Two New(er) X's and O's Breakdowns of UM Offense
While Michigan has struggled on offense this year, they are still doing some interesting things that are helping them get first downs and now completing drives. Some of these carry over from previous years, some are newer tweaks.
Michigan has run Duo for the past couple years. They have also run the Counter Iso for some time, though we are seeing it more this year as Michigan is running more Inside Zone.
http://breakdownsports.blogspot.com/2017/09/film-study-michigan-footbal…
We saw against Purdue how changing the location of the handoff can have big impacts on the defense's reaction. No play demonstrated that better than Evans' TD run.
http://breakdownsports.blogspot.com/2017/09/film-review-michigan-playbo…
September 25th, 2017 at 12:09 PM ^
I'm also glad we repeatedly took advantage of the soft CB coverage with quick outside passes for free yardage. Hopefully those upen up some double-moves in the future.
September 25th, 2017 at 12:26 PM ^
On extended handoffs, flat routes from interior receivers, and crossers. Attacking the LBs in coverage was a big part of the success Michigan had once they had some rhythm in the passing game. Still need to protect to actually open it all up, though.
September 25th, 2017 at 12:53 PM ^
That will be key against MSU too. ND had success early attacking flats and getting LBs going sideline to sideline.
September 25th, 2017 at 12:11 PM ^
Amazing when you read it. We changed the freaking handoff point and completely changed the way a defense "sees" the play unfolding.
That's whatever word describes something that's well beyond impressive. That's what that it.
September 25th, 2017 at 12:29 PM ^
September 25th, 2017 at 12:55 PM ^
I just found my old high school senior year pic and thought it was time for a change.
Back when I was MgrowYoung........
September 25th, 2017 at 1:01 PM ^
unless you went the HS in purgatory.
September 25th, 2017 at 1:09 PM ^
That's your high school pic??? You look like Kurt Russell in Miracle, you look like a 40 year old man.
September 25th, 2017 at 7:00 PM ^
I thought it was Bruce Jenner. BeforeBruce, not after of course.
September 25th, 2017 at 12:14 PM ^
Do you know if James Light still has his blog? I've gone there and requested an invite a couple times but haven't gotten any response. I wasn't sure if the blog is only open to coaches and stuff, or if it's just not around anymore.
September 25th, 2017 at 12:24 PM ^
I've had the same issue (requesting access, haven't heard anything). Think it does in some form, but yeah.
September 25th, 2017 at 3:57 PM ^
Well, him not giving me access is one thing. If he hasn't approved your request for access then I'd take that as a pretty likely sign that his blog is at least on a long hiatus if not overwith.
Thanks for responding.
September 25th, 2017 at 12:15 PM ^
That split zone play design is so filthy.
September 25th, 2017 at 12:17 PM ^
Fascinating to see how that was setup basically all season. Half the defense followed McKeon to the left, half followed the outside pitch to the right they expected and nobody followed Chris Evans
September 25th, 2017 at 12:30 PM ^
Do you think Higdon would have cut back to the left or bounced to the right of this neon-lined red carpet?
September 25th, 2017 at 12:30 PM ^
Not sure. Hoke era backs were coached to tip-toe into the nearest pile.
September 25th, 2017 at 6:07 PM ^
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September 25th, 2017 at 3:41 PM ^
He hit one gaping backside hole sometime early in the game that drew a "There ya go Higdon!" from me. I'm thinking he did at least marginally better this week when he got his shots
September 25th, 2017 at 5:31 PM ^
My wife was on the Michigan FB page at half and saying that everyone was talking about how the playcalling sucked because they could tell the play by formation. I told her that is because Michigan has yet to use any counters to their base plays yet. Then they do with this play and look what happens.
I bet those same people where complaning pre snap because they knew an outside pitch was coming too.
September 25th, 2017 at 12:20 PM ^
On that first Duo you dissect, I remember saying to myself pre-snap, "This is going to Hill". I guessed wrong, and apparently so did Purdue's LB's.
September 25th, 2017 at 1:17 PM ^
The design on the Evans TD is beautiful. You can see they were holding some things back early on I think.
September 25th, 2017 at 6:06 PM ^
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September 25th, 2017 at 1:40 PM ^
Let's hope we don't see this playcall again before OSU.
September 25th, 2017 at 5:53 PM ^
September 25th, 2017 at 1:49 PM ^
Expert analysis. In the middle of my video analysis and was going to point out the flow of the linebackers due to the design of the pull by McKeon on Evan's TD, but didn't take into account that the form of the handoff (pitch vs handoff) is really the key to getting the right side of the Purdue defense to think it's a sweep.
Genius play-design and excellent set-up by the Michigan offensive staff.
September 25th, 2017 at 5:37 PM ^
Yea, there where too awesome things to this play, both breaking tendencies. Not sure what i like more, the pitch action that caused all the defenders on the edge to overplay it, or the TE pull causing the SAM to be nowhere to befound because he this Michigans O is always as predictible as follow the lead blocker.
September 25th, 2017 at 3:35 PM ^
September 25th, 2017 at 9:04 PM ^