Caught up on Michigan last night and watched a few of their games.
My first impressions are how eerily similar both teams are. Michigan’s offense is very capable but like SC they have times when they move the ball with ease and then they’ll look completely lost for a series. They’ll put together a promising drive only to have a bad play or penalty bring it to a screeching halt. They play ball control and make a high % of 3rd downs. They also have big play potential and when their QB’s (whether its Robinson or Gardner) have time, they make some really good throws to a talented WR corps that can get open.
All in all, you watch their offense and it seems much better than their national ranking would suggest. They move the ball extremely well and can throw a lot of different looks and personnel at opponents but then you look at the score board and the two don’t matchup.
Their OL is talented but inconsistent. One play Gardner/Robinson will have so much time to throw they could sit down and have a picnic. The very next play its like OL sat down and had its own picnic as the DL runs through. The run game is the same. They’ll have a series where the RB is popping off 10-12 yards every touch. The next series he can’t get back to the line of scrimmage.
Michigan’s offense seems to be one of those that they need to have the right play in to have success and it seems to go about 50/50. If the opposing defense happens to be in the right call, Michigan goes nowhere. If not, Michigan will make its yards. But not much in between.
Their defense is solid. Their DL is very good and holds its ground. They do not get much pressure on the QB with their front four, but they are very effective when bringing a blitz. Running lanes are deceptive because they close very quickly and it appears RBs get duped into seeing holes that aren’t really there. They also appear to be tough on dual threat QBs because the front four is powerful and stays in position so well. They tackle well even while engaged with blockers.
Their pass defense is supposed to be among the best in the country but I see us having better opportunity throwing the ball because they really don’t get much pressure. Connor may have some opportunities to make plays when things start to break down if he can get out of the pocket and find some open receivers. I do not think we will be successful running the ball with a ton of consistency, though, and it could be a frustrating day on offense.
I think this has the makings of one of the better bowl matchups that could come down to the wire. In the end, SC has an advantage because of our pass rush and DL play, and because they really don’t offer much of a pass rush on their defensive front. But they are solid and will be an excellent test.
In the final analysis, I’ll say SC takes this 20 - 16.
My first impressions are how eerily similar both teams are. Michigan’s offense is very capable but like SC they have times when they move the ball with ease and then they’ll look completely lost for a series. They’ll put together a promising drive only to have a bad play or penalty bring it to a screeching halt. They play ball control and make a high % of 3rd downs. They also have big play potential and when their QB’s (whether its Robinson or Gardner) have time, they make some really good throws to a talented WR corps that can get open.
All in all, you watch their offense and it seems much better than their national ranking would suggest. They move the ball extremely well and can throw a lot of different looks and personnel at opponents but then you look at the score board and the two don’t matchup.
Their OL is talented but inconsistent. One play Gardner/Robinson will have so much time to throw they could sit down and have a picnic. The very next play its like OL sat down and had its own picnic as the DL runs through. The run game is the same. They’ll have a series where the RB is popping off 10-12 yards every touch. The next series he can’t get back to the line of scrimmage.
Michigan’s offense seems to be one of those that they need to have the right play in to have success and it seems to go about 50/50. If the opposing defense happens to be in the right call, Michigan goes nowhere. If not, Michigan will make its yards. But not much in between.
Their defense is solid. Their DL is very good and holds its ground. They do not get much pressure on the QB with their front four, but they are very effective when bringing a blitz. Running lanes are deceptive because they close very quickly and it appears RBs get duped into seeing holes that aren’t really there. They also appear to be tough on dual threat QBs because the front four is powerful and stays in position so well. They tackle well even while engaged with blockers.
Their pass defense is supposed to be among the best in the country but I see us having better opportunity throwing the ball because they really don’t get much pressure. Connor may have some opportunities to make plays when things start to break down if he can get out of the pocket and find some open receivers. I do not think we will be successful running the ball with a ton of consistency, though, and it could be a frustrating day on offense.
I think this has the makings of one of the better bowl matchups that could come down to the wire. In the end, SC has an advantage because of our pass rush and DL play, and because they really don’t offer much of a pass rush on their defensive front. But they are solid and will be an excellent test.
In the final analysis, I’ll say SC takes this 20 - 16.
