Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh tackled a number of topics at his Monday press conference. We weigh in on his comments in News & Views format:
NEWS: Michigan’s safeties have been playing lights out, both in run support and coverage this year, part of the nation’s top defense overall and No. 1 pass defense.
HARBAUGH: “They’re playing really good ball. [Junior] Josh Metellus is playing really well, coverage and getting his hands on balls. He’s tackling. They’ve really improved in all areas, are doing a fantastic job.”
VIEWS: What a difference a year makes. Senior Tyree Kinnel, too, has been very good, and while the Wolverines have mixed in a little zone (as in, very little), these guys are going to continue to be asked to play man coverage against some really good receivers.
It’s just what Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown does. If you don’t like it, maybe follow the advice of former Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Todd Jones who used to tell folks, “It’s going to be a roller coaster [when he is pitching]. If you don’t like it, go make yourself a sandwich and come back 10 minutes later when it’s over.”
But you’d be missing a lot. There have been a few big plays given up, but we’d rather see that than, say, watching Purdue sit back in zone against a backup quarterback and get picked apart by a Michigan State kid playing behind a banged-up line.
NEWS: Michigan sophomore fullback Ben Mason continues to thrive after moving over from linebacker last year.
HARBAUGH: “He’s just a very, very physical, aggressive football player who has great contact courage, really craves it. He loves it. He loves football. He loves contact. Loves running and hitting.
“He was playing linebacker when we first started in the spring and he was just so good at going forward. I think that’s his personality. It’s an attacking type of football personality. We really felt like he was so good as a downhill type of linebacker that to be able to do that all the time, be a downhill aggressive football player, fullback would be a great position for him.”
VIEWS: The staff was right — not the first time, and it won’t be the last either. It probably wouldn’t stun anyone, either, if Mason were to become a two-way guy again in the future, maybe play against the run on defense on early downs. He continued to work some at linebacker a year ago after making the switch, after all.
But again, this is the guy we’d like to see more of on offense. Broken record in this column, but he brings a physicality to the offense that’s lacking even when the Wolverines go tight end heavy.
The fact that we get to see two and a half more seasons of him is exciting.
NEWS: Michigan is a 10-point favorite against Penn State (as of Monday). The Nittany Lions pounded U-M last year, 42-13, and didn’t let up with a big lead late.
HARBAUGH: “I think the team will be motivated to play this week … and every week.”
VIEWS: No bulletin board material here, but you know Harbaugh can’t wait to get his team out there Saturday. Don Brown, too, said recently he wakes up every day thinking about last year's game — “Honest.”
This defense should be ready.
“Penn State is an excellent football team, are once again this year in all phases,” Harbaugh said. “[Quarterback Trace McSorley] is a terrific player. Consistently plays really well. Poses a threat in the passing game … and running the ball a lot more this year very effectively. The winning factor shows up over and over.”
McSorley nearly beat Ohio State with his legs, taking off and running on every opportunity. He put on a brace against Iowa after injuring his knee and ran for a 51-yard touchdown. He’ll be ready to play Saturday, so U-M’s defense had better be ready for him.
NEWS: Redshirt freshman Andrew Stueber came in when fifth-year senior right tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty got hurt and played well against Michigan State.
HARBAUGH: “Andrew’s doing a nice job. Shoulder to the grindstone, patiently getting better and understanding that it’s a process. But he attacks it every day. … I like Andrew a lot.”
VIEWS: Patience is a virtue, and one more young guys could use (but it’s becoming a lost quality). Redshirt freshman tackle James Hudson would have gotten his opportunity had he stayed at Michigan, but he couldn’t see the big picture and transferred.
Stueber has, and does. He’s got the potential to be a pretty good one.
NEWS: Redshirt sophomore punter Will Hart is Michigan’s unsung hero through eight games, probably the Big Ten’s best punter.
HARBAUGH: “He’s done a great job. We see it in practice and in games. He's just been lights out. I think he’s made huge improvements in his game; the punting position is one that we’re really confident in. He’s performed consistently well punt after punt.”
VIEWS: Nothing to add here. This kid has been unbelievable, and he’s one of the reasons the Wolverines are 7-1 … a big part, averaging 49.5 yards per attempt and helping the Wolverines rank 26th nationally with a net average of 40.39 yards per kick.
Chalk this up to one of those things that helps wins championships that nobody ever saw coming (or at least helps U-M compete for one).
---
• Talk about this article inside The Fort
• Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
• Learn more about our print and digital publication, The Wolverine
• Follow us on Twitter: @TheWolverineMag, @BSB_Wolverine, @JB_ Wolverine, @AustinFox42, @Balas_Wolverine, @DrewCHallett and @Qb9Adam.
• Like us on Facebook
