Game Week Thread Week 2, 2024: Texas at Michigan

[Codaxx 6268]

4 minutes ago, D3zii said:

It’s a lot of rat poison out there!!! 
 

I hope Sark has the boys heads right!!!

This isn’t that type of game. This will be the national game. Texas gets up for these types of games. I might worry about coming out flat vs someone like Kentucky. Not to mention Sark has been prepping for this game for months. Players have been prepping for months, even if the coaches didn’t tell them. 

[Bob Lives! 953]

Can someone give us the locations of gameday and big noon kick off in Ann Arbor this weekend?

[immamac 44387]

6 minutes ago, Bob Lives! said:

Can someone give us the locations of gameday and big noon kick off in Ann Arbor this weekend?

Big noon will be in the pioneer field. 

College Gameday will be at ferry field next to the surly horns tailgate. 

[7KHorn 2744]

5 hours ago, jdhorn92 said:

Earnest Shazor tipped it iirc

 

I don't remember it being tipped but it wobbled like it for sure.  Here are a few pics, I seem to remember another pic with view behind Mangum that shows ball going cleanly between defenders arms.  I remember my Michigan buddy emailed me one of those pics a few days after the game and I didn't believe it at first.

[NYCHORN2013 171]

9 hours ago, closetojumping said:

I'm reading and hearing a lot of thinking around the notion that Michigan "held a lot back" against Fresno.

I can follow that from the defensive perspective and agree. Fine. I also know that Martindale is going to blitz ridiculous amount of time and he's very likely to do it a bunch with Barham, the Maryland LB transfer. They think he's a great blitzer, so that is a Martindale wet dream. Ewers' numbers when blitzed drop off historically, so that adds to that interest. I expect to see plenty of mugged fronts and weird looks before a few drop back and 1 or 2 come from different places until Ewers handles it. Not incredibly bold to think that.

Now, on offense, I'm interested in understanding what in the fuck they were holding back. They tried shit with Orji, they were breaking in new players everywhere (including a new QB), they barely led 13-3 after 3 quarters. They weren't holding back a fucking thing. That was an offense trying to figure out how to play together and also get a win. 

I'm assuming this will be a close game, but I'm also not sure how Michigan is going to score barring short fields via turnover. They're slow at WR, they're inexperienced at QB and OL, they have a big name back that looks pedestrian, and then you have the star TE that isn't a secret. They're going to sustain a bunch of drives because Texas lacks Sweat and Murphy? Okay.

Just caught up on this thread, and have been thinking this the whole time. This isn't some high flying offensive team with a wild playbook that they're sitting on. Their complete offense is pretty vanilla, what are we expecting them to unleash?

[Doc Daneeka 6793]

1 hour ago, BachelorTrek said:

I didn't say it did. I was providing historical context on these Meatchicken chokers in big games at home.

Also, they are still part of the BIG SLOW TEN.

It’s not historical context for anyone who will be playing on Saturday. 

[linux 1787]

1 hour ago, Codaxx said:

This isn’t that type of game. This will be the national game. Texas gets up for these types of games. I might worry about coming out flat vs someone like Kentucky. Not to mention Sark has been prepping for this game for months. Players have been prepping for months, even if the coaches didn’t tell them. 

Yeah ultimately there are some mental hurdles the team has to get used to, it has to get used to being the top dog, and not falling for the rat poison.

But Michigan is not that. They are the defending champs and that is good enough to keep them mentally focused.

[6th Street 6692]

Michigan will bring their A game in front of that crowd. Show up like we did at UH last year and we will get smoked. 

[BachelorTrek 3322]

1 hour ago, Doc Daneeka said:

It’s not historical context for anyone who will be playing on Saturday. 

Nice non-sequitur there, "doc."

[Zeus 6864]

Local pizza joint getting in on the fun

[Hookem2147 22040]

1 hour ago, 6th Street said:

Michigan will bring their A game in front of that crowd. Show up like we did at UH last year and we will get smoked. 

Crap, good point. Didn't even think about the possibility of a team with a 23-game home winning streak playing well on Saturday. Definitely changes the calculus.

[hook me 2166]

2 hours ago, 7KHorn said:

I don't remember it being tipped but it wobbled like it for sure.  Here are a few pics, I seem to remember another pic with view behind Mangum that shows ball going cleanly between defenders arms.  I remember my Michigan buddy emailed me one of those pics a few days after the game and I didn't believe it at first.

