Haven't posted much game to game this year because, like many, I was very annoyed by the events of this offseason. But after yet another impressive conference victory in what was clearly (in my mind) our most complete performance of the season to-date, this team has most definitely earned our respect and appreciation. (Warning - long post)
On offense, it's been a struggle for most of the year. Especially the first few games, and then against Nebraska and Iowa when Bryant was injured (important to note the exception against Maryland when B Sull turned in an excellent performance!). Our OL still needs work. We struggle mightily in pass protection and can't consistently move the LoS against good defenses - granted that is easier said than done I'm sure. And also it's worth noting that when we had a more functional passing game yday, with Bryant getting the ball out quickly and accurately and making them respect the pass, it slowed down their pass rush because they had to account for a balanced offensive game and couldn't just attack downhill - I liked Braun's comment in the postgame presser that "efficiency leads to explosiveness" because when you are ahead of the chains the defense needs to play more conservatively, or even reactively blitz as a protective mechanism rather than as an aggressive mechanism. And when the defense is on their heels and reactively blitzing, that's when you get the explosive pass plays - like the busted coverage on the switch route to Henning or the fade route where Cam Johnson absolutely torched their DB.
And speaking of that, aside from Bryant (who was great in Q4 against Minnesota, seemed to have a breakthrough there because he makes our offense an entirely different animal when he's clicking like he was today) - is it wild for me to say our WR group and its depth is the strength of our offense? I can't remember the last time that was the case. But between Kirtz, Cam Johnson, and Henning, I think we have multiple legit threats. It's not like any of them is Marvin Harrison, but they are all good players - and with a good QB if Bryant keeps playing like that, for once we finally have a few weapons that can prevent opposing defenses from playing press man on our wideouts with impunity.
Our offense isn't great. But with Bryant playing like that, it is plenty good enough to win ballgames. Especially with a solid defense like we have.
Speaking of which - our defense isn't exceptional, but it is very effective. Reminds me of our defenses under Hank - we are responsible and in the right place, and make tackles the majority of the time. We give up some ground between the 20’s (especially early in games) but we make it hard for teams to complete drives for TDs, and seem to adjust / improve as the game goes on. Still a few too many missed tackles from our LBs for my liking, but it's much better than what we saw from a demoralized defense under the prior DC who shall not be named. I'll start with the weakest part of the defense - the DL. We don't have a ton of speed here, but the guys for the most part are holding their ground, and in the last few weeks starting to get a bit of penetration on occasion. They struggle to get home because of the lack of speed, and there are still plays where the opposing QB has a painful amount of time, but they are starting to make it tougher on the other offenses. We are smartly playing pass rush specialists more on 3rd downs - 42 Saka and 35 Soares migrates up from OLB to a DE position. And perhaps more importantly, 91 Aiden Hubbard has emerged as a consistent threat for us. Hope he stays healthy - took a bit of friendly fire from a collision with his elbow on the play he got the sack, but came back in afterward.
Our LBs were intensely frustrating to watch last year or two, but have made progress this years. Gallagher and Mueller are probably not NFL athletes, but they are good college LBs. They get themselves in the right place a high percentage of the time. They get juked for a missed tackle on occasion, but they've made many more. And are even starting to make some big plays: Mueller has 9.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, and 1 Int. Gallagher has 3.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 Int, and 2 forced fumbles (one that could have almost been a Sack/Int except Taulia's arm wasn't moving forward). They are now a very solid B1G linebacking unit.
Lastly- our secondary is the strength of our defense in my assessment. Hollis looks like a real talent, I'm not the best one to judge this but I think he should get drafted (maybe by Cleveland to join Greg Cam and A-Walk there!). I guess he only is listed for 2 PBUs this year but seems like QBs just aren't targeting him much - and he's also good in run support. Theran Johnson I thought was vulnerable earlier in the season, but he's developed as the year has gone on. He's a solid #2 corner. And it helps that we aren't exactly playing against the cream of the crop QBs in the B1G west. Then two great safeties - Coco is a total stud in both coverage and run support. And then the young kid Turner - starting from the first game of the season (when the team mostly looked awful against Rutgers) I thought he stood out to me as a playmaker - I get the impression he isn't as reliable in terms of owning his assignment every single time, but he flies around and seems to be developing a nose for the ball. Really hope Coco is okay to come back as he would be a meaningful loss IMO - I know in the postgame presser they complimented Jaheem Joseph but he's not the same... like him more in a spot nickel / dime role in pass situations.
All in all, this team is not perfect, but I've really enjoyed watching them this year. Coaches love to throw around the word adversity, but they've faced a ton of it this year and the team has really banded together, far exceeding what anyone predicted. Really proud of the kids and thankful for their effort - it's been a blast. Really hope we can get 1-2 more W's and secure a 13th game, the players and coach have earned it.
You can count me on Team: #fireschill #firegragg and most importantly Team #removethetag - David Braun has earned a shot to be our head coach. Listening to his pressers, he just seems like a good dude too, someone we'd be proud to have representing our university. Sign him to a 2-3 year contract and let's see if what he's managed to inspire in this locker room translates to success on the recruiting trail, thus enabling him to sustain a competitive B1G squad.
