Can UM Beat OSU with their Run Game?
So, as I was debating our chances in The Game this weekend, something occured to me: is it possible that we go all 2nd half of the Indiana game and just run, run, run the ball?
I have watched some OSU games this year and I still don't feel like I have a good grasp of their front seven. My impression is that this front doesn't have the best depth and a run-heavy approach (assuming the game is close) might pay big dividends in 4th quarter. Additionally, if Speight is less than 100 per cent, or if O'Korn is starting, a run heavy attack might mean a clean pocket and some juicy opportunites in the play-action game.
So my question for the board: how good is Ohio State's front seven, and could Michigan win with a rushing-heavy game plan?
November 23rd, 2016 at 8:44 AM ^
Maybe.
November 23rd, 2016 at 8:55 AM ^
insightful!
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:20 AM ^
if we score more points, it increases our chances For The Win.
November 23rd, 2016 at 10:05 AM ^
hur hur hur
November 23rd, 2016 at 10:12 AM ^
hahahahahah
November 23rd, 2016 at 11:53 AM ^
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:51 AM ^
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November 23rd, 2016 at 8:45 AM ^
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November 23rd, 2016 at 8:46 AM ^
November 23rd, 2016 at 8:56 AM ^
I think this is spot on, hopefully the run game can produce early, that will open up the playaction and see J Booty get open on those medium range throws with LBs sucking up on the run.
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:04 AM ^
Yes, we are much easier to stack the box on than Ohio State is since they spread you out horizontally. Teams have shown that you can stop Michigan's running game if you stack the box and run blitz. Even UCF was able to do it.
We are not fully Stanfordized yet where we can just Manball our way down the fiels at will. We are going to have to hit some shots down the field to loosen up the running game.
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:09 AM ^
Pretty much how I was feeling, but I think osu has to respect the pass a lot more if WS is in at QB vs JOK. If O'Korn is taking the snaps, we'll see 7-8 in the box all day. He will have to find a way to connect downfield.
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:24 AM ^
November 23rd, 2016 at 8:46 AM ^
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November 23rd, 2016 at 8:46 AM ^
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November 23rd, 2016 at 8:50 AM ^
highly regarded LBs for IU. Also, the Hoosiers' run D is ranked 18th, per S&P, while OSU checks in at 20. Probably fair to say the whole picture is pretty similar, just looking at the numbers.
November 23rd, 2016 at 8:59 AM ^
Worley is decent and McMillan is extremely good, but if any watched that MSU game last week Jerome Baker (17) was awful. Huge busts in the run game on backside support and got lost in coverage. He can definitely be exploited.
November 23rd, 2016 at 10:49 AM ^
there is no better coach to take advantage it that than our beloved JH (rubs hands together, laughing maniacally).
November 23rd, 2016 at 11:42 AM ^
Dude, that's only considering Franklin County in Ohio. Not really saying that much.
November 23rd, 2016 at 2:58 PM ^
November 23rd, 2016 at 8:47 AM ^
You're asking a couple things here. Can we beat them with just a running game? No, not a chance. Can we use a run-heavy plan to open up some play-action passing to give Speight/O'Korn a better look at the secondary and time to operate? Absolutely. I think this will be our plan. It is up to Speight/O'Korn to make the most of the opportunities.
I don't believe their defense is better than Sparty or Iowa, and for sure not as good as Wisconsin. They are probably the most athletic defense we will have faced this year but I'm hoping Harbaugh can play some mind games with their youngsters.
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:00 AM ^
I don't believe their defense is better than Sparty...
...or Iowa, and for sure not as good as Wisconsin
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:50 AM ^
In addition the normal run plays, jet sweeps (or spin offs from the jet sweep) might be a good option. State Penn and Wiscy consistently hurt OSU with the jet sweep. With McDoom/Chesson/Peppers, we should take advantage of this known weakness.
I am not usually a fan of trick plays but OSU seems to over pursue alot so a reverse may be in order as well. Think Peppers jet...toss to McDoooooooom.
Go Blue and Happy Thanksgiving all!!!
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:54 AM ^
Never understood the line of thinking that somehow "trick" plays are less worthy. In my opinion, if it's a legal play and will be successful, it is the smartest play at that time. You go where the defense is not. Pretty simple really.