I’ll never understand how this kick wasn’t blocked. I remember watching it and yelling “no” because I thought it had been blocked and was going to land somewhere near the goal line. I was shocked when it went through.

[Rhinotx 506]

2 hours ago, 7KHorn said:

I don't remember it being tipped but it wobbled like it for sure.  Here are a few pics, I seem to remember another pic with view behind Mangum that shows ball going cleanly between defenders arms.  I remember my Michigan buddy emailed me one of those pics a few days after the game and I didn't believe it at first.

Brown told the senior "You're the luckiest human being in the world because your last kick at Texas will win the Rose Bowl." 

[Hank_Hill 20060]

30 minutes ago, Hookem2147 said:

Crap, good point. Didn't even think about the possibility of a team with a 23-game home winning streak playing well on Saturday. Definitely changes the calculus.

No way Sark and the team are mentally preparing for the biggest stadium in CFB against a top 10 opponent differently than fucking Cougar High. Zero

[Pods 7637]

Saw the same things y'all did. QB was bad, but Loveland is a potential problem. 

Not a lot of opportunities for defensive guys to put up tape against 6'-5" high round prospect tight ends. You want the scouts attention? Go shut that motherfucker down. Not even for the whole game, just consistently fuck up his game and keep him from being a reliable safety blanket. That tape is going to get played over and over by scouts. 

They'll have help. Calling Michigan's QBs inaccurate would be a compliment. There will be lots of opportunities for contested balls and highlight plays. One way, or the other.  

Our D will be ready. 

 

[Voluminous Banality 1162]

5 hours ago, NYCHORN2013 said:

Just caught up on this thread, and have been thinking this the whole time. This isn't some high flying offensive team with a wild playbook that they're sitting on. Their complete offense is pretty vanilla, what are we expecting them to unleash?

 

[Funk Doctor Spock 13289]

Michigan's QBs are so bad they're throwing balls into the ground on a consistent basis. Orji and Davis are awful this year. There WR's are slow as molasses. Their TE is their biggest weapon and I highly, highly doubt he scores more than once. Their RB's are the definition of meh to mid. I have no idea how Edwards made the cover of NCAA 25. Their offense is just bad. Pretty much shut down the run and you're good. Sark will have a game plan that he's probably been working on for 9 months. This game has been circled. It's not like our players haven't been to a loud stadium before in a hostile environment. It's fine. These dudes will be prepared. Bama had more 1st-2nd round players drafted last year and we won by double digits over the greatest coach in modern history in their house. 

[Doc Daneeka 6793]

6 hours ago, BachelorTrek said:

Nice non-sequitur there, "doc."

This from the guy who thinks a game from 1991 has anything to do with how teams will compete in 2024? Might as well have a Michigan guy talking about Texas running the Wishbone. 

[Bodacious Bevo 3691]

9 hours ago, NYCHORN2013 said:

Just caught up on this thread, and have been thinking this the whole time. This isn't some high flying offensive team with a wild playbook that they're sitting on. Their complete offense is pretty vanilla, what are we expecting them to unleash?

CJ Vogel had a nice stat on one of the OTF live streams - Michigan ran play action on 3 of Davis Warren's 26 drop back. There are ways to sandbag a vanilla offense. 

[Longboard Horn 41369]

After seeing us fuck up CSU and Bitchagain struggle against Fresno State I wouldn't be surprised if we beat them by 2 touchdowns

[closetojumping 65467]

7 hours ago, Rhinotx said:

Brown told the senior "You're the luckiest human being in the world because your last kick at Texas will win the Rose Bowl." 

One thing Mack Brown was as good as any head coach, ever, was empathizing with a kicker with the game on the line. I’m sure one was missed at some point, but I don’t remember it. I can recall numerous game winning FGs during his tenure, though. It was crazy. Dude is a Kicker Whisperer. 

14 minutes ago, Bodacious Bevo said:

CJ Vogel had a nice stat on one of the OTF live streams - Michigan ran play action on 3 of Davis Warren's 26 drop back. There are ways to sandbag a vanilla offense. 

Sure, and sometimes stat dorks reach to torture data that isn’t anything but noise. Warren didn’t sell anything on the play fakes and they looked like shit. That offense wasn’t hiding a fucking thing other than maybe really showing us how bad the QBs really are. 

