Iowa Wrinkles
What adjustments, wrinkles, gadgets, or tendency breakers would you like to see from Michigan in Indy? What staples would you like to see Michigan stay with?
On offense, I would like to see:
- Some short trap trap/wham off of split zone/insert zone action. Iowa will be playing downhill all game and its an opportunity to get a lineman quickly to one of Iowa's very good backers.
- More backside cuts away from power/counter
- More of the QB Counter/Bash with McCarthy and Corum, or some inverted veer.
- More PA pass
- Edwards on the field with Corum/Haskins and relatedly, take free yards on the outside if they are there on bubble or smoke
- A pass to Trente Jones in the red zone
On defense,
- A tight rotation at defensive tackle, but one that includes Donovan Jeter(!)
- Ojabo only on passing downs, he is great but a clear liability on edge runs as OSU exposed
- Lots of single-high
- 5-man pressures all day
December 2nd, 2021 at 2:19 PM ^
Don’t throw screens over Ferentz. He’s usually on the sidelines
December 2nd, 2021 at 1:39 PM ^
True, Ferentz is getting up there.
December 2nd, 2021 at 1:43 PM ^
Iowa wrinkles?
December 2nd, 2021 at 4:24 PM ^
Kirk Ferentz is a well-respected coach. If the source for my data on the interwebz is correct, he is 7-6 against Michigan in his career, which is surprising to me.
All the more reason to punch them in the mouth, run the ball down their throat, light up their secondary with chunk plays, crush their miserable excuse for an offense and leave them on the field like a lifeless corpse.
December 2nd, 2021 at 1:44 PM ^
Get Selzer a reception. It’s got to happen.
December 2nd, 2021 at 2:01 PM ^
Just don't let them pull you all the way into the muck.
December 2nd, 2021 at 2:02 PM ^
- Ojabo only on passing downs, he is great but a clear liability on edge runs as OSU exposed
did they ?
looked like the play calls came in late and he wasn't set on most of the runs they broke.
December 2nd, 2021 at 2:06 PM ^
Other than one carry by Henderson in the first quarter, I'm hard-pressed to think of an OSU run over 10 yards.
December 2nd, 2021 at 2:08 PM ^
Batter up!!!
December 2nd, 2021 at 2:08 PM ^
This will be Gattis' most challenging game. Iowa will not stick to blocks like OSU did last week. Their DBs won't be afraid to get in the mix. They're disciplined and their safeties are as well coached as any.
I don't think the players will overlook Iowa, but I could see Gattis being hungover from last week, believing everything he throws at the Hawkeyes will work like it did against OSU. It won't.
December 2nd, 2021 at 2:15 PM ^
Darn that Josh Gattis. He coached a bad game in my imagination!
December 2nd, 2021 at 3:52 PM ^
uhhhhhh.....what?
December 2nd, 2021 at 2:17 PM ^
Why not stretch the field so that you force their LBs to play back a little, use lots of motion/decoys to keep the field more open and then pound the rock?
Puts Cade in high percentage situations with low probabilities for tipped passes, pulls the LBs out wide so they can't be as prepared for Haskins/Corum up the gut.
Neutralize their LBs and it's over.
December 2nd, 2021 at 6:38 PM ^
I agree with this. However, I believe that Michigan's team speed is so significantly superior-and this advantage will be able to be exploited to a degree that is being profoundly underestimated. Everyone in the world can be strong and play hard but there is a reason that the phrase "SEC speed" exists...because it is real and it is a HUGE difference-maker. Here, a major reason Michigan is contending is because they have or are approaching SEC speed.
It's a large field of play. If the Michigan coaches can figure out how to exploit the advantages they hold Iowa will have no answer. Everything I have seen is people thinking that every possible variable in this game is going to fall heavily in favor of Iowa. The truth is that this game, just as likely, has the potential of being a 49-6 "contest"...or even worse. Sure, Iowa can win this game but I think that Michigan beats them 19 out of 20 times-though, here, Iowa's best chance is likely the first one they play...so there is that.
December 2nd, 2021 at 2:13 PM ^
Maybe a little of this. With Hutchinson as the running back.
December 2nd, 2021 at 4:08 PM ^
It took about 50 times watching this to actually see what the hell was going on in this play.
December 2nd, 2021 at 2:25 PM ^
Not much:
No injuries.
No penalties.
No turnovers by M, at least 2 by Iowa.
Iowa shutout.
Good red zone offense by M, Good red zone defense by M.
Good OL and downfield blocking.
No sacks by Iowa, lots by M
Lots of M scoring.
Victory by at least 2 TDs.
Keep the M Indy fans excited and loud.
Opportunities by fans home and away to drink lots of beverages!
December 2nd, 2021 at 2:50 PM ^
On Offense:
- Score touchdowns.
On Defense:
- Don't let them score.
I will leave the how in both of those to people who are much more qualified than I am to do it.
December 2nd, 2021 at 4:02 PM ^
Buy low, sell high.
If you do this, you cannot lose
December 2nd, 2021 at 2:56 PM ^
I am assuming that this game will go well, so not expecting to any Iowa wrinkles - I have enough already.
December 2nd, 2021 at 3:00 PM ^
Our red zone offense and defense were spot on against OSU. Hopefully we don’t let them into the red zone but if we do keep it to a field goal.
