UConn game coaching strategies
A few "what would you do?" strategy questions regarding the UConn game. This is mainly directed at those on the board with coaching insight.....
Seeing as both teams are percievd stronger in rushing attacks and weak on pass defense
- How would you (or you expect UConn) to script the start of the game? Establish the run or attack the UofM Secondary?
- What the decision above say about your confidence in your team and does it affect player morale?
- Is this strategy affected by being on the road vs. home?
- How long to you keep with a strategy if it doesn't appear to be working? (here's hoping!)
I suppose the same questions apply to Michigan - although I bet the answers would vary based on the starting QB. Any opinions there?
Finally I assume that RR will opt for Offense if we win the coin toss. Do you expect UConn to do the same?
Curious and trying to pass the long days this week.
August 31st, 2010 at 1:52 PM ^
I would imagine that they will use a lot of play action and misdirection plays in the beginning of the game to test the play recognition ability of our young players, especially the secondary.
I don't think that strategy necessarily is a knock on our d's ability, rather, just a recognition that we will have a lot of young players on the field, and one has to take a shot at them to test if they are up for the challenge.
I think the young guys in the secondary will step and, hopefully, we will be pleasantly surprised.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:50 PM ^
I'd pass the ball until my quarterback's arm fell off.
Deep routes, wheel routes, cross routes, stuff that confuses the linebackers, things that confuse the safeties. I'd run it only if I have to, and I would make the focus protecting hte football.
On defense, I would move an agile defender into the middle linebacker position and spy the quarterback all god damn day.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:56 PM ^
Until Hopkins devours said agile defender like a platter of cupcakes.
August 31st, 2010 at 1:52 PM ^
Great, now Magnus is going to post something... wake me up when it is finally over...
August 31st, 2010 at 1:53 PM ^
Is douchery a strategy? Because if it is, Edsall has it in spades.
August 31st, 2010 at 1:54 PM ^
I'd run play action go routes on the first or second play if I was Randy Edsall. The young secondary is going to be pumped to play and their inexperience could make for an easy touchdown and an uptick in sales at Ann Arbor Torch and Pitchfork.
Expect both teams to try to go on offense first. Each coach is going to want to hide his defense some.
August 31st, 2010 at 3:53 PM ^
They should be fine in terms of nerves. It's only if they go down that this comes into play. But I agree it's a likely tactic (RR said as much in his presser)
Cam will be in the parking lot
August 31st, 2010 at 1:55 PM ^
See the official Michigan playbook (page 1 of 1):
August 31st, 2010 at 1:55 PM ^
Offesnively: I would start the game by establishing the run and just letting the strongest part of our team ( o-line) establish their presence and assuming D-Rob is the starter working in a short passing game to get his confidence flowing.Then later working in some play-action and straight down the field passing plays. I think that this would be my gameplan on the road or at home because the last thing we would need is a costly INT early in the game.
Defensively: I would expect UConn to try and establish the run but for them to quickly throw in some deep play action passes to test the young secondary. I would be bringing 4, 5, or 6 consistenly and trying to get to the quarterback. I would run man coverage with the safety's helping over the top. I think the defense is going to have to break but not bend. I believe that the help over the top allows the cornerbacks some confidence to get physical with the receivers and give them confidence knowing they have help over the top. I would stick to this plan on the road or at home.
I would ride this out until 2/3 of the way through the second quarter before throwing in the wrinkles.
I like defering normally but if I am either team in this one I am trying to strike first.
Howeva, after the team sees Brock walk out of the tunnel I think that's all the inspiration the team will need en route to a big victory.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:00 PM ^
Well since their UConn they will probably start off by running the ball up the middle, but I fully expect a couple play action passes going deep to test Floyd and Rogers very early.
August 31st, 2010 at 6:11 PM ^
Where's the sarcasm?
August 31st, 2010 at 2:11 PM ^
"We're not holding anything. Let (UConn) do that. We're advancing constantly. We're not interested in holding on to anything except the enemy.
"We're going to hold on to him by the nose and kick him in the ass. We're going to kick the hell out of him all the time and we're going to go through him like crap through a goose!"
