Will there be any new offensive wrinkles for BYU?
After seeing Chesson run into the end zone untouched on Saturday thanks to a couple of great blocks from Poggi and Darboh, I am curious as to what misdirection and/or gadget plays will be in store for BYU. I hope that it doesn't come down to trickery, and that the running back committee is effective and produces enough chunk gains to make the game manageable for Rudock, but it's very likely that the Cougars come out with eight in the box and dare Rudock to beat them through the air. Unless Jake has a breakthrough game against a pretty tough defense, there will be a need for some play-calling creativity. I doubt that the offensive line and Smith can act as a battering ram and beat BYU like the last two opponents.
I am of the opinion that Peppers sees his first offensive snaps, there will be at least one more attempt at a jet sweep and that there will be a double-pass thrown off of screen action. Would love to see a trans-continental, but I just don't see it happening.
So, what do you think we will see from the offense come Saturday afternoon?
September 21st, 2015 at 12:57 PM ^
I think it's pretty safe to say there wont be a QB change that's for sure.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:05 PM ^
Just saw the quote - Rudock is the best QB "...not by a small margin." So, we know the personnel is pretty much set, with some running back by committee to be seen, but what happens if they go down two scores in the second half and the offense isn't able to move the ball? There's gotta be something new to roll out. No huddle/tempo offense to wear them out?
September 21st, 2015 at 1:14 PM ^
we sack BYU's QB and punch him in the balls repeatedly. Totally legal.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:30 PM ^
Trying to rip the balls out to create turnovers? (Ouch, dammit, I wince just thinking about it!)
September 22nd, 2015 at 7:44 AM ^
Punching the quarterback in the balls is legal after you sack him? That doesn't sound right, let me check the rule book here....[checks rule book}....well I'll be a son of a bitch....
September 21st, 2015 at 1:22 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 1:55 PM ^
No worries from me at this point, I am confident that the staff will have some plays to unveil if need be. Just looking for some entertaining conversation and speculation at work today. It's a slow Monday.
September 21st, 2015 at 2:00 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 12:57 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 1:00 PM ^
Wrinkles? Not exactly. But I do strongly believe that Rudock completes a couple bombs against BYU, and they really highlight Butt and Bunting, and use the fullbacks aggressively. All of this opens up both the runs and the short passing game for Michigan. And Michigan wins more convincingly than most people anticipate.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:06 PM ^
but so far nothing that's happened leads me to believe Rudock will complete a couple of bombs. But if he does, it will make this team significantly harder to defend.
September 21st, 2015 at 3:08 PM ^
will continue to press, with these deep-ball failures getting into their heads. But my concerns are alleviated by my feeling that Harbaugh has their mental preparation under control and will keep them loose. Loose-er. Loose-ish.
September 21st, 2015 at 2:11 PM ^
They must be sending Butt and Bunting about 15-20 yards downfield. The short passing game only works when the defense isn't playing in a 10-15 yard box comfortably.
September 21st, 2015 at 4:43 PM ^
If Butt and Bunting are 10 - 15 yards downfield, that continues to open up things for the flares and screens and wheel routes, where the receiver is catching it behind the LOS, or at it, but then gaining 5 - 10, and sometimes much more.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:03 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 2:19 PM ^
Speaking of tinkering. I want to see some of this at some point this year.
September 21st, 2015 at 3:03 PM ^
A running play that plows into unblocked man at the line of scrimmage because there are too many men in the box? I feel like I've seen that play already...
September 21st, 2015 at 3:08 PM ^
All that jumping around would have been quite impressive if the ensuing running play would have netted yardage. That formation was all show and no go. Instead, how about having all go to make the show?
September 21st, 2015 at 9:11 PM ^
I remember a play in that game where a pass to a tight end beat the defender so badly he just turned and threw his mouthguard at him, never even gave chase.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:04 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 1:06 PM ^
First Time-Long Time
I would prefer the wrinkle where we throw the ball to our team
September 21st, 2015 at 1:07 PM ^
I have to believe we will run a few more constraint plays. I doubt Harbaugh will be satisfied with just running into an 8 or 9-man box over and over like we seemed to (at least in the first half) against UNLV.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:10 PM ^
I liked the Chesson sweep ... this team lacks edge speed from the RB position, so utilizing Chesson's speed in that way was cool.
