Article on MacDonald's defense's approach to Saturday

Submitted by PeteM on November 24th, 2021 at 11:33 AM

I loved Don Brown when he arrived, and think that he called some great games well into his time here (holding a 10-3 Iowa team to 3 points in 2019).  That said, it became clear that when teams found a weakness to exploit we could get paved whether it was crossing patterns or DTs later in his time couldn't hold up. MacDonald seems like a great coach, but also I think that this NFL background helps since the distribution of talent in league is more even than in college which I suspect requires more adjustments between and within games to deal with mismatches.  This piece seems to confirm that including Hutchinson's quote: “we adjust every week . . . we adjust in-game at half time".

https://www.michigandaily.com/sports/football/with-new-defense-come-hope-of-new-outcome-for-the-game/

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Sllepy81

November 24th, 2021 at 11:37 AM ^

I just want to hear from MacDonald no matter the outcome. I want to hear that his plan worked/sort of worked or failed and why he thinks it did. Don Brown didn't change a thing year after year, no adjustments vs them and it showed. I don't expect him to control their offense year 1 but I do expect him to adjust things each year unlike Brown.

Joined: 01/02/2013

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Don

November 24th, 2021 at 11:39 AM ^

This article is pure 100% fluff. It's predicated on the notion of McDonald making half-time adjustments, but doesn't give one single example of those supposed adjustments.

He sure as hell didn't make any adjustments to his ill-advised player substitution scheme against MSU.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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KC Wolve

November 24th, 2021 at 11:46 AM ^

OSU is going to score and score lots. Yeah, the defense matters as always, but it matters very little unless the offense plays flawless and scores TDs and not FGs. 

Joined: 10/09/2010

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Newton Gimmick

November 24th, 2021 at 4:42 PM ^

I don't necessarily disagree, but if OSU only scored two offensive TDs each vs Penn State and Nebraska -- both comparable in quality to our defense -- why do we assume they will hang 50 again?  Is it because they looked good vs Purdue and MSU?  Or because we assume they plan all year designing plays for this game?

OSU has had some red zone issues this year too -- Ryan Day gets too stubborn/cute and passes too much instead of just running Henderson

 

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Midukman

November 24th, 2021 at 12:02 PM ^

“They’re bigger stronger and faster than the rest of the big 10”. Pretty much sums it up. I do have some faith in the fact that McDonald shows multiple confusing fronts. We may not stop them, but Stroud will have to earn his layups….I hope.
Having an NFL style D may be a good thing Saturday considering not 1 buckeye qb has ever done Jack shit on Sundays. 

Joined: 09/13/2018

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Strider31

November 24th, 2021 at 12:11 PM ^

Remember Alabama and Clemson both had star studded players on defense. When they played against great offenses, the games turned into shootouts. You’re not gonna shut an offense like Ohio state down. We’ll have to score points to win this game and hope the defense keeps us in it. Go Blue!

Joined: 12/10/2017

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Eng1980

November 24th, 2021 at 2:24 PM ^

It feels to me like both teams will score into the 30s.

Massey has OSU 34, Michigan 31  

O/U 64.5 and -8.5

I don't believe you have to score quickly to win a shootout.  I suspect that Harbaugh doesn't think so either given his lack of tempo previous to this year.  Michigan has some tempo this year.

Joined: 04/28/2016

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CLord

November 24th, 2021 at 12:31 PM ^

We've seen other teams make adjustments to neuter our approach in the past.  It was Indiana who first unleashed the crossing routes on Don Brown a few years back, giving OSU the blue print.

We are reduced to the annual hope that Harbaugh and staff have spent exhaustive effort analyzing OSU's offense to design a defense to limit it, much as Indiana limited our defense.  This year all hope rests on MacDonald.

If ever there was a year, this would be it.  Home game, great team, great pass rush, and new, flexible defensive scheme, against a freshman QB, no matter how good he is, making his first start in the Big House.  

In order for us to win, we will need to see something akin to what Indiana showed the world a few years ago about Don Brown.  We will need a scheme that somehow contains the receivers and running game while also allowing our pass rush to arrive and crush the QB at least a few times.

After the MSU game, I don't harbor that much hope, but harbored hope remains.  Lucy, I'm kicking that football you little bitch.

Joined: 09/11/2011

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MRunner73

November 24th, 2021 at 12:38 PM ^

Actually, the assistant coaching has good balance. There is Ron Bellamy who's come from the HS ranks and then Clinkscale with an impressive college background. This staff will be able to make those adjustments and the DL will also need to be able to least hurry Stroud so as to force him into making errant throws as often as possible. It's a matter of our players being put into the right positions that will give them a chance at making some key stops during this game. A total team efforts is needed. Go Blue!

Joined: 11/11/2018

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Hucklebyforpresident

November 24th, 2021 at 1:58 PM ^

One man’s take…

 

I have concern that OSU will come out and try to establish the run and work the pass off that. This may be where film shows us most vulnerable. I believe we are going to need to show we can stop them between the tackles, even though the world knows how explosive they are with their receivers/QB. Our DE’s will need to contain the outside against the bounce- maybe stay home more often than usual. The QB gets the ball out quick and nullifies the outside rush. Middle push and rush has not really been our M-O but could be key. Obviously we will rely on our secondary to keep everything in front and make them be more methodical and LB’s will need good drops on TE’s. This is mostly elementary, I know, but their QB is good and he doesn’t take long to throw the ball so he’s many times working off his pre-snap read. Many different coverage schemes to stay unpredictable will also be helpful. 

Joined: 09/25/2014

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Ryno2317

November 25th, 2021 at 1:12 AM ^

I honestly don't see how OSU does not score at least 40 on us.  They simply have too many weapons and they can't be contained for long.  They are going to establish the run early and then pick apart are our secondary until they put the game away on the first or second drive of the Third Quarter.  Day is too good of a coach to let CJ hold the ball long enough for Hutchinson to do too much damage.     

Even though I don't believe we can match up with these guys, I love this team and hope to hell I am wrong.

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