Poll So its Michigan v Washington for all the marbles

[NewPhoneWhoDis]

This one looks pretty simple to me, Michigan is not going to be able to score with Washington.

Washington averaged 37 points per game this year. Michigan averaged 36 points per game this year.

Michigan faced 5 of the top 25 defenses in CFB this year. Washington faced 1 of the top 25 defenses.

 

[NewPhoneWhoDis]

Wanted to add -- I'm not saying Michigan is a juggernaut and i'm not saying we'd win a shoot out with Washington.

I'm just saying -- Michigan scored almost as much as Washington while facing tougher defenses. I will say -- I'd be shocked if the game turned into a shoot out though. I can see Michigan really slowing it down and trying to ground it out with the running game.

 

[RobBase]

- I'd be shocked if the game turned into a shoot out though. I can see Michigan really slowing it down and trying to ground it out with the running game.

That’s exactly what will happen. MI goes up by 10-14 then just leans on them w the run game.

I don’t think MI blows the doors off of them or anything but this won’t be some PAC 12 game, Washington’s possessions will be limited and one mistake could cost them the game.

 

[DayButtAssMans’s]

Washington averaged 37 points per game this year. Michigan averaged 36 points per game this year.

Michigan faced 5 of the top 25 defenses in CFB this year. Washington faced 1 of the top 25 defenses.

Wanted to add -- I'm not saying Michigan is a juggernaut and i'm not saying we'd win a shoot out with Washington.

I'm just saying -- Michigan scored almost as much as Washington while facing tougher defenses. I will say -- I'd be shocked if the game turned into a shoot out though. I can see Michigan really slowing it down and trying to ground it out with the running game.

How much of the Big 10's highly ranked defenses is a function of being a conference with shitty offenses?

The amazing Iowa defense I've heard so much about all year just gave up 35 to Tennessee, Penn State gave up 38 to Miss. Wisconsin 35 to LSU whose QB opted out.

I know bowl games aren't necessarily the best measuring stick with opt outs. But if nothing else I feel pretty safe suggesting a Big 10 team isn't facing the same level offense as a Pac 12 team in a given week this year, you can say the opposite about defense too, but just throwing out stat rankings isn't going to paint a full picture.

 

[huskers1217]

cheapest tickets are 1100 each ..

 

[NewPhoneWhoDis]

How much of the Big 10's highly ranked defenses is a function of being a conference with shitty offenses?

The amazing Iowa defense I've heard so much about all year just gave up 35 to Tennessee, Penn State gave up 38 to Miss. Wisconsin 35 to LSU whose QB opted out.

I know bowl games aren't necessarily the best measuring stick with opt outs. But if nothing else I feel pretty safe suggesting a Big 10 team isn't facing the same level offense as a Pac 12 team in a given week this year, you can say the opposite about defense too, but just throwing out stat rankings isn't going to paint a full picture.

I put VERY LITTLE into the bowl games that aren't the CFP.

PSU had 4 guys who will be 1st or 2nd round picks sit out, both DE's and both CB's. Then had their MLB who opted in, get hurt and leave the game. Not to mention the #1 OL too.

Iowa lost their best player on defense long ago, who will also be a 1st round pick. I need to figure out the guys name as he will be the 1st white CB in the NFL in a long time. I didn't pay attention at all to their bowl game, so not sure who sat out for them.

Wisconsin?!?! We didn't play them.

So none of these teams are the teams they were during the year. The bowl games now are basically extensions of the spring game.

 

[Red_Alert]

How much of the Big 10's highly ranked defenses is a function of being a conference with shitty offenses?

The amazing Iowa defense I've heard so much about all year just gave up 35 to Tennessee, Penn State gave up 38 to Miss. Wisconsin 35 to LSU whose QB opted out.

I know bowl games aren't necessarily the best measuring stick with opt outs. But if nothing else I feel pretty safe suggesting a Big 10 team isn't facing the same level offense as a Pac 12 team in a given week this year, you can say the opposite about defense too, but just throwing out stat rankings isn't going to paint a full picture.

Michigan has actually faced six Top 25 Total Defenses this season. But yes, none of those offenses were daunting.
Three offenses were actually atrocious.

Total Defense

#1 Michigan

#2 Penn St (53rd Total Offense)
#3 Ohio St (47th Total Offense)
#7 Iowa (130th Total Offense)
#11 Nebraska (115th Total Offense)
#16 Rutgers (120th Total Offense)
#18 Alabama (56th Total Offense)

Pretty much like someone else has said here. If Washington can get Michigan down a couple TD's early and take them out of their game then that's the Huskies best chance to win.

This pretty much tells the story of what Washington needs to do. TCU led Michigan 21-6 at halftime.

