You are Al Borges: what should our plan be for Bama?
So you are our OC for this game. You know a couple of things about Alabama and their defense besides the fact that they are really fast and very talented, likely the best defense we will face this year. You know that Saban defensively is of the Bellichick school, which means that he comes into the game with a mission of taking away the thing that you want to do most, and making you do the things that you don't really want to do. You also know that Bama is replacing a few starters with very talented, but inexperienced replacements that have certainly focused on stopping Denard and the run (the thing we want to do most) in the prep for this game. And you know that Bama succeeded at completely shutting down LSU, who wanted to run the ball and option in the championship game. And lastly, you know that last year, against the most aggressive pressure oriented defenses you faced (MSU, Va Tech) you struggled mightily.
Having said that, you know that this is a new year and that your QB is one year better, and your running game is one year better (if Fitz plays, if not, perhaps not), and your offense in its second year should be better and more comfortable and more capable overall. (Disclaimer: Borges knows more than this, but as fans most of us don't).
So knowing this, what would you do Saturday on offense? What would you emphasize?
August 29th, 2012 at 10:58 AM ^
Play the entire game in the shotgun. Keep pass patterns short. Instruct Denard to take off immediately if his first two reads aren't open. And for god's sake, throw some bubble screens to loosen up the middle. Unleash a "QB oh noes" play in the 2nd half.
In other words, run a spread offense.
August 29th, 2012 at 10:58 AM ^
Eat 75% less food for at least 2-5 years. Do some low intensity cardio each and every morning for 30 minutes building up to 60 minutes per morning until more closely resembling a human being.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:46 AM ^
I LOL'd at that, but man, that's our coach.
August 29th, 2012 at 12:07 PM ^
Our coach is going to get DIABEETUS if he doesn't stop over feeding his weak self control.
August 29th, 2012 at 12:46 PM ^
August 29th, 2012 at 1:35 PM ^
Who's that at 46 secs?...
August 29th, 2012 at 12:19 PM ^
August 29th, 2012 at 1:11 PM ^
I don't get enjoyment out of eating 4 sticks of butter for my mid-afternoon-pre-second-lunch snack. I am actually happy though. It's almost football season.
August 29th, 2012 at 1:36 PM ^
Everything in moderation.
August 29th, 2012 at 10:58 AM ^
I would come out running a combination of pro-style and inside zone type concepts (using a backfield combo of Robinson and Norfleet) to play off of the inexperience of Bama's defense playing against that type of offense. It's a huge gamble but I think it will take a big gamble to beat Bama.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:00 AM ^
As Urban Meyer pointed out during a Michigan game last year, Michigan is a lot easier to defend when they're just running Denard with single wing plays. Options plays are not his strength (at least as he's shown so far), but they have to run option plays to have a chance of breaking him loose against Alabama. The Tide are too good for Michigan to run QB sweeps.
Beyond Denard, Michigan has to take shots downfield and/or try to get Gallon into space. Saban's defenses will sometimes give up big plays.
Another approach would be to run a lot of power plays with the knowledge that you're not likely to succeed but that doing this against Alabama could toughen the team up for the Big Ten. Before you scoff, remember that Bo saw the non-conference schedule as primarily a way to prepare for the Big Ten.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:08 AM ^
Another approach would be to run a lot of power plays with the knowledge that you're not likely to succeed but that doing this against Alabama could toughen the team up for the Big Ten. Before you scoff, remember that Bo saw the non-conference schedule as primarily a way to prepare for the Big Ten.
We have five non-freshman linemen who aren't walk-ons. Five. Even if running power would actually "toughen them up" (an assertion with which I really, really disagree; they've been hitting people for years, and they've been popping pads in practice for the last few weeks, so what will three hours really change), if we're just worried about the Big Ten season I'd think it would be MUCH more important to have our team walk away intact. Plus, we're not going to be running 3-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust in the B1G season, so wouldn't it be much more helpful to prepare if we run the same stuff that we're gonna be running for the rest of the year?
August 29th, 2012 at 11:28 AM ^
I mean that mentally more than physically. I've heard players say that getting their asses kicked "showed (them) what (they) needed to do" to play at an elite level...The ugly truth is that I think Alabama is at a different level than Michigan right now. Things will likely be different in three years, but I just don't see Michigan being in Bama's class right now.
I also think that Michigan will run more three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust stuff during the Big Ten season than you or I might like.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:41 AM ^
Borges has already said that Michigan is pretty much going to be a spread option team until Denard leaves, so while they will still run some power stuff, it'll almost certainly be the exception rather than the rule.
I agree that playing Alabama will toughen the team mentally, but I just don't see the difference between the mental lessons they'd learn running their typical offensive sets versus the mental lessons learned by running into Jesse Williams 29 times in a row.
