Will there be any new offensive wrinkles for BYU?
After seeing Chesson run into the end zone untouched on Saturday thanks to a couple of great blocks from Poggi and Darboh, I am curious as to what misdirection and/or gadget plays will be in store for BYU. I hope that it doesn't come down to trickery, and that the running back committee is effective and produces enough chunk gains to make the game manageable for Rudock, but it's very likely that the Cougars come out with eight in the box and dare Rudock to beat them through the air. Unless Jake has a breakthrough game against a pretty tough defense, there will be a need for some play-calling creativity. I doubt that the offensive line and Smith can act as a battering ram and beat BYU like the last two opponents.
I am of the opinion that Peppers sees his first offensive snaps, there will be at least one more attempt at a jet sweep and that there will be a double-pass thrown off of screen action. Would love to see a trans-continental, but I just don't see it happening.
So, what do you think we will see from the offense come Saturday afternoon?
September 21st, 2015 at 3:13 PM ^
Rudock's arm strength has exceeded our receiver abilities to catch his long, medium, and short passes. And, how many times has Rudock thrown to a spot, only to find that his receiver has cut in the wrong direction? In my mind, one QB is not the problem. Eleven receivers is the bigger problem.
September 21st, 2015 at 4:43 PM ^
I see Rudock do some pretty scary stuff that doesn't measure up to a good quarterback. Staring down recievers, getting happy feet, delievering the ball late, a delivery that is slow and elongated and the inablitlity to create once a play breaks down
September 21st, 2015 at 2:02 PM ^
Instead of installing new plays, I think we should just install a tire swing out back of Schembechler Hall and have Rudock spend the week practicing his accuracy.
September 21st, 2015 at 2:08 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 2:12 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 2:25 PM ^
3 games into the season hope Michigan has been sandbagging on offense post.
No they haven't been sandbagging, this is it. This is what we have.
September 21st, 2015 at 2:51 PM ^
I feel like this is my third straight Monday wondering about the sandbagging offense being both a Lions and Michigan fan.
September 21st, 2015 at 7:22 PM ^
Yep. I gave up being optimistic after rough non-con games a few years ago. I've found that worrying early games really are harbingers of things to come
2008: Only beat Miami 16-6.
2010: 37 points to UMass.
2012: Lost to Bama 41-14.
2013: Nearly lost to Akron & UConn.
2014: Lost to ND 31-0
After each of those we tried to convince ourselves that it was a fluke and everything was ok but it wasn't. If the offense looks sluggish now it's because it is sluggish, if the D looks solid now it's probably because it is. I imagine we'll see a D that will always keep us in the game but an offense that will struggle to return the favor. I'm thinking 7-5 at this point
September 21st, 2015 at 2:34 PM ^
I am hearing Harbaugh is going to have rudock connect on passes over 10 yds as a new wrinkle.
September 21st, 2015 at 3:22 PM ^
JH is saving that one for the MSU game.
September 21st, 2015 at 4:36 PM ^
Lies. All lies.
September 21st, 2015 at 2:39 PM ^
Are you asking a board of bored office workers to tell you what Harbaugh and Drevno are going to call on Saturday?
That's hilarious.
September 21st, 2015 at 4:01 PM ^
but if you get some chuckles, good for you! Aren't we all Michigan football fans here to speculate and talk about the team we love?
September 21st, 2015 at 4:35 PM ^
He was asking what people think Harbaugh and Drevno will call. Good gravy.
September 21st, 2015 at 5:17 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 2:47 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 2:49 PM ^
less Butt wrinkles becomes more important to you than you would think
September 21st, 2015 at 3:08 PM ^
have to think we will see a fake punt at some point this year.
September 21st, 2015 at 3:09 PM ^
1. Isaac and Smith inthe backfield at the same time.
2. Peppers on a (fake) jet swep, which is really a fullback dive, for a key 2-point conversion. If we want to use it for real against Stae, maybe it's time to put the decoy on film.
September 21st, 2015 at 4:34 PM ^
I think the Lions ran it up the gut on a two point conversion yesterday.
September 21st, 2015 at 3:54 PM ^
Snap it to Jake Rudock, who hands it to Ty Isaac. Rather than running with it, Isaac fakes a handoff to Jake Rudock. The defense is confused. A DB is so flabbergasted that he runs to his sideline to check with his coaches what he's supposed to do. In the confusion, Rudock throws a seam route to Jake Butt. Butt makes the catch. Butt scores. The defense calls all three of its timeouts consecutively to discuss what has just transpired. After discussion, they simply decide the rest of the game isn't worth playing and they go home. Michigan wins.
