MGoPodcast 15.5: Buttery and Sweet

2 hour and 12 minutes

The Sponsors

Thank you to Underground Printing for making this all possible. Rishi and Ryan have been our biggest supporters from the beginning. Check out their wide selection of officially licensed Michigan fan gear at their 3 store locations in Ann Arbor or learn about their custom apparel business at undergroundshirts.com.

Our associate sponsors are: Peak Wealth Management, Matt Demorest - Realtor and Lender, Ann Arbor Elder Law, Michigan Law Grad, The Phil Klein Insurance Group, Winewood Organics, Human Element, Venue by 4M where we recorded this, and The Nose Bleeds, which is the Sklars Bros’ reboot of Cheap Seats on UFC Fight Pass.

1. Offense vs Nebraska

Starts at 1:00

There are people saying Michigan runs TOO MANY flea flickers?? It's hard to win 45-7 when you play at the pace that Michigan plays at. This game was domination. Kalel Mullings emerged, De'Veon Smith but fast? Donovan Edwards showed improvement, despite what the stats might show. LaDarius Henderson played most of the game, maybe he just needed some time to get broken in since he played guard last year and wasn't at Michigan in the spring. JJ McCarthy didn't seem phased by the windy conditions. The Nebraska run defense might hold up against Penn State? The passing game bread and butter is a 15 yard dig route. Bredeson and Barner are A+ blockers. 

[The rest of the writeup and the player after THE JUMP]

2. Defense vs Nebraska

Starts at 46:06

There was a Nebraska highlight reel at halftime that involved three plays. Kris Jenkins was not blocked at all. Nebraska's left tackle scored a zero in PFF two years ago. Will Johnson got beat in man coverage which isn't great! Ernest Hausmann played a great game in his old stadium, was called a traitor by someone in the stands. Zone drops need improvement by defensive ends. Otherwise not much else to complain about. 

3. Hot Takes, Game Theory, and Special Teams

Starts at 1:08:57

Takes hotter than Lincoln, Nebraska in October (for some reason). Dave attended this game and describes the Nebraska experience. Their fans are as nice as advertised and have great shirts. JJ was also very nice in this game for reasons discussed. Per Blake Corum, this game was buttery and sweet. Dorks! Tommy Doman startled the commentators with a punt. Not much to discuss in terms of game theory (besides Nebraska timeout usage). 

4. Around the Big Ten with Jamie Mac

Starts at 1:37:49

Minnesota - 35
Louisiana - 24

Louisiana outgains Minnesota, that can't feel good with Michigan coming up. By the 3rd quarter, Minnesota took control. Based on Minnesota vs Northwestern and Nebraska, this probably won't be a competitive game coming up. 


Iowa - 26
Michigan State - 16

Iowa gets 26 points but their offensive net contribution is 10. But hey, they got their goal of >25 points! Michigan State outgains Iowa but throws three interceptions. This was just a hideous game. 

Penn State - 41
Northwestern - 13

This game was tied at halftime but Penn State really put it away in the second half. It's hard to think that Penn State's offensive line will do much against Michigan. 31 of 63 of Northwestern's offensive plays went for one yard or less. Penn State sort of ran a fake kneel down to beat the spread. That doesn't seem like a team that seems confident enough to beat Ohio State. 


Purdue - 44
Illinois - 19

Lots of penalties for Illinois. One third of Illinois' yards came in the last nine minutes. This is a year zero for Purdue which makes this more impressive. 


Maryland - 44
Indiana - 17

This was ugly, feels like Tom Allen's swan song. Maryland is 5-0 and is looking decent, but they probably won't have the lines to compete with Ohio State this weekend. 


Rutgers - 52
Wagner - 3

MUSIC:

• “Dead Fox”— Courtney Barnett
• “Eye On The Bat”— Palehound
• “Find Me in the Air”—  The Builders and the Butchers
• “Across 110th Street”