upon further review
denard robinson
darryl stonum
2010 wisconsin

Upon Further Review 2010: Offense vs Wisconsin Comment Count

Brian

Formation notes: Nothing fancy from Michigan. Wisconsin mostly went with the linebacker-over-slot stuff ND and others have run all year. Most of the game they paired this with safeties 6-8 yards off the LOS like so:

nickel-4-3

Occasionally they would shift into a cover-zero 4-4 look but mostly it was this. On Michigan's final charted drive they went with the slot LB look with their safeties at real safety depth, whereupon Michigan passed all over them. 

Substitution notes: Lewan missed the game so Michigan went back to its earlier configuration with Huyge at LT. The rest of it was as per usual, except Shaw missed the game with a concussion and Smith got the vast bulk of the time as the number one back.

Show:

Ln Dn Ds O Form RB TE WR D Form Type Play Player Yards
M1 1 10 I-form twins 2 1 2 Base 4-3 Run Iso Smith 2
Wisconsin LBs aligned to the backside of the play, allowing the backside DE to slant under the block of McColgan. Smith does well just to get a couple yards by picking his way through trash. RPS -1, though perhaps harsh since it's first and ten from the one.
M3 2 8 I-form twins 2 1 2 Base 4-3 Pass Rollout hitch Roundtree 14
…but they could have done this so the RPS stands. Michigan rolls the pocket as the two RBs run at the LOS like they're running another iso, sucking linebackers up. Slot safety heads out on the Hemingway hitch outside, leaving Roundtree wide open for the first down. McColgan(-1) got chucked by a DE and Robinson gets some pressure so he has to throw this awkwardly; the resulting pass is on target but inside and takes Roundtree off his feet. Borderline MA/CA, but with the pressure I think it's the latter. (CA, 2, protection 1/2, McColgan -1, RPS +1)
M17 1 10 Shotgun 3-wide 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run Zone dive Smith 7
Eerily similar to the MSU game, where Michigan kept running it right down the throat of an opponent determined to let the backside DE contain on the read. Here he's even standing up with a big blinking sign that says "no scrape here, thanks." Dorrestein(+1) and Omameh(+1) destroy the backside DT, shoving him five yards downfield. This cuts off any LB angles and allows Smith a cutback lane behind the contain DE that he takes for a good chunk. (ZR +1)
RUN+:Omameh, Dorrestein RUN-:
M24 2 3 Shotgun 3-wide 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run Zone dive Smith 4
Same thing, same result, backside DE crashes faster and tackles better. Dorrestein gets a ding for not getting push sufficient to get out of the way of Smith as he tries to run past the DE. (ZR+1)
RUN+:Omameh, Dorrestein(0.5) RUN-:
M28 1 10 Shotgun 3-wide 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Pass Hitch Hemingway Inc
Batted into the air as M slides their protection and leaves Smith one on one with a DE. DE forms up, perceiving this is a quick pass, and leaps to bat it. Smith needs to go at this guy's knees so this doesn't happen. (BA, 0, protection 0/2, Smith -2)
M28 2 10 ? ? ? ? ? Run ? Robinson 1
We miss this play. Hate you director.
M29 3 9 Shotgun 4-wide 1 0 4 Nickel 4-3 Pass Scramble Robinson 6
Protection is fine; Robinson can't find anyone open and ends up running for a gain well short of the first down. Reminder: these get put in TA if they are a clear second option instead of an obvious way to pick up the first. (TA, N/A, protection 2/2)
Drive Notes: Punt, 0-0, 8 min 1st Q.
Ln Dn Ds O Form RB TE WR D Form Type Play Player Yards
M28 1 10 Shotgun 3-wide 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Pass Post Stonum Inc
So like Purdue, Wisconsin's 4-3 alignment has featured safeties 7-8 yards off the LOS with a bias towards charging forward. Michigan goes after it this time around with a play action inverted veer look. Safety 1 sucks up and is dead, safety 2 sucks up and is dead, Stonum gets inside the cornerback and gets yards of separation on a 15-yard post that's either a diving ankle tackle for 20 yards or a touchdown like the Indiana post... Denard overthrows Stonum by five yards. Sad face. (INX, 0, protection 2/2, RPS +3)
M28 2 10 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run Inverted veer keeper Robinson 4
