The Grade Card- Week Two Notre Dame
Happily, what had to happen for UM to win did happen. What was feared also happened.
Grading scale:
A Outstanding accomplishment in this area, a factor that decided the outcome or controlled the destiny of the game.
B A solid effort marked by strong contribution, clearly on the positive side.
C A wash, the unit broke even with the opponent.
D The opponent clearly held an advantage that impacted the game.
F- The unit essentially made it possible for the opponent to win, in the entirety of the game, not just a selected play. A clear mismatch that was repeatedly exploited by the opposition.
Coaching A
Coach Robinson remains Michigan’s MVP at this early stage. He worked smoke and mirrors and his defensive backfield was on the verge of being crushed. Then a little help from the blitz package and from the opponent arrived. Coach Rod willed players to a winning effort that came about by player execution down the stretch.
Offensive line B-
The protection was enough for Tate to do his thing and this unit scored a small victory over the Irish front 7.
Quarterback A
He decided the outcome, very much so, therefore an A. This is not adjusted to freshman status.
Backs B-
See the line, this group played just good enough to get a slight advantage in grade over the ND defense.
Wide Receivers B
D-line B
These guys are good and held their own considering they gave away 65 pounds. When the calls came to bring the pressure, someone on the Irish team in possession of the ball did not like this.
Linebackers C+
Mouton and Stevie Brown had good moments.
D Backs C-
God bless the USA they were put on an isolated island against two likely NFL guys. I do not have the heart to give a lower grade.
Special teams B+
The 94 yard return by Stonum put a monkey wrench in every prediction and kept the game within reach. The coverage was very good, Tate’s punt was critical, but Zoltan had his one bad punt of the year and a missed field goal must be considered.
Intangibles A
Luck, preparation, and opportunity met at the pass. The dog stayed on the porch and guarded the homestead. This will go a long way in reinforcing the Barwis
Effect.
Thanks for stopping by Go Blue Michigan Wolverine
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Written by Doc4Blu
1 comment:
I agree with most of the grades, but I have some questions about a couple.
First the RBs...I'm surprised you gave them a B- with Minor's very solid day (6.6 ypc), Brown had a couple big receptions and the blocking from the backs was amazing (check out Minor's block on the third and 4 pass to Odoms on the last drive). How were they just barely above avg? Weren't most of the flaws in the running game (against a so-so ND defense) due to OL problems and not the backs? Should have been a B+ or A- IMO.
The linebackers had a couple good moments (mainly by SBrown) but IMO they were embarrassed -- especially OE -- getting run over, making bad decisions, and out of position consistently. ND's last TD OE is just completely owned, and he was out of position on a number of other plays. I would've given them a D based on ND's success in the run game, screen passes and short passes over the middle, and maybe a C- just based on SBrowns surprising improvement from last year.
And about coaching...I thought RR showed how good of a game manager he can be down the stretch, and he called the right plays to put TF in the position to win the game -- he deserves a mention beyond "willing"; mad props. For GRob, why was he constantly leaving a true sophmore (Booboo) on an island and providing safety support for a much better (and not injured) Donovan? Seems like it should've been the other way around.
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