Enemy Coming in Peace to talk Michigan and Mountaineer Game

[SKWDCOP]

Hi All,

I come in peace to discuss the upcoming game. I write for a blog on Sports Illustrated's Fansided website Go Blue Michigan Wolverine(http://www.gbmwolverine.com). I am also reside in Elizabeth City, NC after I retired from the Navy. I would love to talk the game, poetntial upsetpalooza 2, answer to the best of my ability any questions you have about the Wolverine 2014 squad, etc. I wrote a recent App State article (warning I do poke fun at you guys, but also us) if you want to check it out.

http://gbmwolverine.com/2014/08/06/mich ... rs-862014/

So what do you think about the game and the Mountaineer chances? Thanks.

Steve AKA SKWDCOP (Squid Cop = Navy Military Police Retired)
@SqdScoops

[GoApps70]

I believe Michigan has a chance against us.

[ASUPATCH]

We haven't beat an FBS opponent since 2007........we are DUE!!!!!

[moehler]

I think this game has a chance to be close at half, but because of Michigan's superior depth, they gradually pull away in the second half. I look at the Georgia game last year, we were only down 13-6 at half, and by all accounts by fans at the game, our starters were just as good as Georgias in the first half, we just ran out of bodies in the second half and Georgia poured in on the the 4th to make the score appear to be a blowout, when actually, the score was only 16-6 mid third. In my opinion, last years season was a perfect storm, entirely new coaching staff, alot of our top talent redshirted in getting ready for the move to FBS, and alot of injuries, including our QB. What was encouraging, was we were 3-1 in the last 4 games, with the only loss to Georgia, played much, much better as the season progressed. Concerns we have for the season, are quality of depth at most positions, lack of experience at certain positions such as WR, we have alot of talent, as much as anyone in the Sunbelt, we just have to go thru some serious growing pains before we are ready to compete for the Sunbelt conference championship. Now, question for you, I have done alot of reading about this Michigan team, and to be honest, this doesn't appear atleast on paper, to be up to the normal standards of the Michigan program, alot of question marks, about the OL, wide receiver, QB, and running backs. It appears your defense should be fine, but unless something unexpected happens, you guys are really going to struggle on offense, especially when you get to the quality teams, such as OS, Michigan ST. Be honest, in your opinion, is that a fair assessment?

[DaphneUrquhart]

Welcome to the conversation. It seems we're both coming off disappointing seasons last year with as many questions as answers for this year. From what I've read it sounds like y'all are having season ticket purchases much lower than normal, though the arguments over whether that's because UM has priced the average fan out of the market or because UM fans want more wins are unsettled. I believe ours are down, too. Our lower season ticket sales are more likely from the disappointing season last year, although I'm certain some have voted with their wallets over the SunBelt move.

App returns the most experienced O-line in the nation. Will that experience translate into serious offensive production? Will those with experience be beaten out by redshirt freshmen or true freshmen? We'll find out on the 30th.

Our quarterback situation seems stronger this year than last with a decided #1 being pushed by two others. We've got a true sophomore (Marcus Cox) and redshirt freshman (Terrence Upshaw) at RB who should enable us to run some two back sets we haven't seen in a long time.

We graduated some mighty fine WR's last year. This year's crop should be fairly solid once the season gets rolling, but I'm not sure that will show in Ann Arbor.

I wouldn't say we have any individual stars like we had in Armanti Edwards in 2007. From my perspective there is more solidarity on the team and with the coaches than we've had in quite some time though. Hopefully, that teamwork will mean something in the Big House.

We're looking forward to the return trip to Ann Arbor. I must say that the 2007 UM fans were some of the classiest fans as a group that I've encountered. Of course, we'd love to come away with the win again, too.

Again, welcome to the MMB. Thanks for stopping by.

[SKWDCOP]

Michigan team, and to be honest, this doesn't appear atleast on paper, to be up to the normal standards of the Michigan program, alot of question marks, about the OL, wide receiver, QB, and running backs. It appears your defense should be fine, but unless something unexpected happens, you guys are really going to struggle on offense, especially when you get to the quality teams, such as OS, Michigan ST. Be honest, in your opinion, is that a fair assessment

?

