Seriously, how does Michigan win Saturday?

Submitted by Dr. Explosion on

Seriously, assuming forfeit is not a legitimate option, if you are head coach, what is your game plan for Saturday?

treetown

October 23rd, 2014 at 1:38 PM ^

Let's consider the nature of upsets.

1. The favored team often overlooks or seriously underestimates the underdog - so the underdog ambushes the favorite - in this case, MSU may not think the Wolverines are very good but it is a rivalry game and so we'll aiming to thump them.

2. The two teams haven't played each other or only rarely and have few if any opponents in common - so it is hard for the favorite to judge the quality of the opponent. In this case MSU and UM play each each year and the core of each team played last year and some played two years ago. The two coaching staffs kinow each quite well and have a lot of common opponent tape to review - in this case unfamiliarity won't be a factor. The so-called underdog in retrospective may turn out to be a quite good team - just with less exposure - with today's cable/24 hour coverage and internet, the day's of a great sleeper underdog team slipping through as largely over.

3. Intangibles - if the game were all based on factors which can be objectively measured (e.g. speed in th 40, height, weight, etc)  we wouldn't need to play the game to paraphrase Howard Cosell. This is the only factor which MSU doesn't have locked down.

With these factors in mind, here is this week's lock of the century 7 key points to winning the game.

To win, Michigan needs to score first and early - that will boost morale. A rushing TD will be worth double a passing TD as a morale boost.

To win, Michigan has to NOT lose the turnover battle.

To win, Michigan cannot give up a pick 6.

To win, Michigan cannot give up a fumble in its own half.

To win, Michigan must be on guard for a fake FG/punt.

To win, Michigan has to avoid 3rd and 7+ on offense.

To win, Michigan must get some defenseive pass interference calls on MSU DBs.

And if you have done all of these things, then you can have dinner at the restaurant at the end of the universe.

 

BlueHills

October 23rd, 2014 at 2:17 PM ^

I love our guys, but Michigan isn't going to win on Saturday because we aren't very good at scoring touchdowns, not even against teams with weaker defenses.

I'm thinking if I think really hard, I mean really hard, I can make myself imagine that our guys are wearing green unis and their guys are wearing maize and blue, and I'll be happy.

mgob-rad

October 23rd, 2014 at 2:36 PM ^

Will we win? Absolutely not, but if you do believe in miracles *insert herb brooks gif here* The only way we pull this off is our defense has the game of its life and holds MSU to 14ish points, i.e. winning in similar fashion than we did in 2012. Gardner will have to hit Funchess for big plays as I see no possible way we run the ball on State unless we insert some sort of read option game and use Gardner's speed (lol @ brady hoke's offensive philosphy this will obviously not happen)

bluewings

October 23rd, 2014 at 2:54 PM ^

We score on the first drive and then the weather changes.  It rains hard to where the field position never changes.  Total downpour.



If not that our defense does not let any big plays.  If they have to score they have to go 80 plus yards.  We end every one of our drives with a kick and have really good punts.  We make a few decent runs and Devin hits Funchess a few times.  Maybe we can score.  A turnover allows us to score again.  It's close and we pull it off.

Rick Grimes

October 23rd, 2014 at 2:59 PM ^

I think Gardner needs to have a really good game passing and running with the football.Michigan cannot turn the ball over. They need to force multiple MSU turnovers. They need Funchess to own MSU's vulnerable secondary. Michigan needs touchdowns not field goals. They need to put pressure on Connor Cook and force him to make mistakes.

UofMDieHardsBlog

October 23rd, 2014 at 3:29 PM ^

If we are going to win saturday, we MUST take chances! We have most players back frorm injury, so we must take chances, expand the playbooks on offense and defense! We need to get Devin Gardner running out of the pocket and making plays with his feet! Our secondary must be able to play man to man while we bring the heat up front! Go Blue!

MeanJoe07

October 23rd, 2014 at 3:47 PM ^

WELL...foremost...I think we need to play with some physicality. We certainly want to run the ball some. Put our guys in the best position. State has a good football team out there. no question. They will hit you in the mouth a bit. Some things they do with their defense...they play really sound out there with their techniques and schemes and some of that.  They got a quarterback who does some really nice things for them. This will be a great opportunity for those young men.  I like the way they have practiced this week.  The leadership they've shown.  This is a big rivalry for us. no question. 

cjpops

October 23rd, 2014 at 3:56 PM ^

Maybe it's just me, but, MSU has not looked like world beaters really. I certainly think michigan could keep it close and contend in the 4th if the kids play their best game.

CoverZero

October 23rd, 2014 at 4:02 PM ^

This would be impossible to implement at this point, but I would spread that defense out...put Devin in the gun for the whole game and throw more than I would pass, with some designed runs for Devin and spread action runs with Hayes... It would be quick tempo, with passes designed to beat the blitz...

Of course  Hokemeier are too smart to do this....

AlwaysBlue

October 23rd, 2014 at 4:03 PM ^

we will here the echo of clicking sound...a sign that a young team had everything snap into place. I've played on young teams and it's multiple times more difficult than people seem to understand. I am not saying it will happen but it will take that.

uminks

October 23rd, 2014 at 4:11 PM ^

one for the Hoke.  If they pull it out and Hoke's only other loss is to OSU on the road, then Hoke and staff will likely be back for one more season.

MaizeJacket

October 23rd, 2014 at 4:26 PM ^

4 or 5 Sparty turnovers, preferably inside their own territory.

A Norfleet punt/kick return touchdown.

A blocked Sparty field goal attempt.  Another missed.

1 fluky big play on offense to Funchess.