August 29th, 2012 at 1:18 PM ^
"Ouch".
August 29th, 2012 at 12:14 PM ^
Get Denard outside on some run/pass options, but he has got to attack the line of scrimmage to force the secondary into a bind. If he stings himself out and allows the defense to sink a bit on routes and pursue from inside he is going to trap himself in. Also, because of the inexperience in their secondary I'd like to see if we can spread them out a bit and force them into a nickel package and get an additional inexperienced guy on the field.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:06 AM ^
Well, since I watched the 2000 Orange Bowl last night, I think that my answer has to be to surprise Alabama's defense and have Tom Brady throw to David Terrell all night long. It worked then, I can't see why it wouldn't know!
August 29th, 2012 at 4:37 PM ^
Maybe we can get Lamarr Woodley to play a quarter
Step 1. Woodley kills starting QB
Step 2. Lamarr Kills Seconed QB.
Step 3. repeat steps 1&2 with RB's
August 29th, 2012 at 11:08 AM ^
Eat clock. Run Fitz, Rawls, short passes to the tight-end and backs, run Denard. The point being, the Bama offense could steamroll our DL so you want to keep it out of their hands.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:11 AM ^
August 29th, 2012 at 11:12 AM ^
But i'm just spitballing here
August 29th, 2012 at 11:15 AM ^
i was watching alabama and penn state from last year and in the fourth quarter alabama had killed penn state's will to play. I would rather like to have these feelings after the end of the game:
1. We have a wonderful season coming up.
2. The players will learn from this and grow.
3. Denard is healthy and so is BWC.
4. Michigan gave its best in the game.
i know its not the ....bring on ....alabama stance,
but its a long season and this is just the first game
August 29th, 2012 at 12:00 PM ^
double post...sorry
August 29th, 2012 at 11:59 AM ^
PSU didn't have any offensive firepower when they faced Alabama last season, or at least no where near what Denard and Michigan bring.
I've been thinking a lot about the scheduling dilema of "cupcake v. tough team" in the opener. As I look at it more and more I think that scheduling as difficult of an opener as possible is a great way to set the tone for the season. First, the players will really get a feel for where they stack up, and the film on the game will be an incredible learning tool going forward. By contrast, playing a cupcake can allow the players to be sloppy and still come out with the win. Alabama is going to show every player on the Michigan team what an "elite" program looks like on the field, and that will undoubtedly elevate the game of every player on the Michigan, even in defeat. Further, I think that going into camp, and even during summer workouts, it gives the players a definite target, a goal for their preparation. Knowing that you're going to face the defending NC in the opener whom many are saying has a good chance to reapeat, add a great deal to the motivation leading into the season.
Yes, it doesn't help an NC run if you lose your first game, but as always is the case in CFB: if you're going to lose, do it early, and to the highest ranked team possible.
I think in the years to come, the staff is going to point back to the Bama game -- win or lose -- and say that it was that game that really pushed the Michigan program to new heights. Although we return a lot of players, we're a relatively inexperienced team. What better way to gauge yourself and your team than against the best? I think we're going to see guys that we didn't think were all that great, that we might have been worried about, emerge in this game, and the experience will propell their development far more than playing a cupcake would have.
August 29th, 2012 at 12:55 PM ^
We're playing with house money in this game, as long as we don't leave the game with a long-term injury to a key player or get totally blown out. If we win, fantastic. If not, as you say, if you're going to lose, do it early and to the highest-ranked team possible. And the coaches and team will learn a lot of useful stuff in the process that will make us better throughout the season.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:19 AM ^
UP-B.. mixed in with a little RIGHT-A
August 29th, 2012 at 11:27 AM ^
This is the best answer...On a side note, I will beat you at Tecmo Bowl if you let me play with the Bears. You will not score.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:55 AM ^
Good luck with the Bears ever scoring unless the system is giving Neal Anderson a Bo Jackson day.
(It does that sometimes. Try playing against the computer 49ers in the first week of the season, and then the playoffs. Not even the same squad).
August 29th, 2012 at 12:05 PM ^
August 29th, 2012 at 12:07 PM ^
Is that Bo Jackson and Marcus Allen would get hurt, like, every other game.
August 29th, 2012 at 12:51 PM ^
You (as the defense) just pick the Bo Jackson running play every time, forcing the Raiders to go to Allen or the weak passing game...I should say that I'm thinking of the original Tecmo Bowl. I never had the follow up.
August 29th, 2012 at 3:03 PM ^
You might have something there.
But if you're talking Classic "Super" 
Then my point stands. All the later "high tech" versions sucked.
August 29th, 2012 at 3:58 PM ^
I never had Super Tecmo Bowl. I considered it a bastardization of the artistic and functional purity of the first one.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:20 AM ^
Have all your receivers go deep, have Denard do a five-step drop and throw if something's open, and if not RUN LIKE HELL.