Moehler,

Well, I believe the fanbase as a whole is reeling from pretty much the loss to you guys on. The RR experiment did not do well, as publicized and I think more so because of his unwillingness to get a new D Staff - because the O was explosive for the most part. But then Brady and staff are now just getting the full compliment of their own players. But there are definitely a lot of questions. I do not think the talent at Michigan is low, but the cohesiveness was last year. That said the only team(s) to woodshed us last year was Sparty and Kansas in the Bowl (they lost 4 games buy 1 point), but we were playing a back-up in his first game. To be honest I like this year's team better than last years. On O-line we definitely are newer than new-car smell though there are several players with game experience, question is can they gel in time and will the staff pick and stick - least year the o-line was a carousel in constant shuffle and you cannot build continuity like that. It will be interesting to see if New OC Nussmeiers simplification helps. As for the rest of the O - despite Gardner's turn over propensities (because he tries to make things happen when they are not there) he still had more yards per game than any B1G QB including Braxtion Miller, but was also hamstring by the lineplay which allowed more TFLs and plays for a loss than most FBS schools. I am not overly concerned about the RBs there is a lot of talent there (5 and 4 star talent - and all bring for the most part different attrributes, and most are 210 and over). The same at WR we have funches at 6'4" and running in the 4.3 range, Darboh is also a huge a tenacious blocker and probably the best hands, at slot we have a frosh who is going to be a play maker Freddy Canteen and has impressed as an early enrollee, and he will split time with Norfleet who is open space is a jitterbug. The only question I havereceiving is at TE we lost Jake Butt our TE from last year to an ACL, he is back up and parcticeing (Injured 5 months ago) but won't be a go at the beginning so the question is with the DE Convert Heitzman be able to perform, or AJ Williams who is more like an OT be able too.

On defnse I have hated how passive we have been, playing not to lose vice to win. Talent is there also, and we have a lot of returning starters as well as a lot of depth (some unproven) accross the board. The DC Mattison shook the coaching staff up and now have focused on really being aggressive, if you watch our spring scrimmage (wasn't a game really) they played a lot of press coverage which makes me happy - in my opinion this is why Sparty is so successful they play press and bring the house all day long and most college QBs and supporting cast cannot handle it. I think the move of Jake Ryan to MLB is also a good thing, teams were taking the play away from him on the wing. I am sure you have or should have heard of incoming Jabrill Peppers he is being touted as the next Charles Woodson, I will wait to see him in action before I buy that but he will play, is hella athletic, will mostly be at nickel - and will be returning kicks and punst and he is beyond fast the NJ state record holder, came in at a muscled 205 pounds looking like a senior in college already - I think he will make marks on ST this year.

As for our conference - well the East is the Beast - going to be tuff no arguement especially when we play all of our rivals on the road ND, MSU, and OSU. I will be honest Sparty scares me more than the other two, trust me OSU fans were puckering when Brady went for two last year, not sure (and yes he has had success for two years straight) if the spread will hold up to pounding constantly for OSU but they are deep, Sparty's O is looking better than their D right now which may be a bad thing or a good thing for them - both will be hard to win no arguement.

[Rekdiver]

Good write up. We believe we will be better even though this is a transition year as we join the FBS. I also believe that the UM players are probably tired of hearing about a loss they had nothing to do with. Unfortunately for Big Blue fans that loss will never go away nor will a loss for us diminish that day. I was there in row 93 under the scoreboard, took a lot of crap from the UM fans sitting below us after the first UM TD. (most fans were quite classy afterwards...musta been the shock) After that UM highlight they wouldn't even look at us of course they were embarrassed to do so. I felt their pain. Soapbox aside, we really don't know what the product we put on the field will be. Year 2 with Coach Satterfield and still a very young team.

For what's its worth, I don't consider UM the enemy. I have a lot of respect for the school and the football program. It's just a game. My hope is the UM fans will show us a little respect this time regardless of the outcome.

[SKWDCOP]

Unfortunately for Big Blue fans that loss will never go away nor will a loss for us diminish that day.

Rekdiver,

No arguing with that. I think for the most part (there are trolls and idiots in every fanbase) you will find if you attend a game in A2 you will find most pleasant, in victor and loss. I have been to stadiums win or lose they are jerks. Yep you all should always be proud of that victory.

