Expectations for the Run Game
Last year Shea had a big play on the Arc Keeper after rarely keeping the ball at all up to that point in the season. Back then it was unclear if that was done intentionally or not, and this year we have the same questions. I don't know whether its Shea's injury, game planning, or TOs which affected the game flow. It could be all, but obviously our run game has been lackluster.
At the end of the day even if Gattis isn't the home run hire we wanted. This is basically the same O line, and the same QB running much of the same base running plays. We have to believe that at least we should be AS good on the ground as we were last year, where we rushed for 320 against UW, all be it at home. Whatever the reasons I expect the offense to look much better. I also expect some wrinkles. What are you expectations?
Also, on MgoVideo i continually see that drill where Shea gives on the IZ then gets another ball to rep the triple option. I don't believe we have seen that yet have we? Hard to believe they would drill it like that without it being part of the game plan at some point...right?
September 20th, 2019 at 12:36 PM ^
I mean this is what we are all hoping for right? If it's the same bullshit as weeks 1-2 then the pitchforks are coming. Even a loss if we have some kind of speed in space crap we were told about then I think the season bodes well for us. Problem is, havent' seen any speed. No speed and sure as hell no space.
September 20th, 2019 at 12:45 PM ^
Actually, I just want them to take advantage of the space the more dynamic offense IS creating.
September 20th, 2019 at 1:11 PM ^
Agreed with both of these takes. The most frustrating part of the past two games was the missed opportunities. And more generally, I think the solution to BPONE is having a functional offense that is fun to watch. It'd be nice to win some big games for sure, but it would be so much better if they were making big plays and it didn't feel like being down by 10 in the 3rd quarter was a death sentence.
September 20th, 2019 at 3:05 PM ^
Past behavior is indicative of future behavior. Until Michigan shows us something different, other than what we have seen the last 4 seasons and the first two games, expect a bland offense that is ball control with an average to above average run game...but nothing dynamic.
September 20th, 2019 at 1:32 PM ^
All I care about is getting out of the Vista View apartments, because there ain't no 'vista', there ain't no "view", and there certainly ain't no vista of no view.
September 20th, 2019 at 2:26 PM ^
This made me laugh out loud. Thank you, I needed that.
September 20th, 2019 at 2:53 PM ^
If we lose a competitive game where the offense moves the ball but we come up short it’s not the end of the world. Wisconsin is a good team. But I have to see something that gives me hope we can beat Ohio State. At the end of the day that is our biggest priority. If we don’t beat them this year this staff will eventually be fired. Keeping them for another year would just delay the inevitable.
September 21st, 2019 at 9:45 AM ^
Yeah because finding a coach that will be better than Harbaugh will be such a breeze. And who exactly do you have in mind that will come in and do better? Let me guess, you probably liked the RR and Hoke hires until they didn’t seem to be panning out. This take is so idiotic because there is no coach out there that is a better fit for the University than Harbaugh. Every fan and coach wants Michigan to beat OSU so it’s not a matter of lack of desire by this coaching staff. If Michigan were to get rid of Harbaugh (which absolutely will not happen) or if Harbaugh were to leave, this program will be in another 10-15 year struggle. Stick with a coach that has the 6th highest winning percentage during his tenure and keep making improvements that will allow us to take the next step.
September 20th, 2019 at 3:04 PM ^
Um excuse you, between the tackles is still space!
September 20th, 2019 at 12:39 PM ^
I'm going with *shrug*.
September 20th, 2019 at 12:41 PM ^
Better than 3 yards per carry
September 20th, 2019 at 12:43 PM ^
Tomorrow is the true test, the team is 2-0 and the rowdy fan base needs to calm down a bit. If it's a landslide tomorrow in the wrong direction, then you may act like the sky is falling.
September 20th, 2019 at 12:57 PM ^
I'm anticipating the bombs will be coming your way tomorrow... be ready!
September 20th, 2019 at 12:44 PM ^
1. Ball security. 2. Able to run on 3rd and short to move the sticks with regularity.
September 20th, 2019 at 12:44 PM ^
Games at Camp Randall are always difficult. Harbaugh was in the NFL the last time Michigan won in Madison.
My hope is that Michigan wins. My expectation is not as optimistic.
September 20th, 2019 at 1:46 PM ^
I mean part of that is we never play in Madison. Only 4 times since our last win, 2 of which occurred during the RichRod/Hoke debacle.
September 20th, 2019 at 12:44 PM ^
3 yards and a cloud of dust, baby!
September 21st, 2019 at 9:21 AM ^
No dust on artificial turf. Maybe 3 yards and ground up car tires.
September 20th, 2019 at 12:48 PM ^
Wisconsin is not going to fall for that arc keeper this year. Plus, Wisconsin plays that funky 2-4-5 where their 2 DL are under-sized this year and one is a freshman. Hate to say this, but the run yards are again up the gut. Our relative advantage in the run game is the interior line - Bredeson, Ruiz and Onwenu.
I am hoping this week is finally opened up in the pass game. There are big yards to be had on a 2-4-5 scheme if we can protect the passer. Like Army, Wisconsin likes to blitz from 4 backers and it is always well disguised. Having Runyan back is big. Charbonnet might be limited to passing downs if his meniscus is wonked ... twisting it from being tackled is extremely painful. Having Wilson back would also be huge in pass pro.
September 20th, 2019 at 12:51 PM ^
So get the IZ going then open up the pass game. What about the triple option? Have you seen the fall camp highlights of Shea pitching?
September 20th, 2019 at 1:11 PM ^
Triple option works on a 4-3 defense. But it is really hard to option 4 backers from a 2-4-5 ... it is an alignment to take counter read options and RPO. I like IZ and true passing plays for this game - mix play action deep balls and short hitters.
