VIDEO: Michigan Defense vs. Air Force Every Snap and Jake Ryan Interview
So. Many. Snaps. Did we win? Are Bolden and Ross starting this week? I have no idea. My eyes are bleeding.
Ryan:September 13th, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^
Isn't that completely a chop block on Cambpell? He's clearly engaged with the Center, and the Left Guard dives at his knees.
Sure at 00:21 he pulls the center down (and gets flagged). But how is the first instance not a chop block? I'm going to guess this happened all game, with varying degrees of "total chop block not called" and "semi-chop block debateable only due to when one lineman disengaged before the other dove at our knees"
September 13th, 2012 at 1:17 PM ^
September 13th, 2012 at 1:02 PM ^
Ugh, the pain. Make it stop.
On a side note I was thinking before the game that Alabama and Air Force were great workout games for our young defense to practice for, and against. Great measuring sticks not only to give us very disciplined targets to strive for, but also likely more (first) physical and (then) disciplined than any other teams we'll face for the rest of 2012. A lot of people saw us struggle against these two teams and thought "oh no, we're gonna have a rough season" but I saw these two as tests to help us elevate our game, and that we've cleared the hump we'll roll through the rest of the season.
September 13th, 2012 at 1:33 PM ^
Can someone explain the thinking behind forcing the pitch? I've heard the sideline is "like another defender" argument, but if you have no one outside to force the running back out of bounds near the line of scrimmage, doesn't it defeat the purpose? All game, I was watching and wondering why we weren't covering the pitch and forcing the quarterback to run it inside, where there was help.
September 13th, 2012 at 1:43 PM ^
I saw the same thing. The outside defender has to keep contain on the pitch man. IE. he has to stay outside of him. Doesn't have to ignore the QB but as soon as the pitch man is farther outside than the edge defender it's an automatic 5 yards plus on the pitch.
September 13th, 2012 at 1:50 PM ^
But the pitch is another thing that the opponent has to execute. I think of it like a 2-on-1 in hockey. As a goalie, I always wanted my defenseman to protect against the pass, let me worry about the shot.
The other school of thought is to have the defenseman force the pass, because that's something else the opponent has to execute and could screw up. AF didn't, but each pitch is a chance for a missed pitch/backwards pass/fumble. Plus you get to hit the QB for good measure.
September 13th, 2012 at 1:22 PM ^
our defense was actually pretty good on 1st & 2nd down but jesus, they converted every 3rd and long it seemed. if they get off the field half the time it's a blowout.
September 13th, 2012 at 1:34 PM ^
September 13th, 2012 at 1:52 PM ^
Getting outschemed is exasperating. Watching our D there brought back visions of Oregon the week after The Horror, watching inferior talent (save Dixon and the running back) melt our scheme like a hot knife through butter. I hear there is no 100% solution for the triple option, not to mention we won, which makes this slightly easier to stomach than the smoldering crater of feces Ron English tried to pass as defensive coordinating against Oregon. Hope to never see something like this again.
September 13th, 2012 at 2:03 PM ^
They came in and executed almost flawlessly, aggressively, and without fear. This is a superbly well coached team. I wouldn't feel too bad about it being so close now that I've rewatched it.
I am a little worried about all the missed tackles in the secondary, tho.
September 13th, 2012 at 2:23 PM ^
I agree. The game was pretty well in hand, despite not sealing the edge, and all, and our offense was clicking until a freak unforced turnover in Michigan territory. Going up 21-3 at the half turned into 14-10 in a blink. We had deferred and scored straight away after the half, too. Could've very easily been 28-3 in the 3rd, then 35-10 starting the 4th but for 1 misstep. Now if only someone would ask what's the but for...
September 13th, 2012 at 3:03 PM ^