Recapping: Nebraska

It was another week of pure frustration for the Michigan offense as they failed yet again to score a touchdown against a mediocre defense.

The past two weeks have been almost identical stories. The offense does absolutely nothing, while the defense holds its ground and does a great job of keeping the Wolverines in the game. However, this week, the offense was without QB Denard Robinson for most of the game.

Robinson re-aggravated a nerve in his throwing arm and was unable to grip the ball. That left a heavy load on backup Russell Bellomy, who had not seen significant game time up to that point.

To say the least, Bellomy was unimpressive, and it was a clear reality check as to how much Denard Robinson mean to the Michigan offense.

Before being knocked out of the game, Robinson was 6/11 passing with 55 yards. Impressively, he took some shots down field and kept the safeties honest enough to open up his game on the ground. Robinson was taken out on a rush to the left side inside the 10 yard line. When he cut back, it didn't look like he was harder than usual, but he landed on the arm just right and aggravated that nerve.

Bellomy took over on first and goal but was unable to punch into the endzone. Nebraska's defense seized the opportunity to feast on the inexperienced redshirt freshman and did so all night.

He finished the night just 3/16 passing for 38 yards and 3 INTs, one of which being in the endzone. What I noticed about Bellomy was the lack of accuracy. When he sets his feet, he has the arm strength to throw the ball deep, but accuracy was a serious issue.

Fitzgerald Toussaint continued his campaign of being a non-factor against the Cornhusker defense with 38 yards on 15 carries. He's been getting his shots the last couple of weeks but can't cash them in. I was also surprised to not see Thomas Rawls. I don't want to speculate, but that was the second straight week without Rawls, and it was the second straight week without a touchdown.

Defensively, giving up 23 points to Nebraska is not a bad day. They picked off Martinez once and forced another turnover on a fumble.

The thing that continues to impress me with the defense is their ability to rise to the occasion. By that, I mean: when 3rd and short comes, you can count on a stop. You can expect a goal line stand. It's those plays that kept Michigan in the game, until late, once again.

The ability to get in the backfield has also impressed me. Jake Ryan and Craig Roh stand out the most to me. Both are extremely explosive and don't miss their tackles. Not to mention, the mere image of Jake Ryan has to give opponents nightmares.


Tyler's Prediction Record: 7-1. Yes, my first loss.

Week 9 Notes and Predictions

Wow, there's only 5 weeks left of regular season college football. It always seems like the season passes by so much faster than we all want it to. No. 20 Michigan is traveling to Lincoln, Nebraska for the first time since 1911 (They've played each other bowls, but not in Lincoln since then). What makes the game even more tricky is the fact that it's going to be a night game. I have no issue with it being at night and it wasn't possible to foresee, but the Tigers will be hosting the Giants in Game 3 of the World Series in Detroit. How am I supposed to watch both games at the same time? The Tigers are down 2-0, but still...the momentum can still swing in Detroit's favor.

Anyway, undefeated Ohio State and banged up Braxton Miller are going to State College to play the surprisingly decent Penn State. Indiana is going to Illinois in a match-up of the Leaders Division Toilet Bowl. Michigan State will try to right the ship against Wisconsin--which will be no easy task...Wisconsin's offense is on a roll again. All of the Big Ten teams are playing this week, but not all of the teams have had their bye week yet. Northwestern will have theirs next week, and then OSU and MSU will have theirs the week after that with two games to go. Onto what this week will bring us:

Recapping Michigan State

Finally, four years of agony and torture has ended. By the hands of Drew Dileo and the leg of Brendan Gibbons, Michigan advanced to 3-0 in the Big Ten and, looking at the bigger picture, won the program's 900th game, the most in college football.

The first thing I will say about this game is I seriously underestimated the ability of Spartan QB Andrew Maxwell. I gave him zero credit and almost looked like a fool for it -- almost. Without the play of Maxwell, Michigan State would not have been in that game.

But moving on.