[SKWDCOP]

I believe Michigan has a chance against us.

I hope so, because as Rekdiver said...it does not matter the outcome that game happened. I also think that for M Fans to feel any vindication even if only slight UM will have to not only meet but beat the spread. Yes this team is capable of doing that look at last year we had six 40+ point games, one 63 point against Indiana and scored over 40 on Ohio State.

[SKWDCOP]

App returns the most experienced O-line in the nation. Will that experience translate into serious offensive production? Will those with experience be beaten out by redshirt freshmen or true freshmen? We'll find out on the 30th.

Daphne,

That experience of O is what scares me the most about App State, well that and the Behemoth NT you have. Do you think your QB has the same skill as 2007, it was last year and the limited video I saw he seemed tenative running the option and better passing. I also fear that RB sneaking out on wheel routes he's a terror in the open.

[App90]

At this point UM is a 34 point favorite, the interesting thing is in "07" UM was also a 34 point favorite. If ASU plays like they did in Georgia and it wont be as humid as it was in Athens then this could get interesting. SS has the knowledge to deal with pressure defenses. The problem with ASU is in these games, is which team shows up. Sort of like a Dr. Jeckle Mr Hype complex last year. Virgina Tech was a nightmare with ASU fumbling 3 times on their own 20 yard line, that one was over quick. Then you have the ECU games that were respectable. No matter what happens ASU gets a cold million dollars and will always have a win at "The Big House". Hope both teams come out uninjured and its a close game. Either way Ill take the 34 points all day long. .

[JTApps1]

I believe both teams are in similar situations when it comes to offense. Like others have said we have a few questions with 1 or 2 new starters on OL, and probably 4 Freshmen/RS Freshmen WR on the travel squad. I believe the OL will improve due to the changes, but how long it takes for them to come together is anyone's guess. The one area we differ is we aren't breaking in a new OC. To me that would be the biggest concern for UM. We had new coordinators on both sides of the ball last year, and it took a while for us to get through the adjustment period. For App to have any chance we will need UM to make mistakes on Offense, and we must capitalize on those mistakes early.

On defense we are in pretty good shape minus some experience with our backups at LB and DB. Last year we made the switch to the 3-4, and there were a lot of growing pains with that transition. At one point we had as many as 6 freshmen starting, and we shuffled guys around quite a bit trying to find the best fit for them. Hopefully that will pay off this year as it seemed like we finally started to figure things out the last month of the season. Depth will be an issue since we have a lot of inexperience behind our starters so it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Wolverines pull away in the 2nd half.

One area a lot of us are excited about is our new S&C staff. There were times last year where we just looked out of shape, slow, and weak compared to the other teams. Last year we lost 3 games by 3 points and 1 by 7, and all of them were lost late in the game. Had we been in better shape I believe we win all 4. I'm not sure if all of this translates into a better record in 2014 since we have a much tougher schedule, but I do believe we will be a much improved team compared to last year.

I also want to say that our group was treated very well in 2007 both before and after the game. I hope everyone that heads up to Ann Arbor this year will have a similar experience this year.

[SKWDCOP]

Either way Ill take the 34 points all day long.

90,

Don't blame you, if I was a betting man I would too. the line I read was 35, so even 1 point higher. I think that is the case for both teams "who shows up for dinner". Either way a cool million also, is a nice take away. Heck I cannot remember what team it was a couple years ago, we had an unexpected vacancy and this team had already set a schedule, took a forfeit of the game they were supposed to play, and came and played us and got throttled but put a mil in the bank.

I saw you all had a thread on the Power5 things are simply going to get crazy, and amatuer athletics accross the board is going to suffer.

[APPARJ]

App returns the most experienced O-line in the nation. Will that experience translate into serious offensive production? Will those with experience be beaten out by redshirt freshmen or true freshmen? We'll find out on the 30th.

Daphne,

That experience of O is what scares me the most about App State, well that and the Behemoth NT you have. Do you think your QB has the same skill as 2007?]

There will never be another App State QB with the same skill as the one from 2007... that is not a slight to current players but a testament to Armanti's greatness.

[Saint3333]

We'll play more than 27 players that we did in 2007. Our QB isn't as mobile, but is as accurate, if not more so, on passes 15 yards and in. Our oline will not be as good as 2007 due to youth.

