What Are Your Keys to the Bama Game?
The key I will be looking for early on is how Craig Roh holds up against the double-team from the tackle and tight end. If he can hold his ground, we can handle their running game all right. If not, we are going to be in inside-zone/outside-zone hell to the strong side all night.
Prediction: I believe Roh will do all right, giving us a chance in this game.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:31 PM ^
1. Line play
2. Line play
3. Line play
4. Turnovers
August 31st, 2012 at 1:50 PM ^
Specifically my first two "line plays" are about the defense and the third about the offense. The "turnovers" are about the offense since it isn't realistic to expect the defense to force turnovers against a cautious veteran offense with a terrific line.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:31 PM ^
Score more points than they do.
Win turnover margin.
Don't fall behind early.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:43 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 12:33 PM ^
is to start drinking heavily and early.
Prediction: Either a very happy or very sad drunk, tears either way.
Oh, you meant for the team?
August 31st, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 12:41 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 12:44 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^
Good point by the OP; much truth to that part of the game.
I'm praying our O-line can somehow allow the run game to be established; being very optimistic, maybe the bruiser Rawls will help this early-game process. If the run can be respected, not counting Denard's legs, so much more of the playbook can be opened up and utilized. I'm just not so sure this will happen. We wait and we find out and it's why they play the damn game.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:46 PM ^
It's line play, especially when they have the ball. I can envision those big nasty fellas and Lacy putting the blade down until we prove we can stop them.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:48 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^
Control the line of scrimmage. D-line and linebackers getting pressure will be huge. If we can get pressure and dont let up big plays, we can control the tempo of the game. Denard will have his opportunities. But we have to give him that chance by controlling the tempo. It all starts in the battle in the trenches
August 31st, 2012 at 12:51 PM ^
I say unleash the dragon, 3 and 4 wide sets gets the secondary to play the pass, gartuitous use of zone read, and roll out the pocket, give Drob more run/pass options. They are vulnerable around the edges, and Michigan has dangerous speed at once our players get to the edge.Finally the Vincent Smith screen pass, that thing could be lethal for the tide defense in this game.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:54 PM ^
I'm not sure if a wide open passing attack would be effective, but i'm fairly certain running Rawls at Williams will not. 3-4 WR sets will help space out their LBs and allow more running lanes for DRob on scrambles (hoping praying screaming this year he actually scrambles). If bama insists on still stuffing 8 in the box, I would anticipate denard being able to connect on at least 1-2 balls over the top to Gallon
August 31st, 2012 at 12:51 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^
Can't let Bama shut down either side of our offense. If we can't pass- doomed. If we can't run- doomed. Even considering Bama's D is relatively inexperienced, they're still good enough to end us if we can't get a balanced attack. (Praying for inverted veers x1000)
August 31st, 2012 at 12:58 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 1:01 PM ^
You are certainly right about handling the blitz. Bama comes hard and often on a weak side blitz. It can kill you or it can be exploited, as Cam's Auburn did. If we can't throw effectively, this blitz will really make it hard on Denard.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:08 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 3:05 PM ^
if they will really blitz much. I think they may try to contain Denard from escaping the pocket to force the pass. Maybe the key will be for Denard to get the screen passes over their hands.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:23 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 2:13 PM ^
Our established, versatile offense against their rebuilding defense in their first game away from home. In 2009 Bama won the National Championship and lost a lot of key players on Offense and Defense, in 2010 they won a close game at Arkansas, lost at LSU, and lost at South Carolina. Now in 2011 they won the National Championship and lost almost everybody on defense, and their star running back, and all their receivers on offense. I think we can do better than 2010 South Carolina on the road.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:25 PM ^
Denard's evolution in the passing game but Denard's latitude to run. Not running as fourth or fifth option, but running when Bama's D affords him the chance.
I see us as competitive in every other game this year. But in this one I think it would help to have Denard in a state of grace. Curious about whether the coaches will green-light him, or would even think that a good idea.
August 31st, 2012 at 4:47 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 4:51 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 5:16 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 2:31 PM ^
Michigan's O can't manball through Bama's stout D front. Nobody beats Bama in the trenches. M's best and only chance is to open things up via multiple receiver sets, draws, and delayed screens -- anything to create just enough space for Denard to find creases. I love manball. But our o-line, although talented, doesn't (yet) have the strength or depth to pound Bama's line. Something tells me we'll be seeing more passing than one might expect.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:31 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 2:37 PM ^
post sorries
August 31st, 2012 at 2:43 PM ^
If Denard and Gorgeous Al are sharp in this aspect of the game, it gives us an extra blocker on virtually every play and keeps the D on their heels. Either they get gashed or they bring extra guys into the box at which point we'll have to make them pay through the air.
If we force them to defend the whole field and 2 (3?!?!?!) rushing options at a time the offense can have a big day so long as the right decisions/reads are made. If Georgia Southern can do it, I think we can too.
Do that and just don't get killed on defense (hopefully no big plays, a'la most of last year), special teams, or in turnovers and it's a W.
August 31st, 2012 at 3:27 PM ^
Ball Control
Win the Turnover battle
Make one or two huge plays ie punt return/defensive td
August 31st, 2012 at 5:25 PM ^
We need to play more physical than them! Look back at the 08 Capital One Bowl against the Gators. We were thumping them from the start of the game and it put a very dynamic and fast team on their heels. We have to do the same thing tomorrow. Hit! Out for blood Crable/Woodley/Shazor type hits!!! We do that and the Bama "booger boys" will not know what to do.
August 31st, 2012 at 5:25 PM ^
We need to play more physical than them! Look back at the 08 Capital One Bowl against the Gators. We were thumping them from the start of the game and it put a very dynamic and fast team on their heels. We have to do the same thing tomorrow. Hit! Out for blood Crable/Woodley/Shazor type hits!!! We do that and the Bama "booger boys" will not know what to do.
August 31st, 2012 at 5:37 PM ^
Not letting Alabama get ahead by more than 10 points, preferrably no more than a TD. If you let Alabama get into an attack-style defense without worrying about one facet of your game, then you are in trouble. If UM can keep it close and force Alabama to respect both the run and pass, while also forcing them to execute their offense beyond three rushes and a punt, then UM has a chance. Alabama is a VERY good team, and should win tomorrow. But if UM forces the Crimson Tide to play 4 quarters this early in the year, the inexperience on Alabama's side might tilt the game toward the more seasoned Wolverines. But I have my doubts that this will be anything more than a moderately-close game.
August 31st, 2012 at 5:39 PM ^