** 2018 Opponent Previews: Michigan (Game 4) **

Saunders

Saunders

Heisman Trophy Winner
The Athletic: Michigan football reaches ‘put up or shut up’ time

It was fitting this came from Chris Partridge, one of the longest-tenured members of Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan staff. Partridge, who first worked at Michigan as a player personnel director in recruiting, is one of four coaches who have been with the program since Harbaugh’s first season. He had a chance to leave this offseason, when he reportedly was offered a job at Alabama but turned it down, preferring to stay in Ann Arbor as special teams coordinator and safeties coach. So he was perhaps the best person to talk about the Wolverines’ position entering the Harbaugh era’s Year 4, in which the head coach’s first full recruiting class is headlining the roster.

“They’re hungry to win,” Partridge said. “They came here to win a championship, and now it’s getting to that pinnacle, where it’s like ‘Put up or shut up.’ ”

https://theathletic.com/358798/2018/05/25/michigan-football-season-preview-depth-chart-schedule/ (requires sub)
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Athlon: 2018 Wolverines Preview and Prediction

After last season’s disappointing showing, Michigan fans are anxious for Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines to take that next step forward. Harbaugh has reshuffled his offensive staff but the key will be how quarterback Shea Patterson fares in his first season in Ann Arbor. Patterson has weapons to work with but there are questions up front. That’s not the case with the defense, however, as eight starters return from one of the nation’s stingiest defenses last season. If the offense improves behind Patterson, Michigan’s rugged schedule will provide the Wolverines with plenty of opportunities to build their resume for a potential College Football Playoff berth.

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/michigan-football-2018-wolverines-preview-and-prediction
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CollegeFootballNews: Eventually, This Is Going To Happen

It’s going to be okay. And if it’s not, what else are you going to do? Of course, Michigan fans, you want a win over Ohio State. Of course you want to put Michigan State back into “little brother” status. Of course you want a national title, and Big Ten championships, and all of the things you were hoping for when Jim Harbaugh took over. But so far under the favorite son, who has it better than Michigan? Nooooooobody …

Except the Buckeyes and Spartans, and just as importantly on a national scale, Penn State, Wisconsin, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Washington, USC, Oklahoma, Florida State, and just to turn the screws a little more, Stanford. Yeah, yeah, yeah, there are all sorts of snarky ways to make it seem like the Harbaugh era is basically Brady Hoke Part 2 so far, but that’s obviously not the case. What’s the alternative, find a different head coach? When your guy is Jim Harbaugh, you wait it out for the payoff.

https://collegefootballnews.com/2018/06/michigan-wolverines-college-football

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players, Key Game, Fun Stats
– What Will Happen & Win Total Prediction
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More to come...

 
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MichiganDad3 said:
This will be a tough test for our offense. 
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Yes it will. Two years ago Michigan lost 10 starters from their #1 in the nation defense. They didn't rebuild, they reloaded. Their defense was 3rd in nation last year. This year they return their entire secondary. With the exception of Penn St, Michigan's defense keep them within 2 scores in every game. If the Skers are to win, they'll surely study that game film. I think Frost has the overall philosophy to win. The spread attacks the edges and exploiting the one on one coverage. Pretty much what Penn St did.

I'll drive the 15 minutes to the Big House this fall and let you all know how it turns out.

UCF-UM 2016 highlight

 
Gage County said:
Pretty much what Penn St did.
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Penn St realized that Michigan was an over-pursuit machine, and one that keyed in strongly on Barkley. So, while they focused on Barkley, PSU ran counters with McSorley. 

That does fit with what Frost wants to do as his offense almost baits you into being aggressive frontside, since he almost always has some form of release backside. 

Penn St also made Michigan defend two of the toughest concepts in football; running QBs and downfield passing to backs. Again, something Frost's offense also does well. 

I don't doubt Frost's offense has the plays to defeat Michigan, just a question if it has the players by game 4. The biggest thing Penn St did, though, was defend Michigan. That's likely to be more difficult this year.

 
brophog said:
Penn St realized that Michigan was an over-pursuit machine, and one that keyed in strongly on Barkley. So, while they focused on Barkley, PSU ran counters with McSorley. 
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And the irony? Barkley went untouched the length of the field on the second play of the game! 

 




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