The Bama comparisons

Submitted by poseidon7902 on

Throughout the game I was too lazy to yell at my Xbox to mute so I listened to the ear bleeding commentary.  One thing that stood out was the referrence to the likeness of our play calling (Specifically running) to Alabama's.  Maybe I just didn't watch enough Bama games to get it and maybe I'm so expectant that what Nuss does will be so completely the opposite of what the Borg called that I just didn't see

a. the reason to make the comparison

b.  the actual comparisons merit.  

 

Did our run game change so much that the identity of it morphed into us having Bama's play style?  I guess I could go dig up some plays of Bama running and see it, but personally I thought it was just fluff.  I don't especially expect App State to have a stellar D-line, so while I'm happy we actually ran the damn ball, I'm still holding my excitement till we play a team with a real d-line and run the ball.  

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TruBluMich

August 31st, 2014 at 8:38 PM ^

It was just fluff, Galloway is not a very good color commentator. So instead of analyzing the actual game he cheated and kept making references to Nuss coming over from Bama.

Joined: 08/03/2011

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bronxblue

August 31st, 2014 at 9:50 PM ^

Thank you.  I was going to post this exact thing.

Crappy color commentators frame these issues so badly that everyone will not be subjected to weeks of this crap.  UM is running an offense that resembles Alabama's in that it is a pro-style, inside-zone rushing attack.  Galloway could have referenced any number of teams with a similar style, but that would have required him to put down his coloring book long enough to turn on his computer and look it up, so I guess I'm not surprised.

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HelloHeisman91

August 31st, 2014 at 9:01 PM ^

I am not sure why anyone would be upset with the comparison.  We did hire Alabama's OC to install his offense.  For an announcer to point out the attack at the line of scrimmage with big bruising backs running down hill looks like Bama is just an observation based on fact.  We are running the same system.  Seth had a great write up on the front page that stimulated some great comments on the philosophy.

 

http://mgoblog.com/content/hokepoints-reps-inside-zone

Joined: 08/05/2009

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HelloHeisman91

September 1st, 2014 at 12:23 AM ^

But it's not analysis, it's an observation and it's relevant because our offense has been overhauled and is now being lead by the former Bama OC and that's big news in the college football world.  Sure, lots of teams run a similar scheme but they didn't just lead the country last year in rushing plays that resulted in negative yardage and hire the OC from Alabama to fix the shit.  In the very first game of the Nuss tenure, for an announcer to mention Bama a few times isn't lazy, it's the story.  Especially when they are running the football at will.  

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Jeff09

August 31st, 2014 at 9:26 PM ^

We hired the guy who called Alabama's plays last year to call our plays this year. Why would you be surprised that this results in calling similar running plays?

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Leonhall

August 31st, 2014 at 9:26 PM ^

Comparisons to Bama should end with Nuss, that's the only common denominator. Sure we may run some of the same plays, but until we gain over 100 yards against MSU, I will be skeptical of our running game, we aren't Bama...this is Michigan!

Joined: 06/14/2012

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Reader71

August 31st, 2014 at 10:21 PM ^

We ran primarily inside zone. Nothing revolutionary. Nothing Alabama-specific. Many teams run it and Alabama ran it before Nuss. In fact, formation-wise, we were in the gun more than Alabama was.

Galloway is just a hack and the media always wants to frame a story in a neat way so that you are given one simple takeaway from every game. Its stupid. 

Joined: 08/30/2009

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BIGBLUEWORLD

August 31st, 2014 at 10:24 PM ^

That's certainly not an unfavorable comparison.  But by the fourth time Galloway said that it was getting stale.

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Blue in Time

August 31st, 2014 at 11:39 PM ^

Looking at the highlights, the thing that struck me most (of course, they're just highlights) was the confidence and determination. The last time I saw that, on both sides of the ball, was 2006.

Joined: 08/17/2014

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SysMark

August 31st, 2014 at 11:54 PM ^

I think this was one of 2-3 talking points Galloway had ready.  I don't know how many times he said it but t was a lot.  Didn't see anything especially "Alabama", just very good play calling.

Joined: 11/15/2008

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Clarence Beeks

September 1st, 2014 at 12:01 AM ^

I've watched a lot of Alabama games (brother in law is an Alabama fan) and the comparisons are absolutely apt, both in terms of play calling and poise of the entire offensive unit. What is actually most interesting to me is how much Alabama didn't look like Alabama in their game against West Virginia. It's a noticeable change for them and us.

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Uncle Rico

September 1st, 2014 at 8:38 AM ^

from the introductory comments you knew we were in trouble. I think espn really blew this game overall. - no starting lineups for either team - only pasing mention of DF wearing #1 - joey galloway in general, and the lame banter back and forth, in reference to his ego - "yawwwn"

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