With Hoke's hiring of the Alabama OC, I imagine we'll see a heavy dose of run plays. The DL needs to take advantage of their inexperienced line to free up the McGowan, Gilchrist and Townes Law firm. The Attornies must play loose, make sure tackles and keep yards after contact to a minimum. Hope Coach Woody is cooking up a scheme that attacks their confidence!

they lost 2 from last yrs squad to the NFL, and their best returning lineman is suspended for the game. This from a unit that was considered a weakness last year. No excuse for them to dominate our line. Also, you guys mention Woody coming up with a scheme to stop them, well one of the things that made Woody such a good DC at Wofford was he could up with a one time defense plan to stop or atleast slow down teams such as Clemson, and SC.

This is the 2nd thread implying we have a chance to beat Michigan in the trenches, specifically our Dline against their Oline. Our Dline is probably the weak point of our team, we got no push up front against FCS teams and little to no pass rush all season long. Not sure how this could ever be a good thing for us. Is it nice they graduated 2 and one started is suspended, of course, but at the same time they are still 2-3 inches taller and 10-20 lbs heavier at every position. If we want any shot at all we will have to create turnovers and make big plays in the passing game. We have ZERO shot at winning in the trenches.

disagree, this is the same line that went up against one of the best OL in the SEC last year, Georgia, a line much, much better than anything we will see in Michigan this year, and for 2 1/2 quarters we held our own against them, only reason we finally starting giving up yds late in the third was our starters were exhausted, and we didn't have the depth to sub for them. This year we should have alittle more depth, players, from what I hear, should be in better shape with the new conditioning coach now running the offseason workouts, and some players who were new to their positions last year, ie: our nosetackle (cant remember his name) should feel much more comfortable this year. Not saying we are going to dominate, yes they will move the ball, but, as you seem to be implying, they aren't going to consistently knock our guys 3 and 4 yds off the ball, and the running back have huge holes to run thru, they aren't going to put up 500 plus yds of offense and score at will on us, this Michigan team is going to have a tough time scoring this year, the talent, on the offensive side, just isn't what it normally would be, call be an optimist, but see no reason we cant atleast make this game respectable, and keep it somewhat close late into the 3rd.

moehler wrote: and some players who were new to their positions last year, ie: our nosetackle (cant remember his name) should feel much more comfortable this year.

Tyson Fernandez. Plus Darian Small, who was the starter and was injured, will be back and, word is, healthy. Even if we shirt the DT's we signed we still have Burns and PWO Nic Johnson, who's listed at 285 but sounds like he's around 300+ now, to give a quick break to TF and DS. All but Johnson have been in the system long enough now to understand it. That will help a little with depth.

moehler wrote:disagree, this is the same line that went up against one of the best OL in the SEC last year, Georgia, a line much, much better than anything we will see in Michigan this year, and for 2 1/2 quarters we held our own against them, only reason we finally starting giving up yds late in the third was our starters were exhausted, and we didn't have the depth to sub for them. This year we should have alittle more depth, players, from what I hear, should be in better shape with the new conditioning coach now running the offseason workouts, and some players who were new to their positions last year, ie: our nosetackle (cant remember his name) should feel much more comfortable this year. Not saying we are going to dominate, yes they will move the ball, but, as you seem to be implying, they aren't going to consistently knock our guys 3 and 4 yds off the ball, and the running back have huge holes to run thru, they aren't going to put up 500 plus yds of offense and score at will on us, this Michigan team is going to have a tough time scoring this year, the talent, on the offensive side, just isn't what it normally would be, call be an optimist, but see no reason we cant atleast make this game respectable, and keep it somewhat close late into the 3rd.

Our entire defense produced 8 sacks last year.........freaking 8, call me a realist, but Michigan>NC A&T.

Also, don't forget about the Tyson Fernandez transition project - I don't recall exactly, but I think the UGA game was only his 2nd at NT.

I personally think he will be a beast this year at NT and with Small and Burns behind him we should be able to get good rotations, assuming they stay healthy.

