Purdue HC Ryan Walters on Michigan allegations: "We'll plan accordingly."

Submitted by Hensons Mobile… on October 31st, 2023 at 1:21 PM

https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2023/10/purdue-aware-of-sign-stealing-allegations-against-michigan-will-plan-accordingly.html

This is the second team that is playing us after the Stalions story broke. The first team only got the news three days ahead of time (not counting the two years that OSU had been sending everyone emails to warn them with the subject "URGENT: IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED").

The first team we played threatened to not play the game for the health and safety of their players. They then decided to play with their QB running to the sideline to have their "throw incomplete pass" and "run for TFL" plays whispered into his ear.

Purdue is the first team we play that got real advanced notice. More than two weeks. I've been wondering what their plan is.

Walters was asked how he thought the allegations might impact Michigan on Saturday.

“I’m not sure,” he said. “My focus is on us and our team. Obviously we’re very aware of what the allegations are out there.

“We’ll plan accordingly.”

Not surprisingly, he's not saying much about it. One would hope they would just use wristbands since that should pretty much eliminate the issue altogether.

He also couldn't help but make what I assume was a slight dig at UM when talking about the defense:

“When they are out of position, albeit (only) a few times, they’ve got guys that can make up for it and overcome some of the maybe schematical errors or mental errors throughout the course of a play.”

Only out of position a few times har har. Or I don't know, maybe that was a real compliment.

One MGoPoint to you if you knew that the Purdue head ball coach was named Ryan Walters.

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Vasav

October 31st, 2023 at 1:24 PM ^

He was Illinois' DC last year and held our offense in check (post Blake Corum injury). Of course we know who he is.

I didn't take his comment as a dig, more of as a compliment on top of a compliment.

Joined: 12/13/2009

MGoPoints: 19255

ShadowStorm33

October 31st, 2023 at 2:18 PM ^

He was Illinois' DC last year and held our offense in check (post Blake Corum injury). Of course we know who he is.

He definitely held our offense in check, though without Corum and DE our running game was Not Great Bob. But remember that Corum was having himself a game before he got hurt (100+ yards in the first half), and he fumbled in the Ill redzone on the play he got hurt on, i.e. otherwise we probably go up 14-3 right before the half and cruise towards a comfortable win...

Joined: 07/22/2008

MGoPoints: 23063

Durham Blue

October 31st, 2023 at 1:26 PM ^

Reporter: Coach, what are you gonna do about Michigan's sign stealing allegations?

Coach: Change our signs, I think.  We only learned about this like 8 days ago, so......

Reporter: Hmm, OK, well what else you gonna do?

Coach: I don't know, take a shit in a few minutes I guess.

Joined: 10/09/2008

MGoPoints: 30023

bluebyyou

October 31st, 2023 at 1:27 PM ^

I'd hate to be Purdue next Saturday.  

If there were ever a reason to beat the living crap out of everyone Michigan plays, this signal crap is it.

I'd not want to be OSU the last Saturday in November.

Joined: 09/07/2009

MGoPoints: 18566

Carcajou

October 31st, 2023 at 7:11 PM ^

I'd suspect Michigan will go a little "easier" on Purdue actually, bringing in the subs even earlier, especially as this is the second-last home game, and no reason to give PSU and OSU much more to see on tape, unless it's to throw them off.
Seeing of how he's made it a point of getting the full roster into the game for away games, Harbaugh would likely want to get as many of the subs as possible a chance to get in there in what would be effectively their last chance to play at home for many of them, and to keep the starters healthy for the last three fames.

Joined: 02/26/2009

MGoPoints: 5783

We'll be Champions

October 31st, 2023 at 1:27 PM ^

I took most of it as a compliment. I think the biggest tragedy of conference expansion is that jobs at places like Purdue are going to become increasingly impossible. Great seasons are going to become 8 wins with the schedule difficulty instead of 10. In other words, it's easier to outscheme a talent gap 2 or 3 times than it is 6 times. I think we may see a change in how coaches operate with moving to HC positions because of this. 

Joined: 02/26/2015

MGoPoints: 9418

MH20

October 31st, 2023 at 1:29 PM ^

I think he was being complimentary with that second quote. He was witness to what Michigan could do last season as Illinois' DC. Unfortunately for him, I think this year's trip to A2 is going to go much, much worse. Hudson Card is a turnover machine and his defense has really struggled as they move to his preferred scheme.

Joined: 10/30/2008

MGoPoints: 40584

LDNfan

October 31st, 2023 at 1:31 PM ^

Not a dig at all...sounds like a clear compliment. Besides, he'd be crazy to take a dig at the No 2. team in a game where he is already way overmatched. 

Joined: 09/28/2014

MGoPoints: 10423

MGoBlue73

October 31st, 2023 at 1:33 PM ^

How is this different for Purdue?  Don't all teams make a plan with the thought in mind that the other team is trying to steal signals.  They must change every game.  This is why the whole thing is kind of stupid.  Teams always have to have a new plan every week thinking the other team might be on to them.

Joined: 07/13/2009

MGoPoints: 518

RibbleMcDibble

October 31st, 2023 at 1:38 PM ^

This is what I don't get: we've repeatedly heard that opponents are able to get a feel for the signs during the game, so how can you not have a plan for that? 

Also, it still doesn't make much sense to me that this is supposedly this huge advantage and yet Michigan was almost always in a dog fight during the first part of each game last year when this would have more likely come into play. I'm sure MSU and OSU fans have argued that Stalions only deployed his knowledge in the second half, but that seems like a real stretch. 

Joined: 10/24/2023

MGoPoints: 7725

Yeoman

October 31st, 2023 at 1:34 PM ^

That's ok, coach. We've got the new signs too, the ones you haven't used yet.

And the alternates that you haven't even talked to the rest of the staff about. We've got those too.

We are everywhere. We are legion.

Joined: 06/08/2011

MGoPoints: 21390

RibbleMcDibble

October 31st, 2023 at 1:34 PM ^

I feel like the average Ohio State fan thinks that Signgate is the equivalent of knowing your opponents hole cards in poker, whereas the on-the-record football person seems to understand that it might provide an advantage but the advantage can be negated fairly easily through a variety of methods (changing signs, running to the sidelines, wrist bands, covering the signers, etc.).

Joined: 10/24/2023

MGoPoints: 7725

jmblue

October 31st, 2023 at 1:35 PM ^

I don't read any negative intent in either comment.  The first is a boilerplate (no pun intended) response to a loaded question.  The second is a compliment to our defense - saying that our guys are either great athletes or very intelligent, or both, so that even if they're out of position to start a play, they recover quickly.

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102810

Amazinblu

October 31st, 2023 at 1:43 PM ^

I interpreted it the same way - essentially, if (on the rare occasion) is out of position - they have the skill, ability, and knowledge to "close the gap" very quickly - which places a greater burden on a team's offense to execute effectively.

An opponent needs to not only be fundamentally sound - but also mentally strong.  Blocking schemes - adjustments - and execution, including sustaining blocks downfield - is what a team will need to do to be effective.

Any team without a solid OL is going to struggle against Michigan's D.

Looking forward to Saturday evening's game - hopefully, the conditions will be dry.

Joined: 01/22/2010

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