Charles Woodson and Urban Liar going over the changes in Michigan's D

Submitted by ldevon1 on November 18th, 2019 at 11:24 AM

My bad, I had a misspelling in my title.

https://youtu.be/ddF53qaM_Hk

 

JC06Z33

November 18th, 2019 at 11:29 AM ^

It was interesting listening to Urban try to be impartial.  I don't remember if it was halftime or post-game, but he was pretty dismissive about the offense's progress saying repeatedly that it isn't a true spread yet.  He tried to frame it like we had to go back to some older things because we weren't good enough to run Gattis' offense. 

MGoBlue96

November 18th, 2019 at 11:36 AM ^

It's not really true though, UM was absolutely a true spread team on Saturday. There were several speed in space types plays, screens, flairs to a motioning wr, etc. Urban even said something about going under center and they didn't go under center all day. The more accurate statement he could have made is that they went back to the running concepts from last year and have melded it with the spread that Gattis wants to run. Saying it was not a true spread on Saturday is just wrong though.

JHumich

November 18th, 2019 at 1:14 PM ^

Yes, and this is just the "base" offense so far. We need to stop stupid things like the 2 qb toss back and forth, and add wrinkles out of formations and routes we are already doing well. The more efficient we get at what we are currently doing, the more scary stuff we can run right out of the same thing.

bluepalooza

November 18th, 2019 at 2:45 PM ^

The 2 QB toss back would have been epic had McCaffrey not get tackled.  You put that on film, one more thing for competition to plan for.  You come out in same formation and bluff the pass to Shea and have McCaffrey through it downfield.  I like it..Also, they were just toying with MSU like a cat with a wounded mouse making it even more enjoyable.

MGoBlue96

November 18th, 2019 at 11:40 AM ^

He actually wasn't though, I mean before Saturday I would have agreed with him. But what about Saturday's offense was not a true spread? You had 100% snaps from the gun, speed in space sort of plays with flair outs and wr screens, QB keepers, etc. Using running concepts from last year does not mean it was not a true spread. You can in fact run power in a true spread offense.

JC06Z33

November 18th, 2019 at 11:45 AM ^

I think you (and others) missed my last sentence.  I think he was correct, but the way he made the point was very Debbie Downer like, "well sure they scored a lot and moved it when and how they wanted... BUT it wasn't true spread!  They tried earlier and failed!" 

I fully agree that we are not a true spread, and he was correct, but he seemed unable to give credit for how well the offense is running, rather focusing on the fact that we had to change course from what we said we were going to be during the offseason. 

Maybe that was because he has no fondness of UM, or maybe that's just what I took from it based on his tone, which indicated that he was miserable. He doesn't seem to enjoy being in front of a camera and was very uncomfortable.

Bo Harbaugh

November 18th, 2019 at 12:37 PM ^

Meyer is an offensive (no pun intended) coach, who is not satisfied unless every drive ends in a score...total perfectionist.

His best teams, btw, were not pure spread either.  They combined power run schemes with spread passing attack schemes.  I know we’re sensitive around here because he owned us (except 2016*), but his assessment is accurate. 

lostwages

November 18th, 2019 at 3:11 PM ^

Urban "Gets it"... he's not being dismissive at all. If anything, I think he's just a little bit frustrated since he's a football geek and understands that what Michigan is trying to accomplish still hasn't reached the ceiling yet (and he has to explain it to the fools around him).

So what you're taking away as being offensive, and dismissive, is him actually giving Michigan an compliment... what he's trying to say is... no, this isn't the end goal, it looks good, but the end goal is much more.

Stop trying to point him out as a "Dick" and try listening to what he's saying; just like most of the lemmings I have to work with in the fuckin corporate world... they make this shit personal instead of learning. Why don't you pull the butt plug out our of your anus, to just listen to what the guy is saying. I can't stand him either, but I certainly respect his knowledge of the game.

StephenRKass

November 18th, 2019 at 11:47 AM ^

If I never see "Urban Liar" again, I'll be happy. It is juvenile, it isn't funny, and it makes Michigan fans look pretty petty and sophomoric. And FTR, OSU and MSU have plenty of idiot fans who do the same kind of thing. Don't be one of them.

As for the analysis, I personally really have liked most of the segments Meyer has done, including this one. It is kind of academic whether or not Michigan is playing a "true spread" offense. I agree with his basic premise that it is hard to implement and install something new, and there is a transition period. I definitely believe that Michigan would beat PSU in another night white out in State College. I'm not as sure about Wisconsin, but suspect a rematch would be a vastly different game.

Oh, and sad to say, but I'm still predicting a loss to OSU. I feel like it will be less of a beatdown, but I'm not convinced Michigan can conquer and vanquish this one last foe. The Buckeyes happen to be playing at an extremely high level. (I think if everything happens right for Michigan and extra things happen wrong for OSU, that Michigan could win, but I'm not predicting it.)

Oh, and one last thing on Urban Meyer. He opined early on, perhaps after Army, maybe Wisconsin, that Michigan could well end up with 9 wins. Most people thought he was crazy. Now it looks like it will end up being true. And with OSU and a bowl game, the Wolverines could have a final win total of 10 or 11. Not bad. Not bad at all.