Tag: Michigan Wolverines

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Michigan Wolverines: have not improved under Jim Harbaugh

Embed from Getty Images 1-6 in rivalry games. Including the 2018 game one loss to Notre Dame. No matter how you slice it that is unacceptable. Perhaps the expectations need to be lowered.

 

Jim Harbaugh should be on a burning hot seat. He was brought to Michigan to win big games and has not done it. No matter his “this is the beginning” comment he made after yet another loss to a ranked team.

 

Shea Patterson, looks the part of a solid quarterback. However, Michigan still can not run the ball. The offensive line looks the same it has for 4 years now. Bad. Horrible.

 

Jim Harbaugh wants to win his way. That is good and all. But his way clearly does not net the results. All the talk this offseason was centered around how improved the offensive line was and how good the defense was.

 

That is simply not true. Notre Dame sliced through the Wolverines defense. The team was flagged time and time again for all sorts of penalties. The offensive line was aweful.

 

Big mistakes have over-shadowed the Michigan football team for 4 years now. The fan base is uneasy. For Harbaugh to keep his job the team building needs to amp up.

 

The losses are mounting. 4 years in they should be easing up and the bleeding coming to an end. They are not. The bottom line is Michigan football is nowhere close to being a contender for anything.

 

That should not be the focus. The focus should be improving. All over the board. Jim Harbaugh, may find the heat turned up as the season goes on.

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Michigan Wolverines: Jim Harbaugh has his quarterback

Embed from Getty Images Michigan Wolverines head football coach Jim Harbaugh is known for developing quarterbacks. As he enters his fourth season on the Michigan sidelines Harbaugh finally has his guy.

 

Jim Harbaugh, the quarterback whisperer. Sounds silly. Yet, look what he did at Stanford with Andrew Luck. Ok, that is not entirely fair. How about as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Colin Kaepernick. Before he refused to stand. Harbaugh, coached him and went to the Super Bowl. Jim Harbaugh left the Bay area and Kaepernick’s play took a dive.

 

In his time at Michigan, coach Harbaugh has been searching for his quarterback. Oh he did well with what he had. The Wolverines went to Bowl games. But now enters Old Miss transfer Shea Patterson.

 

Shea Patterson, is the best quarterback talent Harbaugh has had since the aforementioned Andrew Luck. Patterson though has a stronger arm. He can run. He does not turn the ball over.

 

Teammates, want a quarterback who is a leader. Jake Ruddock, Wilton Speight and John O’Korn ok quarterbacks. None none of which were leaders. In 2017 Shea’s last season at Old Miss he threw for 2,259 yards, 9 int’s with a QBR of 63.8.

 

In my opinion, Jim Harbaugh picked Shea Patterson over Brandon Peters for two reasons. Given the fact Michigan football has the toughest schedule in the Big 10 and Peters lacks experience and also the fact Patterson comes from the SEC and has beaten top programs it was a rather easy pick.

 

Brandon Peters will be the backup. Shea Patterson will be under center week one. September 1st when the Wolverines invade Notre Dame.  Given the Michigan Wolverines #1 rated defense heading into the season. Patterson now gives the offense better balance.

 

As tough as the Big 10 East is. The Wolverines should give teams fits. It all starts soon. Hail to the Victors.

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Michigan Wolverines: defense will be scary good

Embed from Getty Images With much focus on quarterback Shea Patterson and Jim Harbaugh calling offensive plays himself. The Michigan Wolverines 2018-19 defense heads into the season ranked #1.

Rashan Gary, is a returning all-American defensive end. Gary, is not the best player on the Wolverines defense. The defensive line also boasts of Chase Winovich,  Brian Mone and Aubrey Solomon as it’s core. Other players will rotate in during games.

This Michigan Woverines linebacker corps is outstanding. Devin Bush Jr. is a beast and the best player on defense. Noah Furbush, Josh Uche, Devin Gill  round out the talented unit.

The Michigan secondary is the best in the Big 10. Khaleke Hudson is tough hitter at safety.  Casey Hughes who transferred from Utah will anchor the strong safety. Lavert Hill and David Long set up as the top cornerbacks on the team.

Defensive coordinator Don Brown, is set to unleash his unit. His favorite saying is “Solving problems with aggression.” Expect the Wolverines defense to attack at all times.

As good as this defense is and can be. Under classmen will be counted on in important times in games. It is the only way to prepare them for when they start.