What's the Dileo? It's been a common theme throughout this season to not really have the same WR step up in back to back weeks, but that's okay as long as the job gets done. This past Saturday, it was Drew Dileo.

Preview And Prediction: Michigan State

Beat State.

That's the simple slogan making it's way around social media as we near closer to the storied rivalry against Michigan State. And there isn't too much story behind it. The Spartans are at a four game winning streak against the Wolverines, and an upset Saturday in the Big House would give them a school record five straight.

That can't happen, can it?

Well, I guess it just depends on who decided to follow these simple keys to the game.

Michigan

The Wolverines are off to a great start in the Big Ten and, as coach Hoke put it, all of the team's goals are still in tact. Denard Robinson is doing what he wants at will. The defense has been shut down. It's all clicking at the right time.

Week 6: Top Performers And Underperformers

Saturday against Purdue gave us a lot to be happy about with this team as a whole. In my opinion, it was the first game this season that both the offense and defense were rolling on all cylinders. And let me just say it was a beautiful sight.

With so many high class performances on Saturday, it's hard to pick just the top 3, but I guess it comes down to separating the good from the elite.

So before I hold you up any longer, here are your top Wolverine performers from Saturday's action.

1) Denard Robinson - QB

Let's just get something out of the way here. When Denard Robinson says he is going to bounce back and perform better, expect Denard Robinson to bounce back and perform better.

Week 4 Rankings--The Fall of the B1G Ten?

College football is an amazing sport. Where else can you find all these men playing a violent game on scholarships? Or even those players without free rides trying to make the team? They don't get paid for the millions of dollars of revenue they produce for their schools. They don't get paid money for merchandise that carries their name on it. Sure, the usual argument is that the scholarship alone is worth enough money for that player and the players say they can't hold jobs or have time for a job, much less order a pizza.

Yesterday showed us that even among scholarship players, blue chippers and huge programs alike....that even the mightiest can fall. It was widely joked about yesterday as to the state of the Big Ten, and rightfully so. Ohio State was sluggish against UAB and nearly completely overlooked them. It wasn't until the end of the 2nd half that the Buckeyes put some touchdowns on the board, and even then didn't score in the 3rd. The scary part is that while the Buckeyes are still undefeated, UAB came into the contest winless, and never backed down. Michigan State struggled mightily against Eastern until the 4th quarter where it appeared as though the Eagles threw in the towel on some assignments (also bad 3rd down playcalling sunk the offense) and Bell ended up having a career day with 253 rushing yards. Iowa lost to Central Michigan 32-31 with 3 seconds to go...on the leg of a non-scholarship walk-on 3rd string kicker. Kinnick Stadium won't be the same for a while. Louisiana Tech completely blew out Illinois on a turnover filled night.

2012 Positional Breakdown: Linebacker

As far as defense is concerned, the Linebacker position was arguably the least hit at the end of the 2011 season. The only two players lost to graduation were backups Brandon Herron and J.B. Fitzgerald. All starters return, and there is a lot of depth to back them up the already great talent going out there.

What really makes these players special is the scheme they play within. Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison loves mixing up the look he gives an opposing offense and does a tremendous job of disguising the pressure from Linebackers. It's one of the biggest reasons the Wolverines were able to make that huge jump in defense from 2010 to 2011. They did an incredible job of keeping the offense on its toes and mixing things up.

Recapping 2012 Commit Royce Jenkins-Stone

Michigan's 2012 linebacker recruits were outstanding and one of them is Royce Jenkins-Stone out of Detroit Cass Tech.  Cass Tech is one of the top high school programs in the country and certainly in the state of Michigan.  Along with this, it's almost a forgone conclusion that any elite player from Cass Tech will take a scholarship offer from Michigan.  Royce is another elite guy and he's dominant at the Inside Linebacker position and will do great things to sure up the Michigan defense.