August 31st, 2010 at 2:18 PM ^
George was wrong about one thing, though. Please, please hang onto the ball.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:12 PM ^
If we can stop 'em early, it'll be a huge surge in our favor. Plus starting the second half with an opponent marching down the field is never a good thing... So often we think of deferring to the second half to get our offense on the field-- in our case, it might be a good decision to keep theirs off, without the fresh dose of pep talks and adjustments.
Another key factor is leading vs. trailing-- teams typically tend to go to the air more when they're behind. With our secondary, it's naturally a concern. BUT, in theory the defense will have a better chance against any offense when they know what they're trying to do-- so staying a score ahead with a 2nd half start has to be a good thing, RIGHT?
August 31st, 2010 at 2:26 PM ^
I generally agree with this logic, but in this case I disagree. We can't fall behind in this game at all. We need to keep the crowd roaring. Come out at score in 2-3 minutes to instill some confidence into our crowd. Force them to come out playing from behind with 110,000 fans screaming at them. If our defense stops them, we get the ball back and possibly take an early 2-TD lead. That will force them to move away from the run game, which is their bread and butter. Passing more might lead to an interception or two, quickly sealing the game away.
If we let them score early, they can continue to pound the ball and run play action, which is dangerous for our secondary.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:13 PM ^
Hey, Randy- I think you should punt on first down every time, just to be sure you don't turn the ball over.
August 31st, 2010 at 3:28 PM ^
Howeva, unless our punt catching capabilities have taken a major leap out of hell over the offseason that might just be advantage: UCONN.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:43 PM ^
- avoid running up the middle (our biggest strength is the DLine)
- get the TEs involved early and often
- throw quick screens
- run some counter draws (have we ever successfully defended this play, even once?)
- try some wildcat garbage with my fastest RB
- run 10-15 yard comeback routes on the sidelines (our young CBs will be bailing early watching for the deep ball)
- put my QB in bubble wrap because if he goes down it's lights out
August 31st, 2010 at 3:19 PM ^
I don't agree with your premise that we are stronger in rushing attack. If you look at our starters, we have a pretty damn nasty group of receivers. Setting aside Tate v. Denard (v. Devin?), we should have a QB that is more than capable of hitting those receivers. On RB, yes, we have a group of talented guys, but they are all either green (cox, toussaint), or somewhat unproven (Shaw, Smith). Not a knock on our RBs, but out WRs have me more excited. Given UConn's weak pass defense, I would expect to see a good amount of air attack from us.
As for UConn, I think that they will follow the same model that I expect just about all of our opponents to follow - challenge our young, inexperienced and undermanned secondary all until and unless that secondary gives them a reason not to.
My prediction for this game is actually a win by us, but in a shootout along the lines of 45-35.
August 31st, 2010 at 3:53 PM ^
I did not mean to imply that that Michigan didnt have equivalent or better talent in the receiving corps / QB, but that RR's system is more run oriented than pass - particularly in terms of perception and historical data.
BTW - sorry if this topic is close to a repeat - I lurk several hours per day here (then I go home from work) but didnt see the thread Larsonlo referred to above.
August 31st, 2010 at 4:50 PM ^
If I'm UConn's DC, I'm just praying like hell that the fast little #16 doesn't trot out and line up behind the center. You know, the one with the dreads. Broken plays are very dangerous with that guy.
August 31st, 2010 at 5:35 PM ^
If I'm RR i'm putting all of our speed to good use. We have great WR's so getting the ball to them early to set up the run might be a real good way to attack. If I'm Edsall I'm lining up 5 wide and throwing it 80 times.
August 31st, 2010 at 5:54 PM ^
I've watched UConn play a few times, as they are broadcast on local channels here and I would be shocked if they came out throwing or using misdirections. UConn is a smashmouth team and I expect them to try to run the ball and then use playaction. Frazier was really shaky last year. He took way too long to get rid of the ball plus he was eyeing receivers. They definitely won't be relying on him. I expect to see a healthy dose of Todman in the beginning unless we jump on them and force them to throw the ball.
There really aren't any offensive playmakers on this team other than Todman. They play disciplined, but that doesn't mean they have great physical talent. I actually think our secondary can handle them if they play fundamentally sound, which of course is a big if.