Nick Baumgardner analysis M run game vs OSU defense
For those who subscribe to the Athletic, interesting article on what OSU does under new DC Knowles vs. M's run game strategy.
https://theathletic.com/3911047/2022/11/21/michigan-ohio-state-preview-film/
Sample: "Michigan runs pin-pull sweeps with center-tackle, guard-guard and even guard-tight end combos. The H-backs and tight ends are all involved in the counter and power schemes. All of this stuff looks really similar in the blink of an eye, but it’s not. For linebackers, it can be confusing."
Happy thanksgiving
November 24th, 2022 at 10:28 AM ^
Yep. That’s why it’s so amusing when people call this a high school offense. Because too many fans think that passing games are inherently complex, and run games inherently simple.
Not even close to true.
November 24th, 2022 at 10:34 AM ^
I think most people appreciate the complexity of Michigans running game.
The consternation comes for the apparent entropy of a dependable and explosive passing game.
November 24th, 2022 at 10:39 AM ^
my consternation comes from the use of the word 'entropy'. it gave me a headache....
in seriousness, it was the illini run game that did much of what we do as well, GH/CT/GG,etc powers and pulls.
November 24th, 2022 at 12:08 PM ^
What gives me a headache is Baumgardner's constant misuse of words. Verbal blunders litter five of his article's first six paragraphs.
His football analysis is okay, and he'd do fine if he wrote what he wants to say, simply and clearly.
Instead he keeps trying to sound erudite, employing fancy words and concepts that point in the general direction of the meaning he intends but without being quite right.
Here's hoping tOSU's team is like his writing.
Go Blue. Beat Buckeyes.
November 24th, 2022 at 5:34 PM ^
It is hard to be scholarly when things fall apart.
November 24th, 2022 at 7:01 PM ^
...vastardis cannot hold?
November 24th, 2022 at 8:21 PM ^
Fancy words, like erudite?
November 24th, 2022 at 8:29 PM ^
"Everyone's erudite until they get punched in the mouth."
--Mike Tyson
November 24th, 2022 at 10:44 AM ^
I dont even want an explosive pass game, just a consistent one. Every pass could be 10 yards for all I care. Tired of the drops and overthrows.
November 24th, 2022 at 11:25 AM ^
After 11 games this season, those issues should have been corrected. Well, JJ and his WRs have one more shot to get it right. The game could be won or lost on the passing game.
Only if Michigan were to be ahead and in the second half, could they run the ball a lot more.
November 24th, 2022 at 11:57 AM ^
Had to have reps in the passing game. It’d be one thing if we ran a semi balanced offense through 2.5 quarters, and then turned up the bludgeoning on weary foes to close things out. Our offense has about as much rhythm as the average Taylor Swift super-fan. And that comes down to reps.
November 24th, 2022 at 4:10 PM ^
We need to trade entropy for enthalpy.
November 24th, 2022 at 9:27 PM ^
Well said. In terms I can finally understand.
November 24th, 2022 at 10:42 AM ^
I have literally heard zero people say we run an elementary offense.
November 24th, 2022 at 11:24 AM ^
Me neither. But I’ve heard and seen several (including here) characterize it as high school.
November 24th, 2022 at 11:58 AM ^
I’ve seen “military academy,” but not high school. Lol
November 24th, 2022 at 1:35 PM ^
I've also seen "Army, with better athletes"
So ... 1990s Nebraska? I'd take that. (I know current Nebraska would)
November 24th, 2022 at 12:51 PM ^
Yeah I think the opposite is really true. It’s much easier to have a simplistic passing offense than it is a simplistic run game. At least a successful one.
A lot of teams are able to cut down on QB reads and have them just do half field reads to make it easier on the QB. And having receivers run zone beater/man beater routes to get open. Nothing overly complex.
November 24th, 2022 at 3:07 PM ^
Agreed. It’s what made urban’s run so successful in college.
November 24th, 2022 at 5:27 PM ^
They spelled "a HS passing game" wrong, cut em some slack.
November 24th, 2022 at 11:25 AM ^
Here's hoping we confuse the heck out of those ignorant OSU linebackers and they end up tackling air all day on Saturday.
November 24th, 2022 at 11:27 AM ^
We'll know how healthy Corum and Edwards are in the first series or two on offense and it all boils down to how able they are. Let's hope for the best!
November 24th, 2022 at 1:26 PM ^
Amen to that. Been watching the line in Vegas closely because it opened at OSU -7.5 and has stayed there. ESPN posted an article this am stating once the extent of Corum’s injury is known expect that line to move one way or the other almost immediately.
Hasnt moved yet which tells me nobody really knows.
Yet.
November 25th, 2022 at 9:31 AM ^
And it is now OSU -9
November 24th, 2022 at 1:22 PM ^
Hot take - Knowles deploys a Bear front on Saturday due to the way UM schemes their power run blocking against a Bear front.
November 24th, 2022 at 4:30 PM ^
Period.
November 24th, 2022 at 7:27 PM ^
SpaceCoyote has a great thread up on Twitter about the game. Really good stuff.