The key I will be looking for early on is how Craig Roh holds up against the double-team from the tackle and tight end. If he can hold his ground, we can handle their running game all right. If not, we are going to be in inside-zone/outside-zone hell to the strong side all night.
Prediction: I believe Roh will do all right, giving us a chance in this game.
Easy.
this
Specifically my first two "line plays" are about the defense and the third about the offense. The "turnovers" are about the offense since it isn't realistic to expect the defense to force turnovers against a cautious veteran offense with a terrific line.
Score more points than they
Score more points than they do.
Win turnover margin.
Don't fall behind early.
What's the point of listing
What's the point of listing the other ones...?
My key to the game
is to start drinking heavily and early.
Prediction: Either a very happy or very sad drunk, tears either way.
Oh, you meant for the team?
The world looks better through maize mirror tint.
to beat Bama you must
STOP THE RUN!!!! their offense is 90% run plays
The Victors
The Mars Rover will play The Victors tomorrow morning! I believe this is the X-factor that Alabama won't see coming!!
Go Blue!
Space, Bitches! Space!
It's Great to be a Michigan Wolverine.
Taco pants
The inclusion or exclusion of taco pants as a wide receiver downfield is the key to this game. I'm hoping taco pants has a very slow day and somehow changes uniforms and plays for Alabama.
Good point by the OP; much
Good point by the OP; much truth to that part of the game.
I'm praying our O-line can somehow allow the run game to be established; being very optimistic, maybe the bruiser Rawls will help this early-game process. If the run can be respected, not counting Denard's legs, so much more of the playbook can be opened up and utilized. I'm just not so sure this will happen. We wait and we find out and it's why they play the damn game.
The blade
It's line play, especially when they have the ball. I can envision those big nasty fellas and Lacy putting the blade down until we prove we can stop them.
Control the line of
Control the line of scrimmage. D-line and linebackers getting pressure will be huge. If we can get pressure and dont let up big plays, we can control the tempo of the game. Denard will have his opportunities. But we have to give him that chance by controlling the tempo. It all starts in the battle in the trenches
bombs away
I say unleash the dragon, 3 and 4 wide sets gets the secondary to play the pass, gartuitous use of zone read, and roll out the pocket, give Drob more run/pass options. They are vulnerable around the edges, and Michigan has dangerous speed at once our players get to the edge.Finally the Vincent Smith screen pass, that thing could be lethal for the tide defense in this game.
It's a Maize and Blue world, everyone else is just livin' in it
This
I'm not sure if a wide open passing attack would be effective, but i'm fairly certain running Rawls at Williams will not. 3-4 WR sets will help space out their LBs and allow more running lanes for DRob on scrambles (hoping praying screaming this year he actually scrambles). If bama insists on still stuffing 8 in the box, I would anticipate denard being able to connect on at least 1-2 balls over the top to Gallon
I have imagined great victories, and I have imagined great races. The races are better.
Can't let Bama shut down
Can't let Bama shut down either side of our offense. If we can't pass- doomed. If we can't run- doomed. Even considering Bama's D is relatively inexperienced, they're still good enough to end us if we can't get a balanced attack. (Praying for inverted veers x1000)
My keys
1. On defense come out with intesity and get an early 3 and out on Bama's offense.
2. Win the game in the trenches.
3. Denard CAN NOT turn the ball over more times than once against this team. I don't want to see any turn overs period.
4. Clean football. Don't put yourself and your team in a bad situation with a stupid mistake like a late hit or hit to the head.
5. Passing game needs to be good. They'll be coming with the blizt because of Denards running ability so expect them to come charging hard at Kalis and our OL. Denard needs to make good throws and smart decisions when throwing.
6. Hold onto the ball. No stupid fumbles or bad handling.
Michigan plays their game like they did a year ago and we'll have a great opportunity to win this game. It will come down to though how well our defense does at the line and that's what I will be looking at during a good portion in this game.
We hate Michigan State. We don't like Penn State too. We don't care for Minnesota, Wisconsin or Notre Dame but we all hate O-S-U.
Michigan Blue 2008 block M hockey jersey still for sale for 50.00. FREE S/H
You are certainly right about
You are certainly right about handling the blitz. Bama comes hard and often on a weak side blitz. It can kill you or it can be exploited, as Cam's Auburn did. If we can't throw effectively, this blitz will really make it hard on Denard.
"Football is happening at Michigan... we have that savoir faire." Dhani Jones
*blitz
And *intensity. I am so not use to touch screens. And my dyslexia doesn't help either.
But I'm hoping to see good accurate throws from Denard. If its not there run or throw it away. Don't Favre it when nothing is there.
We hate Michigan State. We don't like Penn State too. We don't care for Minnesota, Wisconsin or Notre Dame but we all hate O-S-U.