December 2nd, 2021 at 3:10 PM ^
offense - several PA passes on first down
defense - several run blitzes to stifle their running game
December 2nd, 2021 at 3:28 PM ^
Just do not rough their idiotic punter like we did in 2016. That punter still gives me nightmares. After watching some tape they still roll the punter out on kicks about half the time.
December 2nd, 2021 at 3:37 PM ^
Michigan has moved the ball fairly easily on every opponent they've faced this year. And seeing the vast improvement in the RZ the last few games, coupled with Iowa's, ahem, offense, I just can't find myself being too worried about this game. The speed that Michigan brings on the edges is more than Purdue has, and all of them can catch (as opposed to the one man wrecking crew Purdue has). Wisconsin's offense made Iowa's defense look pedestrian. WISCONSIN!!! PSU was lighting them up until Clifford went down.
I just... Just can't bring myself to be worried about this particular Iowa team going against this particular Michigan team.
December 2nd, 2021 at 4:01 PM ^
Honestly, I would like to see Corum resting on the bench unless NEEDED to win against Iowa. He is a game changer, and if this team is to win it all, it will require a couple big Corum plays in my humble opinion
December 2nd, 2021 at 4:04 PM ^
Lets put some wrinkles in, but hopefully save them for the next two wins.
We want to play hard and smart. Lets put these guys away quick and stay healthy as possible.
December 2nd, 2021 at 4:24 PM ^
Dear Football Team. The Children of the Corn lost to the '97 Team by 4 points. They will steal your lunch money if you give them any opportunity. Make them pay for the audacity of thought.
December 2nd, 2021 at 4:50 PM ^
That Iowa game was as close to a loss as Michigan had that season, and the game was in A2.
Griese had probably his worst game that year, throwing 3 INTs. We also had one fumble, and all those turnovers nearly spelled disaster. Fortunately, Iowa also had 4 turnovers, including the final interception by Sam Sword that iced the game.
December 2nd, 2021 at 4:43 PM ^
What I’d like to see is the entire end of the bench playing most of the 4th quarter as our lead is so commanding that coach gets everyone lots of playing time.
December 2nd, 2021 at 4:48 PM ^
I see the power run game still being a major part as usual, continuing to feed Haskins. With that, I would say even more misdirection stuff with Henning, stretch runs with Corum setting him up for a break away run again, get Edwards active in the passing game and run more counter off of it. I also feel like all of our receivers are starting to individually put it together so I could really see them being scary matchups for Iowa too. I feel like the D. Edwards revelation has opened this offense to new levels and it will only improve. More of this, I believe, makes them harder to prepare for come playoff time and opens up more room for Haskins in the second level to punish DB’s and backers that will try to bring him down, carrying them an extra 5 yards.
I heard Iowa is susceptible in the middle of the field, so both stuff to the TE’s and could be a BIG day of crossing stuff to Sainristil and Johnson who have flashed that ability. I also get the sense Sainristil is a HUNGRY player right now for some reason. I feel really good about this game and the playoffs. They aren’t overlooking anyone, and Michigan is getting better each week.
BEAT IOWA!
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:40 PM ^
Iowa is beyond conservative on offense. However, the Hawkeyes love to use misdirection, especially with their tight ends to fool their opponents. And Michigan doesn't respond well to misdirection plays, especially early in games.
We have been hit repeatedly this season with misdirection plays as opening offensive gambits. I expect the same on Saturday.
I remember a night game at Kinnick during the Rodriguez era when Iowa twice ran tight end delay patterns that went for TD's or big plays after their TE's went to the ground before getting up and running delayed crossing patterns. I fully expect this play to be resurrected or reinvented to fool our defense and create a big gain.
December 2nd, 2021 at 6:42 PM ^
It’s crazy to think their tight end is their leading receiver. We should have the linebackers to cover him just fine. Not sure which quarterback they are gonna start but I suspect Petras.
December 2nd, 2021 at 6:47 PM ^
I’m just bummed we haven’t had any Iowa content on the home page. I need my scouting so I can sound smart when watching with family!
December 2nd, 2021 at 7:11 PM ^
I want the defense to prepare for screens.
I want the offense to not go conservative just because it’s Iowa. I’m afraid that we could revert to that with the thinking that only mistakes can kill us. We are best when not afraid to change it up.
That said, after the game plans being wildly different and effective the last three weeks, perhaps my worry is for naught.
December 2nd, 2021 at 8:45 PM ^
Speed to the edges and Aidan Hutchinson TD’s
December 2nd, 2021 at 9:59 PM ^
You can’t just play Ojabo on passing downs unless you want the offense to tempo to keep him off the field. I know Iowa does not go fast, but even they would know enough to line up to keep Michigan’s second best defender off the field
December 3rd, 2021 at 1:25 AM ^
Hutch in some capacity on offense please. Especially if this game gets out of hand *knocks on wood* let's lean into getting him some Heisman hype
December 3rd, 2021 at 1:59 AM ^
How about a fumblerooski featuring Hutchinson.
OK, maybe not, just win the fucking game.
December 3rd, 2021 at 6:47 AM ^
This game has Edwards being a receiver written all over it. Iowa’s gonna load up to stop the run and probably will.
December 3rd, 2021 at 1:53 PM ^