Ground game is key to success vs MSU

Submitted by amaizenblue402 on
Since 2000, the team that has rushed for the most yards has won the last 13 out of 15 in the series. 2004 and 2007 being the two exceptions where MSU out gained Michigan on the ground but Michigan won. 2004 was the "Braylonfest" game in 3OT and 2007 was the "Little Brother" game where Michigan was down 10 in the 4th when Henne hit Manningham for the game-winning touchdown. Chances are the same theme will play out this year. I like our chances to win the rushing battle with the way the defense is playing against the run and MSU's injuries on the OL. Discuss.

Farnn

October 12th, 2015 at 7:53 PM ^

I'm definitely worried about Michigan's ability to get the run game going agianst the MSU DL, but I think Harbaugh should do a good job of scheming around that similiar to the game plan around NW's corners.

getsome

October 12th, 2015 at 8:24 PM ^

unfortunately its tough to consistently move the chains, string together drives, flip fields and rack up 6s (and some 3s) vs good teams with such heavy reliance on manufacturing yards / big plays / points in that type manner.  sure, much of football centers on scheme and execution but if you cant line up and run the ball consistently (and your pass game does not really scare the opponent), better hope your D can stand up and similarly limit the opponent

M-Dog

October 13th, 2015 at 11:04 AM ^

Rudock is due to hit a long one for a TD.  It needs to happen, and it needs to happen early to back off the DB and LBs.  

Teams have been playing us with all 11 men in the box.  We've still been able to move the ball on teams that are not as talented as us, which quite frankly includes NW, but we can't count on that against MSU.  

Their DL is still first class.  If they get to augment them with all the LBs and DBs in the box, we're going to have a tough time moving the ball.

Tuebor

October 13th, 2015 at 12:47 PM ^

If our DL can live in the MSU pocket I don't expect Cook to be as effective as he was against Rutgers.  When pressured he is prone to making mistakes, but when all the chips are on the line the guy plays out of his mind.

PopeLando

October 12th, 2015 at 11:10 PM ^

For the first time in a long time, I am confident that our coaches can correctly identify an opponent's strengths and weaknesses, and our own strengths and weaknesses, and seek to maximize that which is good and minimize that which is bad. In other words...plan.

Under RichRod:

"So what's our gameplan?"
"Run Denard up the middle."
"And what if they can stop him?"
"...what do you mean?"

Under Hoke:

"So what's our gameplan?"
"...what do you mean?"
"You know, how are we going to win?"
"Oh. We're going to go out there and be physical and execute."
"But what are we going to DO?"
"...what do you mean?"

WichitanWolverine

October 12th, 2015 at 8:01 PM ^

Duh.

Call me crazy, but I'm not concerned about moving the ball on them. There were only two times this year I felt Harbaugh really let us look behind the curtain...first half against BYU and first half against Northwestern. And we moved the ball at will while getting some very easy, open looks for Rudock both times. After those games were out of reach, he totally shut down his own offense. I expect more of the same, and probably with even more creativity, Saturday.

Tater

October 12th, 2015 at 8:41 PM ^

I have to agree with "call me crazy" Wichitan Wolverine:" here's why.

Sparty gave up 24 to WMU, 28 to Oregon, 21 to Air Force, 10 to CMU, 21 to Purdue and 24 to Rutgers.  I know they are going to play Michigan like it's their Super Bowl, but why does anyone think Michigan can't find a way to at least put up as many points as Air Force or Rutgers?

I think Michigan wins this game 31-7.  Sparty's score will come as the result of a trick play that works.  The other four they try won't.  

Lanknows

October 12th, 2015 at 7:55 PM ^

How many has the team that won total yards won?

Teams who are ahead are more likely to run the ball, and win.  Teams that are behind are more likely to pass the ball, and lose.  I wonder if rushing for fewer yards is more the symptom than the cause.

amaizenblue402

October 12th, 2015 at 8:27 PM ^

In 2004 where we were out gained on the ground, MSU had more total yards. We had more passing yards. If you recall, we were down pretty big in that game. Same goes for 2007. MSU had more total yards and we had more passing yards.