I truly believe that Royce is one of the better players in the state and one of the best linebackers in the country.  He's a pure athlete and has great strength and speed.  I am a huge fan of aggressive guys that aren't afraid to attack the line of scrimmage in the run defense or can drop back and play coverage and Royce is one of these players.  Versatile linebackers are hard to come by, but I believe that Michigan got one in Royce.  Royce also happened to play some Running Back for Cass Tech, had good speed, and could catch the ball, so he's versatile in that aspect.  He tends to overrun plays, but I think it's due to his aggressiveness so he could work on his patience in defending the run.  I believe that Royce is very coachable and can improve while he's at the next level.  Greg Mattison is a phenomenal defensive coach and he will get the best out of Royce.  I may be considered by some to be a little bit too "high" on Royce, but he just has that kind of potential.  He's not quite developed yet, but his potential is astronomical.

2012 Most Improved Returning Players #2 and #1

So far, we have gotten a look at #6 through #3 in the "Most Improved Returning Players" series, so it is finally time to round it off with #2 and #1.  This list is highly speculative and could be adjusted, but I think going off last season and most of the projections for next season, this list is pretty accurate.  It's important to combine both of these elements because there is always a chance to use too much of last season and a tendency to overrate some players for the next season simply because of the tendency for players to improve themselves over time.

Here is a quick look at my list before finishing this off:

6. J.T. Floyd (CB)

5. Fitz Toussaint (RB)

4. Roy Roundtree (WR)

3. Craig Roh (DE)

Without further adieu, I give you the top 2 returning players for the 2012 season.

2. Jake Ryan (LB)

Of all the names to be questioned in this segment, I feel like Jake Ryan's will receive the most question marks. After all, he had a very solid first season with the Wolverines (after taking a redshirt his freshman year). But I see so much potential in Ryan as a linebacker at Michigan. I think they intensity he brings to the team makes a world of a difference, and he has one of the biggest impacts on how the Wolverines defense performs.

Last season, as redshirt sophomore, Ryan saw his first action in the winged helmet. He did not disappoint. 37 total tackles is a great way to start off your career, and his biggest game just so happened to come in the Sugar Bowl against Virgina Tech, showing his will on the big stage. One of my favorite things about this hard-nosed linebacker is his ability to get to the ball. It doesn't really matter if the ball is on the ground or in the hands of the running back, Ryan can sniff it out with the rest of his teammates and gang up on the ball carrier.

My expectations for Jake Ryan in 2012 are: 42-45 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 interception.

The staple for any Wolverine linebacker is the ability to bring down the ball carrier, and I expect Jake Ryan to be one of the best at it this season. He showed his ability last year, and I believe there is even more in that tank of his. Ryan has an uncanny nose for the ball. Most tackles will show as assists because of the speed of the Michigan defense, but he also has the ability to go one-on-one with the carrier and win that battle.

Jake Ryan is a very hard-hitting linebacker. He centers his force into something that could probably bring down a building. That is going to end up resulting in some forced fumbles on his part. The Wolverines had a tremendous bounce back in 2011 in terms of turnovers forced, and Jake Ryan has the potential to be the biggest part of that formula this season.

Michigan linebackers aren't known for racking up interceptions by any stretch of the imagination, but hard work can get you anything. I'm expecting one INT for Ryan this season. Last season, he tipped a pass that was then intercepted by Brandon Herron and returned 94 yards for a TD. The next step is getting both hands on the ball and not letting it go.

 

1. Denard Robinson (QB)

Everyone knew Denard would make it on this list one way or another. Every snap "Shoelace" takes has the potential to be the most amazing thing you've ever seen, and you simply can't teach what he does for this program. I absolutely cannot wait to see what is in store for 2012.

The Denard Robinson trademark is obviously speed. His ability to quickly accelerate and then outrun everyone on the field is what makes him so exciting. But what about the passing game? After all, Robinson's title is "quarterback." That is the area of Denard's game that has been focused on since day one of the Brady Hoke era. He and offensive coordinator Al Borges have made some tremendous strides with Robinson through the air, and it is continuing to look up as we head into the 2012 season.