Gurley didn't exactly run all over us or break any long runs. We'll be competitive. I'm more concerned about our o-line holding up in these games.

one of the main reasons we only had 8 sacks was we played a lot of teams that just didn't throw the ball much, GS, Wofford, Citadel. I believe GS threw less than 5 passes the entire game. Infact, most of the teams we played preferred the run to the pass, probably Chatt, Elon, and Georgia were the only teams that preferred the pass to the run. Not saying we were good at pass rush, but its misleading to say that we sucked because we only had 8 sacks.

ASUPATCH wrote:This is the 2nd thread implying we have a chance to beat Michigan in the trenches, specifically our Dline against their Oline. Our Dline is probably the weak point of our team, we got no push up front against FCS teams and little to no pass rush all season long. Not sure how this could ever be a good thing for us. Is it nice they graduated 2 and one started is suspended, of course, but at the same time they are still 2-3 inches taller and 10-20 lbs heavier at every position. If we want any shot at all we will have to create turnovers and make big plays in the passing game. We have ZERO shot at winning in the trenches.

Patch, it's the offseason man. The offseason is filled with dreams of undefeated seasons and delicious tailgates. Let us have this dream for as long as possible!

ASUPATCH wrote:

moehler wrote:disagree, this is the same line that went up against one of the best OL in the SEC last year, Georgia, a line much, much better than anything we will see in Michigan this year, and for 2 1/2 quarters we held our own against them, only reason we finally starting giving up yds late in the third was our starters were exhausted, and we didn't have the depth to sub for them. This year we should have alittle more depth, players, from what I hear, should be in better shape with the new conditioning coach now running the offseason workouts, and some players who were new to their positions last year, ie: our nosetackle (cant remember his name) should feel much more comfortable this year. Not saying we are going to dominate, yes they will move the ball, but, as you seem to be implying, they aren't going to consistently knock our guys 3 and 4 yds off the ball, and the running back have huge holes to run thru, they aren't going to put up 500 plus yds of offense and score at will on us, this Michigan team is going to have a tough time scoring this year, the talent, on the offensive side, just isn't what it normally would be, call be an optimist, but see no reason we cant atleast make this game respectable, and keep it somewhat close late into the 3rd.

Our entire defense produced 8 sacks last year.........freaking 8, call me a realist, but Michigan>NC A&T.

Woody didn't call many blitzes if any. I don't think that low number was a reflection of our personnel.

You might want to reconsider that statement considering these are the guys stepping up to fill those spots. It's not like they have been recruiting a bunch of slugs.

Blake Bars: Selected to Tennessee all-state first team. Invited to four postseason bowl games: the 2012 International Bowl, Tennessee East - West All-Star Game, Offense/Defense All-American Bowl and the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Kyle Bosch: First team all-state honors in both his junior and senior seasons

Ben Braden: AP Michigan all-state first team as a senior ... Named to the Detroit Free Press Dream and Detroit News Blue Chip List as a senior.

Juwann Bushell-Beatty: Participated in the 2014 Under Armour All-America Game.

Joey Burzynski: Conference lineman of the Year as a senior ... Scholar-Athlete of the Year as a senior. All-Palomar League selection as a senior. Played in the San Diego County All-Star Game.

Mason Cole: Participated in the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Named to the USA TODAY Sports Preseason High School All-America Team prior to senior season. First-team all-state as a junior.

David Dawson: Participated in the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game ... was named to the U.S. Under-19 National Team ... selected to the Detroit News Blue Chip List as a senior ... rated a four-star prospect, the No. 9 offensive guard, the No. 5 recruit in Michigan and the 165th overall recruit by Rivals.com ... listed as a four-star prospect and the No. 7 offensive guard nationally by Scout.com ... rated a four-star recruit, the No. 2 offensive guard in the country, the No. 2 prospect in Michigan and the 91st overall prospect by ESPN.com.

Kyle Kalis: Named to the U.S. Army All-American game as a senior. Named to the 2012 Parade Magazine All-American team as a senior. Finalist for the U.S. Army Player of the Year as a senior.

Patrick Kugler: Participated in the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game. Selected to the Pennsylvania Sportswriters Class AAAA all-state team twice.