Aiiigh. Michigan goes with the Cam Newton, and I think Perry Dorrestein(-1) does not get his assignment right. He's blocking down on the playside DT, which is also what Omameh is doing. This allows the MLB to scrape unmolested. The playside DE is headed upfield to contain the handoff so Robinson pulls (ZR+1). Schilling's pulled around and kicks out the OLB, leaving Robinson one on one with that unblocked MLB in a ton of space. With one safety screaming playside to contain Smith and the other headed around the outside Denard is gone--gone--if he gets through the first level. A diving arm tackle succeeds in getting Denard down. Sadface.
RUN+:Omameh RUN-: Dorrestein
M32 3 6 Shotgun trips 1 0 4 Nickel 4-3 Run QB draw Robinson 29
Safety in the box here for a seven-man front. Daring them to throw, except when M runs the QB draw it rips off a big chunk. Go figure. Schilling(+1) gets the key block at the line that gets a DT upfield and opens it up for Robinson. Omameh(+1) set his guy up well, allowing Smith(+1) to take a run at a linebacker not sure which side of the NT the play will go. Molk(+1) gets a block in space against the last linebacker and Robinson doesn't even have to cut until a safety attacks. He dodges the S(+2) and picks up another 15 before someone can run him down from behind when he cuts past the corner.
RUN+:Schilling, Omameh, Smith, Molk, Robinson(2) RUN-:
O39 1 10 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Base 4-4 Pass Bubble screen Roundtree 3
Linebackers in the box and soft man on the edges for the first time. Michigan attacks it with the bubble. Robinson's throw is behind Roundtree, forcing him to spin around and robbing him of an opportunity to attack the charging safety. (MA, 3, screen)
O36 2 7 Shotgun 3-wide 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run Zone dive Smith 6
Same thing, other side of the line, with Huyge(+1) and Schilling(+1) doing the honors by blowing the backside DT yards off the LOS and giving Smith an easy six yards. Schilling peeled off the block to kick a charging MLB impressively, otherwise I'd think about knocking these down to halves. Backside DE again crashes to tackle.
RUN+:Huyge, Schilling RUN-:
O30 3 1 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Base 4-4 Run QB lead draw Robinson 1
Omameh(-1) gets slanted under by the backside DE, making this a difficult, hairy conversion that Robinson barely makes. Honestly it looks like the spot was a half-yard generous. (RPS -1) Huyge also slanted under so no cutback lane.
O29 1 10 Shotgun 3-wide 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run Zone stretch Smith 7
Backside DE contain; handoff (ZR+1). Wisconsin's playside DT too quick to get sealed and an attempted scoop on the playside DE gets run through. It's cutback time. Molk's block on the DT has driven him off the LOS. Huyge ran at the backside DT and kind of fell down in his general direction, which does not look like an effective block in any way but does force the guy about four yards downfield and opens the lane up further. Smith reads it, hits it, makes contact with the backside DT five yards downfield and gets tackled for six. Wow. So... um. Half points for Smith, Molk, and Huyge? Sure!
RUN+:Smith(0.5), Molk(0.5), Huyge(0.5) RUN-:
O22 2 3 Shotgun 4-wide 1 0 4 Nickel 4-3 Run QB lead draw Robinson 5
Double by Molk(+0.5) and Omameh(+0.5) drives the playside DT back; he attempts to swim through and Omameh kicks him out of the play. Molk's release is awkward since he's coming from inside the LB, but he pushes the guy past the play and gives Robinson a cutback lane. It's a cutback lane directly into a linebacker but it's good for the first. If M hadn't released oddly because of the swim this could have opened up for more, thus the halves. Smith(+1) got a good pounding block on another LB.
O17 1 10 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Base 4-4 Pass Bubble screen Roundtree Inc
In front of Roundtree by a yard; it glances off his fingertips. (IN, 0, screen)
O17 2 10 Shotgun empty TE 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run QB draw Robinson 4
Offensive line has enough blockers to get Robinson one on one with a safety but it looks like Schilling(-1) loses his guy to the wrong side and forces a cutback; Omameh(+1) got a one on one block with the backside DT that got him on his butt four yards downfield and Robinson runs off that for a decent gain.
O13 3 6 Shotgun empty TE 1 1 3 Base 4-3 Pass Rollout out Smith Inc
Wisconsin goes with an aggressive look and sends six with man behind it. Smith runs an out past the sticks and is open for the first; Robinson sees it and throws it. This would hit any average-sized WR in the facemask but Smith is 5'6 and it glances off his hands. This is like throwing strikes to Eddie Gaedel. I can't give him an IN here, I don't think. (MA, 2, protection 2/2)