15 INTs led all Big Ten quarterbacks a year ago. Part of it can be blamed on mechanics; part of it can be blamed on decision making. The biggest thing I'm looking for in Denard this season is his decision making. Going through his progressions and ultimately making the right decision is what separates this offense from the very best in the nation. Fans have their faith in Robinson to continue his development, but, most importantly, he has faith in himself. It's no secret that Denard puts a lot of pressure on himself to become the very best he can be, and that has resulted in positive outcome lately. That will surely carry on over into the 2012 season.

My expectations for Denard Robinson in 2012 are: 2,500+ passing yards, 1,000+ rushing yards, and 65%+ completion rate.

Last year, Denard actually had more than 30 less passing attempts than he did in 2010. That is to blame on the more consistent use of a running back, but it also means Denard needs to be more efficient with less attempts. Robinson is always developing his accuracy and decision making, so the final step to the process is to be able to go out on the field against a live defense and deliver for the Wolverines offense.

I'm not expecting a great statistic year from Denard on the ground, but he also set the bar very high through his first 2 years of action. I expect him to break the 1,000 yard mark once again, and there will most certainly be at least one "how did he do that" play per game, but his attempts should continue to be cut down by Al Borges. The use of Fitz Toussaint in the backfield will have a huge impact on how many cracks Robinson gets on the ground. Cutting back on attempts will also make him even more affective when he does run the ball. The defense will now have to be prepared for a developed passing game, a legitimate running back, and a running quarterback. It will be fun to watch.

The number one thing I will be watching for with Denard Robinson is completion percentage. Robinson needs to become a more efficient passer, which would in turn make everything else in that offense work even better. If he can spread the defense with his arm, it makes both him and Toussaint that much more affective on the ground. A 65% completion rate for Denard would be the best of his career at Michigan, but the best is what he expects out of himself.

Previewing "The Game"

Michigan fans often debate with each other about who their biggest rivals are. Many of our opponents consider us their biggest rival while we don't feel the same we back. (I'm looking at you Illinois). We debate amongst ourselves whether we would rather beat the Golden Domers or Sparty more. One thing is certain amongst us all. Nothing tops "The Game."

The 4 W's

What: #15 Michigan (9-2, 5-2) vs Ohio State (6-5, 3-4)

When: 12:00 p.m. EST

Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Weather: 50s with a 10 percent chance of rain. Wind at about 15 mph

Series History

Michigan leads 57-44-6 (includes vacated wins by Ohio State).

Last 5 meetings:

2010: Ohio State 37*, Michigan 7 @Columbus

2009: Ohio State 21, Michigan 10 @Ann Arbor

2008: Ohio State 42, Michigan 7 @Columbus

2007: Ohio State 14, Michigan 3 @Ann Arbor

2006: Ohio State 42, Michigan 39 @Columbus

When Ohio State has the ball

Ohio State's offense has struggled with true freshman QB Braxton Miller taking the majority of the snaps for the Buckeyes. They rank as the nation's #67 offense in FEI and average only 315 yards per game. They pass only when they deem it to be absolutely necessary. Miller has completed under 50 percent of his passes this season and only gets 7 yards per pop when he puts the ball in the air. Only one Buckeye has managed even 200 yards catching the ball this year, but they did just get star WR DeVier Posey back last week (4 catches, 66 yards). Posey at least affords Ohio State the ability to keep Michigan from loading the box to stop the run, at least until so long as they prove they can actually utilize Posey.

While they struggle to air it out in the rare events that Miller actually does put the ball up, the Buckeyes offense does have some strengths to it. Miller is very good at taking care of the ball (just 3 Ints all year), and they do manage to run to some degree of success. Miller has put up 595 yards this season (4.6 ypc). Don't expect a running style like we see in Ann Arbor on a weekly basis though. Miller likes to improvise. He is very dangerous when trying to create on his own. Often, he won't even follow the design of the play. You can see great examples of this is the front paged story by BlueSeoul over at MGoBlog. Teaming up with him is Boom Herron. Boom has put up 565 yards on 5.2 ypc in just 5 games after returning from his tatgate suspension.

