Rutgers Snowflakes: The Coaching
November 5th, 2022 at 11:19 PM ^
Halftime adjustments, again.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:19 PM ^
Halftime adjustments!
November 5th, 2022 at 11:21 PM ^
Why is this staff so much better at making adjustments in the 2bd half compared to what they plan in the first
November 5th, 2022 at 11:30 PM ^
Other team plans too, I guess? Schianno, much as we like to rag on him, can be a great defensive coach. Jason Avant and Jon Jansen on radio were saying that he was mixing up 4-5 different coverages and switching them before the play which seemed have JJ confused at times; Jansen said their D was throwing all manner of line stunts and slants at our front, and we were struggling to adjust. (Neither mentioned though they could’ve that we had key injuries in both parts that these moves targeted: O line, secondary. They held, barely: 14-10 plus a blocked punt TD for 7 more, with 2 missed long FG for 6 less. Then they adjusted, and lights out. Just like every week.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:21 PM ^
Not sure where to put this snowflake — I say some injuries in critical spots hurt more than expected; not saying the poor first half was on injuries, but Paige & Green in D backfield = ouch; another key O line in Hayes is one more than our best depth. I worried mightily for a stretch when JJ was taking bad hits that Cade may have been out one game too many. In the end, Jesse Minter is a freaking genius. Rolled Barrett right into that first INT. Dang! (Now, any chance you could start genius’ing earlier? Like starting 2nd quarter instead of 2nd half, for example. I don’t watch other teams nearly so much, but Minter must be running away with the Asst of the year rankings
November 5th, 2022 at 11:24 PM ^
Keegan into tent and limping after was worst sight of several unpleasant ones tonight, before the fun I mean. Limp didn’t look bad as went up the tunnel (last), but our O line grinding OSU, who showed again today that they can’t even stop NW’s run, into dust, keeping their O off the field, and getting starting secondary back, is the key to beating them
November 5th, 2022 at 11:58 PM ^
Win and advance is all that matters.
November 6th, 2022 at 1:14 AM ^
Something was just off, wonder if there's illness going through the team. One thing I noticed was Michigan internationally running down the clock to shorten the game from the start. Normally as the better team you don't want to do that since it increases variance and impact of flukes. It was almost like the coaches were trying to limit play count.
November 6th, 2022 at 4:48 AM ^
I thought it was just on a national basis, but ok.
November 6th, 2022 at 6:20 AM ^
I don't know what they were doing with the clock at the end of the first half. I just thought it was classic Harbaugh clock mismanagement. But maybe your theory has some merit.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:22 PM ^
38 - 0 second half result on the road to take the team to 9 & 0 and 6 and 0. Played short handed tonight against a fired up Rutgers. Enjoy how this team works hard and plays with poise. College football is not as easy all the time as some on game threads seen to think. Michigan is very well coached.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:24 PM ^
This team has played like a second half team most of the B1G. Good for the coaches to figure out things in the RZ. They definitely tried to throw the ball around. Hope they work more with the receivers as they need to help out a young QB.
But I have confidence in these coaches to set this team up for success against OSU. They are just very good and they definitely self scout themselves.
A little nervous in the first half but knew these coaches got it. Amazing at the depth they have developed. Sometimes we forget they are missing key starters and still go on to dominate.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:26 PM ^
Offensive play calling was much better with JJ passing on the first drive. Red Zone play calling was much better with JJ passing much more.
Defensive was another A+. They only gave up 10 pts as the punt block resulted in a special teams TD for Rutgers. Another gem of second half adjustments.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:27 PM ^
Since Harbaugh is an avid MGoReader, and clearly values my opinion, I'll humbly request: More of that second half. Please and thanks, coach. Chefs kiss. Loved it.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:29 PM ^
Onward. Nebraska awaits at the Big House. Let’s hope all the young men with minor dings are good to go next Saturday!
November 5th, 2022 at 11:52 PM ^
Yep wrap these guys in bubble wrap and get them back. Ramp up the next two weeks and then let it all hang in Columbus in three weeks.
November 6th, 2022 at 12:00 AM ^
Would love to see starters have more rest next week.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:30 PM ^
First half play calling offensively was a little dicey. Rutgers looked totally prepared to stop what Michigan wanted to do, and we didn't really have a counter-response for that on the fly. To the staff's credit, they didn't do what previous Harbaugh staffs have done - continuously bash their head against the wall despite the blitheringly obvious reality the opponent is ready to stop it. They made adjustments and focused on attacking the C and D gaps with some stretch type stuff, misdirection and motion.
