You are Al Borges: what should our plan be for Bama?

Submitted by wolverine1987 on

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? 

UMfan21

August 29th, 2012 at 10:24 AM ^

I'd use Denard to do some throwback screens and QB oh noes to loosen the LBs. probably some bubble/tunnel screens too. Have to establish the run in some form too, but that might be tough.

wolverine1987

August 29th, 2012 at 10:27 AM ^

Bama will be geared to take away Denard, and we will have to back them off of the LOS and do so by doing what they are not expecting: Denard passing. My general philosophy would be passing to set up the run. I wouldn't be in the I-form at all for at least the 1st Quarter. I would make them pay (or attempt to) by showing that this year's Denard can make a defense pay if they crowd the LOS. I would QB oh no on the first or second play of the game, and stay in the shotgun and spread. Not original thinking, but then again I'm not really Al either. I have hair and less knowledge.

Volverine

August 29th, 2012 at 10:49 AM ^

I always liked the "Tebow" play. Michigan did it in the first play against Illinois during the 2010 season (the basketball score game) and it worked like a charm. Have Denard fake the run up the middle, causing the linebackers to bite, and you'll usually find a slot receiver open. I'd try that early to see if we could land the big play and get the momentum on our side early. 

Volverine

August 29th, 2012 at 11:33 AM ^

I actually think the "that's what Bama is looking for" part of your argument is exactly why this play would work. I'm not saying it should be the first play of the game. In fact, I think 2nd and short is when many teams are watching out for the big play, so it might not work then. 

I'm picturing a 3-wide look where the slot receiver will likely be covered by a LB or safety. If a fake run by Denard can get that guy to bite, the slot gut will likely be wide open. I'll post the video of the play I'm thinking of in a second. 

willywill9

August 29th, 2012 at 11:45 AM ^

Yea, i don't think i articulated my point at all... Basically,  I was agreeing QB Oh Noes has to be featured in this game.   When? I don't know, that's why i'm not an OC.  On a 2nd or 3rd and short, if you rush to the line and act as if you're trying to get the Defensive off guard for a quick cheap couple of yards, i think that would be the opportune time.  It could work even as the first or second play of the game (e.g. Illinois)

Tater

August 29th, 2012 at 12:04 PM ^

Bama's defense adjusts to everything quickly.  You can only fool Saban with a play once or twice before he comes up with an adjustment.  I wouldn't use anything like "the Tebow play" until late in the game, when a big play is needed.

That's a big part of why LSU was so ineffective against them in the "championship" game:  Saban adjusted for everything they did the first game, and poor Les Miles couldn't come up with anything new.

Michigan is going to have to out-execute Alabama's carefully-crafted, over-recruited roster of future NFL players.  It's a tall order, but it can be done.

icefins26

August 29th, 2012 at 10:28 AM ^

If I'm Al Borges, I come in with the mindset of "aw f it."  While I would have a plan of attempting to establish the run and get guys in space to spread them out, I would also have a plan of being extremely aggressive with my playcalling.  This game, while important, will not determine the outcome of our season and this defense will provide an outstanding benchmark for the rest of the season.

Having said all of that, I would not be shocked to see some off-the-wall playcalls (weird formations, reverses, throw back screens, etc.).

jabberwock

August 29th, 2012 at 11:42 AM ^

I don't think Borges would do it (nor would Hoke allow it) in a million years.

The reason?  While this is an important game for the program, I think that Hoke & staff (correctly or incorrectly) view this game as a first test of a season-long plan for this team.

In other words, they will do on Saturday EXACTLY what they want to do vs. Air Force, ND, Purdue Ojhio etc.  

A crazy wide open game plan MIGHT give them a better chance of winning THIS game, but I think the staff would see it as a "short term gain/long term loss" type of thing.

