You are UConn Coach:

Submitted by w2j2 on

What is your game plan?

 

On offense, I would pound the ball up the middle and see if M can stop me.

I would attack the linebackers with short routes over the middle for 8 yards.

I would try to confuse the rookie defensive backs and  beat them long.  

If they are playing 8 yards off the line, I would throw 5 yard out-routes all day.

 

On defense, I would try to pressure the young quarterbacks into making mistakes.

Penetrate the line of scrimmage and break up the running game.

Put in a "scrape" to stop the read option.

I would assign 1 linebacker every play to stay in front of Denard.

 

I would pressure M's rookie punter and place kickers.

 

Future Us

August 29th, 2010 at 8:06 PM ^

Probably play a soft zone and wait for Denard to make a mistake. I imagine that this is what most coaches will do with Denard.

We will find out quickly how much improvement he has made throwing the ball.

BallZDeeP210

August 29th, 2010 at 10:03 PM ^

There are several reasons why I am so pumped to be in the stadium on Sept. 4th but seeing Brock lead the team out of the tunnel is #1! That is going to be one special moment and I just hope that this team rallies around it to dominate the Huskies.

restive neb

August 29th, 2010 at 8:07 PM ^

is that on offense, you would run the ball at them, you'd throw it deep, you'd throw it over the middle, and you'd throw quick outs.  Throw in a couple off-tackle runs, and I'd say you've exhausted pretty much every option without actually saying much at all.

On defense, I can only hope their plan for stopping Denard is a LB spy.

moredamnsound

August 29th, 2010 at 8:21 PM ^

I would spend more time prepping for another game, one that I was able to win. Also, I'm sure he's thought of all of the things you've posted but with more detail both because he's a coach, and they're pretty obvious strategies (play to your strengths, exploit opponent's weaknesses). Regardless, I like this post. Nice to not be about the quarterback situation or moving the OSU game.

befuggled

August 29th, 2010 at 10:34 PM ^

After several page reloads, I see no user name for this post--but I do for everybody else. The subject line is just a thin blue bar.

But yeah, we're going to see lots and lots of play action, I think. The only question is how much UConn will be able to take advantage of it.

Irish

August 29th, 2010 at 8:46 PM ^

Offense: Having to replace all 3 starting WRs, that offensive unit would be my priority.  And then getting them as many reps as possible till comfortable with the depth there.  Have confidence in Frazier, tell the Oline to be ready to pass protect all day and then go 4 wide.  If the defense is holding against the pass then have Frazier audible to outside runs with a WR clear out in front.

Deffense: put as many in the box as I can, go man in the secondary and make denard pass to sustain drives.  Make him prove he can throw against the secondary.

BlueGoM

August 29th, 2010 at 11:20 PM ^

For once I'm agreeing with Irish.   Just go 4 or maybe even 5 wide and attack attack attack that  Michigan secondary.  Try to figure out where Kovacs is and put our fastest guy in a spot where Kovacs will have to cover him. 

On defense .... uh,  hope to slow them down just enough to outscore them? ( Michigan's offense should be  very good this season).

Special Teams:  Michigan has a freshman punter, be sure to pressure him as much as possible.

LB

August 29th, 2010 at 8:53 PM ^

hear a collective gasp from half my team when the ground shook as 100 Winged Wolverines followed Mealer out of the tunnel.

Hit fast, hit often and take your friends with you. As EDSBS said, (Airsoft) guns don't kill people, the Michigan Defense does.

Ok, so he didn't mention Airsoft, I just couldn't help myself.

imablue

August 29th, 2010 at 9:55 PM ^

The Linebackers will be to the coach, "Coach, I didn't actually see Denard, but he sure sounded  fast."  I hope Edsall wears his brown pants.

ToughD

August 29th, 2010 at 9:14 PM ^

I would be very concerned about the fact that Cincinnati's spread offense racked up 45 points on me and that they don't have a guy like DR.

jblaze

August 29th, 2010 at 9:15 PM ^

I would play standard Lloyd Carr ball, run, run, run, short pass, run, play action pass TD.

On D, I would make Denard throw as much as possible, by bringing the safeties in to stop the run. With Tate, it would be a more balanced D, but try to prevent Tate from rolling out too much (he's most dangerous here, IMO).

those.who.stay.

August 29th, 2010 at 9:18 PM ^

Brian has documented a couple of our answers to that scheme. And you know McGee and RR have more where that came from. On top of that, the scrape doesn't do you a whole lot of good with your DE's crashing on every play when we bust out the option. Like others have said, an LB spy isn't going to do anything against Denard. On defense their best bet is to collapse the pocket ASAP, get the D-Line's hands up to break up passes and hope to god that Denard has mercy on them.

ND Sux

August 29th, 2010 at 9:25 PM ^

I would tell my players "your girlfriends probably shouldn't watch this game.  It ain't gonna be good...you are going to look so flacid that your ladies might leave you for I.T. nerds, or become fur traders". 

BiSB

August 29th, 2010 at 10:12 PM ^

...and I would feel a chill in the base of my spine. 

 I would then remove a bottle of Johnny Walker Green from the cupboard and drink toast to my impending destruction.

maizedandconfused

August 29th, 2010 at 11:36 PM ^

Well everyone is under the assumption that UConn will "pound the ball" to win the game... Donald Brown had 120 and they got smacked.

If I were Edsall Id ask my safeties to do three things.

1. Wear ankle braces

2. Drop the kids off at the pool before the kick (they might be faster this way)

3. Try not to blink