GO CATS!
On offense, it's been a struggle for most of the year. Especially the first few games, and then against Nebraska and Iowa when Bryant was injured (important to note the exception against Maryland when B Sull turned in an excellent performance!). Our OL still needs work. We struggle mightily in pass protection and can't consistently move the LoS against good defenses - granted that is easier said than done I'm sure. And also it's worth noting that when we had a more functional passing game yday, with Bryant getting the ball out quickly and accurately and making them respect the pass, it slowed down their pass rush because they had to account for a balanced offensive game and couldn't just attack downhill - I liked Braun's comment in the postgame presser that "efficiency leads to explosiveness" because when you are ahead of the chains the defense needs to play more conservatively, or even reactively blitz as a protective mechanism rather than as an aggressive mechanism. And when the defense is on their heels and reactively blitzing, that's when you get the explosive pass plays - like the busted coverage on the switch route to Henning or the fade route where Cam Johnson absolutely torched their DB.
And speaking of that, aside from Bryant (who was great in Q4 against Minnesota, seemed to have a breakthrough there because he makes our offense an entirely different animal when he's clicking like he was today) - is it wild for me to say our WR group and its depth is the strength of our offense? I can't remember the last time that was the case. But between Kirtz, Cam Johnson, and Henning, I think we have multiple legit threats. It's not like any of them is Marvin Harrison, but they are all good players - and with a good QB if Bryant keeps playing like that, for once we finally have a few weapons that can prevent opposing defenses from playing press man on our wideouts with impunity.
Our offense isn't great. But with Bryant playing like that, it is plenty good enough to win ballgames. Especially with a solid defense like we have.
Speaking of which - our defense isn't exceptional, but it is very effective. Reminds me of our defenses under Hank - we are responsible and in the right place, and make tackles the majority of the time. We give up some ground between the 20’s (especially early in games) but we make it hard for teams to complete drives for TDs, and seem to adjust / improve as the game goes on. Still a few too many missed tackles from our LBs for my liking, but it's much better than what we saw from a demoralized defense under the prior DC who shall not be named. I'll start with the weakest part of the defense - the DL. We don't have a ton of speed here, but the guys for the most part are holding their ground, and in the last few weeks starting to get a bit of penetration on occasion. They struggle to get home because of the lack of speed, and there are still plays where the opposing QB has a painful amount of time, but they are starting to make it tougher on the other offenses. We are smartly playing pass rush specialists more on 3rd downs - 42 Saka and 35 Soares migrates up from OLB to a DE position. And perhaps more importantly, 91 Aiden Hubbard has emerged as a consistent threat for us. Hope he stays healthy - took a bit of friendly fire from a collision with his elbow on the play he got the sack, but came back in afterward.
Our LBs were intensely frustrating to watch last year or two, but have made progress this years. Gallagher and Mueller are probably not NFL athletes, but they are good college LBs. They get themselves in the right place a high percentage of the time. They get juked for a missed tackle on occasion, but they've made many more. And are even starting to make some big plays: Mueller has 9.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, and 1 Int. Gallagher has 3.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 Int, and 2 forced fumbles (one that could have almost been a Sack/Int except Taulia's arm wasn't moving forward). They are now a very solid B1G linebacking unit.
Lastly- our secondary is the strength of our defense in my assessment. Hollis looks like a real talent, I'm not the best one to judge this but I think he should get drafted (maybe by Cleveland to join Greg Cam and A-Walk there!). I guess he only is listed for 2 PBUs this year but seems like QBs just aren't targeting him much - and he's also good in run support. Theran Johnson I thought was vulnerable earlier in the season, but he's developed as the year has gone on. He's a solid #2 corner. And it helps that we aren't exactly playing against the cream of the crop QBs in the B1G west. Then two great safeties - Coco is a total stud in both coverage and run support. And then the young kid Turner - starting from the first game of the season (when the team mostly looked awful against Rutgers) I thought he stood out to me as a playmaker - I get the impression he isn't as reliable in terms of owning his assignment every single time, but he flies around and seems to be developing a nose for the ball. Really hope Coco is okay to come back as he would be a meaningful loss IMO - I know in the postgame presser they complimented Jaheem Joseph but he's not the same... like him more in a spot nickel / dime role in pass situations.
All in all, this team is not perfect, but I've really enjoyed watching them this year. Coaches love to throw around the word adversity, but they've faced a ton of it this year and the team has really banded together, far exceeding what anyone predicted. Really proud of the kids and thankful for their effort - it's been a blast. Really hope we can get 1-2 more W's and secure a 13th game, the players and coach have earned it.
You can count me on Team: #fireschill #firegragg and most importantly Team #removethetag - David Braun has earned a shot to be our head coach. Listening to his pressers, he just seems like a good dude too, someone we'd be proud to have representing our university. Sign him to a 2-3 year contract and let's see if what he's managed to inspire in this locker room translates to success on the recruiting trail, thus enabling him to sustain a competitive B1G squad.
GO CATS!
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