Consistency isn't just a buzz word to Hoke, it's his most favorite word after "well".

umfan323

August 29th, 2012 at 10:28 AM ^

Atleast none at QB.. Smash mouth football play the field position game.. Take an occasional shot deep. And rely heavily on our defense

mlax27

August 29th, 2012 at 10:32 AM ^

I think we've got to play a possession game, and shorten the length of the game overall.  Use the full playclock.  Knowing that bama will be heavy on running the ball, they should use up a lot of clock as well.  If we can get a few key stops and use up some play clock, that will give us a shot. 

 

Offensively I think we've got to find a way to get Denard loose.  Bama has never seen a Denard like QB, and if we can find ways to get him loose and get them guessing and "thinking" it will really open things up for us.  So to do that, I'm thinking we need screens/draws to slow down their rush, attempt some long passes to keep them from loading the box, and try to get Denard to scramble when the first or second read isn't there.  I'd even consider calling some designed scrambles where we send guys deep to open up some space and Denard delays his run. 

ijohnb

August 29th, 2012 at 10:55 AM ^

is a great talent, but the SEC is no stranger to freakish athletes.  I think that Denard has never seen a defense like Alabama more aptly describes the dynamic here.

Salinger

August 29th, 2012 at 12:15 PM ^

Alabama is one of the best teams in the country between the tackles and they blitz field side. Hopefully we can beat them on a few week side misdirection plays, maybe a HB counter, maybe that nifty V. Smith delayed screen. 

Beyond that, sound fundamentals, and I mean that without trying to be all MANBALL! on everyone. The WCO, as you all know, is all about short, efficient passes which help open up the run game. Denard relied too heavily last year on the deep ball launch-and-a-prayer method of generating yards. Lets hope Borges' game plan is more effectively carried out against Alabama and maybe we can all enjoy a respectable game.

corundum

August 29th, 2012 at 10:33 AM ^

Short to intermediate passes to start and to get Denard comfortable in the pocket. Establish the run game out of the shotgun with some Minor-esque downhill plays before attempting to run out of the power sets. Hopefully take some shots downfield to extend the secondary, especially if they are predominantly playing man coverage.

Needs

August 29th, 2012 at 10:54 AM ^

This.

Alabama's defense is obviously incredibly talented. They're also somewhat inexperienced. I want to see how they react to misdirection and other plays that attempt to work off their tendency to flow to the ball. I doubt they'll freak out over Denard like ND's linebackers did last year, but he'll obviously be priority #1. Inverted veer optioning off the aggressive d-line, throwback screens, etc.

Our two most effective offensive games last year, Nebraska and Ohio State, were based off of the inverted veer, a few passes off of it, and half-rolls with Denard hitting receivers in the 12-15 yard range (see passes to Hemingway and Dileo in the OSU game). 

I don't understand people calling for a short passing game. Alabama's secondary is likely going to be oriented toward run support, with the safeties sneaking into the box. A short passing game, particularly a slant based gameplan, would basically have Denard, who struggles with accuracy, throwing the ball right into the strength of that defense. Any passes between 5-15 yards into the middle of the field are going to be dangerous throws.

artds

August 29th, 2012 at 10:35 AM ^

Long bombs deep. Not jump balls. Have our recievers get behind their secondary, and take everything else between them and Denard out of the equation. Not the entire game, obviously, as Bama will adjust, but it should be good for a few big plays and maybe some TDs. Denard has a pretty powerful arm. I'd like to see the coaches use it more.

wolverine1987

August 29th, 2012 at 11:31 AM ^

Is there a thread topic that asks this question? If so I missed it. Is there a thread topic that addresses the offensive strategy at all? If so it's not here. Are these conversations happening in your head, or are you so thorough in reading every topic here that you have read offensive strategy posts within all the others here? I'm not being snarky excatly, but please show me a thread where, without reading through the entire thread, a person that wanted to discuss offensive strategy and hear what others think about our game plan would go? You seem to have thorough knowledge of mgoblog, so I'm asking you. I read a lot of the threads, and I have seen precious little conversations happening about what our stretegy should be. I come here a couple of times a day and read many topics and haven't seen the previous 100. But obviously I'm not as knowledgeable about mgoblog content as you are.

