Helpful Talking Points When Downplaying Michigan's Victory Over Notre Dame
by Graham Filler on Sep 11, 2011 11:04 PM CDT
in Michigan
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PrintSure, the Wolverines won the game of the year and people are using terms like "favorable schedule" or "big defensive stops" or "8+ wins." But what's more important than the excitement of some B1G fans and Michigan supporters? Hating on them, naturally. Here are some helpful talking points to pull out when anyone (our resident Bowl expert included) tries getting excited about the 2011 Michigan Wolverines and their recent victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
11-24 with three interceptions. That's a stat line expected from a third string quarterback who I have to leave in because the first stringer is mortally wounded and his backup concussed.
It's like watching a less talented Joshua Cribbs run a Pro-Form offense. Nasty.
No Heisman discussion please. No All-B1G discussion please. No NFL-flex player discussion. He's a one-trick pony who's going to break down like a 1985 Yugo.
Types of throws Denard can make: Fade against single coverage.
Types of throws Denard cannot make: Screen pass. Slant. Short sideline out route. Deep sideline out route. Any throw down the middle of the field.
All those touchdowns he threw? All thanks to great wide receiver play and horrendous coverage.
All those interceptions he threw? All thanks due to his inability to read defenses or put any touch on the ball.
We do all the work and Denard gets the pub?
The Defense
Remember all those short yardage stops? Anyone can stop a simple dive, you idiots. A single late-game bootleg from the ridiculously conservative ND playcalling and the game is over.
Notre Dame's offensive stat line: 513 yards, 28 first downs, 31 points, eight plays over 20 yards...How is that improvement in any way?
The best Michigan defense was really the turnover-prone Notre Dame offense.
You constantly blitz to compensate for the still horrendous defense and lack of pressure on the quarterback.
...
The Offense
New Pro-Form offense is dysfunctional and not really that much different than what Coach Rod was doing. And how did that work out in 2010? That's what I thought.
Players in the offense are far too skinny to hold up to the B1G pounding. Will probably all be injured by next week.
Circus catches are made when execution is less than great and something goes wrong. Since the Wolverines made four circus catches, a ton of shit must have been going wrong.
Denard hurt? No Tate to play hero anymore. It must be hard to spend every single damn snap on pins and needles about Denard's health, knowing Michigan's season is one injury away from being a 4-8 team.
...
Miscellaneous
Brady Hoke is still overweight. Probable heart problems will keep the coaching staff and team from reaching full potential.
The crowd was waving pom-poms, creating a maize fluttering effect. I mean I guess that's home-field advantage..if you're afraid of epileptic banana peels.
Congratulations Michigan, you've won the Week Two National Championship! You get a free appetizer at Outback Steakhouse...in Charleston, WV. Good luck with that.
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Excellent, quality hate.
Accurate, too.
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by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 11, 2011 11:07 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Allow me to fix one thing from a Purdue perspective
11-24 with three interceptions. That’s a stat line expected from a third string quarterback who I have to leave in because the first stringer is mortally wounded tore his ACL and his backup concussed. tore his ACL.
/reality’d
by chops1221 on Sep 11, 2011 11:24 PM CDT reply actions 8 recs
Even then Purdue has posted better numbers than that crap
…and only one int and 15-18 in the fourth quarter.
That 11-24 with 3 INTs is walk on freshmen without a scholarship level haha
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by Bryan Steedman on Sep 12, 2011 12:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Did Purdue throw for 330+ yards and score five touchdowns? Did Purdue win?
I tweet here: @thewhitetiger16
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Wow...
I thought it was bad when Ohio State fans were beating their chest over beating Toledo and Michigan State fans were bragging about the numbers they put up against FAU (along with Michigan going nuts over beating a marginally good ND team) now Purdue fans are bragging about their numbers in a LOSS to RICE??? This is getting crazy.
Oh well I’ll join the trend. Hey did you see how awesome Indiana did in this last week’s game where they blew the lead to a team that’s going to be lucky to win four games this year? Yeah take that Big Ten.
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by Aaron Go Bragh on Sep 12, 2011 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey, barely losing to Rice might be a highlight for Purdue this year.
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They are going 1-11 after all.
Right, MSULaxer?
by truemichiganman on Sep 12, 2011 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions
all the pressure is off - we've got our one win
>Hoosier by birth, Boilermaker by the grace of God
>Don't cry, MSU - It's just a game...
by sea.of.white on Sep 13, 2011 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Toledo beat your team....
at the obstructed-view big house. Bet you were saying how great they were then.
Who are you trying to reply to?
If it was me, I definitely was not. I was probably shaking my fist at the sky though.
I tweet here: @thewhitetiger16
I blog here: The Wolverine Blog
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It says he's an Indiana fan.
I tweet here: @thewhitetiger16
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This blog should be called “I ARE HATEING MICHIGANS”.
I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.
by Pinchy The Lobster on Sep 11, 2011 11:35 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs
FAKE ASS WOLVERINE
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by Ted Glover on Sep 11, 2011 11:35 PM CDT reply actions 8 recs
What I took away from this game...
