UConn Gameplan

Submitted by Ziff72 on

Just curious what you guys thought about UConn's defensive plan.   From appearances it appeared they had no idea who Denard was and then as the game went on they made zero adjustments.  I have a good deal of respect for Edsall as a coach so I don't believe that for a second.

I just can't wrap my head around the fact there were wide open spaces for Denard and very little openings for Shaw and Smith.  Considering the wind and the 1st 2 drives I would have went 10 in the box before I continued to allow Denard to beat me on the ISQBD.

So I have drawn 2 possible conclusions

1. UConn was stubborn sticking to their plan thinking DR would eventually wear down and they didn't want to get burned by the counters RR was setting up.

2. Denard was missing a few reads and putting Shaw and Smith in some tough spots and UConn did adjust they just couldn't stop it which means the Big Ten is in a whole lot of trouble when we get that cleaned up.

 

switch26

September 5th, 2010 at 8:59 PM ^

Watching the game they did adjust a little bit from what i saw..  They slowed denard down a little, but not enough..  He started out the first half with like 9 yards avg, and ended with 6.8 yards per carry.

But seriously i don't know what else they could of done because he was hitting those holes so much faster then Smith and Shaw..

Our running backs picked up a lot of the hard yards up the middle, but the key was a few running plays then poppin off a pass which opened it up more for denard to continually pick up yards.

Denard also had some sick play fakes that totally fucked up UCONN.. if he can consistently fool teams doing that we will be pleased

kb

September 5th, 2010 at 9:05 PM ^

I think we'll try a few guys at running back to see who gives us the best performance.  Once the RBs become more experienced and start hitting the holes with confidence, the offense is going to be even better.

blueblueblue

September 5th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^

My emerging grasp of the zone read offense is that it is inherently adaptive to defenses, and this adaptability is proximate (within the play) rather than, or in addition to, ultimate (before the game, or at the half). From what I saw yesterday, our offense has become beautifully efficient and effective at being adaptive. Last year we were adaptive, but it was chaos, or rather it was chaotic innovation. Which can be great as well as disastrous. This year we have structured, orchestrated adaptability. 

So the only defensive game plan that seems like it would work is matching adaptabiltiy with adaptability. Which, depending on the type of football the team usually sees, often results in a choice of chaotic adaptability or sticking to doing what they know how to do. Which I think is what UConn did. Which I think is also what UM did under Carr against the spread. 

Kal

September 5th, 2010 at 9:26 PM ^

And once the reads are being made in a fluid manner by the offense, a defense has to react so much quicker to all the varying possibilities of a play. The smallest mistake can cause them to get burned (see Robinson's wide open pass over the middle after a great pump fake to the left). This is what it's all about, putting players with high football IQs in space and letting them showcase their skillset. 

bryemye

September 5th, 2010 at 11:08 PM ^

I think once their coaches and players saw that Denard could actually throw well enough to keep them honest they realized it was going to be a long day. Basically when this offense is being executed correctly it's going to match up our players with their players in space even when the defense is executing well (assuming there's no big disruption on the line). D-Rob vs. X in space = I like my chances.

umhannon

September 5th, 2010 at 9:27 PM ^

Rodriguez had played them in the past. They knew what they were going to get; we executed pretty darn well. Talent and experience in this offense are two new and two pleasant things we have this year. It is great to watch.

go16blue

September 5th, 2010 at 9:32 PM ^

This is why i'm so optimistic about the nd game. They run, and will be running asimple defense that "just lets the players play" against an offense that requires all kinds of spies, scrapes, etc. to defend

Njia

September 5th, 2010 at 9:40 PM ^

If you play a position on offense, wouldn't this just be about the most fun you could have as a player? I hope every one of our prospects watched that game yesterday and said, "Holy shit, I could be a part of that!"

And, if you play defense, "If Michigan gets a few really good players like me, we could be talking a BCS championship."

All in all, I have to believe Michigan's stock went up yesterday in the minds of more than just the pundits and analysts.

victors2000

September 5th, 2010 at 10:00 PM ^

that Coach Edsall and his staff had all off-season to prepare for this game and that's as good as they could do, 30-10. Coach Edsall and staff are familiar with Coach Rod and his schemes, having played against them at least 4 times when Coach Rod was at West Virginia; they knew what was coming. Not to mention it was Denard's first start in his collegiate career. 30-10; I am really looking forward to playing Notre Dame next Saturday; I haven't felt this good about playing the Fighting Irish since we got clocked back in '88...

MGrether

September 5th, 2010 at 10:46 PM ^

1) UConn did make adjustments. We just made adjustments to their adjustments, almost seemlessly. We played paper for their rock, and rock for their scissors all game long. They tried different blitzing schemes and coverage packages... and when they changed, we would adjust to exploit the new weakness.

2) Robinson vs. RBs. When the RBs ran, there were 5 linemen blocking + TE (6 total) and it takes 2 seconds for the RB to get the handoff and head up field. That gives the defense time to react. There were holes and they gained a good chunk of yards... just not as many as Robinson.

When Robinson runs on the the QB draws, he has 5 linemen + TE + RB (7 total) blocking. Plus, he hits the hole much quicker/faster because there is not the delay of waiting for the defense to show their hand. When Robinson was running off of the read-option, he is running to where the DE has vacated, and the LB is blocked by the RT. Thus, there should be more space for him to go run like crazy.

BlueinLansing

September 6th, 2010 at 1:02 AM ^

when you are behind, by 21, much of your gameplanning goes out the window and panic sets in.   I thought they did change it up on D a little, to no avail.  They came out playing more physical and hitting harder the 2nd half.  Michigan simply kept the ball away from them.

I hope everyone realizes it was only 3 yards and one less fumble from being a 24-17 game.  Totally different game from that point on, and a very deceptive score.  (yet not)

 

Also I've rewatched the game twice, and at least a half dozen times Denard gains 5+ to 10+ yards that other QB's (including the one in Cbus) simply would not make because DR just runs away from the D.