Drive Notes: Missed FG(30), 14 min 2nd Q. So… Robinson threw four passes on this drive, and all of them were IN or MA.
Ln Dn Ds O Form RB TE WR D Form Type Play Player Yards
M36 1 10 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run Inverted veer handoff Smith 2
So the problem with this play is that Schilling ends up blocking no one on his pull. M leaves the playside DE unblocked, as you do on the veer, and pulls Schilling to the frontside as everyone else blocks down. Dorrestein releases into the MLB. Koger heads outside for the playside safety. This leaves the SLB. Schilling's pull actually has to go around the playside DE--he goes upfield of him, and as a result ends up chasing no one in space as the SLB runs out on Smith. Smith cuts it up, where the DE tackles. It was a correct handoff (ZR+1) with the DE biting inside but the inability of Schilling(-1) to block either guy kills the play. RPS -1.
RUN+: RUN-: Schilling
M38 2 8 Shotgun trips 1 0 4 Nickel 4-3 Run QB draw Robinson 0
Opens up but for Omameh(-2) getting smoked by a DT, which closes off the intended hole and forces Robinson to bounce it outside where Valai has ample time to fill for no gain.
RUN+: RUN-: Omameh(2)
M38 3 8 Shotgun 4-wide 1 0 4 3-3-5 nickel Pass Flare screen Smith 2
Smith runs out before the snap; Robinson pumps the throw, oddly. He still gets it out and accurate; Smith heads upfield. Roundtree's lost the guy inside but man there's a reason you don't go inside on this one; if Smith(-2) cuts it out he's got acres of space and the first down. He doesn't and Roundtree's guy collapses on him to tackle short of the sticks. (CA, 3, screen)
Drive Notes: Punt, 0-10, 6 min 2nd Q
Ln Dn Ds O Form RB TE WR D Form Type Play Player Yards
M37 1 10 ? ? ? ? ? Pass Hitch Hemingway 3
We come to this play with the ball already in the air. Hemingway can't escape from the tackler this time and goes nowhere. (CA, 3, protection 1/1)
M40 2 7 Shotgun 4-wide 1 0 4 Nickel 4-3 Pass Slant Stonum Inc
Open for the first down, zinged in accurately and on time. Stonum drops the ball. Corner came up to hit him but the ball was already coming out when he arrived. (CA+, 3, protection 1/1)
M40 3 7 Shotgun empty 1 0 4 3-3-5 nickel Pass Slant Hemingway Inc
Another well timed throw, though this one is a bit low. Hemingway does bring it in briefly, but the Wisconsin DB is right with him and rakes it out as they go to the ground. Nice play. (CA, 1, protection 1/1)
Drive Notes: Punt, 0-17, 3 min 2nd Q. Wisconsin scores, Gallon fumbles the kickoff, and M gets the ball back with 30 seconds left, running two QB draws and not trying to score. Not charted.
Ln Dn Ds O Form RB TE WR D Form Type Play Player Yards
M29 1 10 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Pass Post Hemingway Inc
A play action fake with just one receiver in the route; the same play Michigan tried and missed on with Stonum in the first half. This time the Wisconsin safety doesn't bite entirely--just mostly--and sits down in front of the route. Robinson overthrows Hemingway, which is better than throwing it to the safety. However, Robinson had time to let the play develop with good blocking and if he waits another second or two Hemingway clears the safety and he's got a 15 yard throw that's another hopeful ankle tackle or touchdown. (IN, 0, protection 2/2, RPS +2)
M29 2 10 Shotgun 4-wide 1 0 4 Nickel 4-3 Pass Hitch Stonum 9
Simple hitch against a backed-off corner good for five and then Stonum tacks on a few after the catch by running through the corner's tackle. Refs blow it dead just as Huyge comes up to bang him across the first down line. (CA, 3, protection 1/1)
M38 3 1 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Base 4-4 Run Inside zone Smith 3
Wisconsin runs a scrape exchange, sending the backside end in and running LBs over the top. Handoff made (ZR+1); Omameh(+1) and Dorrestein(+1) crush the playside DT off the ball and Webb(+1) cuts off the DE, giving Smith a window. He could cut for a big gain but trips coming through the hole.
RUN+:Dorrestein, Webb, Omameh RUN-: Smith
M41 1 10 Shotgun trips TE 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run Zone read keeper Robinson 12
