Michigan Football: A Tradition of Not Taking the Snap Under Center
Fielding H. Yost, Harry Kipke, Fritz Crisler, Bennie Oosterbaan → Rich Rodriguez? That's right, Rich Rodriguez and his offense are the direct descendant of some of Michigan's greatest coaches. Those of us who devoured HTTV 2010 already have an inkling of this after reading Chris Brown's (of Smart Football) chapter, "Back in Time" which explores the evolution of college football offenses through today linking Rodriguez's spread 'n' shred to its antecedents.
Now, Richard Retyi has penned a nice piece at mgoblue.com: "U-M's Shotgun Offense is Older than the Winged Helmets Themselves".
Adam Rittenberg: Good starts for both the Irish and the Wolverines on Saturday, and it should be a great one in South Bend. Let's talk offense. What do you think Knute Rockne and Fielding Yost would say about these two systems matching up?
Brian Bennett: I think both coaches would have spit in a leather helmet in disgust. What's the over/under on total number of snaps under center on Saturday? Five?
ESPN bloggers Adam Rittenberg and Brian Bennett aren't alone in assuming that Michigan's spread offense and, more specifically the shotgun snap from center, are products of a flashier generation of college football. The pro-style attack and three yards and a cloud of dust are synonymous with Big Ten and Michigan football.
But the facts of the matter are quite different.
"What about the Mad Magicians?" asks sophomore quarterback Tate Forcier, referring to the 1947 Michigan football team who some believe was the greatest college squad ever assembled. The 1947 squad averaged 39 points per game and beat USC 49-0 in the Rose Bowl to win the national championship. They didn't do it running out of the I-formation. "That team did some of the same things we're running today," says Forcier.
Give it a look. It may give you a different perspective on exactly how traditional Michigan's offense really is.
November 9th, 2010 at 9:38 PM ^
The shotgun has its origin in the single wing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-wing_formation
In fact, Tom Harmon, was a single wing TB, who doubled as a passer in the scheme.
November 9th, 2010 at 9:49 PM ^
The connection to our football roots or Forcier and Robinson being students of the game and the university's history. Seriously? Forcier asked about the Mad Magicians?
November 10th, 2010 at 8:34 AM ^
It's examples like this that make Forcier a true member of the Michigan family. Every time people speculate about him transfering he drops a nugget like this. This kid truly loves the school.
November 10th, 2010 at 8:50 AM ^
...but I'd say this is also an indication that the coaches are actively teaching the team about the legacy of Michigan football. That or Tate paid attention to the displays in Schembechler Hall.
November 9th, 2010 at 10:23 PM ^
also played college football at West Virginia (1894). He innovated the forward spiral pass and and the hurry up offense. He stressed speed and conditioning to wear down defenses. His 1901 team finished with 555 points to zero allowed. The rose bowl against Stanford was ended ten minutes early at a score of 49-0. IME, RR fits in perfectly with our football tradition.
November 10th, 2010 at 11:20 AM ^
You just mentioned the ONLY college team to complete a season where NO ONE scored on them!
That is where the legend of the Michigan Defense started as well. This feat has never been duplicated, although the 1900's had some pretty stingy defensive teams in addition to prolific offensive teams.
Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy and excited to watch half of Yost's legacy working on the field.
I'm very glad they are pointing out the similarities between Rodriguez and Crisler though. And soon there will be a comparison of Denard and Tom Harmon. Another star who was shy about his fame and credited his team for his success whenever he could.
And could also do everything on the football field. And was the player who inspired Crisler to invent the tear away jersey.
November 9th, 2010 at 10:24 PM ^
Anyone saying "this is Michigan" better know what they're talking about.
November 10th, 2010 at 9:00 AM ^
they really seem to move the ball around a ton
they lateral at the 10 yeard line!
I think bo would have had a heart attack if someone did that in the 1st quarter of the rose bowl
November 10th, 2010 at 8:59 AM ^
of that middle school play so someone would lose 1,000,000 MGoPoints.
November 10th, 2010 at 9:46 AM ^
On YouTube reminded me a lot of what's being used today by the Maize and Blue. I always smile when people get angry and say they want the old Michigan way of football. The numbers don't lie as far as this offense is concerned. Playing Big Ten football and cold weather does not matter with this style of offense. What matters is discipline, execution, and talent. I'm excited about what RR brings to the table and we've just scratched the surface of our winning tradition.
November 10th, 2010 at 11:39 AM ^
Thanks for this history lesson, MGoShoe. Good stuff.