And the biggest gap positions from the 2007 team will be at WR and DB. We had four three year starters at DB in 2007 and a stable of experience at WR.

Michigan will not be as good on the oline and LB, they had some players at those positions in 2007.

If we stay within 7 of Michigan at the end of the 1st quarter I think we cover. I like the over in this one though if you're betting.

[SKWDCOP]

On defense we are in pretty good shape minus some experience with our backups at LB and DB. Last year we made the switch to the 3-4, and there were a lot of growing pains with that transition. At one point we had as many as 6 freshmen starting, and we shuffled guys around quite a bit trying to find the best fit for them.

JT,

The trenches is where I wonder if App State will capable of sustaining, it seems like you guys have gotten bigger from last year weight wise, and I know the NT is a monster. But was looking at the weights of your front seven on the D and on average they are giving up 50 pounds on average, and I can only imagine subs would be of same girth or smaller - Your O-line seems pretty well on size most bing in the 300 range and decent for subs - but heck most of our DEs are weight equivalent of App's DL - as I don't know are your guys super fast quick twitch players? I just am not sure App can win the war of weardown attrition.

[SKWDCOP]

We'll play more than 27 players that we did in 2007. Our QB isn't as mobile, but is as accurate, if not more so, on passes 15 yards and in. Our oline will not be as good as 2007 due to youth.

Saint,

From what I saw I definitely like him better as a passer than a runner - his 70% completion average last year is impressive.

[moonshine]

I'd say one of the biggest differences between the 2007 and 2014 App teams is experience. The 2007 team returned a ton of veterans outside of Quick and Bozzo and AE to a lesser extent. This also applies to the cohesiveness of the coaching staff. The Juniors and Seniors on that team had 30 games of experience from the previous 2 seasons before entering Ann Arbor.

The 2014 version has a lot of youth with some good experience, namely the OL, but nowhere even close to that of the 2007 team. Not to mention, UM was not accustomed to defending the spread back in '07 (See App and Oregon), whereas now they've gotten much more experience defending it over the past few years.

SKW...how would you go about minimizing Gardner's effectiveness? If you had to choose one, what weakness does the Wolverine D have that can be exploited?

[SKWDCOP]

This also applies to the cohesiveness of the coaching staff. Not to mention, UM was not accustomed to defending the spread back in '07 (See App and Oregon), whereas now they've gotten much more experience defending it over the past few years. SKW...how would you go about minimizing Gardner's effectiveness? If you had to choose one, what weakness does the Wolverine D have that can be exploited?"

Moonshine,

Speaking of your staff interested to see how you all feel or felt about the hire/promotion - as I wrote in my article the release of Moore was a headscratcher to me - proven repeat national champion, winning still and letgo - then replaced from within - if there was a problem (which you all were still winning) why keep part of the supposed problem - or was it simply age driven - once again I do not no the inner workings of the hire departure and program, just seems bizzarre as an outsider.

Well I will tell you watch what Gardner does when he is under pressure, he has a bad habit of turning his back to the o-line and thus the defense and scrambling into the backfield 15 yards and thus cannot see even if his receivers are doing a scramble drill downfield - if he does that he will probably be Super-error Man - if he steps up or better throws away, and even better under Nuss uses a checkdown I will be happy. I would say press the receivers he has a tendency to throw late when he cannot find an open mad and make bad decisions doing so.

Well we are young at free safety and Jarrod Wilson will be the lead man there this year. He has played a lot, but not as the field general -and the FS beside him whoever ends up winning it will have very little but some game experience, couple that with the DC saying they are going to play a lot of press and man coverage I say use the QBs 70% accuracy and arm and challenge that. UM has alot of CB experience and depth but have not played much pressure D and so that is new this year, air it own and see if the UM DBs can pin down your WRs - also that RB wheel route with your RB or even as checkdowns screens could be a killer.

[SKWDCOP]

Moon,

Here is coverage of the UM Spring Game - the scrimmage starts at about the hour and 2 minute mark - DG being dumb DG first throw was lat he should have scrambled or simply thrown the ball away instead lat throw pick. Trust me there was some fan swearing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PRKtZmJFHU