Michigan 33, Florida 17

[Jeff Buchanan]

Here's some things I'll be watching for in the opening quarter:

Whoever is at RT (Ulizio?) isn't a turn-style.

Wilton Speight's release - is it quick enough and are his throws accurate enough to threaten UF with a short to mid range passing game, the intent of which is to (1) back a S out of the box and (2) mitigate UF's excellent DL/Speed rush.

The execution of the Zone Stretch play - key to making IZ off the PA work.

Frankly, maybe homerism, but I'm not worried about the D ..... at all. Franks is going to be running for his life and UF certainly isn't going to run the ball well.

Catching the ball solidly on punts and there will be a lot of these.

[Cody_Russell]

It's finally today...
So much to be excited about with the build up to this game. My clincher post: How will Hill, Watson, Long, and Thomas do against Florida's steady Powell + the explosive Hammond and Cleveland. I think Connelly mentioned Florida's passing game involves a lot of quick passes. WR/RB screens, quick pitches... well, if Don Brown brings pressure, can M's new secondary hold up vs an "easy" WR screen pass. Easy as in Franks is starting for the first time... I'd probably give him easy passes if I was Nuss.
Will Don Brown play more conservative that he did last season too...

Go Blue!

[Jeff Buchanan]

It's finally today...
So much to be excited about with the build up to this game. My clincher post: How will Hill, Watson, Long, and Thomas do against Florida's steady Powell + the explosive Hammond and Cleveland. I think Connelly mentioned Florida's passing game involves a lot of quick passes. WR/RB screens, quick pitches... well, if Don Brown brings pressure, can M's new secondary hold up vs an "easy" WR screen pass. Easy as in Franks is starting for the first time... I'd probably give him easy passes if I was Nuss.
Will Don Brown play more conservative that he did last season too...

Go Blue!

Well, we saw what Legow did to osu's initial approach of CBs on an island, 1-Hi S and max pressure from the D (8 in the box, rush 4-5). Ate Shiano's boys alive.

That's the wrong approach for Don Brown v. UF. However, a D can still attack out of 2-Hi Ss with the Viper that Brown incorporates. I'd bet Brown will open with a little zone and a 3-4 man rush, no mad-man, bull-rush blitizing until they see what UF wants to do on offense. Won't be surprised to see a corner or Viper blitz though.

[WM Wolverine]

I'll be watching for:

The right side of the offensive line; both their ability to open holes for the running back and keep Speight from getting rid of the ball earlier than he needs...

How often M goes 3 or even 4 wide and whether M's 'spread' talk this off-season had any substance.

Whether M's back seven can keep the ball carrier in front of them and stop a 5-yd gain turn into 15+...

How much separation M's cornerbacks are giving to opposing wide receivers. M last season was as good of a DB unit we've seen since Woodson was here, M last season was right there with the receiver when the ball arrived to break-up the catch.

Special teams. Last couple seasons we've been very good to excellent on special teams, we lost nearly every specialist... Pepper's was amazing catching punts, keeping them from giving the opposition extra yardage and he was excellent at returning them too... Nordin reportedly has excellent range to nearly 60 yards but can he keep it within the uprights?

[whodean]

I don't know Jim McElwain that well. I do know he's been tremendously successful before UF but not at UF if you're looking for THAT guy to turn a moribund UF program around. He's not done that, yet.

I mean, yes two 4 loss seasons but heck he's had Florida in the SEC Championship game both of his HC seasons there...they are progressing.

[whodean]

Do we know the starters yet?

[WM Wolverine]

No depth chart that I'm aware of, we'll find out with starting lineups.

[Jeff Buchanan]

I don't think the depth chart as a means of identifying starters is useful with JH.

[whodean]

Sometimes these things get tweeted out a little before game time, but I haven't seen anything yet.

[WM Wolverine]

Insiders have offered their projections on the starters. Not one surprise on defense...

On offense they've Ulizio beating out Runyan at right tackle. They've Kekoa Crawford at wide receiver but list Tarik Black OR Donovan Peoples-Jones opposite at wide-out.

[whodean]

The WR seem like maybe a true timeshare situation to start out at least.

[The Oracle]

No Nico, Jeter, Villain today.

[WingsFan]

Looks like Peters is No. 2. JOK was said to be.... Late push or injury.

[WM Wolverine]

Targeting rule is a disaster, what a waste of time. We're seeing this every single game.

[WingsFan]

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