NCAA Football 2013

[Randimus Maximus]

I guess I can see this as a reason Michigan lost but I have to say its disapointing to me a Buckeye fan to be pulling for Michigan to win and see them choke so badly.  This was a Penn State team that Indiana beat by 20 the week before, Indiana. Not to mention Michigan was coming off a buy. Michigan should be winning these types of games easily. The O-line play and play calling (27 tries at running up the middle to only gain 1 yd?) is attrocious.

I'm honestly not trying to troll here but I'm curious about how you Michigan fans on here see Hoke? All I see is a guy who seems to say the right things and is getting good players but I don’t see any development or real coaching.  He’s either standing on the sidelines with no headset and arms crossed or right in the face of a guy yelling at him. He’s basically won a game against the worst OSU team in 50 years and a BCS bowl against an awful VT team and nothing else.  I know he’s a “Michigan Man” but its year three and I don’t see you as being any better than under Rich Rod.  Are you guys starting to feel like the honeymoon is over? I saw his comments from his presser today and I’ve got to say that after a game like that if Urban had those same things to say I would be irate.  Again, not trying to troll. I genuinely want Michigan to be better.

It's definitely frustrating.

Michigan wasn't coming off a bye week either.  They had beaten Minnesota the prior week.

Michigan's O line is weak.  A direct result of poor recruiting by DickRod.  The current line is young and small.  Having an All-American in Taylor Lewan getting hurt early in the game didn't help, either.  This will improve the balance of the year and in the future.

Devin is still prone to making mistakes.  Because of the lack of running game due to the poor O line, there's a bigger burden on him. 

I'm not sure what happened with Brendan Gibbons missing all of the FGs late in the game.  He had been rock solid (16 straight FGs) leading up to the Penn State game.

I'd much rather have Brady Hoke than DickRod.

I think you'll see the entire conference get better in the coming years.  They have to get better.  And they will.

Patience is a virtue.

[metallimonster]

I think you'll see the entire conference get better in the coming years.  They have to get better.  And they will.

Patience is a virtue.

I will be running out of patience when OSU doesn't get into the Championship game because of our weak ass conference. 

[Randimus Maximus]

I will be running out of patience when OSU doesn't get into the Championship game because of our weak ass conference. 

I'd wager that OSU won't be contending for the national championship at the end of the year.

Strength of schedule won't be the reason, either.

[Mhanis]

The whole Lloyd Carr to RichRod to Brady Hoke transition has been nothing but a pain the ass. RichRod’s biggest failing as a coach was on the defensive side of the ball (obviously). The offense put up incredible numbers against bad teams, ok numbers against good teams and horrible numbers against very good teams but I think the answer is fairly obvious (I’ll get to that).
His system of offense FLAT OUT WORKS. Look at the numbers being put up by Oregon, Baylor, A&M, Washington, Clemson etc………..
There is no question that the spread option works when there is talent in place. Let’s get back to RichRod at Michigan: the talent (little that it was) left by Lloyd Carr was not suited to the spread option, no surprise there. Not coincidentally RRod’s first year they were horrible. They had pro-style players playing in a spread system. Getting into his second and third years you could see that as the players picked up the system they became increasingly proficient at it even though across the board they were still not the type of players suited to play in that system. I think that is why against weak opponents huge numbers were put up, it was all down to scheme. As the opponent talent level increased the offensive output decreased dramatically because while the players understood the system and could execute they were not always the “right” players to succeed. So, due to that and other reasons (mostly the HISTORICALLY bad defense) RRod was fired.
Then, a couple of years ago when Hoke was hired……..guess what kind of players FILLED the roster? That is right, RRod’s spread offense kids! Now Hoke wants to run a pro-style offense with the “wrong” kids. One of the many things that Hoke has done that RRod failed miserably at is to scheme to the available talent. And because Hoke came from the Michigan family tree he will be given something NEVER extended to RRod, patience and acceptance. (Though to be honest RRod brought a lot of problems onto himself even though a lot of university supporters never even gave the guy a CHANCE).
So I think Hoke will be fine in time, he is a HELL of a recruiter. What is clear is that the O-line is FAR from being good. 

