Michigan Football, Team 137, 2016 Season.

[lineygoblue]

The only thing that concerns me about the defense, is their consistency. They started off last year very strong, but then after the MSU game, they got shredded on a few occasions. Some of that may have been personnel losses due to injury, but I'm not sure. I'm hoping that they've both learned how to contain the 'flashy' offenses a bit better, and that they have developed some depth for when people go down with injuries.

[jaadam4]

It was completely unnecessary. Just say which two players were suspended. It's not like it's a big secret. How long? Just say it hasn't been determined yet if you don't want to talk about it. Then you can shut them down if they want any more information.

That's kind of how I feel as well. I think it's hilarious on one hand to watch things go down but at the end of the day its going to come out anyhow. Why procrastinate.

With that said I'll always side on Harbaughs side and he can do no wrong.

[Hannibal]

I saw a stat yesterday.

In the past 12 games against OSU, we have given up something like 236 rushing yards per game. That's incredible when you consider that our best rushing offense as a team in the past 23 years was our 2010 squad with 239 ypg. That spans across 4 UM head coaches and includes a couple of years where our defense piled up some good stats. We are giving up over 300 ypg against Urbz. Both of those numbers exceed OSU's actual yearly averages. The defense against OSU has been a gigantic disaster for over a decade. Fix the fucking defense and shut down OSU's running game for a change. We have been doing it worse than an average OSU opponent, which includes the likes of MSU and Penn State, but also Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue, and Akron. If there's any shit that I'm really sick of...

Shut down the goddamn run this year. Rely on Peppers, Thomas, Hill, Stribling, Clark, Peppers to hold their own most of the time. If they don't then at least you went down swinging and added some variance to the results. Last year's OSU game plan was a disaster, as so many of them have been over the years.

[iam416]

M has managed to hold Ohio State to 995 yards rushing in the last 3 matchups. It did take 139 carries, though. So barely more than 7 ypc. Pfft.

[WM Wolverine]

I'm not worried about the run defense holding contain like I did with Durkin... Maybe the most impressive thing about Brown's defense is how he uses his defensive backs in run support to defend the edge.

[lineygoblue]

Urbz, in spite of the formations he runs, is a run-first type coach. Just like any other successful coach, he knows winning football includes a strong running game. He's got a QB that can light up defenses with passing, and he can also hurt you when he tucks and runs.

I'm with Hanni on this one. Sell out to stop the run, and take your chances that the strength of the defense (Peppers, et al..) to win more plays than they lose. As good as Michigan's overall defense will be, they can't defend everything.

[Detroit Dan]

Michigan's defensive line this year features Glasgow, Mone, Gary, and Onwenu, none of whom were available last year against OSU. Add Wormley, Charlton, and Hurst and you've got a top unit. Meanwhile, OSU lost much of their O-Line. So we should be able to turn things around, if we have the proper coaching.

[The Oracle]

...and better LB play.

[iam416]

Ohio State returns 2 of 5 starting OL. They lose 1 very good player, 1 pretty good player and 1 entirely replaceable player.

The new starters will be green but more talented than those that left, well -- except for Decker. OL isn't a unit of great concern to me. DT is. The LBs on either side of Raekwon are. OL isn't.

But, yes...DON BROWN!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WM Wolverine]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOzgaPWWvI8"]Don Brown BC defense vs FSU 2015 Every Snap - YouTube[/ame]

[Detroit Dan]

Ohio State has had a once in a lifetime offensive line the last few years. I'll be very impressed if there's not a drop-off this year. Michigan's defensive line this year will be one for the ages. Can't wait for The Game (c:

[Cody_Russell]

TACO Charlton. He has been beefing up on cheesy gordita crunch all off-season.

[iam416]

Ohio State has had better OLs, and will have better OLs in the near future. What's less clear is whether they'll have a back as good as Elliot in the near term.

[Prime2]

Ohio State has had a once in a lifetime offensive line the last few years. I'll be very impressed if there's not a drop-off this year. Michigan's defensive line this year will be one for the ages. Can't wait for The Game (c:

I share your optimism, Dan. I saw a backup QB beat Meyer in Columbus by a team we essentially beat earlier in the season. NT hopes crushed followed by a meaningless Bowl against ND, talk about finishing with a thud.

Michigan wins the B1G, makes the playoffs but likely falls short, back-to-back playoff wins will still require greater depth or some extreme luck.

Too bad it still wasn't the one and done, followed by a beauty contest vote to select the Champ.

[lineygoblue]

Michigan's starting QB for 2016 has been announced:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/michigan-ol-erik-magnuson-announces-hes-the-wolverines-starting-qb-202341214.html?nhp=1