 

[Tharvot]

Wanted to add -- I'm not saying Michigan is a juggernaut and i'm not saying we'd win a shoot out with Washington.

I'm just saying -- Michigan scored almost as much as Washington while facing tougher defenses. I will say -- I'd be shocked if the game turned into a shoot out though. I can see Michigan really slowing it down and trying to ground it out with the running game.

If Michigan is worried at all about Washington's offense, they will do what they did to Ohio State the last few years:

- Safe plays on first down to get 5-7 yard chunks and set themselves up for manageable 2nd and 3rd downs. Churn out the clock and limit the number of possessions Washington gets.

They're frustratingly effective at it. One of 2 things happens eventually: the defense starts taking risks and opens themselves up for big plays or the defense gets worn down and begins giving up big chunk yards on the ground.

 

[DayButtAssMans’s]

If Michigan is worried at all about Washington's offense, they will do what they did to Ohio State the last few years:

- Safe plays on first down to get 5-7 yard chunks and set themselves up for manageable 2nd and 3rd downs. Churn out the clock and limit the number of possessions Washington gets.

They're frustratingly effective at it. One of 2 things happens eventually: the defense starts taking risks and opens themselves up for big plays or the defense gets worn down and begins giving up big chunk yards on the ground.

This is my biggest concern for the game. I've defended our statistically bad defense all year because they've made plays every time they need to. But this is a game where that isn't gonna work, they're going to need to figure out how to get off the field.

 

[Tharvot]

This is my biggest concern for the game. I've defended our statistically bad defense all year because they've made plays every time they need to. But this is a game where that isn't gonna work, they're going to need to figure out how to get off the field.

First down is key. Gotta stuff the run and keep an eye on their TEs.

 

[NewPhoneWhoDis]

How much of the Big 10's highly ranked defenses is a function of being a conference with shitty offenses?

You can call it shitty offenses, but the NFL says different. Take last year.

The B1G had 10 defensive players drafted in the 1st 2 rounds of the NFL draft.
The PAC had 2.

The B1G had 9 players on offense drafted in the 1st 2 rounds of the 2023 NFL draft.
The PAC had 4 players on offense drafted in the 1st 2 rounds last year.

There is a lot more high end talent in the B1G than the PAC. That being said -- there is a lot more high end talent in the SEC, than there is in the B1G.

Not trying to make any predictions for the game. But playing defense is not the forte of any PAC and it hasn't been for quite some time.

 

[DayButtAssMans’s]

You can call it shitty offenses, but the NFL says different. Take last year.

The B1G had 10 defensive players drafted in the 1st 2 rounds of the NFL draft.
The PAC had 2.

The B1G had 9 players on offense drafted in the 1st 2 rounds of the 2023 NFL draft.
The PAC had 4 players on offense drafted in the 1st 2 rounds last year.

There is a lot more high end talent in the B1G than the PAC. That being said -- there is a lot more high end talent in the SEC, than there is in the B1G.

Not trying to make any predictions for the game. But playing defense is not the forte of any PAC and it hasn't been for quite some time.

I did, referring to this year.

 

[NewPhoneWhoDis]

If Michigan is worried at all about Washington's offense, they will do what they did to Ohio State the last few years:

- Safe plays on first down to get 5-7 yard chunks and set themselves up for manageable 2nd and 3rd downs. Churn out the clock and limit the number of possessions Washington gets.

They're frustratingly effective at it. One of 2 things happens eventually: the defense starts taking risks and opens themselves up for big plays or the defense gets worn down and begins giving up big chunk yards on the ground.

That isn't what UM doesn't against just OSU. That is what they do against everyone. The runs early won't be for big yardage, but will keep running it to wear a defense down. Then they will hit a TE with a short pass for a first down and repeat the runs to wear the defense down.

By the 2nd half -- if you don't have a ton of depth defensively where you can rotate groups of DL, it will break them down and they will break off bigger runs.

Frustratingly effective is a great description. UM isn't flashy. They aren't winging it all over the field. They take care of the ball, they physically wear teams down and try to pull away in the 2nd half.

Michigan is extremely deep this year. Our defensive line, we rotate 8-10 guys throughout the game with zero drop off. Our offensive line, you'd think we would struggle, as we lost 1st all-american OL Zak Zinter in the OSU game, but Michigan's OL has looked great without him.

And contrary to what the CFP game showed where UM shot themselves in the foot repeatedly -- UM usually plays mistake free and with next to no penalties. So they aren't going to beat themselves. I think we only had 6 turnovers all year.

 

[dhoey]

UW has played many teams this year that were too strong, too tough, too fast. We heard for a month how Texas was gonna control the LOS and push us around.

Loved how Penix and Trice answered their postgame questions while accepting their Sugar Bowl awards.