This seems like an instant response to the scrape Michigan saw on the last play. They come out in trips with a TE to the other side, which drags LBs to the strong side and the slot LB way outside the hashes. Linebackers suck in on the inside zone fake and the DE crashes so Robinson pulls(ZR+1), finding himself in a ton of space. Rolled up safety is supposed to contain but good luck with that, dude. Robinson falls as he cuts past the guy and that's all that keeps this at 12 yards. RPS+1.
RUN+:Robinson(2) RUN-:
O47 1 10 Shotgun trips TE 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run QB stretch Robinson 4
Wisconsin DL sliding down the line well and keeping the holes to a minimum. Molk(+1) does eventually get his helmet across, though and Omameh(+1) drives his man back as Michigan stretches the line; Robinson has a seam. Seam is filled by the safety, who beat Roundtree(-1) and can fill as Robinson threatens the second level.
RUN+:Molk, Omameh RUN-: Roundtree
O43 2 6 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run Zone dive Hopkins 4
Backside DT finally stands up to the double decently, though he gets pushed back. Schilling comes off on the linebacker coming up the middle and Hopkins cuts behind Huyge into the other MLB, who is unblocked. He falls forward for a few.
RUN+:N/A RUN-:
O40 3 2 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run Inside zone Smith 0
We get to the play late so I'm not sure why but the playside DE is left unblocked as Dorrestein moves out on someone or another, which lets that guy tackle two yards in the backfield. Certainly looks like a bust on Dorrestein's(-2) part, especially because this is the exact same play they just ran.
RUN+: RUN-: Dorrestein(2)
O40 4 2 Shotgun 4-wide 1 0 4 Base 4-3 Pass PA rollout cross Grady 13
This is the same route pattern from Odoms Way Down In The Hole. Playside slot runs an out, playside WR runs a deep hitch behind it, backside slot comes on a crossing route for a third option. Here the CB goes with the hitch and the playside safety jumps the out, opening Grady up on the cross. Robinson reads it and zings it into the open Grady a second before the safety can get there. Pass was a little behind Grady and the catch was tough-ish with the safety coming. (CA, 2, protection 2/2)
O27 1 10 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run QB lead draw Robinson 3
Michigan checks, flipping the RB, and Wisconsin checks from a soft-ish base 4-3 to the quasi eight man front they've been running all day. Watt drives through Dorrestein(-1) and forces Robinson to cut behind him, away from the driving double on the playside DT. This robs Omameh of an angle to get a second level block and Robinson runs into a linebacker after a few yards.
RUN+: RUN-: Dorrestein
O24 2 7 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Pass Stop and go Stonum 24
Corner bites on the hitch fake but blocks Stonum's path as he attempts to release and gets himself in with a chance. Handfighting down the sidelines gets Stonum open by exactly one step; Robinson sits and fires a gorgeous looping ball over the corner's head and directly into Stonum's hands. Could not be better thrown. (DO+, 3, protection 2/2)
Drive Notes: Touchdown, 7-24, 11 min 3rd Q
Ln Dn Ds O Form RB TE WR D Form Type Play Player Yards
O38 1 10 Shotgun 2-back 2 0 3 Nickel 4-3 Pass Post Stonum 34
Play action sucks the safety, who's already seven yards from the LOS, up a step and Stonum's gone. He's got a step or two on the DB; Robinson sees it and sets up to throw. He's getting pressure at his feet because Hopkins(-1) blew his chip on Watt. All he did was knock Huyge upfield and let Watt in. Robinson's throw is a little short, which is fine considering. Stonum then makes the best adjustment of his career by deploying a Manningham-quality move. He slows up, gets his body into the defender, and then releases at the last moment to haul in the over-the shoulder catch just over the outstretched arm of a cornerback he personally prevented from getting the half-yard he needed to break the pass up. Excellent. (CA, 1, protection 1/2, Hopkins -1)
O4 1 G Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 4-3 split Run Veer keeper Robinson 4
Robinson keeps(ZR+1) as he sees the playside DE crash on Smith. M doubled the playside DE, allowing the S to scrape over the top, though, since this is four yards from the endzone. Robinson jukes him, then shoots inside of the befuddled, spinning DE, breaking his tackle and lunging into the endzone, where Dorrestein, Omameh, and the playside DT await.
RUN+:Robinson(2), Omameh, Dorrestein RUN-:
Drive Notes: Touchdown, 14-24, 9 min 3rd Q
Ln Dn Ds O Form RB TE WR D Form Type Play Player Yards
M43 1 10 Shotgun trips 1 0 4 Nickel 4-3 Pass Bubble screen Roundtree 4
There's a linebacker right over the second slot WR who blows him up, forces the play inside, and tackles. Not sure why they're throwing this given UW's alignment. (CA, 3, screen) I guess I can't RPS-1 a four yard gain that Wisconsin had defended perfectly.
M47 2 6 Shotgun trips 1 0 4 Nickel 4-3 Run QB stretch Robinson 3
Michigan again can't seal the playside DT but does get the advantage on him as they run down the line. Molk(+1) and Omameh(+1) have two guys moving laterally three yards downfield as Robinson tries to find a hole; Dorrestein(-1) loses his DE to the inside and he tackles from behind. Cost Michigan 2-3 yards there.
50 3 3 Shotgun 3-wide 1 1 3 Base 4-4 Run Zone stretch Smith 3
Linebackers slid heavily to the side of the line with the H-back and Smith, probably in anticipation of a Robinson run. Schilling(+1) delays the backside DT, allowing Huyge to attempt a cut; it's stepped over but does open a cutback. Molk(-1) loses the playside DT and he can tackle from the side as Smith cuts it up. Smith takes a shot from another linebacker and manages to spin for the first down despite having a DT on his back.
RUN+:Smith, Schilling RUN-: Molk
O47 1 10 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Pass Post Stonum 32
UW corner is lined up with inside position on Stonum but he still gets to the inside. With one safety at LB depth and the other dropping to the other side of the field Stonum's position allows Robinson to toss a ball up about three yards inside the pair; Stonum again keeps the DB on his back and makes a good catch for big yards. (CA, 2, protection 2/2, RPS +1)
O15 1 10 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run Zone stretch Smith 4
A similar story to previous stretches: Wisconsin DTs don't get sealed but in doing so give up a lot of ground and Smith runs to the sideline, gaining a chunk of yards but nothing explosive with the playside DT coming through Omameh about four yards downfield.
RUN+:N/A RUN-:
O11 2 6 Shotgun 3-wide 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run QB off tackle Robinson 11
Michigan blocks down and pulls for the first time. Koger(+1) seals Watt. He gets chucked eventually but it's too late. Molk(+2) obliterates the MLB with a devastating cut. Playside LB and S have to contain, with Schilling(+1) kicking out the playside LB, and Robinson can cruise into the endzone.
Drive Notes: Touchdown, 21-31, 3 min 3rd Q
Ln Dn Ds O Form RB TE WR D Form Type Play Player Yards
M28 1 10 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Base 4-3 Pass Rollout hitch Roundtree 16
This is now a staple of the offense: Denard rolls, Roundtree is singled up against a safety ten yards off the LOS, and he runs a ten-yard hitch the opponent can't cover without risking a big play as the linebackers are all in run mode. Easy first down. (CA, 3, protection 1/1, RPS+1)
M44 1 10 Shotgun H-back? 1 1 3 ? Run Inside zone? Smith 6
We're looking at John Clay instead of the play. This may have been a veer, actually.
50 2 4 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run Zone stretch Smith 5
Safeties are now at regular safety depth FWIW. Wisconsin slants hard playside with the backside DT giving ground without engaging, as the Badgers have done most of the game on stretch plays. With the backside DE containing (ZR+1) the hard slant allows Smith a cutback lane. Huyge(+1) engages the DT as he cuts it up.
RUN+:Smith, Huyge RUN-:
O45 1 10 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Pass PA TE Flat Webb 9
Corner blitz to the playside is awkward, forcing Denard to pump and loft a touch pass over the guy that Webb leaps for and turns up for a good gain as he beats the UW LB to the sideline. Robinson had just this option and getting this pass with enough loft and getting it in a place where Webb isn't immediately tackled for two yards is impressive. (DO, 2, protection N/A, RPS -1)
O36 2 1 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Base 4-3 Pass Bubble screen Grady 0
Pass is too far in front of Grady and he ends up lunging forward to catch it, falling for no gain. (IN, 2, screen)
O36 3 1 Shotgun 4-wide 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run QB lead draw Robinson 4
