Real Kato Blog: CFB 2024: Week 2

Michigan gets blown out by Texas.

Michigan 12, Texas 31
Texas looked like Michigan of last year: a strong offensive line, a playmaking quarterback that could bail them out of third downs, and a defense good enough to sit back in coverage and force the offense to convert its way down the field. Meanwhile, Michigan looked like perhaps Illinois, with defensive talent that was wasted by coaching, and an offense that simply didn't have the personnel to execute the schemes.

The problems are many.

Davis Warren is not making post-snap reads correctly; he locks onto targets and telegraphs his intentions. He seems to have some ability to make improvisational plays, and he has a good enough arm, but he's frequently fooled by defenders showing up where he's not expecting them. Of course, he's hampered by receivers that cannot threaten deep and a porous offensive line.

Let's talk about that line. Evan Link, the freshman tackle, was thoroughly dismantled in this game, and it would not surprise me if we see him benched the next game. The interior line could not get any push in the run game, and continued to misidentify blocking targets. With Michigan determined to try to run its power schemes from last year, this made for a long day.

It's a mid-tier offense, maybe even MAC level, if we're being honest with ourselves. Michigan can't be expected to bully its opponents like it did last year. They might be better off trying what MGoBlog calls "college crappe"; bubble screens, quick outs, RPOs, and really more of a Rich Rod spread offense. If you can't block the opposing defensive lineman, leave him unblocked and read him instead.

On defense, the line is stellar, but they're not getting enough support from the secondary. Coverage and tackling are huge issues. It's as if DC Wink Martindale thinks he's working with NFL-level talent, and he's expecting seven guys to be able to have lockdown coverage on every play. But what we saw time after time is that one guy would bust on his coverage and leave someone wide open for a chunk gain. The problem is the coaching, and it needs to be fixed.

It's time to reset our expectations for the season, I think. I had thought 7-5 was the floor, but that might be wrong.

Michigan vs. Arkansas State, Saturday 12:00 PM BTN
Arkansas State is 2-0, but only squeaked by low-level competition to get there. Hopefully this is a chance for Michigan to get some much-needed practice. It won't tell us much in terms of how good they are, but I'm hoping to see some signs that the coaches understand where this team needs to go.

Prediction: Michigan 38, Arkansas State 12.

Notable Results
N.C. State was embarrassed by Tennessee 51-10, as we probably all expected. QB Grayson McCall had a dismal QBR of 22.7 for this game, throwing for just 104 yards on 22 attempts.

Penn State had to come from behind to beat Bowling Green 34-27. Uh-oh?

Notre Dame was shocked by Northern Illinois 16-14. Perhaps importing an ACC quarterback wasn't the solution to all their problems after all.

Oregon struggled for the second week in a row, getting by Boise State 37-34 on a last-second field goal.

Oklahoma struggled against Houston, winning 16-12.

Nebraska stomped Colorado 28-10. Can we PLEASE stop talking about Deion Sanders as if he's some kind of coaching genius?

Games to Watch on TV
Fri Sep 13:
#20 Arizona at #14 Kansas State, 8:00 PM Fox

Sat Sep 14:
Arkansas State at #17 Michigan, 12:00 PM BTN
#4 Alabama at Wisconsin, 12:00 PM Fox
Louisiana Tech at N.C. State, 12:00 PM ACCN
#24 Boston College at #6 Missouri, 12:45 PM SECN
#9 Oregon at Oregon State, 3:30 PM Fox
#18 Notre Dame at Purdue, 3:30 PM CBS
Washington State at Washington, 3:30 PM Peacock

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Posted by Ken in: sports

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