Michigan's Burning Questions

[LightningRod]

I can remember reading the opinions of many Michigan fans that the Buckeyes were no longer the scUMers rival. So what's with all of this must win nonsense, especially bringing up JT's record against the mighty wolves?

Thursday, November 3, 2005

Burning Questions: Michigan

Game vs. Buckeyes a must-win for U-M

Tressel already has won once in Michigan Stadium, and he has a 3-1 record in series.

By Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

Q. Indiana follows Saturday's bye, but Ohio State looms large. How much time is the Michigan staff devoting to preparing for the Buckeyes?

A: Plenty. Michigan can't overlook Indiana. Then again, why not? The Hoosiers are last in the Big Ten in total offense and sixth in total defense.

The game against Ohio State is a must-win for a lot of reasons. One stands out, though -- U-M is 1-3 against the Buckeyes since Jim Tressel became their coach, and it would be unsettling to the Wolverine program to lose for a second time at Michigan Stadium to the Tressel-coached Buckeyes.

Q: But what about Indiana?

A: What about Indiana? Of course, Michigan faces the legitimate danger of coming out flat against a mediocre team a week after the bye. The Wolverines have won three straight, they have momentum, and they know they have to win their remaining two games to have a shot at the Big Ten title. That should be sufficient motivation.

Q: Is quarterback Chad Henne where you expected him to be nearly two years into his career?

A: Yes and no. He's a sophomore, he's played behind a battered line and he has not had his top back, Mike Hart, with him for nearly five games.

That said, it does not explain some of his poor decision-making. Is it play-calling or is it Henne? Probably both.

At times Henne appears incredibly tentative, not finding the open receiver, not seeing an opportunity to run.

Henne has a powerful arm, and it's curious why Michigan doesn't go deep down the middle of the field more often. He appears to have confidence, too, but for whatever reason, he also has shades of uncertainty.

Q: Should defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann feel vindicated?

A: Best guess is that Herrmann probably doesn't care about the considerable criticism flung his way last season and into this season. But considering where Michigan was at the end of last season against spread offenses, and where the Wolverines have gone this season -- 3-0 vs. spread teams -- Herrmann should get some credit.

Five Big Ten teams are among the top 20 in scoring offense in the nation, and six conference teams average 30 or more points. But Michigan is third in the Big Ten in total defense.

This is not to suggest that U-M's defense doesn't have some issues. It certainly isn't perfect. How can anyone forget U-M getting burned on the 61-yard play that set up Minnesota's winning field goal? But the defense does appear to be clicking when it matters most, using a rotation of players -- veterans and underclassmen -- that is paying dividends.

Burning questions Reach Angelique S. Chengelis at angelique.chengelis@detnews.com.

[smith403]

This is the media, not fans...

[scooter1369]

We know Carr is feeling the pressure up there right now. Nov. 19th could be an epic Ohio State/Michigan game. One to Tivo and keep forever.

[Steve19]

I think it will be our toughest game this year. Yes, I am remembering Texas and Penn State. No, I don't think we will lose.

[Holy Buckeye!]

Originally Posted by Steve19

I think it will be our toughest game this year. Yes, I am remembering Texas and Penn State. No, I don't think we will lose.

????

[wadc45]

By Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

who is she asking these questions to? herself?

[BB73]

Yes, I'm in favor of burning the entire state up north.

Wasn't that the question?

[DaddyBigBucks]

But considering where Michigan was at the end of last season against spread offenses, and where the Wolverines have gone this season -- 3-0 vs. spread teams -- Herrmann should get some credit.

Agreed that Michigan is a little better on defense, but why bother mentioning that they are 3-0 vs. spread teams? That depends on who those spread teams were...

• Northwestern
• Michigan State
• Penn State

OK, so the first two have NO defense. So beating them doesn't prove anything about your defense.

Secondly, scUM beat NW worse last year; and MSU took scUM to over-time this year just like last year. How is this an improvement? Because there were fewer OT periods vs MSU this year? Please.

Third, yeah PSU has a defense, but that defense gives up about 78 yards and 9 points MORE per game when outside of the confines of Happy Valley. And PSU's spread offense put 420 yards (just 8 less than their average) up on Michigan.

Finally, 6 of the 9 teams that M*ch*g*n has faced have laid over 400 yards on them, including the last 5 in a row.

Yeah, they're a little better on defense. A very little. Yea.

[BuckeyeParalgl]

I agree DBB. A good defense does not give up 211 yards on the ground and 200 through the air against Northern Illinois. I'm sorry, but when you have a defense that struggles against a tailback from the MAC, you've got problems. Though this was way back in the begining of the season, their losses to Notre Dame, Minny, and Wisky seem to confirm this point.

Michigan's defense sucks.

[BuckeyeSoldier]

Originally Posted by LightningRod

Michigan's burning questions

ok, some questions.. how long do you let them burn before you move on to other modes of torture?

Do we use gasoline or kerosine to start the fire?

How far away do we have to stand back to avoid that smell?

Is it ok to use their burning flesh to roast marshmellows?

Do we burn them all at once or one at a time so the others can watch?

[DaddyBigBucks]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeSoldier

ok, some questions.. how long do you let them burn before you move on to other modes of torture?

Do we use gasoline or kerosine to start the fire?

How far away do we have to stand back to avoid that smell?

Is it ok to use their burning flesh to roast marshmellows?

Do we burn them all at once or one at a time so the others can watch?

[bad Beavis impersonation]FIRE -- heh heh -- yeah fire is cool -- heh heh -- FIRE -- yeah heh heh -- FIYER...[/bad Beavis impersonation]

Good stuff Soldier.

[scooter1369]

Michigan's burning question:

Is it supposed to drip and burn? damn cheerleaders.

[Dryden]

Apparently I missed the question. The knock on Herrmann's defense was never that they couldn't defend the spread, it was that they couldn't stop dual-threat QBs and/or the run.

Maybe this reporter is asleep at the wheel, or maybe she got her journalism degree from UM, but Michigan didn't go 0-fer 2 to end the season because of the Ohio State and Texas style of basketball on grass, fun-n-gun, spread offense. Michigan lost both games because they couldn't tackle Troy Smith, Branden Joe, or Vince Young.

2003 - Michigan ranked #22 nationally in rush defense at the conclusion of the season
2004 - Michigan ranked #39 nationally in rush defense at the conclusion of the season
2005 - Michigan ranks #62 nationally in rush defense with 3 games remaining

Wow. I really hope Herrmann feels vindicated.

[scooter1369]

Originally Posted by Dryden

Michigan lost both games because they couldn't tackle Troy Smith, Branden Joe, or Vince Young.

Or Benson or Holmes or Ginn or gonzo or.....

[Dryden]

Originally Posted by scooter1369

Or Benson or Holmes or Ginn or gonzo or.....

Absolutely, but you can pass all day when the defense is putting nine in the box because they have to sell out to stop the run. Troy, Ginn, Gonzo, and Holmes all had spectacular games and hit big plays against Michigan last year, but the reality is the Buckeyes don't win that game without Joe grinding out 50 tough yards to get out of the shadow of the end zone on those 97-yard or 99-yard drives.

Do you think OSU would've won with Lydell carrying it out of the end zone?