Michigan Xs and Os Content
Hey guys, we're a week into fall ball now, only a few weeks out from the start of the season. So on your Friday, I thought you may be interested in getting into the film a little from last year. I haven't been terribly active over the off-season, but where I have, it's been pretty Michigan heavy. I'm finishing up a couple more Michigan pieces for next week, and then it's on to starting to understand OSU's new defense. For now:
Video Breakdown of Final 3 Michigan Games
Film Review: OSU at Michigan, 2021 - Part 1
Film Review: OSU at Michigan, 2021 - Part 2
Film Review: Michigan vs Iowa, 2021 Big Ten Conference Championship Game
Film Review: Michigan vs Georgia, CFP Semi-Final Part 1
Film Review: Michigan vs Georgia, CFP Semi-Final Part 2
Film Review - Specific Michigan Game Plan Plays
Short Motion and Bluff and Go RPO vs Nebraska
Detailed Scheme Breakdown
Michigan Counter Scheme and Run Tags
Michigan Counter Scheme and Post-Snap Modifiers (Blocks, run reads and RPO)
I've looked at a few other things over the off-season, including A-Gap Power, Wisconsin run defense, North/South Combo block, Club Block Technique. Next few articles will focus heavily on technique for executing Counter.
Hope you enjoy.
August 12th, 2022 at 10:21 AM ^
Well there goes the rest of my productive work day!!! Thanks for the excellent content....
August 12th, 2022 at 10:25 AM ^
SC, since you have done much analysis, if Cade starts and then JJ takes over at some point in the season, how do you see the "X's and O's" changing offensively with him running the offense?
August 12th, 2022 at 10:33 AM ^
I think with Cade it’s an extension of last year’s offense, with more balance to passing. Lots of 5 wide, increase in actual RPO, but mostly underneath except on play action.
If JJ takes over, it’s probably a bit more focused on 12 personnel. The ball probably stays outside the hashes and more vertical to simplify the reads a bit. It probably means a decrease in how often JJ is part of the run game, though that wouldn’t go away. Probably a little more run heavy with JJ than Cade
August 12th, 2022 at 11:15 AM ^
This is fantastic. Thanks for the time, energy and analysis. UM was 60/40 run last year. Do you think that breaks 50/50 this year? The take on it being simpler and more run heavy with JJ feels different than the average fan/board-poster take that JJ will make the offense more pass friendly and "dynamic".
August 12th, 2022 at 11:43 AM ^
I believe Harbaugh’s core philosophy / approach will not change. Ball Security is a priority. Run solidly to afford greater flexibility/ timing / success in the passing game. With the current roster, I’m sure YAC is a core tenet of the scheme / game plans.
As the O gains on the ground, the opposing D usually begins to “step up” - and that provides an opportunity for the passing game.
I don’t think the ratio will approach 50/50, but 55/45 might be VERY interesting.
August 12th, 2022 at 11:57 AM ^
Over the course of the year I would be very doubtful it goes over 50:50 run:pass. But I think in certain games, they can inch up to about 45:55 for normal parts of the game (meaning not come from behind or trying to eat clock).
I am doubtful you see nearly as many games that are extremely run heavy (the 70:30 type stuff), probably a standard game will be around will be closer to 60:40 or 55:45.
Regarding JJ on offense, I think he makes it more explosive. It's likely more run heavy, and the downfield ability and ability to hit it in windows all over the field makes it more explosive. But it's likely less efficient. Cade brings more of a ball control pass heavy offense.
August 12th, 2022 at 10:27 AM ^
SC, thank you for this. suggest you post this in a diary (or a dairy) as it will slip off the front page by this afternoon and many will miss out on your excellent post.
August 12th, 2022 at 11:32 AM ^
Agree with XM, this should be a diary. Don’t want this one getting lost too quickly.