I remember writing a “Greg Davis Is Sandbagging the Offense” post on Hornfans after a few games and before Oklahoma. I had stats and formations and hints of things that could be coming. It went like 15 pages long in hopeful and interesting football dialogue amongst posters. Then Texas went out and got buttfucked in public by OU in another Mack Brown blowout. 

There is no sandbagging a bad offense.  The offense is gasping for air, even against mediocre teams, and needs any momentum it can find. The only honest thing that came out of the notion of Greg Davis sandbagging the offense was that he became a meme for the premise in our realm, and the term rightfully became one of derision. 

[Juicy 729]

9 hours ago, NYCHORN2013 said:

Just caught up on this thread, and have been thinking this the whole time. This isn't some high flying offensive team with a wild playbook that they're sitting on. Their complete offense is pretty vanilla, what are we expecting them to unleash?

While Michigan isn't "high flying" by any means, they do have a pretty complex run game, showing different looks out of the same formation, double motion, 3 tackles, duo vs power, they have a pretty decent mix that they can show a look that has been on film and then run something completely different out of it. It was how Edwards broke his two long runs in the NCG, Wash thought they were running X and instead Michigan ran Z and Donovan had 70 yards of clear space. 

My thought on what they were holding back was that they put on tape that Orji will throw the ball, but that he was only playing about 7% of snaps. I expect Orji to be the QB significantly more than that this week, and I wouldn't be shocked if Orji played 80% of the snaps with a series or 2 for Warren III to give the D a different look. 

Who knows, we will see on Saturday.  The most points scored last year against Michigan was 24, by Ohio State, they held Washington to 13, I don't think there is a path for Texas to score 40+ like many are projecting, but if Texas turns it into a track meet its the quickest way to a Michigan loss. 

Time of Possession, Less Turnovers, Less Penalties, that is the path for Michigan to win. 

Side note. I know there are a lot of fans who believe the refs are out to get Texas, be prepared to be enraged on Saturday, because in general Michigan doesn't get penalized much. 

 

I am still high off the Natty, while I would love for a repeat of that and a great run this year, losing JJ, Blake, Harbaugh is a blow. This season feels like house money. Before last year I would have been losing my mind in a one score game against Fresno State early in the year (Bowling Green last year. 13-6 in the 3rd quarter with 3 JJ picks) Saturday night I didn't feel stressed at all. Just got to enjoy the game. It was crazy, maybe I am just old. 

I would love Saturday to be an all time classic like the Rose Bowl, preferably with a different result, if it comes down to a last second FG again that's a win in my book. (Block it though this time)

[dcar00 14980]

4 minutes ago, Juicy said:

While Michigan isn't "high flying" by any means, they do have a pretty complex run game, showing different looks out of the same formation, double motion, 3 tackles, duo vs power, they have a pretty decent mix that they can show a look that has been on film and then run something completely different out of it. It was how Edwards broke his two long runs in the NCG, Wash thought they were running X and instead Michigan ran Z and Donovan had 70 yards of clear space. 

My thought on what they were holding back was that they put on tape that Orji will throw the ball, but that he was only playing about 7% of snaps. I expect Orji to be the QB significantly more than that this week, and I wouldn't be shocked if Orji played 80% of the snaps with a series or 2 for Warren III to give the D a different look. 

Who knows, we will see on Saturday.  The most points scored last year against Michigan was 24, by Ohio State, they held Washington to 13, I don't think there is a path for Texas to score 40+ like many are projecting, but if Texas turns it into a track meet its the quickest way to a Michigan loss. 

Time of Possession, Less Turnovers, Less Penalties, that is the path for Michigan to win. 

Side note. I know there are a lot of fans who believe the refs are out to get Texas, be prepared to be enraged on Saturday, because in general Michigan doesn't get penalized much. 

 

I am still high off the Natty, while I would love for a repeat of that and a great run this year, losing JJ, Blake, Harbaugh is a blow. This season feels like house money. Before last year I would have been losing my mind in a one score game against Fresno State early in the year (Bowling Green last year. 13-6 in the 3rd quarter with 3 JJ picks) Saturday night I didn't feel stressed at all. Just got to enjoy the game. It was crazy, maybe I am just old. 

I would love Saturday to be an all time classic like the Rose Bowl, preferably with a different result, if it comes down to a last second FG again that's a win in my book. (Block it though this time)

fewer...