Best thing for Michigan would have been for UW to open as the favorites......they fucked now. Dawgs are dogs

 

[Tharvot]

That isn't what UM doesn't against just OSU. That is what they do against everyone. The runs early won't be for big yardage, but will keep running it to wear a defense down. Then they will hit a TE with a short pass for a first down and repeat the runs to wear the defense down.

By the 2nd half -- if you don't have a ton of depth defensively where you can rotate groups of DL, it will break them down and they will break off bigger runs.

Frustratingly effective is a great description. UM isn't flashy. They aren't winging it all over the field. They take care of the ball, they physically wear teams down and try to pull away in the 2nd half.

Michigan is extremely deep this year. Our defensive line, we rotate 8-10 guys throughout the game with zero drop off. Our offensive line, you'd think we would struggle, as we lost 1st all-american OL Zak Zinter in the OSU game, but Michigan's OL has looked great without him.

And contrary to what the CFP game showed where UM shot themselves in the foot repeatedly -- UM usually plays mistake free and with next to no penalties. So they aren't going to beat themselves. I think we only had 6 turnovers all year.

To be fair, that's typically the only game i watch Michigan play haha.

 

[SoonerC]

Wanted to add -- I'm not saying Michigan is a juggernaut and i'm not saying we'd win a shoot out with Washington.

I'm just saying -- Michigan scored almost as much as Washington while facing tougher defenses. I will say -- I'd be shocked if the game turned into a shoot out though. I can see Michigan really slowing it down and trying to ground it out with the running game.

That is the only way Michigan can win

 

[Tharvot]

UW has played many teams this year that were too strong, too tough, too fast. We heard for a month how Texas was gonna control the LOS and push us around.

Loved how Penix and Trice answered their postgame questions while accepting their Sugar Bowl awards.

Best thing for Michigan would have been for UW to open as the favorites......they fucked now. Dawgs are dogs

I knew that game was going to be an offensive back and forth. Texas had one of the worst passing defenses in the country this year (granted it's a pass happy conference, but they were by no means a stout defense).

Michigan's defense is a different story. Penix is great and im super happy for him that he left Indiana and is able to show off his skillset with a better supporting cast. He is going to have to have a really great game for Washington to win IMO. I don't expect Michigan to turn it over much and I don't expect their defense to give up many homeruns.

 

[osubuckeye89]

That isn't what UM doesn't against just OSU. That is what they do against everyone. The runs early won't be for big yardage, but will keep running it to wear a defense down. Then they will hit a TE with a short pass for a first down and repeat the runs to wear the defense down.

By the 2nd half -- if you don't have a ton of depth defensively where you can rotate groups of DL, it will break them down and they will break off bigger runs.

Frustratingly effective is a great description. UM isn't flashy. They aren't winging it all over the field. They take care of the ball, they physically wear teams down and try to pull away in the 2nd half.

Michigan is extremely deep this year. Our defensive line, we rotate 8-10 guys throughout the game with zero drop off. Our offensive line, you'd think we would struggle, as we lost 1st all-american OL Zak Zinter in the OSU game, but Michigan's OL has looked great without him.

And contrary to what the CFP game showed where UM shot themselves in the foot repeatedly -- UM usually plays mistake free and with next to no penalties. So they aren't going to beat themselves. I think we only had 6 turnovers all year.

Washington's run D isn't very good to begin with and Michigan is by far the most physical run offense they will have faced all year. Come later in the 2nd half that front 7 is going to be completely worn down.

Washington basically has to play a perfect game on offense and avoid any significant stalls or this will be over quick. Michigan gets up and Washington playing from behind the whole game with Michigan grinding out long clock draining drives at like 4/5 yards a pop and it's over.

I don't like Washington's chances unless Michigan has a turnover meltdown and gives away the ball with some uncharacteristic mistakes. McCarthy does seem over due for a bad INT, he almost had one against Bama. But I don't expect it to happen in this game the way things have gone.

 

[Deep Creek]

How much of the Big 10's highly ranked defenses is a function of being a conference with shitty offenses?

A lot.

 

[Wizardhawk]

This is my biggest concern for the game. I've defended our statistically bad defense all year because they've made plays every time they need to. But this is a game where that isn't gonna work, they're going to need to figure out how to get off the field.

Part of the reason the D has been better in the second half most of the year is their conditioning. They have been more fresh than the offenses played. They don't wear out as fast.

Now of course MI has higher ranked kids, bigger at spots, etc. Those are the concerns. They can adapt to game plan, but can the out physical their guys enough? We will see.

I saw a post up here saying UW would have to play perfect to win.

That's just dumb.

You can say they can't afford to turn it over. That's probably true. But it's not like they have to score on every possession to have a chance. No matter what you think of MI offense, they won't get 7 every time they touch the ball either.