Michigan Blue 2008 block M hockey jersey still for sale for 50.00. FREE S/H
I wonder
if they will really blitz much. I think they may try to contain Denard from escaping the pocket to force the pass. Maybe the key will be for Denard to get the screen passes over their hands.
Barnum blowing up their NT
Barnum blowing up their NT and Rawls softening up the inexperience Alabama linebackers by just plowing into the again an again for 6 ypc.
Our established, versatile
Our established, versatile offense against their rebuilding defense in their first game away from home. In 2009 Bama won the National Championship and lost a lot of key players on Offense and Defense, in 2010 they won a close game at Arkansas, lost at LSU, and lost at South Carolina. Now in 2011 they won the National Championship and lost almost everybody on defense, and their star running back, and all their receivers on offense. I think we can do better than 2010 South Carolina on the road.
How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon
Line play, for sure. But then Denard. Not only
Denard's evolution in the passing game but Denard's latitude to run. Not running as fourth or fifth option, but running when Bama's D affords him the chance.
I see us as competitive in every other game this year. But in this one I think it would help to have Denard in a state of grace. Curious about whether the coaches will green-light him, or would even think that a good idea.
I think Denard not scrambling
I think Denard not scrambling when the pass wasn't there was more on Denard than the coaches holding him back last year. Having said that,I agree that his evolution in the offense and ability to tuck and run at appropriate times will be key. Receivers getting open (looks at Devon) and Denard connecting when they are, is importantant as well.
go blue
I think Denard not scrambling
I think Denard not scrambling when the pass wasn't there was more on Denard than the coaches holding him back last year. Having said that,I agree that his evolution in the offense and ability to tuck and run at appropriate times will be key. Receivers getting open (looks at Devon) and Denard connecting when they are, is importantant as well.
go blue
Triple post - nothing to see (airport induced)
Move along
go blue
Michigan's O isn't gonna be
Michigan's O can't manball through Bama's stout D front. Nobody beats Bama in the trenches. M's best and only chance is to open things up via multiple receiver sets, draws, and delayed screens -- anything to create just enough space for Denard to find creases. I love manball. But our o-line, although talented, doesn't (yet) have the strength or depth to pound Bama's line. Something tells me we'll be seeing more passing than one might expect.
just to throw it out there.
Score points!
"All of us up here in the water wonderland never forget that
Ohio is still a four-lettered word."
-Bob Ufer
double
post sorries
Run game reads
If Denard and Gorgeous Al are sharp in this aspect of the game, it gives us an extra blocker on virtually every play and keeps the D on their heels. Either they get gashed or they bring extra guys into the box at which point we'll have to make them pay through the air.
If we force them to defend the whole field and 2 (3?!?!?!) rushing options at a time the offense can have a big day so long as the right decisions/reads are made. If Georgia Southern can do it, I think we can too.
Do that and just don't get killed on defense (hopefully no big plays, a'la most of last year), special teams, or in turnovers and it's a W.
It is spelled HOKEAMANIA. Our coach is an ass-kicking American citizen, not one of the Beatles, for Christ's sake!
Ball Control
Win the Turnover
Ball Control
Win the Turnover battle
Make one or two huge plays ie punt return/defensive td
Simply Stated Go Blue
HIT SOMEBODY!
We need to play more physical than them! Look back at the 08 Capital One Bowl against the Gators. We were thumping them from the start of the game and it put a very dynamic and fast team on their heels. We have to do the same thing tomorrow. Hit! Out for blood Crable/Woodley/Shazor type hits!!! We do that and the Bama "booger boys" will not know what to do.
"I run like Hayes and I hit like... Shazor"
HIT SOMEBODY!
We need to play more physical than them! Look back at the 08 Capital One Bowl against the Gators. We were thumping them from the start of the game and it put a very dynamic and fast team on their heels. We have to do the same thing tomorrow. Hit! Out for blood Crable/Woodley/Shazor type hits!!! We do that and the Bama "booger boys" will not know what to do.
"I run like Hayes and I hit like... Shazor"
Not letting Alabama get ahead
Not letting Alabama get ahead by more than 10 points, preferrably no more than a TD. If you let Alabama get into an attack-style defense without worrying about one facet of your game, then you are in trouble. If UM can keep it close and force Alabama to respect both the run and pass, while also forcing them to execute their offense beyond three rushes and a punt, then UM has a chance. Alabama is a VERY good team, and should win tomorrow. But if UM forces the Crimson Tide to play 4 quarters this early in the year, the inexperience on Alabama's side might tilt the game toward the more seasoned Wolverines. But I have my doubts that this will be anything more than a moderately-close game.
Weld Denard's helmet on so he
Weld Denard's helmet on so he doesn't have to miss any plays after big collisions
Formerly known as PahokeePahokee
1. Line play
2. Line play
3. Line play
4. Turnovers
I just destroyed that toilet with a huge Rosenberg.