Last season Michigan tied for the national lead with 114 tackles for loss. The Michigan coaching staff expects that number to increase this season. This defense is  national championship good.

Michigan, hopes the offense does just enough to get them to the Big 10 championship game. Which is a real possibility.

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Michigan Wolverines: better days coming

Embed from Getty Images Jim Harbaugh, brought in to be the coach to return Michigan football to the forefront of college football. For 3 years Harbaugh has been building his program. This season Michigan very well could unleash.

He is viewed as quirky. Known to throw a wad of chewing tobacco in his mouth on the sideline. Satellite camps for recruiting. Sleeping over at a recruits houses.

Jim Harbaugh has a terrible record against the Wolverines major rivals Michigan State and Ohio State. Do not be fooled. He is a brilliant coach. With the Michigan Wolverines nearly up to his specks it is only a matter of time before they catch their foes.

In his first two seasons at Michigan he lost a large amount of players. Yet, Harbaugh and his coaching staff managed to keep the team in most games.  That should not be overlooked. I have little doubt Big 10 coaches know this.

Last season the Michigan Wolverines finished 8-5. Yet that looks like it will be a bridge season. To a brighter Michigan football team. This seasons schedule is brutal. Harbaugh has the track record and motivation.

Teams should enjoy beating Michigan right now. Because those days are about to come to a sudden stop. Jim Harbaugh enter the season ranked #14 nationally.

The Big 10 East, is a juggernaut. It should be a fun 2018-19 NCAA college football season.

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Michigan Wolverines: offensive line questions

  Embed from Getty Images The offensive line use to be a staple at the University of Michigan. They have had some great linemen over the years. But now face questions. The biggest is at tackle.

Last season the Michigan Wolverines were, well bad at the tackle position. Very bad. Jon Runyan Jr., Juwann Bushell-Beatty and  Nolan Ulizio  ranked 148th, 167th and 197th in pass-blocking efficiency. allowing 32 pressures in 13 combined games. And that was at left tackle. The right tackle’s was not much better.

For all the players (for good reason) fans, scouts, and media are excited for. The returning tackle’s are a HUGE question mark. It is hard to keep a quarterback on his feet let alone open running lanes for the running backs if the tackle’s do not improve.

James Hudson, is a name to watch. He is big, flexible and quick. Hudson was a redshirt last season who impressed this past spring. He actually came to Michigan as a defensive linemen.

The offensive line is the key to the entire offense. When they are balanced and sustaining their blocks good things happen. When they do not. Well results do not lie. 8-5 seasons happen and will continue to happen if players do not do their job.

Jim Harbaugh, knows this. His coaching staff knows this. In year four there is a lot of anticipation in Ann Arbor. For Michigan to regain traction and be able to play more consistent football. The tackle’s must step up.

If not Michigan Wolverines are staring at another 8-5 season with the head coach feeling some heat.

However, if the tackle position gets ironed out. The Wolverines can play with any team in the country. In fact this team can be scary good. If the tackle’s do their job the Michigan offense will put up a lot of points. Because the defense will not give up many.

IF.

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Michigan Woverines: Harbaugh must deliver

Embed from Getty Images He came to Ann Arbor with much promise. One problem. Jim Harbaugh, has yet to come close to the lofty expectations.

Jim Harbaugh, brought in NFL coaches to help bring Michigan Wolverines, football back to the national picture. Year one started and ended on a positive note. Then the backwards steps were take.

So, this past offseason Harbaugh, fired nearly all of his offensive coaches. That is a bold move. Jim, insisted he was not informed to do so by the athletic director, school president, boosters or alumni.

Even though it seemed like a final grasp at a straw. Given his work he gets a pass on this one. Since coming to Michigan Jim Harbaugh, has been searching for a good solid quarterback. Enter Old Miss, transfer Shea Patterson. There is now no excuse.

Patterson, is good it is safe to say he is the best Harbaugh has had at Michigan. This season wins must come against Michigan State and Ohio State. No longer one or the other.

Michigan’s fan base is on the brink of turning against a coach they all wanted. It could be safe to say be careful what you wish for. It does need to be mentioned that all the players on the roster are now completely Jim Harbaugh’s. No more Brady Hoke holdovers.

If this is not a make or break season it is very close. All though an Ohio State media outlet had Michigan firing him after the Bowl loss. That was wishful thinking and poor reporting.

So as Spring practice winds down. All eyes will be on Jim Harbaugh.