Michigan football team's defense hopes to put program 'back on map' in Gator Bowl
Michigan defensive end Ryan Van Bergen (53) blocks in practice Wednesday at Jacksonville University's practice field.
Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The outcome of the Gator Bowl isn’t about ending the season on an upbeat note or seeking redemption after tough late-season losses.
It’s about the next step.
For both the Michigan and Mississippi State football teams, a victory Saturday (1:30 p.m., ESPN2) would define the stature of their programs. A win in a January bowl game would mark a return to the national elite.
“We weren’t very good, then we became good,” Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. “The next step is good to great. That’s a very difficult step, and winning a New Year’s Day bowl game is part of that.”
The Bulldogs (8-4) haven’t played in a Florida-based bowl game in January since 1941. Michigan (7-5) has frequented the Sunshine State a little more recently, but finds similar motivation.
For the Wolverines, a win would say a lot about the state of the program.
“It’s getting Michigan back, as far as bowl games,” linebacker Kenny Demens said Thursday. “More than anything it’s a start. … It would put us back on the map.” The Bulldogs enter the game ranked 21st in the country and are favored by 4 ½ points, but Michigan nonetheless expects to win.
To do that, Michigan’s embattled defense will need to stop Mississippi State’s one-two rushing punch of tailback Vick Ballard and quarterback Chris Relf.
Relf is no Denard Robinson, who ran for 1,553 yards this season. But the 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior has been an effective runner in his own way - bruising between the tackles.
“He’s a good runner, but he’s a downhill runner,” Michigan’s Ryan Van Bergen said. “Denard is more a shake-and-bake guy, make you miss in the open field. This guy wants to head upfield, get in between the tackles and run the ball. He’s a very physical runner for a quarterback. He’ll lower his shoulder.”
Relf carried for 683 yards and four touchdowns this season. Ballard was Mississippi State’s leading rusher, carrying for 892 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Michigan will find no surprises Saturday. Mississippi State wants to run the football.
“On third down, you can’t sit back and rush the passer,” Van Bergen said. “They have a real dynamic run game. They can run on third and six, and they’ll think they can pick it up.”
In that respect, the Bulldogs remind Michigan of Wisconsin. Yes, the same Wisconsin team that rushed for 357 yards against the Wolverines just two games ago.
“You know what’s coming, but they just execute really well,” Demens said of the Bulldogs.
Wisconsin’s not the only Big Ten team that bears similarities to Mississippi State. Schematically, the Bulldogs have some similarities to Illinois, another team that dented the Wolverines for more than 300 rushing yards.
It’s an imperfect comparison, Van Bergen cautioned. But he says those games are in the past, and that the Michigan defense, statistically the worst in school history, has improved over the past few weeks.
With four weeks to prepare, the Wolverines enter their season finale as prepared as they’ve felt all season.
“We’re just much better prepared for this game because of the time we’ve had,” Van Bergen said. “Their top plays, we’ve repped them so many times we have embedded them in our heads.
“It’s good to have that comfort level with it, because once you get in the game, it’s going to be second nature.”
Pete Bigelow covers the Michigan football team for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2551, via e-mail at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
Blu-n-Tpa
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 9:09 p.m.
@Orlandoman, you send in the same post every time. Good effort, reminds me of the special teams coaching effort this fall. See you at the game.
15crown00
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 7:34 p.m.
ya and i hope it's 90 degrees in Southeastern Mi. from 1-3 to 4-1 but i'm not holding my breath.the defense stunk up the joint except for 1 game.why would any rational person think it will get better for this game????????
HL2TheVictors
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 6:50 p.m.
We have a great University and we have a great football program under great leadership. I think I know those people are who want to profess their hatred for anything and anyone that isn't associated with winning everything. They must be the same people who rise up furious anger on the sidelines of their little kids' baseball and soccer games. What really sucks is that they are teaching their kids how pride themselves in developing their affinity for justified anger and other such destructive behavior. Coach Rod is good for us and when it all turns around, whiners please turn your maize and blue gear in for a refund and don't for a minute talk about how proud you are of our Wolverines.
orlandomichfan
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 6:30 p.m.
we love you richrod...go out and destroy miss st then next season we will also be back to where we should be in the big ten...on top...go blue always and always..
John
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 6:26 p.m.
The defense is what it is. Not experienced, under-talented, injured, poorly coached (The head coach making the DC coach a 3-3-5 that the DC doesn't have the knowledge of or expertise to do) and a lack of play makers (scared to make a mistake?). Anyway, expect msu to move the ball. Only way UM wins, is to out-score them. No mistakes, no turn overs, good game management when it comes down to down/distance and time, and good special teams including make a field goal or two. UM defense needs to make and recover turn-overs. Now, lets not be looking through rose-colored glasses. Offense cannot make any mistakes even on third downs (need to convert). No turn overs. No drops, nfalse starts or holdings. Need to run between the tackles to open up play action and allow Denard to create. The reality is, without Denard, UM wouldn't be here. He is the sole reason that it appears RR has improved the offense. W/O Denard, we aren't having this conversation. He is the only chance UM has. That is the difference between the teams of old and now. We never had to rely on ONE guy to play their butt off for us to win. We could win with "M" defense or offense where all the players contributed to the success of the team. RR does not have the carisma. He has never embraced the "eam"concept. Even recruits are brought in to play for RR, not to come in and play for the University or the TEAM. That is why RR will never be a Michigan Man. He coaches for himself and not for the University of Michigan as a team. Bring in the guy who knows what the "TEAM THE TEAM THE TEAM" means. Bring in the guy who will restore UM to the proud tradition we all long for. He will turn back the "sweater vested and "365 day clock guy" from their ideals of pushing us under their feet with a stiff arm. It might be painful for 2 years but we need to restore this program to the level it should never have left. Go Blue!
