Fee Fi Foe Film: Northwestern Defense Comment Count

Ace

Previously: Northwestern Offense



This didn't result in a touchdown, making it different from every other clip in this post.

Michigan probably isn't going to take advantage of this because of reasons you're all very well-versed in—namely, Michigan isn't good at offense—but Northwestern gave up 38 first-half points to Iowa so I really have no choice here but to point out the the Wildcats may not be very good. I realize this will only add to the sadness, and for that.

Personnel: Diagram goes here—click to embiggen:

It's unclear if strong safety Ibraheim Campbell will be able to play, let alone at 100%, on Saturday. He was supposed to return to the starting lineup from a hamstring injury against Iowa, but was a late scratch when his leg didn't cooperate; Campbell says the "chances are pretty high" that he'll play—as a senior captain, he's certainly going to do eveything he can to get back on the field.

Also, Northwestern has an honest-to-god punter controversy after sophomore Chris Grandone was replaced by redshirt freshman Hunter Niswander after struggling against the Hawkeyes. The Wildcats are 120th nationally in net punting; there could be an opportunity or two for a big play there.

Base Set? 4-3. The Wildcats ran an over front last year, but against Iowa they played a lot of under.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the breakdown.]

Man or zone coverage? Mostly zone. Man coverage went rather poorly:

Jake Rudock finished 12/19 for 239 yards and the above touchdown, so zone coverage didn't exactly hold it down, either.

Pressure: GERG or Greg? Mostly GERG-ian; Northwestern didn't record a sack in this one and didn't bring a ton of heat. They'll roll their strong safety into the box frequently, but that's mostly for run defense.

Dangerman: I'm sticking to my Draftageddon guns and saying that Chi Chi Ariguzo is a quality weakside linebacker. This game didn't provide much reason to select anyone else.

OVERVIEW

You've seen Rudock's very un-Iowan stat line. Now here's the part where I tell you Mark Weisman ran for 94 yards and not one...

...not two...

...but three...

...touchdowns, all in the first half, on 20 carries. Then there's the part when I tell you something called an Akrum Wadley led the Hawkeyes in rushing with 106 yards and a score on just 15 carries. Northwestern definitely misses senior MIKE Collin Ellis, who missed this contest and is expected to sit out on Saturday due to a concussion.

I'll readily admit to, uh, skimming through the film a bit, but this defense is obviously permeable. They don't have an overpowering line or a frightening pass-rusher; the linebackers are banged up; there isn't a lockdown cornerback; the safeties are average and/or injured. I actually like Campbell's replacement, Godwin Igwebuike, quite a bit as a playmaker from that strong safety spot, but he's prone to the usual litany of (redshirt) freshman mistakes. Nobody else really jumps off the screen.

Can Michigan move the ball on these guys? That's entirely up to Michigan. We shall see.

Comments

alum96

November 6th, 2014 at 4:32 PM ^

On paper this is the 4th worst team we'll face all year:  Miami OH, App State, Indiana.... NW.  Those also happen to be 3 of our 4 wins.

The fact there are serious questions if we can pull it off says a lot about the state of the program and bewilders those who think any end of year run should afford Hoke another year.

I read elsewhere that NW offense has one play in 3 games of over 25 yards.  That's sad.  If Air Ferentz puts up 38 first half points fergodsakes we can do 17 over a full game.  And then beat our chests about how "things are turning around".

SC Wolverine

November 7th, 2014 at 7:53 AM ^

It worries me that Hoke's ultimate lovability will gain him a fifth year given any excuse to make that decision, i.e. bowl eligibility.  My main confidence stems from the likely revolt of season ticket holders against such a prospect.  I am sorry to say that poor attendance at the Maryland game is the best assurance of getting a new coach.  Money talks.

Abram

November 7th, 2014 at 8:55 AM ^

A quick look at the rosters of Ohio St, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Rutgers, Iowa, and Northwestern shows that, on offense at least, we're a lot younger than all of them. The only team with comparable player experience on offense is, not suprisingly, Penn State, the one good team we were able to handle.

So how is it so clear that coaching, and not player experience, is the problem? 

991GT3

November 6th, 2014 at 4:43 PM ^

time for the team and Hoke. Beating them will give some semblance of competency. The reality is otherwise.

I was listening to a sport radio show and they were interviewing a former star of the Utah football team. The interviewer said that Utah is almost back to the way there were under Urban and saying this year team went into Michigan and beat them soundly. The response "that's not saying much" producing a chuckle from both.

THis is how far Miichigan football has fallen in the national media. We are being laughed at. 

Michigan football

November 6th, 2014 at 5:07 PM ^

Michigan has shown consistently they play a different way on the road. These coaches don't play to win, they play the clock. Just do what is necessary to get by, and hope to settle on a fg. They will do EVERYTHING to lose this game. Don't be surprsed by this, hopefully they pull out of Evanston with a win.

The Indiana game is not a measuring stick of how this team plays.

MGlobules

November 6th, 2014 at 5:12 PM ^

on this. There are people who continue to revere Richard Nixon, too. But if he were an incumbent coach and a half-competent AD looked at the anticipated ticket sales--and saw that even a fifth of holders were in danger of not returning--they would make the correct move and go shopping.

In future, with luck, we'll say that Hoke's great recruiting set up the next guy nicely. Being the hardest-working guy on the assembly line emphatically doesn't make you a good college football head coach.

AZ-Blue

November 7th, 2014 at 12:15 AM ^

And more accurately, there are people who continue to revere [unnamed current politician whom I mentioned previously which resulted in my comment being deleted, but not the post to which I was responding to which carries a political comment] and that was just what, last week.

I'm not reposting this to upset the chief here but to show I understand what occurred and I promise to never again defame he who must never be defamed.

 

bronxblue

November 6th, 2014 at 7:49 PM ^

This game should go last the other three against App. St., IU, and Miami - Michigan will shoot themselves a bit in the foot, but they'll just grind down the opposition over time and win comfortably.  And maybe we'll get another Drake Johnson-type game, which would take some pressure off Gardner.

ifis

November 6th, 2014 at 8:36 PM ^

Northwestern is not a great team, but it is on the road.  A little bit more of a test than last week; a good chance for the team to grow.  Here's to another step towards winning out the rest of the games!  Go Blue!!!!