 

So yeah, that sounds like a 23-20 win, or thereabouts.  Not much to ask.

wbpbrian

October 23rd, 2014 at 4:43 PM ^

Second, Defense keeps pressure on Connor Cook.

Third, we rush for positive yards.

Fourth, our defense creates a turnover.

Fifth, Don't give up big plays

Sixth, don't let DG get murdered

Lastly, We stop MSU's rushing attack

If these check marks are complete we will win the game.

ifis

October 23rd, 2014 at 4:47 PM ^

The defense needs to keep doing what its did last game against a much less capable offense.  On offense, we should use Devin's athleticism and short routes to Funchess and Butt to get Sparty's D off-balance early.  It sounds counterintuitive, but I think we should treat the first few  offensive series like pass plays with options for QB runs in the red zone.  Funchess and Butt should be able to out-muscle and out-jump their coverage and Devin get some space to run.  Don't run with running backs.  Don't try play-action.  Instead establish the threat that Devin will run as a substitute for what we would ideally achieve through play-action, but probably can't. 

 

 

 

Blue Ninja

October 23rd, 2014 at 5:08 PM ^

Sorry but I just can't buy into all this optimism that all we have to do is X, Y or Z to win this game. Pretty much our only hope is that the whole team contracts dysentery Saturday morning and are unable to even crawl out of bed.

I don't understand how anyone who has watched this team the last few years can possibly have any confidence in this coaching staff. I have a slight amount in the defense but they've had plenty of "HUH?" moments as well. This offense in no way functions as a cohesive unit. Very rarely have I seen moments this season where I think they can really move the ball and against defenses with a pulse almost non-existent.

What will it take to win? For this team to suddenly have magical fairy dust sprinkled on them so that they play as a team, know their asignements and play all facets of the game flawlessly.

For those who think Sparty is down this year, yes I agree their defense is a little green and vulnerable compared to last years team. But that defense was so lights out that almost any defense in comparison is lesser than it. This defense is still very capable of pitching a shutout. How many teams have they faced this year with a worse offense than Michigan? Yet they've looked good enough in every game, even Oregon until they got gassed and against one of the slowest offenses in NCAA D1 football I don't think that'll be a problem. Defense ranking? #9 in the nation.

On offense Sparty is 12th in overall offense, don't see why some say they're not capable. We will have trouble containing their WR's all day and getting to Cook quickly enough, he will pick us apart.

I hope against all hope that Michigan pulls out a once in a lifetime game and totally shuts Sparty up, but there's about a 0.0001% chance of that happening. That said I will be watching the game on Saturday and cheering on the men in Maize and Blue, my team through thick and thin.

Hail to the Victors. Go Blue!

The Dude

October 23rd, 2014 at 5:08 PM ^

and they are expected to lose…big, so why not play without a care? Let’s see some new stuff and a “throwing caution to the wind” mentality with the play calling.

Offense: The standard play calling might lead to 150 yards for the entire game. If they are really focused on establishing the run, I don’t think they’ll hit 100 combined yards for the game.

I think they need creative play calling. The running game is only good to establish play action…which should be a heavy part of their play calling.  They need to overload a side and zone when they pass. Gardner cannot force the ball. He needs to play smart…if he feels pressure and or nobody is open/it would be a low percentage pass, he needs to throw it away or run. He also needs to target the secondary WRs and Butt because they are going to be focused on taking away Funchess.

Defense: There is no reason to sit back in this game. The defense needs to be very aggressive. They need to play borderline dirty. If they are within an arm’s reach of Cook within a second of him having the ball, they need to knock him down. They need to beat him up because we all know MSU is going to beat up Gardner.

Special Teams & General: Norfleet has to make some big plays. His highlight cannot be dancing. They cannot make it easy for Michigan State by turning the ball over and or giving them free yards through penalties, but that is a given regardless of the opponent. 

goblue16

October 23rd, 2014 at 5:50 PM ^

Recover 5 fumbles 4 ints 2 ko return for td and score on a muffed punt and then we should be able to get the game to overtime. GO BLUE BEAT STATE!

Sam1863

October 23rd, 2014 at 7:25 PM ^

How to beat MSU? Maybe the answer lies in the past.

I remember reading a story about the first NFL championship game in 1933, between the Chicago Bears and New York Giants. Reporters asked Steve Owen, the Giants coach, how he planned to stop the Bears' great halfback Bronko Nagurski.

"With a shotgun as he comes out of the dressing room," Owen replied.

Just think about it - that's all I'm saying.

 

aratman

October 23rd, 2014 at 10:21 PM ^

Block better seems to not be an option and our number 1 running back is out.  Why not put Devin in the pistol, spread the field and throw screens Mike Leach style.  Throw the ball before you can count to three.  Even our young line can bump a guy for 3 seconds.  I think we can win, I think we will win.  I will keep thinking we will win when and if we don't I will believe we will next year.  Because I am a Michigan fan, Go Blue

mtlcarcajou

October 23rd, 2014 at 11:59 PM ^

Have to win some battles if they play iso with their corners. Have to.

Throw early, keep Devin moving moving moving. Spread it out, let him take command. 

Do not run the ball much. Use quick players as threats for screens and dump offs, like Norfleet and Hayes.

Target Funchess and Butt 25 times or so. Get others involved, Darboh seems to catch a lot in tight spaces, let him fight for a couple.

Defensively, get Ryan on the edge, pour in 5+ and make them hurry. Jam at the line, blitz from all over the place, get Cook looking around. Actually think if the D-line plays up to how good everyone thinks they are, we might do a little something, perhaps, maybe, possibly, theoretically...

Stop feeling the need to be all PC over Hart's comments or whatever it is. We respect them. They hate us.