Defensively, Michigan features the country's #10 rated FEI defense. While sometimes it struggles with the pass, the Wolverine defense has been pretty good against the run lately, completely smothering Illinois on the ground and limiting the dangerous Nebraska duo of Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead.

The keys for the Michigan defense are to stay locked onto OSU's mediocre WRs (and Posey) for as long as possible to avoid Miller improvising his way into open targets. Maintaining gap integrity is absolutely essential if you want to avoid Miller busting a long run. Boom Herron will likely get his yards, but that's okay. Michigan needs to stay on Braxton Miller from the opening kickoff and make the true freshman try to beat them on his own in his first trip to Ann Arbor for "The Game."

When Michigan has the ball

While the OSU offense has struggled to adjust to life in the post-Tressel/Pryor era, the defense has remained stout. Ranking 12th in America in FEI, they go up against Michigan's #14 rated offense. This is likely to be one of the toughest defensive lines the Wolverines have seen all year. John Simon is a dangerous end and mountain Jonathan Hankins (who would be a Wolverine had the previous staff offered him), is a sophomore who has over 60 tackles and 9 TFLs. He'll be someone Michigan will want to avoid. In the linebacking corp, Ohio State might be without star player Andrew Sweat. If he can't go, or if he's limited in what he can do, the Bucks may be staring at a freshman manning one of the linebacking spots. This hasn't worked out so well for them. If this happens, look for Al Borges to attempt to expose this spot with some misdirection to see if he can get a freshman moving the wrong direction. If Michigan can get Denard and Fitz Toussaint into the 2nd level and past an inexperienced linebacker, OSU's mediocre safeties are susceptible to missing tackles. Keys here are as usual. Take care of the ball, avoid putting Denard under center (stay in the damn gun!), and run the ball as much as possible.

Special Teams

The Buckeyes feature a strong special teams, rated #11 in FEI compared to Michigan's #71 ranked unit. Jordan Hall is the dangerous man returning the ball. He averages 28.6 yards a return on kickoffs. Compare that to Michigan's top kick returner. Tay Odoms averages just 22.3 per return. Field goal kicker Drew Basil has connected on 13 of 16 for the Bucks, including 4-7 from over 40. While Michigan has improved on FGs this year, Brendan Gibbons has a career long of only 42 yards. Special teams figures to be a big advantage for OSU.

Five Keys to winning The Game

1. Maintain gap integrity and edge contain vs. Braxton Miller running the ball

2. Al Borges fights the temptation to want to bomb it deep and run plays from under center. You will not win by running power at Jonathan Hankins.

3. Attacking Andrew Sweat's backup and the Ohio State safeties. David Molk against some linebackers to get Toussaint into the secondary plz!!

4. Avoid getting bombed in special teams. Michigan has been much better here of late, but Ohio State does still have an advantage. If Ohio State can win the field position battle, it can limit the Michigan offense and set its own offense up with short fields.

5. Get an early lead and force Braxton Miller to win in the air.

What's on the line for Michigan

By now, we've all seen the projections saying Michigan is playing for a BCS bowl bid, perhaps to the Sugar Bowl. So there's that, but there's so much more in a game like this. The pride of not letting your arch-rival come into your stadium and win (again). This would be their 4th straight win in the Big House and 8th overall in the series that Michigan leads. So not only is the BCS on the line, but so is our pride. If this streak doesn't end now, when Ohio State is down and Michigan is playing well, when will it ever end?

Five predictions sure to backfire because I'm not a football coach and don't know what I'm talking about

1. Denard throws at least 1 bad interception

2. Toussaint gets 27 carries for 126 yards

3. Jake Ryan makes a momentum changing play

4. Brendan Gibbons makes a 40+ yard FG for the 2nd week in a row

5. Luke Fickell coaches his only game in Ann Arbor

Finally, the score

Michigan, 21-17