Wow, I had no idea my quick response was going to turn into THIS!!

Mark

Go Blue!

[metallimonster]

I've got to say as an outsider I absolutely disagree with you on Hoke scheming to available talent.  I think he's a great recruiter and of course he's a Michigan Man. I get it that he had to use Richrod's players but he tried to make them fit his system.  He's trying to make Gardner a pocket passer which we can all easily see he'll never ever be.

Last year he had arguably the most dynamic athlete in the country and couldn't figure out how to use him especially in big games. Gardner and Drob were gashing OSU then he just stopped using those types of plays in the second half. 3 turnovers later you lose a game you had a great chance of winning.

Look at just this PSU game, he doesn't have the talent to run power at all but ran it 27 times for 27 yards I formation right up the middle.  The spread that you do run works somewhat  and he just completely went away from it.  I get that Hoke is a defensive coach and leans on Borgess as the OC but man your offense is the definition of insanity right now.  Then in his press conference he comes out and basically says he's happy with how things are going.  That would drive me nuts. 

I totally agree with you however on giving him a chance.  I think once he does get enough recruiting classes  in hopefully Michigan will be much better.  You do now move to a tougher side of the conference in 2014. And also I could easily be wrong on this but this is just what I see watching them play.  Looks like a lot of people on MGOBLOG think so too.

[metallimonster]

Okay sorry guys for the derailment I really am trying to be a better and more objective fan now.


I for one can't wait to watch Clemson/FSU this weekend. Time to see if FSU and Winston are for real. Both he and Boyd are certainly fun to watch. 

[ZLTFUL]

I haven't offered up any input because I mostly agree with metallimonster and that makes me want to masturbate with sandpaper and use rubbing alcohol for lube.  

[Mhanis]

Oh, don't get me wrong, Hoke and Borgess still want to run their style of offense there is NO doubt about that but they HAVE to start transitioning to the pro-style at SOME point. I fully agree with your analysis of 27 rushes for 27yards, why not give up at 20 rushes, or 15? Trust me, there is a LOT to be unhappy about specifically regarding how the Penn State game went coaching wise.

All that said I am still optimistic.

Mark

[duccarlos]

Okay sorry guys for the derailment I really am trying to be a better and more objective fan now.


I for one can't wait to watch Clemson/FSU this weekend. Time to see if FSU and Winston are for real. Both he and Boyd are certainly fun to watch. 

When it comes to big games FSU always plays up even if they are ranked low. I know they are fielding a freshman QB and Death Valley is no joke for a visiting team, but I just think that FSU will pull it off with their special teams.

[kopfjäger]

What a Saturday. I hope Oregon can come play a game in the 'League'

[duccarlos]

I hate quoting myself...

When it comes to big games FSU always plays up even if they are ranked low. I know they are fielding a freshman QB and Death Valley is no joke for a visiting team, but I just think that FSU will pull it off with their special teams.

Wow, FSU destroyed Clemson! Now I'm worried that my home coming might be ruined when they play The U.

[herm]

7 - OooooHHH

What carnage....Love it!

[metallimonster]

Got to say I was a little surprised at how Clemson laid down for Florida State.  Clearly Bama and Oregon are very good and so is FSU.  I just wonder how Winston who seems very confident (doesn't really come off too cocky) and a very good player and FSU will handle adversity. 

OSU keeps winning I don't think they are up there with the other 3 yet.  Offense is finally clicking on all cylinders but I expect the d to be much better than this.  Something to be said for winning 19 in a row no matter what conference you play in.  Urban's teams just find a way to win.  Also weird stat of the day OSU will play 5 teams in a row with the other team coming off a bye.  Thats not easy to do.

Speaking of that PSU this weekend for my Buckeyes.  Hackenburg has played very well.  Different story against our d line and in the Shoe at night.  I think they keep it close for a half and OSU's depth and running game pulls away in the 2nd. 

Two big games in the PAC 12 that I'm looking forward to watching.

[herm]

7 - 0hhh! go Ducks

more upsets last night!

[duccarlos]

The U just got past WF.