Basically have Denard be Vince Young in the Rose Bowl.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:25 AM ^
Is to make sure Borges face picture is placed in every Alabama locker stall with the caption, "Think of me when you are showering."
Guaranteed win for Michigan.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:30 AM ^
Throw immediately and try your best to get Dennard in some sort of passing rythm. I would say use Funchess at TE for a nice big target on some qucik short passes.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:39 AM ^
I think the key to Bores calling a great game versus Alabama is going to be his ability to show their defense what they think they're going to see, but then do something different. If I were at the OC helm, I would script a series of plays to start with, of which there is no film. When Michigan comes to the line in a new formation, one that Bama hasn't seen, I'd guess that the defense is going to think, "they're going to run #16..." Borges needs to show a Denard run, but then throw it, ala the opening play vs. Illinois in '10.
Borges has to keep the Bama defense guessing and off balance as much as possible. I don't think Denard is going to be able to gain many yards on desiged runs against their defense. But, I think he can really gash them with properly timed tuck-and-runs. Further, I think the screen game is going to be important, as well as getting Gardner the ball in space, and over the top.
I just don't think Michigan is going to be able to line up and go right at Alabama, at least not initially. Later in the game, when the defense is unsure of what is coming at them, perhaps. Borges has to use the fact that, like MSU, the #1 priority of the Bama defense is going be stopping #16 and making him pass, against them. I think he can do, and I am very glad that he has experience against a Saban defense.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:45 AM ^
imitate Mike DeBord for three hours in Cowboys Stadium.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:46 AM ^
Inside veer so we can get to the LBs quicker and take advantage of over aggressive DL
Lots of hitch routes
Quick hitting dive plays. We're not getting to the edge easily on this D
And a heaping dose of Denard scrambles
August 29th, 2012 at 11:51 AM ^
to give Denard the best chance at success. We are not going to move the chains simply running the ball, but maybe just enough to keep them honest. Throwing often opens up more room for Denard to run as well.
I'd also throw the ball deep to this year's biggest non-Denard weapon, Devin Gardner. I'm betting he leads the team in receiving yardage and TD's, Gallon with most receptions.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:55 AM ^
August 29th, 2012 at 11:58 AM ^
but I am damn sure that Al Borges knows more than this board in how to game plan. It seems like a pretty stupid topic considering the fact that none of us have the film on Alabama. So we can project what is going to happen but "TRUST IN AL."
August 29th, 2012 at 12:14 PM ^
I haven't read a single post on this thread that even implied that the poster didn't "Trust in Al."
I think you're missing the point. This isn't a "Bash Al" thread, it's a "What would you do?" thread, i.e., let's have some fun and armchair OC the upcoming game.
Besides, if it's a stupid topic, why bother posting in it? Just to say that you think it's stupid?
Personally, I am fascinated by the X's and O's of football, how coaches scheme (especially on offense) and I really enjoy coming up with my own "game plan." Does that mean that I think I know more than the coaching staff? Of course not. But as an avid fan of Michigan football, I find the exercise entertaining. If you don't, so be it. But, is it necessary to crap on our collective parade leading up to the big game?
August 29th, 2012 at 12:35 PM ^
August 29th, 2012 at 1:44 PM ^
Then why exactly have a board at all? Other than pos-bang and drinking threads, your rationale applies to almost every thread on this board. Certainly any possible thread that discussed football strategy at all would fail your trust the coaches test. Geez, the question was what would you do of you were a coach? What exactly is wrong with discussing that and football strategy?
August 29th, 2012 at 1:45 PM ^
Double post sorry
August 29th, 2012 at 12:16 PM ^
Well according to John Madden, "scoring more points than your opponent is the key to winning the game." They have a video game named after him, so I think Borges should follow that game plan.
August 29th, 2012 at 12:18 PM ^
Watching Alabama game film, I have noticed that they play mostly man coverage. They also attempt to predict the receivers routes, and then run the routes with them. I would try to use bunch formations with the "bunch" wide (rather than tight) to keep those blitzing corners away from Denard. Isolate whoever our best receiver is on the other side of the field, and force that single high safety to pick a side to help on.
In the running game, we have to find a way to get outside. Counters might help a bit.
Alabama wants to force our running game to flow to the boundary side of the field. If Rawls or Robinson (or Fitz, if he plays) can find some yards over there, we should take them. I'm talking 3-4 yard carries. Just enough to get into shorter situations on 3rd down.
Bottom line for me: if our WRs can get open against the man coverage, we have a shot to win. They also need to do a nice job blocking the DBs when we run. If our WRs can't get open (or Denard can't get them the ball when they're open) we are in big, big trouble. I don't see us being able to run the ball unless we can establish a passing threat.