What is your first offensive play?
I would like to talk some football, and I would like to have fun doing so. I know we fans do not control the first offensive play call, but if we did, what play would it be?
For me, I would line up in Pistol formation (a formation we have used this year, but not frequently). I would have Gallon and Dileo (Chesson if Dileo is out) out wide right, Funchess and Kerridge to Gardner's left and right in the backfield, and Fitz behind Gardner.
Ball is snapped. Fake zone stretch to the right. Throwback to Funchess for TE screen with Lewan and Bosch blocking for him.
Best case: State defense overpursues the run fake, and Lewan carries Funchess on his back into the end zone. Marcus Rush called for Roughing the Quarterback, and on the kickoff, Brady Hoke busts out the onside kick that he didn't want to show against Indiana. Michigan recovers. Repeat sequence until we are up by 70 points.
Worst case: Incomplete pass (unless it's the Akron game). A sack could happen, but I would hope Devin could throw it at the feet of Funchess before that would happen.
So what is your first offensive play?
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:41 AM ^
You are not a coach.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:43 AM ^
A-11 baby!
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:44 AM ^
I form iso
November 2nd, 2013 at 2:03 PM ^
If it's anything but this, I'll poop my pants.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:44 AM ^
Swinging gate bubble screen to Gallon
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:44 AM ^
because I like screens.
Al doesn't.
But maybe (hoping) we have a game plan to make use of the screen to take state by surprise a few times?
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:58 AM ^
I assume you only mean bubble screen when you say screen, because Borges does multiple types of screens during every game, he just generally does not use the bubble screen.
From, that, I have to say that this is the one game where Borges is probably right not to use the bubble screen though. MSU's tight coverage is designed to jump plays like that, so a bubble screen would likely result in either getting blown up for a loss or an interception (and interceptions on bubble screens end up in the end zone)..
November 2nd, 2013 at 12:37 PM ^
Good points, but I can't recall multiple screens in every game. Off the top of my head I only remember a failed tunnel screen against PSU as well as a throwback and WR screen against Indiana. Confirmation bias on my part, or have there been a lot of others?
November 2nd, 2013 at 1:00 PM ^
Mainly throwback screens to the RB and he will occasionally use his "tunnel screen" (I think that's what he called it) where, instead of dropping back a yard to receive the screen with another WR or two in front of him for blocking (the bubble screen), the receiver's will move straight toward the QB a yard or two before receiving the pass (although many people always seem to call this a bubble when he runs it, it is not the classic bubble screen). Maybe "multiple" was an overstatement, but he will call one or two per game, and considering that it is a constraint play, even the most prevalent users of screens don't use it all that often. You could argue for more needing to be called, but that becomes a debate on how many screens becomes too many before it becomes predictable.
November 2nd, 2013 at 12:56 PM ^
including the bubble screen. I don't think we use enough screens overall and to mix in a few more, including the dreaded bubble screen, might be part of what it takes to catch the sparty defense a little off-guard.
Downfield, sideline quick routes, screens, etc., the pass game needs to be established with the run game developing off that. The linebackers then realize they need to drop a couple steps back to defend what I hope is a productive Michigan passing game, and slightly bigger holes develop. Fitz wasn't able to run against PSU's packed box, so the offensive game plan has to be one that takes what the defense allows.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:45 AM ^
Run up the middle for -2 yards
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:49 AM ^
That's funny!
November 2nd, 2013 at 1:00 PM ^
be funny if not for the 90% probability of coming true.
November 2nd, 2013 at 12:37 PM ^
Any preference on which designed run you want us to lose yards with?
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:46 AM ^
Run up the gut for -2 yards.
November 2nd, 2013 at 12:38 PM ^
That's not a play. Its a recap of a play's direction and outcome. Anything specific?
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:46 AM ^
I-form or pistol near twins right with Gallon/Funchess. They run hi/lo outs. Play action stretch off left tackle, but Fitz continues out into the wheel route.
No idea if this works or is even a thing.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:46 AM ^
Send a message early that you can't stop FunchaTron. And oh by the way, BACK THE FUCK UP or risk downfield killshots. Even if the ball is picked (doubtful), it might pay dividends on shorter routes, or in the run game.
November 2nd, 2013 at 12:24 PM ^
I agree. I was going to post this too. I'd throw the deep ball on the first play to loosen up the D.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:47 AM ^
PLay action to funchess deep....TOUCHDOWN!!!!
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:48 AM ^
Armpunt.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:51 AM ^
j/k. Bubble screen. Heiko's head explodes. Borges giggles.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:48 AM ^
To Chesson cause their Defense will be worried about Gallon and Funchess!
November 2nd, 2013 at 1:03 PM ^
not bad at all sir. +1
November 2nd, 2013 at 1:41 PM ^
You sir!
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:49 AM ^
Tackle over stretch play.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:51 AM ^
FUMBLEROOSKIE
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:57 AM ^
Please no.
November 2nd, 2013 at 12:11 PM ^
Buzzkill
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:52 AM ^
1 yard. Borges says "to hell with this" and opens it up the rest of the game. Devin throws 5 TDs and 5 pick-sixes. We finish with 1 rushing attempt for 1 yard. We win in overtime.
Meme for next week: 1 for 1.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:52 AM ^
Depends where/when we get the ball. Our own 20? Stretch left, duh. If they get the ball and get us decent fied position off of a punt, Al'l open up with a pass; some sort of trips left with Funchess, Butt, hopfully Dileo, Gallon split right. Funchess, post route, 24 yards.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:53 AM ^
A play that works.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:53 AM ^
Play action over the top to funchess. Do it Al.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:53 AM ^
It'll be an off tackle run for a loss of two.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:55 AM ^
MSU will not see it coming...
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:55 AM ^
Kneel down. You can keep that clock moving, there's less risk of a fumble or injury and it loses nothing over an under center run in terms of efficacy. Follow this with a Gardner pooch punt on second down to catch them with their pants down and gain a bunch of field position.
November 2nd, 2013 at 12:29 PM ^
I like it! This is a game of inches and field position battles! Yarrrr!!
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:56 AM ^
in motion jump in the backfield with fitz, fake to fitz, screen to norfleet.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:57 AM ^
THE ANNEXATION OF PUERTO RICO
November 2nd, 2013 at 12:08 PM ^
+98 to you sir.
98=Gardner
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:58 AM ^
Alcohol
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:59 AM ^
How about this, just to see how the Spartans respond to start - a few times during the Indiana game, we went shotgun with 3 WRs and upon the snap, the line actually did some run blocking while Gardner had a moment to throw some nice play action passes. We're likely not to get the 10-15 yards we did against the Hooisers, but it would be interesting.
November 2nd, 2013 at 11:59 AM ^
Strangely, my answer for this and the second offensive play are the same.
November 2nd, 2013 at 12:01 PM ^
4 verts. Duh.
November 2nd, 2013 at 12:04 PM ^
Play action bomb on a double move by Gallon or Funchess.
November 2nd, 2013 at 12:12 PM ^
With how bad the O-line is they won't be able to run routes with double moves.
November 2nd, 2013 at 12:27 PM ^
our pass pro hasn't been anywhere near as bad as our run blocking.
November 2nd, 2013 at 12:07 PM ^
Gardner with a fake run up the middle...then throw it over the middle to a slanting Gallon for 15 or so yards.
This play alone makes them think about it the whole game...
I've seen them do it ONCE...and I think it was denard who did it, a few years ago.