Picking Up the Pieces

Super Mario just lost the princess to that douche Dwayne Jarrett

A day has now passed since Michigan got steamrolled by USC in the Rose Bowl and I'm still at a loss for answers. What the hell happened to the offensive line? It seemed like Chad Henne had about 2.5 seconds before a USC defender was in his face as apparently the line, which had been great all season, forgot how to block. There are few things worse then seeing Henne deal with pressure. As I said in my preview if you get defenders on him he tends to kind of tuck the ball in and turtle, and that's pretty much what happened on every other pass play in the Rose Bowl. Defenders surround Henne, Henne struggles to move up in pocket, Henne is sacked. Just horrible to watch.

The offensive line also forgot how to zone block for the running game as Mike Hart was held in check all day. Hart gained 10 yards on Michigan's first play from scrimmage and then pretty much disappeared for the rest of the game. I don't blame this on Hart as it seemed whenever he got the ball he had two or three defenders on him immediately. Doesn't really matter how shifty you are if you have three guys bearing down on your ass. Maybe the long layoff threw Michigan's line off their rhythm, but if that's the case then USC did a damn good job of adjusting to a similar layoff, which means something is wrong with the coaching on that one.

Michigan's defense was also scorched in the second half by John David Booty and Dwayne Jarrett. As usual the front four was able to stop USC's rushing attack, but the difference in this game was that they weren't able to get any sort of pass rush on Booty. Branch played well in spots (including that forced fumble) but didn't step up enough. Woodley was nowhere to be seen unless you count him getting blocked as Booty threw another TD pass. I don't know if Leon Hall was really burned as much as Willis Barringer hung him out to dry on a couple of throws where he should have been the safety help over the top. Morgan Trent was picked on all day and showed that he still has a bit of maturing to go. I think the only defender who really had a great game was David Harris who delivered that bone jarring hit on Jarrett that forced him to drop that touchdown pass that kept the game close for longer then it should have. Where was the defense that shut down every (except for a great Ohio State team) this year? It's like they knew how to play for 11 games and then decided to shut it down for two games. The worst part of it all is that this is the side of the ball where Michigan loses a lot of their best players next season so they may have to try and outscore teams next year....hmmm...

Coaching was your typical Michigan game plan. Run the ball (even if it obviously isn't working) until you are down by 2 scores and then start throwing the ball when the defense actually expects it and can just blitz. This game was tied at 3 at half....then USC made adjustments on offense and blew it open. Where were Michigan's adjustments? I was just watching the game at home and noticed that USC was bringing the house every third down....why not adjust and change things up a bit? Michigan finally went to the shotgun late but that was when USC had already put their foot on the throat so it didn't really matter.

I'm not a reactionary Michigan fan who thinks we should fire Lloyd Carr after every defeat and alike, but I do think that the time has come for Lloyd to perhaps deviate from the Michigan way of playing offense. Bo is dead now, and the Michigan "Run, Run, Run" offensive philosophy should probably go with him. Michigan continually recruits strong armed QB's and very talented wide receivers and yet they still rely way to much on the run and keeping games low scoring. Unfortunately that's not the way college football is anymore. I'd rather win games 45-39 then lose. Simple as that. I'm not saying they need to go to a wacky spread offense like our friends in East Lansing (great results there too) but maybe more shotgun and four receiver sets. Get some quick hits on slants and alike and let the athletes Michigan recruits show off their skills with the ball. Yes you still need to be able to run to win and Michigan will still run the ball, but you have to change things up a bit to win in the new era of college football. Next season may be the best chance Michigan gets at a National Title for a few years and they need to take advantage.

Please Lloyd...change things up a bit....I'm really getting sick of seeing scenes like this every January...

I'm really starting to hate USC....that hand signal is dumb as hell by the way...

Trying to Forget This Happened....

Dwayne Jarrett is good....but he's still a douchebag

I'm still recovering from this year's Michigan Bowl Meltdown (tm) and I can't really put much into words. Will probably post tomorrow after picking up the pieces. Can't say I'm really shocked because I've seen this show before (the last 4 years). I'm struggling to look for answers as to why the Wolverines can't put things together in bowls. Maybe it's the long layoff, maybe they've just run into great teams (USC twice, Texas....um...Nebraska...), I just don't know. The defense looked terrible (especially in the 2nd half) and the offense was horrible too. Ugh...another post on this will come in time but right now I think I'm going to be sick....

Rose Bowl Preview

What John David Booty sees in his nightmares....

Well with the New Year's holiday coming up it only means one thing....ROSE BOWL! I've registered my disgust for the BCS system at length for giving Michigan the shaft and putting Florida in the BCS title game, but as much as I'm still angry about that, I can't help but get psyched up for the Rose Bowl. Having grown up a Michigan fan it's been programmed into me that going to the Rose Bowl is a big deal so it's impossible for me not to get amped up for this. I'm hoping this is the year Michigan breaks their little bowl losing streak (which is now up to three games....) and get a big W that can propel them to big things next season, but let's take a look at how these teams match up....

