miles. Maybe if Michigan went 7-5 it would intrigue Miles, but if it's a dumpster fire of a program, there's no way he'd leave LSU. And the recruiting will take a huge hit with a lame duck head coach, plus with this Shane Morris incident, what parent thinks this program has player safety at the top of its priority list? What message does that send?

I've never been more embarrassed to be a Michigan fan in my life. Even when Rich Rod lost to Toledo, I passively accepted it. The Appalachian State loss was terrible (rumored that the defense thought it would be funny to be high on marijuana and see how much they beat App State by, I believe it), but I appreciated it for being one of the biggest upsets in college football history. This is just beyond the pale though, getting thoroughly dominated at home by average Utah and Minnesota teams and having one touchdown in three games against Power Five teams.

Michigan needs a savior to step into this program, but there aren't any who will seriously be interested. Michigan is just a dead program walking. It's a completely overrated program. When you have 7 years of futility, that is a long time in the college football universe which changes rapidly. Michigan can't cash in on tradition because recruits don't care about what happened in 1980. They want to go play for Kentucky (seriously, Kentucky has been hauling in better recruiting classes than 2/3 of the B1G) because they play in the SEC which provides the stiffest competition and (so it is thought) the best developmental route to the NFL and they get to get hyped up on ESPN. That is the nature of the beast. Nobody cares about what Tim Biakabatuka and Charles Woodson did at the formerly winningest program in college football history (which, as people accurately bring up, a good chunk of those wins came against weak programs in the early 1900's).

[billybud]

Is Hoke in trouble? Or is his contract to much too buy out?

[Eric]

Is Hoke in trouble? Or is his contract to much too buy out?

They would be willing to eat his contract if the product on the field stays like this. If they play like they have the last two games, there is no hope of winning a football game the rest of the way. They might struggle to move the ball against Indiana at this rate.

But, to keep on track, I think Hoke makes 3 or 4 million a year and is under contract for roughly three seasons or so.

[Cane from the Bend]

f Michigan turns into a total disaster and goes 3-9 or something, who would want to take this job? These players would obviously have quit, they obviously would not know how to play the game of football, so what are you walking in to? Regardless of what Rivals says, these guys obviously don't know how football works on a fundamental level, so how long would it take to turn it around and get the right pieces in place and what is the likelihood that it turns around at all?

These kids, as all prospects, are fantastic individual players at the high school level. Some, not all, play for teams with multiple FBS bound athletes. Mostly, however, they are more than position players . In many cases, a collegiate athlete to be, plays more than one position (Teddy Bridgewater, for example, was a QB and Wide Out in high school). They are all decent players, and have the fundamental skills necessary to compete at the next level.

What it looks like is happening at Michigan (though I could be wrong), is that these players are expected to already understand their assignments the moment they make the team.

It doesn't feel as though they are being coached. And it seems that a whole lotta talent is going to waste, because the coaching staff does not know how to convey what they want from these players, to these players.

I don't think Harbaugh would want to walk into a disaster program, it's more likely he'd like to go somewhere where he knows he can win immediately.

Harbuagh wanted a head coaching job in the NFL. Unless San Fransisco fires him (why would they), you can bet he doesn't even care about the Michigan job.

The same goes for Les Miles. Maybe if Michigan went 7-5 it would intrigue Miles, but if it's a dumpster fire of a program, there's no way he'd leave LSU.

If Miles said no when Carr retired (was asked politely to leave - with a pushing hand on his right shoulder while the exist door was be held open for him), why would he be interested now?

He is in a place that does not want to see him leave. Has a team that is filled with play makers, who know their responsibilities. And, he doesn't have to deal with that Great Northern Climate (it's supposed to be colder this year, than last).

Michigan would be better off going with a guy who has a bunch of momentum, and is ready to make a step up ... not down.

...

I do agree, however.

Ohio State is simply gonna walk all over Michigan this year.

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[Cane from the Bend]

As for my own personal selfishness ... I was kind of disappointed with the way Miami pretty much dominated Duke yesterday.

I was almost hoping that we would have a less than satisfactory year, so the AD could stop sugar frosting how Golden is the guy, and maybe we could go after someone who really can coach, like Dantonio.

Now there's a guy who would have Miami competing at a National Contention caliber.

But, if yesterday wasn't just a mere fluke, and we do improve, then hey, great ... let's keep O' Al around a little while.

On-the-other-hand, if we are keeping him out of loyalty, because he could have left when all the trouble hit, but chose to stick it out, then we may need to rethink what our overall interest is.

I like Al Golden, as I believe him to be sincere. He has been able to keep morale up, throughout the NCAA investigation fiasco. And he has a mind set of helping to keep these kids out of trouble. And Miami needs that.

But, we also need to start winning more at some point.

And if we wait too long, Dantonio will be on his way elsewhere ... because he is definitely a commodity worth having.

Anyway ... as I stated above ... this is my selfishness speaking.

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