With a twist: the running back is Webb. I wonder what's coming? Oh. Watt beats Dorrestein(-1) inside. This happens sometimes but here Dorrestein is driven back, which means Webb can't cut outside and change the angle of his block. He bumps into the pair, sending Watt sprawling. He then bounces off that and does get a block(+1) on the playside LB, which allows Robinson to squeeze out the first.
RUN+:Webb, Robinson RUN-: Dorrestein
O32 1 10 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Base 4-3 Pass PA Hitch Roundtree Inc
Wisconsin sends six and doesn't get there, giving Robinson his choice of open targets. Roundtree's open on that same hitch again; Webb has no one within ten yards of him on a flat route. Robinson picks Roundtree, puts it right in his chest, and sees 'Tree drop it. (CA, 3, protection 3/3)
O32 2 10 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Pass ? ? Int
Robinson drops to pass and throws; Watt bats it and picks it off. (BA, N/A, protection 2/2)
Drive Notes: Interception, 21-38, 12 min 4th Q
Ln Dn Ds O Form RB TE WR D Form Type Play Player Yards
M17 1 10 Shotgun 3-wide 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Pass Rollout scramble Robinson 2
Wisconsin covers both receivers and while Robinson has an opportunity to hit Koger by the time he does he's already decided to run up the sideline. (TA, N/A, protection 1/1)
M19 2 8 Shotgun 3-wide 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Run QB down G Robinson 2
Watt destroys Koger(-2), running through his down block and losing him so quickly that Smith can't adjust; Robinson had a lane inside for decent yardage thanks to some cutbacks on the backside.
RUN+: RUN-: Koger(2)
M21 3 6 Shotgun trips TE 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Pass Post Roundtree 28
This is a four verticals concept, I think, but run from trips that means Roundtree has to run a post to get to the seam on the far side of the field. UW has just one deep safety and the linebackers get lost, failing to drop back. They've been coached to defend four verts but probably didn't recognize it out of this formation. Roundtree breaks wide open; Robinson hits him with a touch pass that hits him in stride; safety does manage to cut Roundtree's legs out and prevent a TD. (DO, 3, protection 2/2, RPS +1)
M49 1 10 Shotugn trips TE 1 1 3 Nickel 4-3 Pass Rollout sack ? -4
Spielman is spending the entirety of this drive bitching about the defense. Michigan rolls the pocket, with Dorrestein(-1) allowing the playside DT to run upfield outside of him without bothering to deal with it. Michigan's routes are all covered on the roll side except maybe Hemingway at the LOS, but that's going to get like three yards. DT comes in on Robinson as he sets to throw; he pulls it down and dodges the guy but takes a hit and falls as he does so. (TA, N/A, protection 0/2, Dorrestein -2)
M45 2 14 Shotgun 4-wide 1 1 3 Base 4-3 Run QB draw Robinson 14
Molk is going to double one DT and shove him to Schilling; as he does this the DT moves upfield himself in an attempt to get pass rush. This gets Robinson through the line. Downfield, Koger, Grady, and Molk(+1s all) get great downfield blocks. Robinson runs straight upfield to draw the safety and LB on Grady in, then tries to cut outside past them; safety manages to tackle before he can break it outside and threaten TD.
RUN+:Molk, Grady, Koger, Omameh RUN-:
O41 1 10 Shotgun 3-wide 1 1 3 Base 4-3 Pass Hitch Roundtree 21
All day as the line gets Robinson a fantastic pocket. Wisconsin goes with zone, and unintentionally high-lows the MLB. The line opened up a big running lane for Robinson so the LB is naturally wary of dropping too deep and allowing him to jet, which means he's six yards off the LOS as Roundtree is running a hitch behind him at 15. Robinson sees the opening and hits it; throw is a bit high but not too bad. (CA, 3, protection 3/3)
O20 1 10 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Base 4-3 Pass Yakety sax ? -8
Michigan going for a bubble when Smith runs by Robinson and knocks the ball out of his hands.
O28 2 18 Shotgun H-back 1 1 3 Base 4-3 Pass Seam Roundtree 28
PA fake eliminates LBs in the middle of the field, leaving Roundtree against what must be zone from the slot LB and a safety. Slot LB chucks but leaves a window; Robinson zings it in as Roundtree gets between levels. That's a first down; Roundtree turns it into six by juking the safety and darting upfield before people can tackle him from behind. (CA+, 3, protection 2/2)
Drive Notes: Touchdown, 28-41, 6 min 4th Q. Forcier enters with Michigan down 20 on the next drive. EOG.