At this point it's pretty certain teams will cheat up and challenge Rudock to beat them over the top. I have to think there's *some* plays that can exploit that don't involve a 40+ yard heave down the sidelines.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:54 PM ^
probably not against BYU, but eventually.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:11 PM ^
Not sure about wrinkles. But we need more Butt in the offense (and if possible, Buttdowns).
September 21st, 2015 at 2:12 PM ^
More Butt is always welcome.
September 21st, 2015 at 2:26 PM ^
I like more Butt, and I cannot lie.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:13 PM ^
It just hasn't all worked. We've run up the middle, and on the edges. Have got the ball to almost everyone who's lined up as a potential receiver. Have not connected on the long ball, although we've taken shots. I'm not sure we need any "wrinkles" a smuch as we do just going out and executing what's called. If anything, I'd expect the "wrinkles" to be around when certain plays are called, rather than adding new stuff.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:16 PM ^
I keep hearing rumors of passes beyond five yards and the occasional attempted go route. Bob Stitt would be proud
September 21st, 2015 at 1:16 PM ^
If we don't throw to the fullback, we're gonna get our asses kicked.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:20 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 3:10 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 1:28 PM ^
Don't know about wrinkles, but I wouldn't be surprised if the full offensive package hasn't been installed yet. I'm only going by my high school football experience, but we only had 75% of our offense by the first game. New plays, formations and the rest of the offensive package was installed as the season went on. We didn't have the full playbook until the quarter season mark. I have no idea if college teams work that way too. Would love to know from those who played college ball.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:33 PM ^
Not to mention it's a totally new coaching staff. Plus, my understanding is that at Harbaugh's offense usually doesn't get chunk plays due to a ton of athleticism or long pass plays, but from creating confusion, blown coverages, and mismatches due to pre-snap motion and adjustments. It seems to me that as the season goes on, the ability to do the pre-snap stuff will increase, and thus potentially boost the chances for longer chunk plays.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:51 PM ^
I did notice a few (3 if I'm not mistaken) plays Saturday where there was some serious pre snap back and forth motion. Bit by bit, the Harbaughfense is starting to show itself.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:30 PM ^
Here's an idea... Throw the ball to Jake Butt.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:46 PM ^
Is being double and triple teamed. Other guys have to step up.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:49 PM ^
haha Triple teamed? Not sure which games you're watching. I agree he's drawing more attention, but hes not being targeted nearly enough. And no way is he being triple teamed lol.
September 21st, 2015 at 2:07 PM ^
I've only seen it done in videos
September 21st, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 5:17 PM ^
You have a safety over the top and two linbackers that are constantly squeezing him. No there aren't 3 guys following him in man coverage. But, when he lines up there are 2-3 guys that are reading him. Dick.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:31 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 1:38 PM ^
some Pistol Formation?
September 21st, 2015 at 1:40 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 1:43 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 1:50 PM ^
I think this is the week we see Peppers.
September 21st, 2015 at 2:53 PM ^
Says a dude with zero coaching experience.
September 21st, 2015 at 3:35 PM ^
There were some rumblings before the Utah game (by Scout insider) that Peppers was going to take some snaps at QB in some type of wildcat formation. Obviously that didn't happen but interesting nonetheless.
Link for those with Scout subscription
September 21st, 2015 at 2:00 PM ^
I think people are drawing conclusions a bit too early about Rudock's ability to compete a long pass.
How many has he attempted now at U of M -- 5 I think? 0 for 5 obviously isn't good but it's still a small sample size for a type of pass which typically has about a 40% completion rate (I know this is close to the rate for the NFL, I'm not sure about college)
In other words, for a large sample of quarterbacks throwing 5 bomb passes each. we would expect an average of 2 completions. 7.77% of these identical hypothetical quarterbacks who complete 40% of their bomb passes on average would still have 0 completions on 5 attempts, just by the forces of randomness. Because of the low sample size, this would not be considered statistically significant in the social sciences, let alone in a labratory setting.
The difference between 2 completions and 0 completions can easily be attributed to factors like Rudock being forced to release just a little bit early because of a D-lineman coming straight at him, or Chesson failing to adjust to a ball, or just sheer randomness and bad luck.
You can be sure that Rudock and his receivers are working hard on these passes every single day, and it's only a matter of time before we start seeing a few completions here and there in a game.
September 21st, 2015 at 2:04 PM ^
The mostly likely cause of the 0 for 5 statistic is a combination factors: bad luck, playing in windy conditions, and Rudock being somewhat below average (maybe 30% instead of 40%) on the deep ball.
It's simply too early to throw our hands up in the air and say "UM won't complete any deep passes this year"