Michigan's thrashing of Wisconsin is every bit as impressive as demolishing Northern Illinois. It was the best Michigan coaching job since Jedd Fisch and Jake Rudock. Probably good players is more important than good coaching. Everyone played with a jump in their step.
Who needs to read about a game they already saw?
Wisconsin is not what they sometimes are, but they are still very good--they showed flashes--and the venue is extremely tough. Michigan dominated in stunning fashion.
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If there is one thing I have learned it is this: when it is on YouTube, download it. If it is so treasured that it is worth it to the greedy bastards to remove it, is worth keeping.
As I rewatch to remind and provoke...
Coaching
Michigan came out throwing. Everyone knew they wanted to run and they threw. And they sustained it for a spell--Baldwin, Johnson, and also Schoonmacher. Maybe Sainristill and All. In the beginning it/they failed. But it shows confidence, they will learn, and they did. They were all much better at it as the game continued, especially Roman Wilson.
They also went for first downs. Showing confidence breeds confidence, especially in college football.
Kicking is an advantage. Same thing, rely on great players and everyone benefits. Call plays to show it.
Players
Coaches don't play on the field and Michigan has a number of stars. That is defined by those who have options to stay or go pro.
Aiden Hutchinson is getting national recognition. He is a 6'5" 265 lb. gymnast in the backfield--always moving, pounding, running, or doing something. Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum gain yards and don't fumble; they are strong and fast. Daxton Hill is everywhere on defense--strong and with a lot more reach and size than you'd think; always in the right place and it takes a perfect play to beat him. Josh Ross, he of the impeccable Michigan pedigree, has turned into a maniac, as well as a leader and punisher of the opposition.
Jake Moody scores almost as many points as the offense at times and Brad Robbins has been among the best at what he does for years.
Cade McNamara is probably on the brink. He is not a great runner but that is just fine because there are others to do it and he won't get injured that way. He can and does make the throws and he protects the ball. On the offensive line, a couple of players (I believe Ryan Hayes and Andrew Stueber), are considered draft prospects. On defense, Christopher Hinton is viewed as a draft prospect too, as are others including Michael Barrett and Brad Hawkins.
Special Teams
Elite.
Defense
Who would have known that they would capitalize on speed more than Don Brown? It starts with the defensive line and not Hutchinson because he is a player (above): Mazi Smith, David Ojabo, Mike Morris, Donvan Jeter, and Taylor Upshaw are all playing; so are underclassmen at linebacker, corner, and safety.
So far the new scheme is working.
Future
The best part of the coaching and the confidence is the team effort, including up-comers:
David Ojabo is moving up rapidly.
Cornelius Johnson can make plays.
DJ Turner
Junior Colson
RJ Moten
Roman Wilson showing it.
J.J. McCarthy is included too.
Kris Jenkins starts
Hill-Green starts.
Daylen Baldwin
Etc. It is very encouraging, different than the past, and smart. Right now, recruiting does not look dominant. That may or may not be a problem in the future; these days there are other ways to build a team and each year stands on its own.
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