[HtownHorn 15235]

13 hours ago, Doc Daneeka said:

Forgive me if I don’t think a 1991 game will mean fuck all on Saturday. No one playing was even born. 

Well, considering Michigan is slower than shit except for 1 CB, and we have elite skill position players all over the field, the comparison is apt.

[Codaxx 6268]

8 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

Well, considering Michigan is slower than shit except for 1 CB, and we have elite skill position players all over the field, the comparison is apt.

The more I watch Edwards, the less a like him. I think he runs with blinders on and Scipio (I believe) said he is a head case. Apparently, if things dont start well he has been known to sulk on the bench. That said the guy is far from slow. He can make you pay, when they open up holes for him (if he finds them). Michigan can lull you to sleep and all of sudden Edwards pops off a big one. 

[ClubWhatever 12318]

I saw plenty of speed against Fresno State.  The idea that they are slow is wishful thinking.  But this game will be won/lost in the trenches not on the edges.  We have to stop their running game and protect Ewers.  If we don't we will lose.

[Longboard Horn 41369]

 

[LTtxfan 50012]

Matchup of michigan secondary vs Texas WR/TE is gonna be fun to watch. 

Quinn and Texas offense/specialteams have to protect the ball -- need to avoid turnovers.

[Frank Drebin 5840]

Be at least neutral on special teams and no worse than -2 turnovers, and we win.  We really should be positive on turnovers and own special teams.

I don't think the game will be close in the 4th quarter.

[Fud 9724]

11 hours ago, NYCHORN2013 said:

Just caught up on this thread, and have been thinking this the whole time. This isn't some high flying offensive team with a wild playbook that they're sitting on. Their complete offense is pretty vanilla, what are we expecting them to unleash?

Different looks in a creative run game 

[Red Five 41758]

Blue, Wisner, and our WRs are all going to look so much faster than their Michigan counterparts. 

[South Austin 53232]

Not to dampen any confidence around here, but if the game day weather trends more toward rain, would that be of some help to Michigan? 

[Texasborn91 1103]

I just don’t see Michigan being able to stay in this game with such shit Qb play. We would have to bring our B- for them to make this a game. That’s not fandom that’s just facts. 
I think if Texas gets to 24 that will be plenty. 

[Texasborn91 1103]

3 minutes ago, South Austin said:

Not to dampen any confidence around here, but if the game day weather trends more toward rain, would that be of some help to Michigan? 

Think the rain is Friday, Saturday will be football weather that we don’t usually get til November. Texas will have a little more pep in their step playing in the AC. 

[Deej 77854]

12 hours ago, immamac said:

College Gameday will be at ferry field next to the surly horns tailgate. 

Dear god...

[coachherman'sgrill 2651]

On 9/1/2024 at 8:28 AM, Wulaw Horn said:

This is what college football should be all about. 2 blue bloods squaring off in front of 100,000 people with gameday in town and the eyes of the college football nation upon our horns. 
this squad, I believe, is really freaking good. We are going to take it to a 1 dimensional Michigan team. 
Texas is going to win and it’s going to be like Ohio State in 2005 and be the platform to launch us into a pretty special season. 
game week thoughts and articles and commentary goes here. 

The Eyes of Texas are mutha fucking upon you, Michigan. I'm pumped. You're pumped. We are all pumped! Mudhole will be stomped on many a maize and blue players around 12:30 PM (CST), Saturday, September 7th.

[BurntOrange&White 41943]

16 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

So, most of my typical game-watching pals are actually going TO the game.  I will not (been out of town for 5 weekends in a row, so wasn't going to make another one happen).  Any of y'all gonna watch somewhere in central to NW Austin area (I'm in NW Austin).  Would be happy to connect with a Surly game-watching crew.

Drive to San Antonio and we can get real tacos and watch the Horns

Edited September 4 by BurntOrange&White

[Brisketexan 106952]

2 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

Drive to San Antonio and we can get real tacos and watch the Horns

@Bozo_Casanova and I are discussing getting together to watch at either the Posse or Dirty's.  Because football, beer, and health food.

[Brandywine 1330]

12 hours ago, 7KHorn said:

I don't remember it being tipped but it wobbled like it for sure.  Here are a few pics, I seem to remember another pic with view behind Mangum that shows ball going cleanly between defenders arms.  I remember my Michigan buddy emailed me one of those pics a few days after the game and I didn't believe it at first.