sportyridr
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 5:26 p.m.
what stands out in my mind was a game in 2009, at halftime they asked RR what he needed to do to change things for the 2nd half as they were taking a beat down...RR responded "we don't need to change anything"...that was the end for me & RR as the coach for UM right then & there
clarklaker
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 5 p.m.
How can they feel good about a 3-3-5 prevent defense that doesnt work.I feel bad for the player being coached if that is what you want to call it. The biggest problem for me is the wiscy game where michigan didnt adjust to the run game at all.Pittiful coaching. Bottom line is RR needs to go after the bowl game.
Mick
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 4:25 p.m.
Hey Chiro, cheerios to you for that outstanding post by you, very well done sir. It's funny how I was thinking the exact same thing you stated and I found myself nodding in agreement as I was reading your comment. Ben, here we ago again with the notion that now the DEF will get better because of all the guys healing and the secondary growing up. See it doesn't matter when you're not coached well. That's kind of an important component. we are gonna get run all over on in this game. Vegas is not stupid, there is a reason why the Bulldogs are favorite in this game. Our offense will move the ball some and score here and there, but be prepared to get frustrated once again (and hopefully for the final time).
obama from kenya
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 4:09 p.m.
If they win, does RR come back feeling more confident in this defensive scheme and coordinator? Or will David Brandon give us something to look forward to in the New Year? Fire RR finally.
tulsatom
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 4 p.m.
Were just much better prepared for this game because of the time weve had, Van Bergen said. Their top plays, weve repped them so many times we have embedded them in our heads." I like his optimism and hope there is substance behind it. Knowing what's coming is only half the battle. You have to have the muscle and schemes to stop them, too. U-M knew what was coming against Wisconsin and was virtually powerless to stop it. I am encouraged by Mike Martin being at 100%, but unless they were able to upgrade the secondary it could be another long day for the defense.
applehazar
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 3:29 p.m.
The "next step" is a new head coach. Get it done.
The Ben
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 3:29 p.m.
"What exactly has happened to change our expectations of what this Defense is going to do against Miss. St.?" This defense is a unique case. There were a ridiculous amount of true freshmen playing during the season. The extra month to heal, learn, and prepare will mean much more to a true freshman than the typical sophomore, junior, or senior. Combined with bringing people back from injury, I think it's possible that there could be a major difference. The coaching by Robinson still might not be the best, but it's not like he's never coached a competent defense before. He's had his moments in the past. He might be able to at least put an adequate defense on the field when he has healthy and somewhat more experienced players.
timeatwork
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 3:29 p.m.
HA! The uofm defense is utterly pathetic. they are one of the worst units in all of college football. they have no chance to stop msu on saturday. they'll rack up 50+ points and the big10 will get their first bowl loss of the season.
chiro19
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 3:29 p.m.
What exactly has happened to change our expectations of what this Defense is going to do against Miss. St.? Has a new coach come in? Is there a new philosophy? What exactly is going to cahnge? We saw Michigan have a week off against Penn State and the D got worse over that week. That was against an offense that switched to a Flag football champion QB from one of Penn States fraternities. Is the team going to a 3-4 or 4-3 base D? We are expecting changes from this defense like we have the entire year and expecting some magical and different result than what has gone on all season! The belief that things are going to change dramatically are nice to have but lets be honest with ourselves here. The Defense will give up over 500 yards and over 40 points again! Hey, maybe I am wrong though and the defense looks like it has received coherent coaching for the last 3-5 months!
chiro19
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 3:10 p.m.
What exactly has happened to change our expectations of what this Defense is going to do against Miss. St.? Has a new coach come in? Is there a new philosophy? What exactly is going to cahnge? We saw Michigan have a week off against Penn State and the D got worse over that week. That was against an offense that switched to a Flag football champion QB from one of Penn States fraternities. Is the team going to a 3-4 or 4-3 base D? We are expecting changes from this defense like we have the entire year and expecting some magical and different result than what has gone on all season! The belief that things are going to change dramatically are nice to have but lets be honest with ourselves here. The Defense will give up over 500 yards and over 40 points again! Hey, maybe I am wrong though and the defense looks like it has received coherent coaching for the last 3-5 months!
MikeB
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 3:06 p.m.
A win with an improved performance by the defense will help in many ways; a key win, a more attractive program for recruiting and a much better preparation for next years Big 10 schedule. A win against a ranked SEC team will give the team as well as recruiting a lift for 2011. You can look at this as the last game of the season (which is how it will be measured), or the first game of the season for 2011
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 1:41 p.m.
I'm afraid the map is more local in origin, and stretches from mid-Pennsylvania to the great plains of Nebraska. A win (or loss) against a mid-level SEC team doesn't really change the landscape.