Defensively, Minter just continues to teach a master class on second half defense. They got us on a few "tip of the cap" plays, but our defense is sooo good at evaluating what an opponent is doing, then adjusting and just totally snuffing it out. It's crazy to say, but Minter might somehow be an upgrade over McDonald. The defense - especially in the second half - has been lights out all season, and was again today.
November 6th, 2022 at 11:51 AM ^
"First half play calling offensively was a little dicey. Rutgers looked totally prepared to stop what Michigan wanted to do," Not on the first couple of offensive series.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:31 PM ^
No staff better at 2nd half adjustments this season than this one. Incredible job regrouping and making the necessary adjustments to put the game away midway through the 3rd quarter.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:32 PM ^
This is a fine football team. Well coached. Incredible halftime adjustments.
My gosh, we just saw Tennessee, Clemson and 'bama get beat - we're still undefeated.
We saw OSU struggle against freaking NW. Meanwhile, we've comfortably won every single game this year.
We have a tremendous coaching staff. Really impressive.
9-0. Another great season. Another road win. Celebrate!
Go Blue!
November 5th, 2022 at 11:33 PM ^
Here's a list of guys that were out for this game:
LT Ryan Hayes
RT Trente Jones
CB Gemon Green
OLB Jaylen Harrell
LB Nikhai Hill-Green
S Makari Paige
WR Roman Wilson
TE Erick All
QB Cade McNamara
Here's a list of guys that were clearly less than 100% tonight:
TE Luke Schoonmaker
OG Trevor Keegan
Here's the final score:
52-17
November 5th, 2022 at 11:45 PM ^
We need that list, or most of it, for last game. If we have it, I like our chances
November 6th, 2022 at 12:01 AM ^
I don’t think Corum was 100%
November 6th, 2022 at 12:10 AM ^
My impression also.....he was vomiting on the sidelines after being Mr. Battering Ram on the goalline. Did not seem himself, but still broke 100 yards.
November 6th, 2022 at 1:15 AM ^
He got beat up bad with those straight ahead runs into the stacked Rutgers D Line. JJ took some tough hits he will be feeling for the next few days!
November 6th, 2022 at 8:29 AM ^
Corum has vomited in the 1Q of Indiana, Penn St., and Rutgers that I know.
November 6th, 2022 at 10:51 AM ^
Yeah, don't think it is injured related. Maybe he is just the real life Steaming Willy Beamen.
November 6th, 2022 at 1:12 AM ^
I liked our 3/4 deep OL. They were mauling the Rutgers starting DL in the last half of the 4th. We have some great future starting OL.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:35 PM ^
yes, it's good coaching. but better coaching would have first half michigan look like second half michigan sometimes
November 5th, 2022 at 11:48 PM ^
I do get your point, but from my observations I think Harbaugh's game strategy is to always assert the team identity first, and make the other team prove they can stop it. If their opponent is successful at doing that - as Rutgers was today - then they evaluate what the opposing defense is doing and make adjustments accordingly at halftime (unless things are getting out of hand in the first half).
It's not the only successful way to game plan - some coaches for example look to identify an opponent's weakness and build an entire game plan around that based on scouting the path of least resistance.
While that does work for some, Jim Harbaugh seems to prefer the "I think we are better at what we do, than you are at what you do, and I am going to make you prove me wrong". It's probably the better way to build a team identity, but the downside of that is that sometimes you get underwhelming first half performances against a well prepared opponent like Rutgers was today. That's where you need to tip your cap and make your adjustments. I'll give the staff credit that they did that today and typically have when they've needed to over the past two seasons.