Erik Magnuson: Named to the U.S. Army All-American game as a senior. Two-time all-state, and all-county.

Jack Miller: Division I All-State first team as a senior. District Lineman of the Year as senior.

sixtoes9134 wrote:Also, don't forget about the Tyson Fernandez transition project - I don't recall exactly, but I think the UGA game was only his 2nd at NT.

I personally think he will be a beast this year at NT and with Small and Burns behind him we should be able to get good rotations, assuming they stay healthy.

I agree we have the "potential" to be good on DL, I just prefer to take the "let me see it on the field before I get too exited" approach.

Gonzo wrote:

ASUPATCH wrote:

moehler wrote:disagree, this is the same line that went up against one of the best OL in the SEC last year, Georgia, a line much, much better than anything we will see in Michigan this year, and for 2 1/2 quarters we held our own against them, only reason we finally starting giving up yds late in the third was our starters were exhausted, and we didn't have the depth to sub for them. This year we should have alittle more depth, players, from what I hear, should be in better shape with the new conditioning coach now running the offseason workouts, and some players who were new to their positions last year, ie: our nosetackle (cant remember his name) should feel much more comfortable this year. Not saying we are going to dominate, yes they will move the ball, but, as you seem to be implying, they aren't going to consistently knock our guys 3 and 4 yds off the ball, and the running back have huge holes to run thru, they aren't going to put up 500 plus yds of offense and score at will on us, this Michigan team is going to have a tough time scoring this year, the talent, on the offensive side, just isn't what it normally would be, call be an optimist, but see no reason we cant atleast make this game respectable, and keep it somewhat close late into the 3rd.

Our entire defense produced 8 sacks last year.........freaking 8, call me a realist, but Michigan>NC A&T.

Woody didn't call many blitzes if any. I don't think that low number was a reflection of our personnel.

I'm with you on a lack of blitzes not being great and yes we played a few triple option teams, but DE's have to beat OT's without having to blitz constantly. If you are blitzing constantly it is because you don't have the personnel to win one on one matchups. Fact is not only did we not produce sacks we rarely got pressure.

ASUPATCH wrote:

Gonzo wrote:

ASUPATCH wrote:

moehler wrote:disagree, this is the same line that went up against one of the best OL in the SEC last year, Georgia, a line much, much better than anything we will see in Michigan this year, and for 2 1/2 quarters we held our own against them, only reason we finally starting giving up yds late in the third was our starters were exhausted, and we didn't have the depth to sub for them. This year we should have alittle more depth, players, from what I hear, should be in better shape with the new conditioning coach now running the offseason workouts, and some players who were new to their positions last year, ie: our nosetackle (cant remember his name) should feel much more comfortable this year. Not saying we are going to dominate, yes they will move the ball, but, as you seem to be implying, they aren't going to consistently knock our guys 3 and 4 yds off the ball, and the running back have huge holes to run thru, they aren't going to put up 500 plus yds of offense and score at will on us, this Michigan team is going to have a tough time scoring this year, the talent, on the offensive side, just isn't what it normally would be, call be an optimist, but see no reason we cant atleast make this game respectable, and keep it somewhat close late into the 3rd.

Our entire defense produced 8 sacks last year.........freaking 8, call me a realist, but Michigan>NC A&T.

Woody didn't call many blitzes if any. I don't think that low number was a reflection of our personnel.

I'm with you on a lack of blitzes not being great and yes we played a few triple option teams, but DE's have to beat OT's without having to blitz constantly. If you are blitzing constantly it is because you don't have the personnel to win one on one matchups. Fact is not only did we not produce sacks we rarely got pressure.

"Fact is not only did we not produce sacks we rarely got pressure."
That is true. Hope to see improvement in that area this year.