DID YOU KNOW I AM A RAVING LUNATIC?

I suspected, surely.

I THINK THE MICHIGAN OFFENSE IS SECRETLY NOT GOOD BECAUSE THE TEAM HAS FALLEN BEHIND IN GAMES AND COULD NOT CATCH UP IN THE SECOND HALF.

Second half and first half points count the same and while I could see some sort of argument that Wisconsin had lightened up on the pressure because they were ahead by so much, they didn't do that. They remained very aggresive until the last drive I charted above, whereupon they backed the safeties off to safety depth… and Roundtree immediately caught three balls for 28, 21, and 28 yards. There's one play in the whole game you can chalk up to Wisconsin having a big lead: a QB draw that worked on Michigan's final TD drive.

BUT THEY DID NOT SCORE ONE MILLION POINTS.

This is true. There are a couple obvious reasons for this. One: Wisconsin grind time and the Gallon fumble limited Michigan to nine drives above. Remember being super excited about everything after the UConn game? That was a 30-point performance on eight real drives with a missed extra point. This was a 28-point performance on nine real drives with a missed 30 yard field goal. The other is in the--

CHART

--charts.

DENARD ROBINSON

Opponent DO CA MA IN BR TA BA PR SCR ZR DSR
2009, All Of It 1 7 6(2) 3(1) 4 4 - - ? - 44%
UConn 2 15(6) - - 3 2 - - 2 - 68%
Notre Dame 3 25(8) 3(1) 4 1 - 4(1) 2 - - 71%
UMass 4 10(3) - 1 1 - 1 1 - - 73%
BGSU 1 4(1) - - - - - - - 1/1 N/A
Indiana 2 8(2) 1(1) 5(1) - - - - - 9/11 66%
Michigan State 4 14(3) 1 7(1) 1 - - 2 2 N/A 68%
Iowa 1 11(3) 2 3(1) 2 - 1 - - 3/4 64%
Penn State 3 12(3) 1 4 2 - 1 - - 6/10 63%
Illinois 4 9(1) 1 4 1 3 1(1) - - 3/4 60%
Purdue 2 12(1) 1 3 1 1 1 3 - 8/10 68%
Wisconsin 3 14(2) 2(1) 4(2) - 2 2 - - 8/8 71%

TATE FORCIER

Opponent DO CA MA IN BR TA BA PR SCR ZR DSR
Iowa 3 14 1 2 4 - - 1 1 N/A 74%
Illinois 2 11 - - 2 3 - - 1 3/4 72%
Purdue 1 - 1 1 1 - - - 2 N/A N/A

Well, maybe not obvious from this chart. But it's in there. Robinson had a bounce back day, completing 64% and averaging almost 10 YPA, but in the first half he racked up almost all of the MA and INs you see above, three of them on screens that may have been open but never had the opportunity to develop. Early his inability to hit Stonum deep allowed Wisconsin to continue pressuring the run game. In the second half he turned those inaccurate passes into complete bombs to Stonum and touchdowns resulted.

The other bit is hidden in this chart with the receivers:

  This Game   Totals
Player 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3
Stonum 1 1/1 1/1 2/3 9 2/7 7/12 19/19
Odoms : ( - - - 1 1/1 3/4 11/11
Hemingway 1 0/1 - 1/1 8 3/5 4/6 23/27
Stokes - - - - - - 1/2 -
Roundtree 1 - 1/1 6/7 12 2/3 6/9 37/41
Grady - - 2/2 - 4 1/1 5/5 8/9
T. Robinson - - - - - 0/1 - 2/3
Gallon - - - - 1 - - 4/4
                 
Koger - - - - - - 2/3 9/9
Webb - - 1/1 - 2 - 1/1 4/5
                 
Smith - - 0/1 1/1 3 - 0/3 13/13
Shaw - - - - 1 0/1 0/1 5/6
McColgan - - - - - - - 1/1
Hopkins - - - - - - - -
Toussaint - - - - - - - -

A couple of key drops added to the passing game issues in the first half. Consecutive accurate slants hit the ground on one of Michigan's three and outs, one a pure drop by Stonum, the other raked out by the guy on covering Hemingway.

On the other hand, this was probably the best game of Stonum's career. This is some Manningham-level stuff right here:

That ball is short and Stonum knows it so he slows up, uses his body to shield the defender so he can't break it up, then extends to make a great over the shoulder catch. He also did this:

And this:

He's got too long of a track record to dismiss his previous struggles, but hey, I'll take it.

GHLARGERAGERAGGG

PROTECTION METRIC: 31/37, Dorrestein –2, Smith –2, Hopkins –1, McColgan –1.

FLARBALARGALARGALARG

RPS: 10-4 = +6.

GALONGBALUNGGALAAAAARP

A sparse run chart, as Michigan only had about 28 charted:

 

Offensive Line
Player + - T Notes
Huyge 2.5 0 2.5 Run game seemed to tilt the other way.
Lewan - - - DNP
Schilling 5 2 3  
Molk 7 1 6 No reaches but some good blocks otherwise.
Omameh 10.5 3 7.5 Surprisingly the focus of the run game. Executed a lot of grinding double teams.
Khoury - - - DNP
Dorrestein 4.5 5 -0.5 Pretty meh.
Webb 2 - 2 The usual
Koger 2 2 0 Also the usual.
TOTAL 33.5 23 20.5 Solid blocking day.
Backs
Player + - T Notes
Robinson 6 - 6 Perfect ZR day, even got a keeper.
Gardner - - - DNP
Forcier - - - Not charted.
Shaw - - - DNP
Smith 3 3.5 -0.5 Missed a cut on a third down conversion, just ok otherwise.
Cox - - - DNP
Toussaint - - - Like three snaps.
Hopkins - - - Did not score.
McColgan - - - DNP.
Jones - - - DNP
TOTAL 9 3.5 5.5 Not getting much more than the blockers give them.
Receivers
Player + - T Notes
Stonum - - - --
Odoms - - - --
TRobinson - - - --
Roundtree - 1 -1 --
Grady 1 - 1 --
Gallon - - - --
Hemingway - - - --
TOTAL 1 1 0 --
Metrics

Michigan averaged 5.2 YPC minus sacks, which is on par with the best performances on the ground against Wisconsin this year but does add in the two first half scrambles that were not charted. Without those that gets knocked down to okay, not great. The tradeoff for the Badgers was giving up 10 YPA in the air.