August 12th, 2022 at 10:44 AM ^
This looks like Sunday morning material for this guy.... thanks for the effort.... I will enjoy this with a coffee and a sunrise to start next week.
August 12th, 2022 at 11:01 AM ^
Oh! Oh! Is this an opportunity to ask ad hoc questions? :-)
- You're an offensive coordinator for an opponent, early in the season. You know Michigan's defense is absent Hutchinson and Ojabo ... but you're not yet sure what Michigan's defense really has. Do you do anything in particular to test the defense, or do you just run your game and see how Michigan's defense reacts?
- You're Michigan's defensive coordinator, and you know Hutchinson and Ojabo are gone. Do you see what kind of 'natural' pressure your edge and interior get before you start dialing up blitzes? Or do you bring blitzes early on so your D-line can get their wits about them?
Thanks!!
August 12th, 2022 at 11:09 AM ^
2. I bring the exotic blitz package early to confuse the offense. Confuse their OL early so they are always looking for pressure somewhere else which frees up the D-Line and Edges to get their own pressure.
August 12th, 2022 at 12:03 PM ^
1) I don't expect Michigan's defense to fundamentally change this year, so you're preparing for a lot of the same schemes. What will change is how often each of the core schemes is run. In that sense, I'd be more prepared to attack Fire Zones, I'd be getting a lot more reps against sim/creeper pressure (sim pressure is showing more than 4 people in pressure before multiple guys back out and only 4 come; creeper pressure is showing your normal people in pressure, then having one of them back out and being replaced by a atypical rusher, like an ILB). I'd also expect the fronts to be more diverse, so I'd be getting reps against a changing odd/even front picture. What I don't think you have to do as much as prepare to run away from one guy as often, or prepare to find and set protection for those guys on the edge.
2) I think I answered this question with my previous question. More standard down fire zones, more sim pressure, more creeper pressure on normal downs. I still think Michigan is going to major in quarters (Saban Cover 7, that often times is Quarter-Quarter-Half), with Cover 1, Cover 2, and Cover 3 change ups. I don't expect Amoeba defense because I don't think Michigan has the lock down guys outside or a number of high level coverage guys to really run it. It's just the percentage of each thing that changes. And the depth going into each game (and ability to change the picture either pre- or post- snap) that is probably better this year.
August 12th, 2022 at 11:15 AM ^
Mods, any chance this can be kept at the top?
August 12th, 2022 at 2:34 PM ^
Seconded - moms please bump
August 12th, 2022 at 12:03 PM ^
Hell yeah thank you Mr Coyote
August 12th, 2022 at 12:24 PM ^
Best post in months. Thank you!!
August 12th, 2022 at 1:46 PM ^
(Homer Simpson voice): MMMMMM Content
August 12th, 2022 at 2:13 PM ^
Wow, excellent! Thrilled to see you in these pages.
August 12th, 2022 at 2:28 PM ^
This is great stuff man thank you again. The thing that really sticks out to me from the OSU film breakdowns was just the degree to which rotational players had a huge impact on the game by sticking to their assignments and fundamentals. Rod Moore, Michael Barrett, Julius Welschof, and Donovan Jeter all helped to save touchdown/explosive play opportunities by following the spill, being patient on their gap assignments, and staying sound.
The discipline gap between our players and the Buckeyes really shows on these all 22 breakdowns. Not sure if we can always hang our hat on that, but it’s reassuring that some of these rotational defensive players who are stepping into bigger roles this season have already showed such poise in big games.
August 12th, 2022 at 2:31 PM ^
I tell you what too: somebody better step up to Mikey Sainristil’s level of blocking from the WR position. That dude was one of the best blockers at the WR position I’ve ever seen in the maize and blue.
August 12th, 2022 at 4:54 PM ^
Thank you. I will be spending a lot of time this weekend on this. Great stuff!
August 12th, 2022 at 6:25 PM ^
Thank you!
August 12th, 2022 at 7:16 PM ^
Thank you SC!