September 21st, 2015 at 5:33 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 4:00 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 4:14 PM ^
BYU isn't really that good on defense this year; FEI and S&P aren't out yet (as far as I can tell), but they are 90th in the country in yardage given up, basically double what UM has on both the ground and in the air, while their offense only has about 40 more yards. Yes, they've played tougher competition, but without Hill this team isn't nearly as scary as first thought.
I expect UM to pull out some wrinkles, but I'm also of the mindset that just running the ball effectively would be enough or UM to keep this close. Rudock just has to connect on the easy throws that are available in the offense and the offense should be fine.
September 21st, 2015 at 4:50 PM ^
Jim Harbaugh will run the same plays in the exact same order as in the last game. We may punt on 1st and ten, or run a dive play on 4th and 8. You see, Jim does not care about winning, nor does he like to work hard. He will take the easy way out and just have the coaches run the same plays as last week. Hell, he probably called in sick today, or is off observing a fictitious holiday. It is not like he is jackhammer or anything.
September 22nd, 2015 at 12:04 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 5:33 PM ^
I don't think the coaching staff have been "hiding" plays or schemes unlike say in the past when the team was a lot stronger and they had to play a highly ranked Notre Dame team in game 2 for example.
But I do think your point is more legitimate in that the two home games has seen different emphasis on the running game. It may be simply the offensive play calling went with what was working after the initial burst of plays.
It does seem that against Oregon State there was a lot of inside power, traps and power inside the tackles. Against UNLV there was inside running but we also so more attempts to run a classic power sweep (three pulling linemen) and to go wide.
Maybe it was a deliberate choice to work on different parts of the play book. Maybe it something that was seen on the scouting report.
But I don't think it was any deliberate strategy to conceal play calls. The passing game was largely the same - a lot of shorter stuff, trying to hit the TEs, flares to the RBs (maybe as a result of a check down) and a few deep throws to see if we could connect on a long ball (unfortunately not). So we don't seem to be hiding any of the passing strategy.
Doubt there will be a lot of new wrinkles. Maybe against MSU or tOSU. Suspect the coaches want to get the basics working well before the Big Ten season starts. Right now the passing game is only half there - the short game is OK, but there is really no medium or deep stuff. The running game is further along but outside of Isaacs and Chesson really didn't turn the corner effectively on any of the wide stuff.
September 21st, 2015 at 5:36 PM ^
Every week while game planning there will be something new in the offense. It might just be a change up in some of the blocking assignments, but its there.
September 21st, 2015 at 6:30 PM ^
This will not be a vertical team.
As far as wrinkles, maybe Peppers in the pistol with some read option and QB draws. Maybe a bubble screen or two to get him in space.
September 21st, 2015 at 8:11 PM ^
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September 21st, 2015 at 10:45 PM ^
Agreed, LeonHall. You are spot-on in my humble opinion.
September 21st, 2015 at 8:17 PM ^
No
Maybe
How the fuck should we know? Did anyone on here know about the Chesson play?
September 21st, 2015 at 8:49 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 8:26 PM ^
Him throw all his short passes to the player he intends to... Maybe then Rudock can gain the confidence to throw long and hit the spot right as the reciever runs underneath it.
September 21st, 2015 at 8:42 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 9:23 PM ^
Anyone want a peanut?
September 21st, 2015 at 9:25 PM ^
For those of you who watched the MNF game last night.... Do you recall the GB passing play that utilized their punt return/kickoff return guy? The commentators were analyzing it at some point in the second quarter.. I couldn't help but think that is the type of play Peppers should be involved with. Trips right (or left), quick pass to Peppers while the 2 other WR's set blocks.
September 21st, 2015 at 10:46 PM ^
Unless he absolutely has to, I say Jimmy Harbaugh won't display Peppers on offense until the Michigan State game. In this way Jimmy will be unleashing a very potent offensive weapon while giving the opponent little time to adjust for it. Could be a significant game-changer that helps us beat MSU. Go Blue!
September 21st, 2015 at 10:45 PM ^
Yes, there will be new offensive wrinkles
September 21st, 2015 at 11:06 PM ^
September 22nd, 2015 at 1:01 AM ^
I feel like Peppers will be a part of the offense at some point in the year.....dont know if they do that against BYU but could definitely see it by MSU or OSU games.
Why not?
September 22nd, 2015 at 8:41 AM ^
I hear the Fumblerooski is being installed this week.