WolverineHistorian

October 12th, 2015 at 7:58 PM ^

The rushing stat in this series goes back much farther than 2000.  The winner of the rushing game has won nearly every meeting since Schembechler was hired.

Before Braylonfest, the only other game where that didn't happen was in Lloyd Carr's first year, 1995 where on MSU's final drive, they were forced to attempt a 4th down conversion, we stopped them a yard and half short but the ref moved the chains anyway.  Then they went on to score to win 28-25. 

Fuck Sparty. 

M-Dog

October 13th, 2015 at 11:16 AM ^

Having witnessed every Michigan - MSU game since 1982, it's not a dumb stat.  And it's not the result of the team that already has the lead running the ball to kill off the clock.

It's cause and effect.  The team that can run the ball better wins.  The team that can't loses.  It's the inherent nature of this series.

Clearly we are not going to win by counting on Rudock to move the ball downfield if our running game can't.  And MSU can't rely just on Cook.  He will hit some, but he will be under enough pressure that he won't be aboe to hit every pass to sustain drives. 

flashOverride

October 12th, 2015 at 9:10 PM ^

Yeah, it's hard to get a good look at that today, because your counterpart who archives MSU's wins on YouTube is an insecure douche like most Sparties. Won't show anything that doesn't portray MSU in the most flattering light possible, not even the opponents' scoring plays. Your team wins in the end, guy, it's OK to show how we got there. 

wolverinebutt

October 12th, 2015 at 7:56 PM ^

If I were another team I would move my D up on our offense or double dare Rudock to beat me with his arm by doing this.  Being able to run enough to stay out of 3rd and longs will be very important.       

Also, I'm sure Harbo has something in store for the team that tries this.  I can't wait to see sour ass Dantonio at his losing press conference.

 

hunterjoe

October 13th, 2015 at 10:49 AM ^

I had a complete calm before the NW game...  And I feel damn near the same right now.  This is what I sent to my brother about NW and I'm not too far off with what I feel for this game:

 

"If the offense gives them points we’ll be in trouble.  I don’t really want to say this, but I see us beating them pretty badly.  Not like we did to BYU, but not far from it.  They’re a lot like us, can’t throw the ball and our DBs can be put on an island and we can load the box and make plays in space.  I don’t see them doing much on our defense, but, what do I know?  I think our O is good enough to scratch out some points (21-24) and even maybe the D creating some points or short field situations.  I think BYUs offense is a worse matchup for us."

I didn't expect the Chesson TD or the fact that the O didn't have to "scratch out some points." 

ND Sux

October 13th, 2015 at 8:44 AM ^

Excellent screen name/avatar combo.  I feel the same way about this game, just as I did vs. NW.  State was over-rated to start the year, and the stubborn ass voters refuse to drop them despite lackluster wins vs. lower level teams.  I don't think Sparty is much better than NW, if at all.  I'm confident we ROLL Sparty by 20 or more. 

Firch

October 12th, 2015 at 7:58 PM ^

The difference was quality QB play that overcame the rushing difference. This year MSU has Cook who is their only hope for winning. Our D's only noticeable weakness is short-intermediate crossing routes. I've seen everyone outside of Lewis get burned on routes like that. the middle is something you give up when you dial up a blitz and if Cook can get the ball out quick enough he may be good enough to pick us apart. I think this game comes down to how well Cook plays vs. how good the coverage will be over the middle. I like our chances, still, but that will be how MSU stays in the game 100%. Go Blue!

jabberwock

October 12th, 2015 at 8:08 PM ^

is EXACTLY what I'm nervous about.

Also, Rudock having a Utah-like day. (unlikely and I'm thrilled with his slow but steady development)

We have not played against a very qood QB with a good D except for Utah.

 

However, the many things I'm confident about include:

1. being well prepared in all 3 phases of the game.

2.  The D playing well (at a minimum)

3. The special teams being an asset, instead of a liability.

4.No One on this team quiting, regardless of circumstance.