Shotgun formation
As we know, the passing game has been inconsistent this year, particularly once we got past the tomato-can portion of the schedule.
Last year, we used shotgun formation close to 100% of the time. Analysis has consistently shown that shotgun formation is more efficient, particularly in the passing game. This is likely because the QB is facing the defense during the whole play, starting right after the snap, and doesn't have to worry about dropping back significantly, so it's easier to read what the defense is doing. This year we're going under center much more.
Using 100% shotgun certainly played to Cade's strengths as a guy who is good at reading the defense pre-snap and getting the ball out quickly. Given JJ's inconsistency in the last few games, I'm wondering whether a heavier dose of shotgun could help him too.
Thoughts?
November 21st, 2022 at 12:04 PM ^
Maybe! Email the coaches!
November 21st, 2022 at 1:20 PM ^
Cade wasn't a runner, so putting him in the gun allowed for all the footwork/view things the OP mentioned. I think they have JJ go both under center and from the gun because he's more versatile. They can run or pass from either set up.
But, that's all from the email response I got...
November 21st, 2022 at 12:11 PM ^
I was an all-gun guy, but some people that are smarter about football than me disagree.
November 21st, 2022 at 12:18 PM ^
That was really interesting, especially hearing from the defensive players. I think a lot depends on how comfortable the quarterback is under center as well. Shot is so common now that we routinely see guys struggle with the snap or their drop back. That might be a necessary part of the learning curve for JJ.
November 21st, 2022 at 12:40 PM ^
One of the challenges that I will acknowledge with all-gun looks is that there are certain plays that aren't available from the gun, such as QB sneaks. But you really need to have a package of plays under center to be able to run stuff like that, because otherwise you're telegraphing the play and your QB and center aren't used to the exchange.
I think the gun still offers a lot more benefits, but... these guys know what they're talking about, and Michigan's offense has been heavy gun for years now, and the Baltimore offense Michigan is drawing a lot of its stuff from is heavy gun too. This isn't just Harbaugh being needlessly conservative; they think they are gaining something by using under center on occasion.
Note that even OSU has some under center built into its offense. I think we may have reached the natural limit of how much gun you can including in your offense without leaving stuff on the table.
November 21st, 2022 at 12:35 PM ^
JJ on a naked bootlegs has been lethal. It’s the only time our pass game hasn’t looked out of sync the last few weeks. IMO, we’re so run heavy that we could go play action on any pass play that isn’t on an obvious passing down against OSU and it’d be effective.
November 21st, 2022 at 1:03 PM ^
Great analysis--it's easy to try to play arm chair QB and look at 11 on 11 from above, but it's fascinating to hear about the technique and individual decision making that comes into play as these guys are trying to diagnose the play in front of them in real-time.
November 21st, 2022 at 12:13 PM ^
Only if we sub in Jr Walker and the Allstars to run it.
November 21st, 2022 at 1:00 PM ^
Perhaps we feel we can sell play action best via under center? Dunno. Just win, baby!
November 21st, 2022 at 6:28 PM ^
Besides the added stress to the center, especially dealing with a NG hitting him right away, under center the QBs eyes can be totally on the defensive backfield (especially the safeties) the whole time getting the snap and dropping and he can compare the pre-snap with the post-snap reads more quickly, whereas in the shotgun even if he is able to split his vision, it will not be as good. Famously, Brian Griese was unable to handle this when he got to the pros.
Also, because he knows where the laces are and the footwork is consistent, the timing of the QB dropback is more precise when dropping from under center, whereas in gun he has to be a little more tentative with his footwork and timing as he has to catch the ball and find the laces.
November 21st, 2022 at 7:58 PM ^
Last year, we used shotgun formation close to 100% of the time.
Do you have any actual data to back this up or are you going off memory? I don’t think there’s really any real difference in the amount of shotgun vs under-center snaps this year compared to last year. But I could be wrong.
November 21st, 2022 at 9:38 PM ^
Shotgun is not a formation. It’s a way to take a snap. Is under center a formation?
November 22nd, 2022 at 1:40 AM ^
A formation is how you’re aligned. So shotgun absolutely is a formation. There are a large number of more specific formations that fall under the umbrella of shotgun formation.
November 23rd, 2022 at 12:20 AM ^
I always wondered about shotgun on 4th and 1 or at the goal line. Why add 3-5 yards?