Keys to Homecoming Victory

Submitted by NelzQ on

Greetings fellow Michigan faithful.

I'm thinking the keys to winning Saturday are framed with very little room for error.

Northwestern is a very dangerous team. They have confidence, solid leadership, very good personnel; and what stands out the most to me is that they're being somewhat disrespected by all the media pundits picking Michigan by a comfortable margin. I think this team is going to come into the big house with a big chip on their shoulder and throwing haymakers.

Here are my keys to victory:

1. Come to knock them out. Michigan has to match blow for blow early and throw their own knockout punches. Finishing this team early is the ideal outcome.

2. Efficiency. Every opportunity will need to be seized. 

3. Focus. Michigan has to have complete focus on each down. Receivers need to see the ball into their hands and the DBs must catch the INT balls thrown their way.

4. The next step for the defense is to score the ball. Pick six, safety.

What do you guys think are the keys?

 

Go Blue!

 

MGoBoard
Football

Optimism Attache

October 9th, 2015 at 5:10 AM ^

Here are mine:

1) Desire. We have to want to win. 

2) Perseverance. Something unexpected will happen and we have to fight through it.

3) Heart. We have to love each other so hard.

4) Helmets. Keep them on, guys! If it comes off that guy has to come out for a play.

5) Sleep. I know this isn't a noon game, but the players have to get their Zzz. 

Joined: 09/13/2011

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sum1valiant

October 9th, 2015 at 10:08 AM ^

Execute. We have to have tremendous execution. We had some tremendous practices this week. Now we have to go out and execute. I've heard football in practice all week. Now I have to hear football on saturday. DeVeon is working through a boo boo, but he's had some really great practices this week. I think he's gonna be ready to go on football saturday. Now he just has to get out there and execute. Mental toughness. tremendous mental toughness. Next question.

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MichiganMAN47

October 9th, 2015 at 6:53 AM ^

1. Run the football- another 200 yard rushing performance by this team would be a strong predictor of victory. 2. Avoid turnovers. In a low scoring game 1 turnover will likely change the outcome. We need to give Rudock good protection. 3. Stop NW rushing game- they don't have a strong pass attack so if we keep their run game below 100 yards I think we win. 4. Mix in a few new plays, like BYU game. Harbaugh really caught BYU off guard with some of those play calls, especially the double fake screen TE pass. If we have similar creativity against NW I think we will catch them off guard and get some cheap points.

Joined: 02/24/2015

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4EverBlueGirl

October 9th, 2015 at 7:01 AM ^

Yes I know it is up to the players to make plays. But to me Harbaugh > Fitzgerald. Harbaugh's staff >Pat Fitzgerald's staff. We will be put in position to win until the game is over. Harbaugh isn't going to relax or relent. This gives me great hope.

Joined: 09/06/2013

MGoPoints: 9271

The Dirty Nil

October 9th, 2015 at 7:02 AM ^

De'veon Smith needs to play, the defense needs to force a couple turnovers, Rudock needs do protect the football. Just my opinion. It feels so good to actually go into a big game with optimism.

Joined: 05/13/2012

MGoPoints: 6222

unWavering

October 9th, 2015 at 7:12 AM ^

All I know is that the offense will have to get that oblong spheroid into the rectangular scoring area, and the defense will have to prevent their offense from doing just that.

Joined: 01/13/2011

MGoPoints: 22437

rob f

October 9th, 2015 at 7:18 AM ^

Harbaugh and his Coordinators MUST outweigh the moxie shown on the Northwestern sidelines. I would define "moxie" for the rest of you, but think Brandon Inge and you'll probably get it. /s

Joined: 11/11/2010

MGoPoints: 193875

turtleboy

October 9th, 2015 at 7:55 AM ^

Personally, and I know this is just one turtles opinion, but I think the key to beating Northwestern is to have scored more points than they do, before time runs out. Of course we also can't forget to dare to dream. That's critical.

Joined: 04/22/2011

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Perkis-Size Me

October 9th, 2015 at 8:07 AM ^

Offense
-No stupid turnovers. While I think Northwestern will have a hard time scoring on us, you can't afford to give them turnovers that set them up with great field position. Simply put, Rudock HAS to take care of the football better than he's been doing.
-I know a lot of people are talking pound the rock with De'Veon, but A) we're not 100% sure he'll be back yet, and B) Northwestern's run defense is too good for us to win this game solely on the back of our running game. Rudock has to make opposing defenses start respecting our pass game. Until then, we'll continue seeing opposing 8-9 man boxes of defenders daring Rudock to beat them with his arm.

Defense
-This is a freshman QB playing in his first true road environment. The defense needs to get to him early and often. Rattle him and force him into making mistakes. I expect Durkin to dial up the blitz quite frequently.
-Do what we're trying to prevent from happening on offense: force turnovers and set ourselves up with a short field. Northwestern's defense will be very tough to move the ball against over the length of the field. Need to win the field position battle, as I don't trust our offense yet to consistently move the ball against a good defense.



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blueblueblue

October 9th, 2015 at 8:30 AM ^

I clicked here to read insightful thoughts by knowledgable fans. Seeing the overwhelming amount of snarky, d-bag responses here make me a tad bit ashamed of the Michigan fanbase. The OP put up an earnest post aimed at starting a discussion. If you dont have something to contribute to the topic, dont post anything. 

Joined: 12/28/2008

MGoPoints: 6630

mGrowOld

October 9th, 2015 at 8:41 AM ^

Your kidding right? You call a post that claims efficiency, focus and "knocking them out early" are the keys to the game is earnest?

Maybe if entered into the trite cliche olympics it could be thought of as such. Sorry to burst your bubble but crap posts invite (and in this case succeed) in garnering snark.

Joined: 10/04/2010

MGoPoints: 212545

GoBlueInIowa

October 9th, 2015 at 11:51 AM ^

Keys should be more specific

- get push in the middle of both lines
- buck needs to keep contain
- need Butt to catch a couple down the seam to draw the linebackers back in coverage to open up run game
- need to hit 2 passes 20+ yards down field to WRs to keep the safeties out of run support
- need to win turnover battle



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Ecky Pting

October 9th, 2015 at 8:35 AM ^

Field Position & Special Teams IMHO, which go hand in hand. What I don't see happening are any long sustained drives or explosive plays from either offense. What I do see is NU putting 9 in the box to bolster their run defense while daring M/Rudock to throw it. Harbaugh needs to have a few play action options ready for that. Once that happens, it may open up a few runs and maybe enough yards to be within scoring range. But having a short field is going to be key to converting into points.

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