ASUPATCH wrote:

Gonzo wrote:

ASUPATCH wrote:

moehler wrote:disagree, this is the same line that went up against one of the best OL in the SEC last year, Georgia, a line much, much better than anything we will see in Michigan this year, and for 2 1/2 quarters we held our own against them, only reason we finally starting giving up yds late in the third was our starters were exhausted, and we didn't have the depth to sub for them. This year we should have alittle more depth, players, from what I hear, should be in better shape with the new conditioning coach now running the offseason workouts, and some players who were new to their positions last year, ie: our nosetackle (cant remember his name) should feel much more comfortable this year. Not saying we are going to dominate, yes they will move the ball, but, as you seem to be implying, they aren't going to consistently knock our guys 3 and 4 yds off the ball, and the running back have huge holes to run thru, they aren't going to put up 500 plus yds of offense and score at will on us, this Michigan team is going to have a tough time scoring this year, the talent, on the offensive side, just isn't what it normally would be, call be an optimist, but see no reason we cant atleast make this game respectable, and keep it somewhat close late into the 3rd.

Our entire defense produced 8 sacks last year.........freaking 8, call me a realist, but Michigan>NC A&T.

Woody didn't call many blitzes if any. I don't think that low number was a reflection of our personnel.

I'm with you on a lack of blitzes not being great and yes we played a few triple option teams, but DE's have to beat OT's without having to blitz constantly. If you are blitzing constantly it is because you don't have the personnel to win one on one matchups. Fact is not only did we not produce sacks we rarely got pressure.

I'm not really in agreement with your statement only because we are now a 3-4 --- that's 3 DL taking on 5 OL and possibly the TE and possibly a RB --- in theory it would be great to be able to pressure the QB consistently with a 3-man rush but I just don't think that is something that is going to happen very often ---

look, we can sit here all day and argue, Im not in the camp that Michigan is going to beat the hell out of us, especially on the Dline, I have read nothing that convinces me Michigan is going be better than a top 30 team, infact I saw the other day a publication that had them the 5th best team in the Big Ten. Now, I don't believe we will win the game, but I also don't have this doom and gloom that we are going to be embarrassed, this will be a competitive game into the 4th.

Having Blair back should help our pass rush. I believe most of our sacks came before he went down with injury/suspension. add him back, plus at least 1 of our freshman (Harkness?) and Fernandez collapsing the middle, i think our pass rush from the DL will improve and free up the LBS

WVAPPeer wrote:

ASUPATCH wrote:

Gonzo wrote:

ASUPATCH wrote:

moehler wrote:disagree, this is the same line that went up against one of the best OL in the SEC last year, Georgia, a line much, much better than anything we will see in Michigan this year, and for 2 1/2 quarters we held our own against them, only reason we finally starting giving up yds late in the third was our starters were exhausted, and we didn't have the depth to sub for them. This year we should have alittle more depth, players, from what I hear, should be in better shape with the new conditioning coach now running the offseason workouts, and some players who were new to their positions last year, ie: our nosetackle (cant remember his name) should feel much more comfortable this year. Not saying we are going to dominate, yes they will move the ball, but, as you seem to be implying, they aren't going to consistently knock our guys 3 and 4 yds off the ball, and the running back have huge holes to run thru, they aren't going to put up 500 plus yds of offense and score at will on us, this Michigan team is going to have a tough time scoring this year, the talent, on the offensive side, just isn't what it normally would be, call be an optimist, but see no reason we cant atleast make this game respectable, and keep it somewhat close late into the 3rd.

Our entire defense produced 8 sacks last year.........freaking 8, call me a realist, but Michigan>NC A&T.

Woody didn't call many blitzes if any. I don't think that low number was a reflection of our personnel.

I'm with you on a lack of blitzes not being great and yes we played a few triple option teams, but DE's have to beat OT's without having to blitz constantly. If you are blitzing constantly it is because you don't have the personnel to win one on one matchups. Fact is not only did we not produce sacks we rarely got pressure.

I'm not really in agreement with your statement only because we are now a 3-4 --- that's 3 DL taking on 5 OL and possibly the TE and possibly a RB --- in theory it would be great to be able to pressure the QB consistently with a 3-man rush but I just don't think that is something that is going to happen very often ---

In a 3-4 you also have 2 OLBS that are almost always green in sure passing downs. So it is really 5 on 5 when a pass rush matters.