… is that both teams are pretty bad, and I like our chances of beating them both this year a lot more after that game debacle.
Although, while Michigan looks fundamentally bad, ND just looks like it has had tough turnover luck (and reaaaally blind CBs). I think both of those things are pretty easy to fix, and in fact I think ND’s CBs would have looked a LOT better against a an accurate QB who isn’t constantly underthrowing the ball! With cousins pushing 80% accuracy, they might be trouble since they did tend to be stuck to their receivers like glue, they just didn’t look back enough.
I hope Narduzzi finds time for some drills where Cousins lobs jump balls to our receivers and secondary to prepare them for the “unconventional threat” they face. We’ve got two weeks to prepare for them, so he should be able to sneak it in.
ND will most likely win Sat. Your chances of winning went way down with them losing this week. Trust me… I want ND to lose, but I don’t see them losing this one.
I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.
by Pinchy The Lobster on Sep 12, 2011 12:06 AM CDT up reply actions
I think you're probably right but...
I have more hope now than I did before. Vegas has the Irish by 3.5, which is I think about where things stand. I think we have better talent at skill positions but I fear their lines on both sides. We will find out soon!
by alvion on Sep 12, 2011 6:13 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Vegas
wow…an 0-2 team that is 3.5 pt favorite to a 2-0 team. Only the Irish….
by GoWings2008 on Sep 12, 2011 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
The line has moved to ND giving 6
And on a related note, Vegas bookies are already planning the new additions to their homes, funded by the ND faithful pouring their money where there hearts are.
Do you think the Domer fans can push it to a full TD by gametime?!?!?!?!
I can't tell if this is purposefully disingenuous and sarcastic, or just pandering.
Either way, it comes off as stupid, especially from a Michigan fan.
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Maybe not stupid, but confusing at the very least.
What’s the point?
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I blog here: The Wolverine Blog
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~
I agree with nearly everything written here…. I thought it was a genuine article until I reached “miscellaneous”.
Can you also provide talking points for Miami of Ohio's loss to Missouri last week?
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
How is this year different?
2009 – Tate Forcier leads Michigan to a thrilling victory over ranked ND and then…….limps to 5-7 (1-7) while ND limps to 6-6.
2010 – Robinson leads MIchigan to a thrilling victory over ND and then…..limps to 7-5 (3-5) while ND never enters the top 25.
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
tongue in cheek, the article is tongue in cheek
I figured you all would be tipped off by the fact that I’m a Michigan fan, the sarcastic title, etc. It’s just a little dialogue on the tremendous annoyance felt by everyone on the site towards Michigan because they believe UM just isn’t that good. I’m giddy – I picked UM to lose in my “closing arguments” predictions, believing they wouldn’t have the horses to keep up with ND.
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by Bama Hawkeye on Sep 12, 2011 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm happy they won...
I really have no feelings towards Michigan one way or another, but after the bloodbath that was happening to the B1G on Saturday, beating ND was necessary. It’s also worth noting how happy it makes me to watch ND lose. I almost hope the rumors about them joining the Big XII are true so I can watch them lose over and over and over again.
Always check the words with the red squiggly line. They mean you probably screwed up.
Could be worse
Could be worse
At least Michigan didnt lose to Rice or Iowa State
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I will admit...
…that it was good that UM won. A win for the B1G is a win for us all
My only qualms
1) Hey thanks a lot jerks. Now ND is gonna be pissed when MSU plays them this weekend. Good thing MSU has been preparing for ND for two weeks now (before I thought this was a bad idea, but because of the way things turned out, I’m glad Dantonio made that decision)
2) As you can see from the live stream of comments in the nighttime open thread on Saturday, the ND-UM game was literally a game no one wanted to win. UM’s saving grace was an incredible performance by the WR corp, as well as drunken Irish DBs. You can’t throw the ball up into traffic and yell “Yahtzee!” every time your WR comes down it. The last two minutes of the game were like watching the ending of Little Giants, not a stroke of football genius. (The movie, not the MSU game-winning play over ND)
3) I rewatched the game last night on BTN’s Game of the Week. UM blitzed almost every play. That won’t work against a quick-pass spread offense, or a decent OL. Hell, ND used so many audibles to avoid the blitz, even I know the signals now (Hint Hint: you know when Rees rubs his hands on the front of his jersey like he’s getting dirt off his hands? That means RUN UP THE MIDDLE)
4) UM celebrated like they won the national championship, and now I have to listen and read all week long from the Detroit media on how incredible UM is and how Hoke is the second coming of Touchdown-Jesus. And I have to listen to UM slappies at work make extravagant claims about UM’s bowl potential. Damn you Michigan, damn you.
5) After the game, everyone praises DR and no one acknowledges the WR corp. Who really saved the game? DR with his 11/24 and 3ints, or the WRs who continuously pulled an underthrown dead duck out of the hands of 2-3 ND defenders?
I am done. Congratulations UM, you’re officially on my sh*t-list for this week.