November 23rd, 2016 at 11:51 AM ^
he didn't like trick plays. Trick plays tend to be high risk/high reward. If you're risk averse, a reverse can be...I had something for this that rhymed...a hearse?...adverse?...you get the idea.
November 23rd, 2016 at 10:11 PM ^
Not less worthy, But they are a gamble in that if they don't work not only are you dealing with lost yardage and "behind the chains", there is greater possibility of a turnover. There is the risk that you send the "message" to you team and theirs that you aren't good enough (or "man enough") to beat them straight up.
That said, I like them anyway and think they are worth doing occaisionally, as they put pressure on the opponent to prepare for such things and stay on their toes and adjust, so they can't just know what to expect and just tee off on you.
Bill Walsh said he liked to call their 'Specials' early, before the other team did.
November 23rd, 2016 at 10:51 AM ^
for more variations on the sweep plays. Hoping coach still has a couple that he's saved.
November 23rd, 2016 at 8:50 AM ^
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November 23rd, 2016 at 10:04 AM ^
You will be wrong. If the turnover battle is even, we will win. I think we will win the turnover battle though as we will have a key interception or two. Our defense is much better than their offense. It's going to be a good day.
November 23rd, 2016 at 10:31 AM ^
Their secondary is opportunistic. There will be room for completions against them, but they will capitalize on mistakes. That has to be avoided as that is how many of their blowouts happen. If they are allowed to score with their defense, or set their offense up with short fields, things can snowball in a hurry. Take care of the ball and make that offense have to drive the length of the field, and we will be in good shape with the defense we will be putting out there. That will also give our offense an opportunity to try and grind out the run.
November 23rd, 2016 at 11:50 AM ^
I don't for one second believe that little Damon Webb and Gereon Conley are elite players in stopping a good run game. Yeah, they have speed but they are just little young pups. Also, just take a look at Conley. You cant tell me this little punk on the shallow end of the gene pool is an elite athlete tough enough to shut down a Jabrill or Deveon on the edge. Get real guys. So sickening listening to your backwards logic.
November 23rd, 2016 at 8:51 AM ^
with this weekend just bugs the hell out of me. Given the last 10-12 years of shit luck UM has had against osu I can just feel another punch in the fucking dong coming. And since god apparently hates the shit out of UM fans, I can see it now: UM loses, because obviously osu deserves more good things than UM. PSU beats MSU and gets into the B1G championship game because they REALLY deserve more good things than UM. Can't you just see this shitshow coming at us like a freight train?
Dammit do I ever hope I'm wrong. Jimsus, puhleeeeeze beat those godless heathens!
November 23rd, 2016 at 8:56 AM ^
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November 23rd, 2016 at 9:59 AM ^
Is that considered targeting?
November 23rd, 2016 at 10:27 AM ^
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November 23rd, 2016 at 10:35 AM ^
about being a fan. My confidence level means jack and shit. My hope level means just as much. If UM won according to my hope level they'd have never lost since 1982 when I started to become aware of things. You realize my post was not saying what I hoped or expected to happen right? It was what I dreaded would happen. Well, sort of expect to happen I guess Because -again - god, fate, and whatever other weird shit people believe in nowadays apparently hates the hell out of us.
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:07 AM ^
Get a grip.
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:25 AM ^
You don't own him.
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:17 AM ^
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November 23rd, 2016 at 9:26 AM ^
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:27 AM ^
A foxhole is a terrible place to spend the holiday.
hashtag Support the troops
*fart noise*
November 23rd, 2016 at 8:52 AM ^
Only if we score more points
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:11 AM ^
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:26 AM ^
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:29 AM ^
November 23rd, 2016 at 10:47 AM ^
November 23rd, 2016 at 12:19 PM ^
I for got that UCF hit harder and that Taco admitted to Tyler O'Connor that MSU was tougher than UM.
The shame and humilation of those two losses might be too much for UM to overcome in Columbus. I am sure that UM will lose the cooler pooping battle as well.
November 23rd, 2016 at 8:52 AM ^
OSU did it to us in 2007, so I see no reason why we can't return the favor (albeit years later).