We were at that game. What a fun time. It was cold. 

[Bozo_Casanova 26874]

Goddamn this is so much better as a day game. 

[Brandywine 1330]

1 minute ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

Goddamn this is so much better as a day game. 

I like 11am games. 

[BurntOrange&White 41943]

16 hours ago, HtownHorn said:

our comparison is we are 2022 Alabama, and Michigan is 2022 Texas? Michigan doesn't have a fucking QB as good as Hudson Card.

Not every roster has an Aaron Rodgers clone.

[Dahobbs 18337]

24 minutes ago, Texasborn91 said:

I just don’t see Michigan being able to stay in this game with such shit Qb play. We would have to bring our B- for them to make this a game. That’s not fandom that’s just facts. 
I think if Texas gets to 24 that will be plenty. 

It is possible that Michigan just had a game like we did against Wyoming last year. Similar level of opponent (good lower level team capable of beating p4 teams). You'd think Ewers was terrible based upon just that game. The difference is that we had plenty of other game tape on him to prove he could play at a high level. Now, I think it is more likely that Michigan is going to struggle offensively this year. But I don't think it is necessarily a safe assumption that Michigan's QB play will be anywhere near that bad on Saturday. 

[crash_davis 23470]

12 hours ago, 7KHorn said:

I don't remember it being tipped but it wobbled like it for sure.  Here are a few pics, I seem to remember another pic with view behind Mangum that shows ball going cleanly between defenders arms.  I remember my Michigan buddy emailed me one of those pics a few days after the game and I didn't believe it at first.

That kick was definitely blocked and barely limped over the cross bar.

What people forget is the play before where we ran the ball. If I remember correctly, Benson was caught behind the line but basically carried 2 dudes for a 2 yard (it might have been 1 yard) gain. One play later, those 2 yards made all the difference in the world.

[BurntOrange&White 41943]

9 hours ago, Hank_Hill said:

No way Sark and the team are mentally preparing for the biggest stadium in CFB against a top 10 opponent differently than fucking Cougar High. Zero

The sound those temporary bleachers and scaffolding makes scares you to death.

[BurntOrange&White 41943]

1 hour ago, Codaxx said:

The more I watch Edwards, the less a like him. I think he runs with blinders on and Scipio (I believe) said he is a head case. Apparently, if things dont start well he has been known to sulk on the bench. That said the guy is far from slow. He can make you pay, when they open up holes for him (if he finds them). Michigan can lull you to sleep and all of sudden Edwards pops off a big one. 

Edwards is a good #2 back/change of pace back. He's not an every down grind it out type of back...like you said he's a hit the hole and make you pay homerun back.

Edited September 4 by BurntOrange&White

[Hank Kingsley 21798]

10 minutes ago, Dahobbs said:

It is possible that Michigan just had a game like we did against Wyoming last year. Similar level of opponent (good lower level team capable of beating p4 teams). You'd think Ewers was terrible based upon just that game. The difference is that we had plenty of other game tape on him to prove he could play at a high level. Now, I think it is more likely that Michigan is going to struggle offensively this year. But I don't think it is necessarily a safe assumption that Michigan's QB play will be anywhere near that bad on Saturday. 

Obviously anything can happen, but they are starting a former walk-on because Orji didn't improve enough in the offseason. Their QB situation this year, particularly for a defending national champion in the portal era - is a disaster. 

 

[BurntOrange&White 41943]

35 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

@Bozo_Casanova and I are discussing getting together to watch at either the Posse or Dirty's.  Because football, beer, and health food.

 

 

[Codaxx 6268]

1 minute ago, BurntOrange&White said:

Edwards is a good #2 back/change of pace back. He's not an every down grind it out type of back...like you said he's a hit the hole and make you pay homerun back.

He is going to be a guy that does well at the combine. He is a guy that you watch and just think this guy should be way better. Maybe one day he puts it together and hits his physical ceiling. Hope it isnt this week

 

Strengths:

• Big-play speed

• Receiving playmaker 

• Manufactured touches 

• NFL size and build

Concerns:

• Inconsistent vision

• Pass protection 

• Open-field elusiveness 

 

https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2024/06/13/donovan-edwards-scouting-report-nfl-draft#google_vignette

[Sgt Hulk 14467]

My biggest concern is we have a tendency to make shitty quarterbacks look like Heisman Trophy candidates