Disclaimer: This post may seem pretty hateful, but it’s more tongue-in-cheek than anything else…just trying to get a rise out of those UM homers.
by SpartyFever on Sep 12, 2011 9:39 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Your disclaimer not withstanding
From your point #2… The last two minutes included the V Smith scoring play, the misdirection screen pass. I personally thought that was a great play that took the ND speed out of the play and put it against them. I know that the credibility of the ND defense is in question lately, but you can’t disagree that T’eo isn’t a beast.
I said it on another story board, but it bears repeating…my o/u for the season is still at 7, even after the emotional win. Most realistic UM fans will agree we still have a LONG way to go before we’re happy with the product on the field. Saturday was a FUGLY win. but hats off to the team and the coaching staff for not giving up and playing all the way to the end.
The V smith scoring play
was absolutely disgusting. I counted three missed tackles. One before he reached the line of scrimmage, another about 2 yards after the line of scrimmage (when he made his cut in), and then another when he cut to the sideline. Bad ND. Bad bad ND.
In all honesty, I (and the announcers too, it seemed) were shocked when DR took a 3-step drop in the last 8 seconds to throw into the endzone. 9/10 times, that floater pass would have been knocked down or intercepted. Apparently UM stole the Irish’s lucky charms
by SpartyFever on Sep 12, 2011 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions
The lucky charms
were actually stolen during the 1yd TD run that followed the fumble on the one yard line.
I realize that NDs secondary failed during a lot during those floater plays, but considering who DRob was throwing TO, they worked out because the receivers were able to go up and get it. DRob pushed his luck with a shorter receiver, Gallon, and he paid for it with an INT. Roundtree can get away with it though. Obviously, DRob isn’t the passer that everyone thinks he should be, but he’s doing well with the tools he has at his disposal.
I’ll have to go back and watch the tapes again for that screen play. I recall it being a bit of an over persue by the D and yes, some good running by a fast RB that caused some missed tackles. Hopkins or Fitz running that play, they’re stopped. Smith is small and quick, better suited for that play. Not everything Borges calls is ‘luck’…give the man SOME credit.
by GoWings2008 on Sep 12, 2011 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, check the tapes
I just watched the V Smith scoring play about 12 times. It was a greatly scripted play, the d line completely over pursued, Smith split two defenders who tried to arm tackle him and he was already in third gear. There was maybe one missed tackle, but by that time he was at full speed and he’s a very fast compact runner.
About the screen
Yeah, I hate Michigan and the fact that I now have to hear all about this game for the rest of the week. BUT, that screen pass was a good play. It was called at the right time and well executed. You can call those missed tackles, but some credit has to be given to the back. He was quick and shifty and ran through them.
That was not a well played game, but U of M didn’t quit and won. Some credit has to be given for that.
Well put
I agree, it was very ugly…but i did see some improvement in the defense, just a little. Enough to be encouraged. But not enough to say, “Yeah, we got 9 wins locked up.” The offense is still working out kinks, but is finding success with Borges calling plays from the shot gun, about 2/3 of the plays are being called that way. I hope its still a mixture as next season is hopefully when DRob is more comfortable under center. We STILL need a credible running threat from someone not named Robionson for all this to work at peak efficiency. Right now, we’re not getting it. The threat of him taking off even in an obvious pass situation is the only thing keeping defenses honest. It won’t last long on the current trend.
Rematch
Never in the history of college football have two 7-5 teams gotten so much pub from the 4 letter (ESPN) and the NYC/Chicago press over a poorly played game of Madden ‘11 football. Here’s to the Bumble Bees and the Clovers to meet again in El Paso in the “Build a Big Fence” Sun Bowl …
Dikaia Upotheke - Justice Our Foundation
Fade against single coverage
Sounds familiar.
I look forward to seeing the T.Martinez (10-21, 2 int) and Robinson (11-24, 3 int) lob-fest on November 19th.
Trophy idea: Venus de Milo with the winged feet of Mercury.
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by crowe1856 on Sep 12, 2011 11:07 AM CDT reply actions 4 recs
One one of those INTs was bad - one was a hail mary at the end of the first half
However, the two fumbles added to a gawdawful int (threw into triple coverage when the TE on the waggle in front of him was WIDE OPEN) make the criticism highly warranted.
by Albino Tornado on Sep 12, 2011 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Very well done
that’s hysterical! rec’d
by GoWings2008 on Sep 12, 2011 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Sad but true
Everything except the miscellaneous is true, if irrelevant, criticism of our team. I can only imagine how different the storylines would be had we lost…
by truemichiganman on Sep 12, 2011 9:11 PM CDT reply actions
overall
it was a very ugly game, can’t argue that. But I did see a few flashes of brilliance from the defensive front 7. They had some key stops and got good penetration. The key is to be consistent in that performance. ND had snapped off some incredible runs from scrimmage and made some big holes in the line. But I still like the potential for the core of this defense, but I don’t think we’ll have a real shot at a top rated defense until next year at the earliest. Jake Ryan and Hawthorne really impressed me. Kovaks isn’t fast, but he’s a very smart player and has a nose for the ball. All I would say to them is practice, practice, practice. But make sure its not too much…lol.
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