September 20th, 2019 at 1:01 PM ^
Wisconsin's 3 D Linemen go 6-7, 296, 6-4, 315, and 6-2, 279, so I'm not sure where you're getting this undersized from. They do have a 6-6, 215 OLB though, that's a weird size for OLB. Other OLB is 6-3, 235. ILBs are 225 lbs each and fast.
Their backup D Linemen are 6-4, 275, 6-4, 292, and 6-2, 267. Not a huge defense, but a lot bigger than Army or MTSU.
September 20th, 2019 at 1:15 PM ^
Those 3 DL rotate in a 2-4-5 as the base set. And they often stand the two DL up like DEs ! Can you imagine the leverage Onwenu would have on that 6-7, 296 guy ? He can toss him around like a pillow.
September 20th, 2019 at 2:15 PM ^
The 2-4-5 that Wisconsin runs has OLBs that are 235 and 221 lbs, with the two DL 293 and 279 lbs. The ILBs are 224, 231, and 232 lbs. Army's 4-0-4 base defense ran out a front seven that was 280, 280, 275, and 255 lbs, with LBs that were 235, 235, and 240 lbs. The average front four and front seven are pretty comparable, even if Army has bigger guys and a NT they can trot out for obvious run downs.
September 20th, 2019 at 12:53 PM ^
The reason why I am somewhat skeptical of this take is that we weren't in danger of losing any of the no keep games last year.
September 20th, 2019 at 12:58 PM ^
True, so maybe it was just the way Army was playing, with the scrapes and we weren't prepared for the counter.
September 20th, 2019 at 12:53 PM ^
I expect ZC to ask for a shot of novocaine and toradol and run his ass off. Then he can have surgery and be back in time for OSU.
September 20th, 2019 at 12:56 PM ^
I think the M run game will be fine. I’m more concerned about stopping Taylor. if Wisky just pounds the rock all day and limits possessions then it could be a problem.
September 20th, 2019 at 12:59 PM ^
maybe we'll come out throwing a bunch of short passes, moving the ball 4, 5, 6 yards at a time. with our WRs and TEs, we should have a match up advantage. one series like that would probably help open up the running and deep game.
from the perspective of someone who's never coached a down of football.
September 20th, 2019 at 1:02 PM ^
We’ve seen A triple option look already. Shea kept one against MTSU, and then we ran a few more against Army and Shea gave on all of them.
September 20th, 2019 at 1:39 PM ^
Well IZ is a run-run option so only two options. I guess technically an RPO along with IZ is a 'triple option' but I meant where we have triple run option:
1 - hand off
2 - QB keep
3 - QB keep to pitch.
We havent seen that yet even though we have seen UM drilling it in fall camp.
September 20th, 2019 at 1:40 PM ^
No, I know what I’m saying and meant what I wrote. We’ve run that multiple times.
September 20th, 2019 at 2:47 PM ^
DrM is correct, but we haven't pitched it yet on the triple option look. They have been using Ronnie Bell as the pitch back, so I think it has been just a decoy so far. Pitch back needs to be a more elusive runner like one of the freshman slots, or even Turner with BenV as the give RB.
September 20th, 2019 at 3:14 PM ^
Idk they’ve got Bell on punt return, I don’t think he’s just a decoy. I’d love to see Jackson there, but I think Bell is live, he’s plenty elusive.
September 20th, 2019 at 1:12 PM ^
Guys, I hate to be a pessimist, but this game is going to be ugly for us. I will eat a sock if I'm wrong, but the signs are there: struggling against army & MTSU does not bode well for a win in camp randall.
I think we should expect more of the same: questionable play calls, our D-line not getting the job done, and lots of hysterics starting around 2pm tomorrow.
September 20th, 2019 at 1:15 PM ^
Just make sure to be a man and arrange for a live stream of the sock eating.
September 20th, 2019 at 1:21 PM ^
^^^Spicoli above me loves to give HOT TAKES like this, then vanish when he's wrong.
He'll vanish LIKE A FART IN THE WIND tomorrow and for a few days after the game.
September 20th, 2019 at 1:25 PM ^
what say there, fuzzy britches?
September 20th, 2019 at 2:50 PM ^
Feel like talking? Guess not. Why should you be different?
September 20th, 2019 at 1:28 PM ^
What’s a spicoli?
September 20th, 2019 at 1:58 PM ^
It's a kind of blue kalamata olive?
Or a blue squid appetizer?
September 20th, 2019 at 1:41 PM ^
Why would you expect that? Why are you a fan, with expectations that the season can't and won't improve? Get the fuck out of here with that pessimism.
September 20th, 2019 at 2:02 PM ^
Because it's college football and anything can happen on any given Saturday, you probably should have picked an item that's slightly more edible...like a lemon perhaps. People like lemons around here, right?
September 20th, 2019 at 2:02 PM ^
I don't see it.
Wisconsin is not going to be able to score at will on our defense. They are not as good as they've looked. Michigan is not as bad as they've looked. Take care of the ball, and we have a great shot at winning the game.
Gonna be a 3 point game, I think.
September 20th, 2019 at 2:12 PM ^
I will eat a sock if I'm wrong, but the signs are there
I'm worried but optimistic. I really want to see you eat a sock though.
September 20th, 2019 at 2:17 PM ^
@Kala
I posted something below about being pessimistic about this game. I have watched a lot of UM football over the years.
First, it's at Wisconsin. Second, is Charbonnet healthy? Third, is Patterson great at throwing the football on the road? Is he healthy?
I don't know folks. I like to call it like I see it. I think the defense is okay although they are going up against Taylor. It's not like UM is a bad team but they need a run game because they don't have a great passing qb. Turnovers could help UM out. Hope I am wrong.