Heroes?

Stonum, second half Denard.

Goats?

First half Denard.

What does it mean for Ohio State?

Michigan should be able to move the ball but we've seen enough breakdowns over the course of the season to know this offense is not quite at the point where they can expect to run up and down the field against a very good defense. Drops, penalties, inaccurate throws, etc, all conspire to end drives. OSU's had some injury issues, especially at safety, and I'm expecting they'll put up points. Not enough to keep up, obviously.

Comments

maximus_spaniard

November 25th, 2010 at 3:34 PM ^

Second half and first half points count the same and while I could see some sort of argument that Wisconsin had lightened up on the pressure because they were ahead by so much, they didn't do that. They remained very aggresive until the last drive I charted above, whereupon they backed the safeties off to safety depth… and Roundtree immediately caught three balls for 28, 21, and 28 yards. There's one play in the whole game you can chalk up to Wisconsin having a big lead: a QB draw that worked on Michigan's final TD drive.

'nough said. The offense is good, but still young, has yet to reach its prime. And it is because of that youth and relative inexperience that it shoots itself in the foot and has not been able to seize all of its opportunities; it has not developed a killer instinct. But it will, if given the right time to mature, and when that happens, I hope we can all finally understand that all past and current struggles were all worth it.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, from frigid cold Northern Canada.

Joined: 11/20/2009

MGoPoints: 164

Communist Football

November 25th, 2010 at 11:58 PM ^

Denard seems to get anxious in unfamiliar situations, and that's when he makes bad decisions. When he's calm and in command of his reads he does fine. Hopefully this will improve in the offseason as it did last year, but there's a nonzero chance that Denard will be like this his whole career (against top-level defenses).

Joined: 09/18/2010

MGoPoints: 18935

mgofootball4

November 25th, 2010 at 4:16 PM ^

Regardless of how or when the offense scores - the point is that they are scoring.  Michigan's 28 points against Wisky was the most since 1990.. (I think that's right).  

The offense only gets better from here on out.  Bowl, spring and fall practice seasons will allow this unit to get better and better.  

Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for the holiday UFR!

Joined: 06/21/2009

MGoPoints: 159

Enjoy Life

November 25th, 2010 at 4:32 PM ^

I decided to chart unforced errors by the offense as well as TOs. In the Wisconsin game, there were 8 unforced errors that cost us 21-35 points. If the offense can just eliminate the unforced errors, this should be a enough for the win. (BTW, Wisconsin made NO unforced errors.)

No, really!

Chart of the unforced errors here:

http://mgoblog.com/diaries/turnovers-and-special-teams%E2%80%93updated-…

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 2658

Seth

November 26th, 2010 at 12:08 AM ^

The Chart of Unforced Errors is a great addition, EJ.

I was thinking while reading the D-UFR this week that a game swing metric ought to be put in after unforced errors, things that cause big plays, and turnovers, based on game situation. Sometimes, a QB just misses. But if he misses a wide open sure TD on 3rd and 7, that's a likely 7-point swing in the game.

Joined: 10/14/2008

MGoPoints: 148958

Jon06

November 25th, 2010 at 9:04 PM ^

Can somebody who understands the receiver chart explain it to those of us who understand everything in the UFR but that? (It might suffice to just explain the column headings--mouseover doesn't turn anything up--but more of an explanation can't hurt.)

Joined: 09/19/2009

MGoPoints: 15293

Jeff

November 25th, 2010 at 11:56 PM ^

0 means an impossible catch.  Such as if the ball bounces 4 yards in front of the receiver.

1 means a highlight-reel catch.  Think of Braylon Edwards.

2 means a little bit of work, but still needs to be caught.

3 means a perfectly placed ball that absolutely can't be dropped.  Think of Braylon Edwards again (except this time not in the good way).

Joined: 07/01/2008

MGoPoints: 1435

JDW

November 25th, 2010 at 10:01 PM ^

I would suggest that his new glasses are helping him see the ball better .He commented earlier  this year that he couldn't see the ball until it was a few feet away

Joined: 04/16/2010

MGoPoints: 55

NateVolk

November 25th, 2010 at 10:46 PM ^

Brian talking about the fact that Wisconsin was not turning back the aggressiveness late in the game made me feel really good about the offense. It also made me feel a lot better about the future if the continuity of the program is maintained next year.

I am glad he addressed that because it has been a huge criticism of mine.

Joined: 07/19/2010

MGoPoints: 6863