During a press conference leading up to Super Bowl XLVII Jim Harbaugh told a story about Bo when he got his very first head coaching job at the University of San Diego. Jim recounted the first words from Bo after hearing of the hire as…

“Jimmy, tell me you’re going to have a tight end that puts his hand in the ground on every snap. Tell me that you will have a fullback that lines directly behind the quarterback and a halfback in the I-formation.’" - Link

I rewatched the championship game today and thought of that quote after the following play from Barner and Bredeson.  It has been many years since I have put up a diary so hopefully this formats without too much issue (as I recall – once these go up they are notoriously hard to edit.) I had a few questions and comments as the play progressed and thought I’d ask them in this format to see if anyone had any insight, as well as share a little smashmouth rejoinder until we get our UFR fix.

This was first and ten at Michigan’s 28, the second first down of  Michigan’s first drive that would end very soon with Donovan taking it to the house.  This play went for seven yards but it felt like a bad omen at the game for the Huskies, and brought the quote above to my mind on rewatch.  This is a frame by frame recounting of the kind of play Eli Owen’s Hello post alluded to earlier.  I doubt we are done with this sort of offense, in the years to come under any OC or head coach… This is Michigan Football at it’s best IMHO. I’m pretty sure Bo would agree.  Enjoy.

First off, what a gift to have All-22, Michigan and Washington Radio video, and 4K broadcast video. What I liked best about the Michigan Radio feed was the Harbaugh cam, which shows attention, input and focus  throughout the entire game. Early on he’s reviewing the scripts and down and distance, making notes along with not so subtle commentary which you will see here. He’s standing at the 26 yard mark on the Sideline in the huddle shot.

You can’t see it here, and I’m not sure I will be able to put video on this post in Open Live Writer but this Michigan Radio view gave great coverage of the huddle that you normally don’t get. In the frame above Keegan is caught looking at the replay (Braelon Trice on the previous play got a free hit on JJ – that was a nice move on his part and left Henderson flat footed.  Keegan whiffed as well though there wasn’t much he could do once Trice blew by Henderson. It is clear he was not happy.) 

What caught my eye besides Keegan’s gaze were JJ’s fist pumps (circled in red) as he reads the scripted play call.  JJ pumps his fist 6 or 7 times.  I would assume each fist pump is for something like:

1. Play Call
2. Formation
3. Pre Set Shift
4. Pre Snap Shift
5. XYZ Routes
6. Cadence
7. And a Repeat of the Cadence

I will call this play (and I’m making this up of course) Pull GT Left / 21 Shotgun T / Shift / Motion / 690 Twins Right / On One / On One. It’s clear Michigan uses a much more concise nomenclature as JJ pumps his fist 6 or 7 times like he is playing Rock Paper Scissors. What is also clear is that he thinks about these plays in these modular chunks. The fact that Keegan is focused on how Trice got to JJ on the previous play says not all the fist pumping info is relevant to each group. The RB/TE and WR crew are leaning in to get the whole call. Again, sorry I can’t show this. I don’t have a torrent hear to play with. The Michigan Radio video was interesting in ways the normal broadcast isn’t.

 

The Pre Set Shift looks like it is actuated by JJ’s arms up motion. Whatever the actual call is Corum knows he doesn’t need to shift. This Pre Set motion flips the Mike and Will as well (with the ball between the hashes.) Here they haven’t flipped yet until Barner transits play side. Karsen and Trente are already in 3 point or elbows low (which may be a tell in hindsight.)  I don’t know what Keegan is messaging here either holding four fingers down. This is probably for Corum? Maybe it is just Dingleberry Left.  As fans, you can only wonder. Keegan seems to be making a call while the non play side including Drake are ready to take what they can knowing they aren’t the point of attack.

Once Barner transits and Bredeson comes into the backfield, Washington flips the backers. I don’t know what Barner is signaling here  either. I assume it is to call in Wilson so he isn’t covered up? It doesn’t look like that though. There’s a lot going on here, I just don’t know.

Here’s the Pre Snap prior to motion which is going to be key to springing this play.

When Wilson transits, the CB 25 Elijah Jackson comes in 2-3 yards and will soon be Bredeson’s lunch. The motion makes this easy.

25 has walked inside the numbers. This isn’t an I formation, but given that this is play is going off the TE, it is about as Power I-ish as Bo would envision. Bredeson is ready to lead Corum behind the Guard and Tackle pull.

This is where we need Seth’s thought bubbles.  Too much work if I am going to get this up tonight.  Basically Jackson and Trice are in for the business. The Mike follows his guard and Keegan is in position to eat.

From the replay.

Henderson get’s his revenge for whiffing the previous play on Trice.

And here comes the fullback. Bredeson meets CB 25 Elijah Jackson with violence. The key is Barner holding the edge. This is what Bo was talking about to Jim when he said you better have guys like Barner and Bredeson. I can’t watch this play enough. Moar TE/FB smash please.

Keegan gets in on the Mike 11 Tuputala and it looks like Corum will just have to beat the safety.

 

Barner’s assignment 91 Letuligasenoa starts to shed and puts an arm out for Corum.

 

Same shot with HC cam. Jim is interested. I can’t say enough about this combination of Harbaugh cam and matching play focus. It is worth the watch.  I enjoyed this way more than the All22. Anyone who says Sherrone calls all the plays needs to watch Jim’s engagement here. He is taking names. Moore has learned from a master. Karsen is not play side here, but man, did he come to play in this game.  I will be very interested in his numbers come UFR time.

Now Keegan’s target sheds, and actually gets Corum around the neck.  Barner isn’t having it from Letuligasenoa and he dispatches him to let Corum pass.

Keegan wisely let’s go of number 11 or he would have been flagged.  Barner and Bredeson again are just eating it up. These guys love to Football.

Jackson gets away with a hand to the face on Bredeson, but it isn’t taken personal. Corum doesn’t have time to move on the safety and gets wrapped up.

Bredeson loses his helmet as does Corum.

Jim’s reaction is priceless. He turns and gives his own Rock Paper Scissors fist pumps. This game isn’t going to end well for the Huskies.

Barner and Bredeson have a Bro fest in celebration. Barner’s shove is nearly flagged for excessive celebration of blocking prowess. So much fun to watch. The lip reader on Harbaugh cam… “We got this!”

Ok here’s the video, thanks to Parkinggod. If it doesn’t work I will post it in the comments.  I love TE and FB play like this. Bredeson coming back  makes me happy in  a mean and dirty way.  Can’t wait for Texas.

 

Happy fist pumping fellow MGoBloggers. Bring on the Spring! Business is good!

Go Blue! Apologies again for format misses here.  This took way longer than I thought. Let’s Go!