PeterKlima

August 29th, 2012 at 10:46 AM ^

I was going to post something about this too.  I watched the BCSNC game last night.  I noticed the Bama offense came out and did the exact opposite of what LSU expected from their previous game.  They threw the ball a lot on first down.

Sometimes I think that you use ideas for your team that have caused you trouble on the other side of the ball.  Bama's defense won't react as well if we can throw something unexpected at them early.  Plus, there are a lot of new players on the Bama defense.  The guys in the BCS game were decisive and quick to attack.  These guys probably won't be so crisp in the first game and they are more likely to make mental errors (like overcommitting, etc.). EVERYONE is expecting Denard to run and run the ball.  (There will be a spy, etc.)

 

In light of that, I think we need to start out the game passing.  they are coming to shut down Denard on the run.  The Vincent Smith misdirection screen (from ND game) might be a good first play of the second drive.  I think the VERY first play requires an easier pass.  Anyway, I say, throw some misdirection at them early and then open up the regular run game.  We have an experienced offense (QB, OL and some WR).  They can probably execute misdirection/pass plays early in the game better than other teams.  It is a risk.  But, if it doesn't work, then we go to the run and try it again later.  (There is a lot of game time.)  If it works, it will build confidence early and get the young bama guys to spend more time analyzing (or cheating and setting themselves up) and less time being heat-seeking missles.

 

I think Hoke has the b.a.l.l.s. to call those plays early.  I guess they don't have to be the very first play, but in the first few series.

 

P.S. - I couldn't get over how bad the LSU offense looked at times.  That could be the Bama D, but LSU looked like they were sluggish regardless of the defense.  They came out running the ball (as expected) and their QB seemed dazed at times (and a worse passer than Denard).

HipsterCat

August 29th, 2012 at 10:56 AM ^

had a classic mad hatter offense. most of the time they looked shitty but sometimes it clicked(except against bama) and they looked really good. they relied on defense and special teams a lot to get the offense in a short field

justingoblue

August 29th, 2012 at 10:49 AM ^

He's the best runner in the country by a fairly large margin, IMO. Run him in whatever creative ways you can; take a look at some RR era plays from UConn/ND or whatever and see what kind of tweaks you can make with a full offseason to adjust for personnel.

Oh, and if Gardner is legit at receiver, prove it on the first series. Same goes with Rawls or whatever back best compliments Denard's skillset.

hfhmilkman

August 29th, 2012 at 10:49 AM ^

Bama has seen QB's with dominant running ability before.   CN is pretty much a bigger DR with a better arm though a bit slower.  He does not have the unbelievable quicks.   But he does have that moxy to make people miss in space.  The players may not have any experience but the Bama coaching staff will have some good ideas what a running threat QB brings to the table.

 

We should not assume that Bama is going to be helpless when DR takes off.  I also agree we will need to pass first to set up the run.  In short we need Borges to make Saban guess and hope we can beat their base if Saban tests them with just a base.   If he has to guess we have a chance to pull a fast one.

CRex

August 29th, 2012 at 10:49 AM ^

Hutchinson + fake beard + Mealer's number.  

Seriousily though if you're confident in the passing game, attack that secondary.  If not, hope Rawls can get you some good rage runs and do what you can in terms of passing.  The only theme I really want to see is that Denard isn't exposed to that many hits on runs.  I'd rather preserve him for the B1G season as opposed to having him kind of float through his senior year with some nagging injuries because we exposed to too many hits too early.  

misrara

August 29th, 2012 at 10:55 AM ^

You have to get Denard some easy passes even if that means gasp "bubble screens"

Make him feel comfortable with passing - that will open up the run

For gods sake watch out for the corner blitz on the I formation!