Quarterbacks

Chad Henne (MICH) vs. John David Booty (USC)

Chad Henne has started every game he's played since walking on Michigan's campus three years ago. He lead the team to a Rose Bowl his freshman year and came within a field goal of getting the win. He's probably going to have all the Michigan passing records when he leaves school (thank God....nobody wants John Navarre's name up there) but won't get the respect he deserves until he comes through and gets a win in a big game. He's 0-3 against Ohio State, although he played his ass off against the Buckeyes this season, and he's 0-3 in Bowl Games. His advantage could be that he's played in many big games where his opponent...not so much. Henne's problem is that he sails the ball a bit at times, and there are times when he takes sacks when he should just get rid of the ball. When left in the pocket he will pick you apart, but if you get some pressure up in his face it rattles him a bit. He did handle it better against Ohio State which could mean that he's turned the corner.

John David Booty came onto campus when Carson Palmer left for the NFL and thought he was going to compete for the starting job, but then Matt Leinart bitch his ass to the bench for three years. Finally with Leinart gone Booty got his chance to get on the field and shine...and he's done alright. I don't really know if Booty is really good or that he lucks out by having some ridiculous receivers. Watched a few USC games this year and it seemed like he was a little off in his accuracy and was bailed out by Jarrett and Smith. He has not played in many big games, in fact I really would only count Notre Dame and UCLA as his "big games" and he played decent. The Michigan defense will cause him fits and he's shown (in the UCLA game) that he doesn't handle pressure that well. He will get pressured here and will have to deal with it from start to finish.

Advantage: MICHIGAN

Running Backs

Mike Hart (MICH) vs. Chauncey Washington (USC)

I don't really think this is much of a contest as Mike Hart is the heart and soul of Michigan and a 2007 Heisman Candidate and Washington is just starting to come out of the shadow of Reggie Bush and LenDale White. Hart has shown that he is gritty and tough against some of the toughest rush defenses in college football (see 143 yards against Ohio State) which is something Washington has yet to show. Against a decent rush defense in UCLA he was only able to put up 55 yards. Michigan is much better then UCLA when it comes to stopping the run (and pretty much everything else...) so I see the Wolverines making the Trojans pretty one dimensional in this game. Hart will have a tough go against the USC defense but he has shown the ability to step up and get his yards against a tough defense so I still expect him to play pretty well.

Advantage: MICHIGAN

Wide Receivers

Mario Manningham/Adrian Arrington (MICH) vs. Dwayne Jarrett/Steve Smith (USC)

This group could very well be the group that decides this game. Both teams are going to have to go to the air (USC more so the Michigan) because both teams have the ability to stifle the run. Manningham has shown the ability to be a huge playmaker and Michigan's offense is completely different when he's on the field. In games he's started and played significant time this season Michigan has averaged over 30 points a game. When he's not in Michigan only averaged a little over 20. Arrington has also shown the ability to make the tough catches and be a great number two receiver.

But in the end USC wins this matchup because Dwayne Jarrett is ridiculous. He's fast, makes acrobatic catches and comes up big in big games. He'll be a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft if (when) he comes out after the season. Here's the kicker, for as good as Jarrett is, Smith has had a better year on paper. That just shows you how good these two receivers are. If USC is going to win this game these guys need to come up big because Booty is probably going to be running for his life from the Michigan pass rush.

Advantage: USC

Offensive Line

Michigan's offensive line switched to the zone blocking scheme this offseason and it helped revitalize a rushing attack that had fallen off in 2005 (also I Mike Hart not being injured helped a bit as well). They also are pretty good at keeping off the pass rush, but sometimes they have trouble picking up the blitz. USC has a good rush defense, but are lacking a little in pass rush, but in order to win Michigan will have to run the ball and set up the playaction pass so Michigan's objective should be to get Mike Hart going and and that should take care of any USC pass rush.

USC's offensive line is their big weakness. Against a team like UCLA they weren't able to run at all and they also showed they had problems with fast defensive ends. Michigan happens to have two fast defensive ends which could cause the Trojans fits. This could be the tipping point in this matchup. Can USC's O-line stop Michigan? I think the answer will be no...

Advantage: MICHIGAN

Defensive Line/Linebackers

I'm grouping the front seven together as in college football they all play off each other a lot. Michigan's front four is probably the best in college football at stopping the run and getting to the quarterback. Their linebacking corp is also very good, although Prescott Burgess misses some tackles from time to time. The key to this game will be whether Michigan can pressure Booty without having to blitz linebackers. If LaMarr Woodley and Alan Branch can get to the QB consistently that means Michigan can drop their linebackers back into coverage, making it harder for the Trojans to get a passing game going. USC's line has shown a weakness in this area which could be where Michigan wins it....

USC is good at stopping the run. They've shown that throughout the season. They showed it against quality competition (see: Lynch, Marshawn)...but....I think Michigan will be able to at least get a decent rushing game going against the Trojans which means they will have to show the ability to get a pass rush on Henne. I think they will able to pressure Henne, but I also think Michigan's ability to run will hurt the Trojan pass rush and therefore allow Michigan's offense to get a few good drives.

In the end I think Michigan's front seven will dictate what USC offense does in this game, while Michigan's offense will dictate what USC's front seven does...