November 6th, 2022 at 5:33 PM ^
+1. Tbh, most underrated and logical write up/analysis of the year.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:50 PM ^
Why downvote this? Michigan coaching eas great in the second half, and props to Rutgers and their atmosphere (for a 4-4 historically bad team?!) and their seizure lights, but if you don’t call that getting out coached first half, it was even coached at worst so that’s an L for M. Coaching was better second half as it has been this year. Don’t downvote this post
Edit- I agree with the response post too, but both are valid, full game we won the coaching battle, but it’s ok to expect s coaching win full game against the given opponent.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:35 PM ^
More like Buttgers amirite
November 5th, 2022 at 11:36 PM ^
We are like 21-2 in our last 23 games. I wish we would bury teams in first half so I could drink less but it is hard to complain. Staff knows what the team is good at and puts them in position to succeed. We need to get better for OSU, but having Clemson an Alabama lose is a great day for us. Thanks to the coaches for giving football back to us after some rough patches over the years. We outscored them 38-0 in the second half on the road an I still think there are things we can get better at. In the words of Ice Cube, "Today was a good day"
November 5th, 2022 at 11:53 PM ^
I like a reason to drink a few extra beers, but j would have gladly found another reason. Agreed, wish we stuffed this one out earlier and
November 6th, 2022 at 1:33 AM ^
You are saying this after a game we won by five touchdowns.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:39 PM ^
This staff is so much better with half time adjustments than Gattis or even MacDonald were last year. Wonder if Miami has buyers remorse with Gattis. Their offense all season, including tonight has been a train wreck.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:40 PM ^
Adjustments, adjustments, adjustments!
November 5th, 2022 at 11:47 PM ^
I have certain bones to pick with schiano (see the main blog threat about him turning down M to win a natty) but that presser wanting two half’s from his team, and not being Franklin or tucker, was nice to see. They out coached us for a half but again Michigan has made halftime adjustments. Want our staff to figure out how to win the first half life they do the 2nd
November 5th, 2022 at 11:50 PM ^
Feels like they were dicking around in the first half then hey let’s go ahead and win. Honestly I love it. I’m engaged the whole way.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:58 PM ^
That 1st half was hard to watch. Especially red zone instances of 3 running plays in a row going nowhere, forcing 4th running attempts that then barely got in.
I'm glad adjustments were made for the 2nd half, which looked much better.
But, man . . . I do not feel confident that the coaches have red zone figured out yet.
November 6th, 2022 at 12:03 AM ^
Michigan has the Komodo dragon team. Get bit early and you can hang for a half and then the poison sets in the 2nd half and you get digested.
November 6th, 2022 at 12:07 AM ^
The unexpected unavailability of a number of players this week must have made things difficult for the coaches, and they handled things fine, all things considered.
In-game things were okay. The flow between running and passing still seems disjointed and kinda random, but that's feelingsball. Maybe don't destroy your star running back on the goal line to prove a point. On the defensive side, Minter for MVP once again.
It's in practice where the passing game really needs more emphasis in the coming weeks. JJ and the receivers just seem out of synch due to disuse, and I really wonder how much they are practicing passing concepts throughout the week. Yes, we want to be run-first and run-heavy, but in 2022, we really should be able to use the new-fangled forward pass a bit better.
Special teams, surprisingly, had at least one teachable moment.
Overall, though, things are fine. It was a tough road environment that presented some adversity, and that's not a bad thing at all, given what's coming.
November 6th, 2022 at 8:01 AM ^
Minor point: A loud environment that often felt as if we were watching on a neutral field. The fan composition was at least 40% Michigan supporters, who made just as much noise as their Rutgers counterparts.
And, as so often happens in Piscataway, there were pretty much only Michigan fans by the beginning of the fourth quarter.
November 6th, 2022 at 2:46 PM ^
"Maybe don't destroy your star running back on the goal line to prove a point." +1
November 6th, 2022 at 12:15 AM ^
Sorry, but I gotta question the passing game playbook. Way more rare for us to have open receivers than most teams out there. Weather was damn near perfect, we have a crushing running game, uber talent at QB, lots of high grade talent at WR and TE, and we're out there going 13/27??? Weak sauce.
November 6th, 2022 at 8:00 AM ^
it does feel like we're squandering JJ to some degree. Although if he actually put more air under his deep shots we'd probably feel differently
We almost never run some sort of RPO slant to a WR
Most of our passing game right now is run thru TEs and RBs. That's well and good for most opponents but at a certain point driving the ball down the field to WRs is going to be needed
November 6th, 2022 at 12:25 AM ^
Idk on the one hand they looked sort of unprepared for the Rutgersing and a little stubborn between the tackles. On the other they took shots deeper down field and just didn't complete any of them.
Punt block made Rutgers believe what Schiano was selling, that they could compete. It was stupid. One drive, thanks have a nice time with your free 7 points but we're gonna shut you down completely the 2nd half.
Getting physically battered by Rutgers was on the coaches, how could not see that coming.
November 6th, 2022 at 12:05 PM ^
Michigan rushing yards: 282
Rutgers rushing yards: 14
What are you talking about with "physically battered?" Only one team got paved, and it wasn't Michigan.