Wolverine247 Board

Personally, I believe had Michigan stuck with the running game with the RBs last year the game could have been different. Our RBs had 10 total carries for that game and 4 came on the first drive in which Michigan scored a TD. After that the RBs had 6 total carries for the rest of the game. For some reason Michigan abandoned giving them the ball after the first drive.

Meh. Michigan only ran 52 plays against VT. Molk was injured in that game as well.

I am saying I think the fact that our Defense couldn't get off the field(hence the low number of plays ran) and that our center was hurt were big factors in the way our offense looked in the Sugar Bowl. Denard and the offense never got into a rhythm. With that being said Virginia Tech was a good defensive team and i am sure they had a solid scheme.

Maybe. I don't think it will impact Michigan in 2012 as much as it did the Sugar Bowl. Michigan had all off season, Spring, and fall camp to prepare Barnum, Miller, etc... to play center this year. Barnum will be at least a pretty good Big Ten center. For the Sugar Bowl, his injury happened right before kickoff and there was no time to really adjust to it.

A huge factor for this seasons Sparty game that no one discusses is when each teams respective bye takes place. Our bye happens in the 5th week of the schedule, and we play MSU in the 3rd game after a bye, after facing Purdue then Illinois. MSU on the other hand doesn't have their bye until week 11, and they play Michigan in week 8. Two quick things, odds are MSU will be more fatigued/banged up going into our matchup, and when thinking about inter-division play, MSU has a brutal 4 game stretch before their bye, with Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin then Nebraska all in a row. This is a huge disadvantage for Sparty thinking they will have another 10+ win season, and being fresh for our matchup on 10/20.

I don't think that will play a huge factor for this season's game. Just my opinion.

It'll probably be more of a factor for MSU's Wisconsin and Nebraska games IMO.

tBB is dead to me.

8 years. I think somebody entered 2020 instead of 2012 by mistake.

It's going to be a good game...and a fun one too.

And ya va techs scheme was awsome. Very similar to msu. But you are right, it will be different this year. There will be much more emphasis on running the ball between the tackles which should make for a great matchup. But that will make demarcation very very dangerous running and throwing. If he has progressed as a passer at all, then your entire game plan will have to be scrapped.

Denard....my phone makes crazy corrections