Advantage: MICHIGAN

Defensive Backs

This is probably Michigan's weakest point. They are decent in the secondary but not great. Leon Hall is a stud but he can only cover one man. Michigan's pass rush is key because with the receiving talent USC has the ability to shred the Wolverine secondary if given enough time to do so.

Same could probably be said for the Trojans secondary but overall they are a little bit better then the Wolverines. This seems to be a weakness for both defenses, and whether or not they get burned will be completely based on whether either team can pressure the quarterback.

Advantage: USC

Coaches

Lloyd Carr (MICH) vs. Pete Carroll (USC)

Lloyd has been on the good and bad side of the Ohio State rivalry. He dominated John Cooper and has been dominated by Jim Tressell. Does that mean he's forgotten how to coach? No. That just means that Tressell has had better talent the past couple of years and even with that Michigan has yet to be blown out in any game against the Buckeyes. Lloyd hasn't won a bowl game since 2003 and two of losses were in the Rose Bowl. Is Lloyd a bad big game coach? I don't think so, but he hasn't proven that he's a good big game coach either.

Pete Carroll, however, has shown to be a pretty good big game coach. He's won two national titles and came within a Vince Young comeback of a third. Some will question the thinking of leaving Reggie Bush off the field on fourth and one in last year's Rose Bowl but that's probably nitpicking a bit. Carroll's "feel good" vibe works in college football and due to Lloyd's recent missteps in big games he gets the nod here...

Advantage: USC

Intangibles

Last year's Michigan team went 7-5 and was embarrassed and angry. This season they made it a point to show everyone that last year was a fluke and that this was still a good team. They've done a fantastic job at that so far (save for that loss in Columbus) The Michigan seniors have not won a bowl game and they don't want to go out 0-4 (with an 0-3 in the Rose Bowl). Michigan also has a rather large chip on their shoulder having been screwed out of the National Title game and will want to show the voters (Jim Walden I'm looking your way) that they screwed up. Some say Michigan may be off because of the anger over not being in the title game. I don't think so. This team has dealt with the sting of loss and come back from it, they will be ready.

USC hasn't dealt with losing too much. Most of these guys have only lost a total of three games in their careers. After the choke job they pulled against UCLA one would have to wonder how they will respond. The advantage they have here is that they are at home essentially so that will help a bit, but it will also provide family distractions and alike that Michigan won't have quite as much of. USC has played in big games and won them (very recently) so they know how to approach these games.

In the end I think Michigan has a lot to prove and are ready to prove it and that goes over USC's big game experience

Advantage: MICHIGAN

Final Verdict

I think Michigan turns USC into a one dimensional passing team, and that will allow the corners to play off a bit and for the pass rush to be in Booty's face all game. I think Mike Hart will find a way to run against the USC defense and with that Michigan will be able to get a big play or two from the play-action pass. This game will be close throughout but Michigan will put a little distance between them and the Trojans in the fourth quarter and ride the wave to preseason number one for 2007 with the win....

Final Score: Michigan 31 USC 21

GO BLUE!!!!

This Probably isn't going to End Well.....

This game won't be for the weak of heart. Hide your grandparents....

So the holiday weekend is coming up and it brings to early Christmas gifts for yours truely...or lumps of coal to be more accurate. First this Saturday Michigan goes to Los Angeles for their execution game against #1 UCLA and then on Sunday I get to celebrate with my favorite team as I will attend the Lions game against the Bears. Since I will be covering the goings on with the Lions in fantastic detail next week, I figure maybe it's time to write a post looking ahead to the Wolverines' goings on this weekend....

Let me start by saying this, Michigan is going to get slaughtered. There's really no two ways about it. They may be 11-1 but they haven't beaten anybody and Tommy Amaker's sterling 17-37 record on the road doesn't really elicit a lot of confidence in the Wolverines being able to pull the huge upset.

But fear not, in the spirit of Christmas I've decided to at least look at the ways Michigan could pull off the unthinkable this Saturday and upset the undefeated Bruins....

• UCLA loses directions to Pauley Pavilion

I'm really doubting this happens since they've played there for 36 years, but this is LA and they could hit some wicked traffic and miss the game, and isn't Michigan due for a Christmas Miracle since they got screwed over by the BCS?

• UCLA decides to skip game and go see We Are Marshall

I don't know about you but how could you not want to see this movie? I mean it's got Matthew McConaughey which means there could be a scene somewhere where's he's hopped up on some doob and playing the bongos. This one could totally happen...the allure of McC is just that strong.

• Lester Abrams goes into "Teen Wolf" mode and drops 60

Even if this did happen he'd probably injure his leg and be out for the season as he runs to find Boof in the stands to kiss. That and UCLA would probably score 61 for the win....

So there you go....three very likely scenarios for a Michigan victory Saturday. I would recommend watching the game with a fifth of scotch and possibly some eye protection as the beating UCLA is probably going to give Michigan could cause you to go blind. But hey at least we have better looking cheerleaders....

Um....okay so they own us....but we are SO better in football. TAKE THAT UCLA!!!!