Urban Analysis Big Ten Network-OSU pass game vs Michigan

Submitted by Double-D on December 7th, 2019 at 10:56 AM

I found this segment on Big Ten Network interesting.   Needless to say it’s not flattering for Don Brown or our defensive backfield.  

On the 2 and 19 crossing route Urban comes close to an out loud wtf moment on our coverage scheme saying five times it’s 2nd and 19.  It may not be the play call but the depth of coverage is foolish. think Don Brown had a similar moment against Iowa as well that almost cost us.  

We also got punked on the Olave drop.  Between bad decisions, broken coverages and safeties getting beat deep it’s not pretty.  

We have enough talent to not let this happen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BmOTNDHUMro

M-Dog

December 7th, 2019 at 11:07 AM ^

If our offense indeed starts to establish itself as a legit modern college football offense, we need to start playing Iowa defense.

There is no need anymore to risk getting burned once every 5 plays for a TD. 

We no longer need to go for the homerun every single play, and risk giving up a homerun almost as often.

 

RockinLoud

December 7th, 2019 at 11:15 AM ^

Ah so bend don't break. Man I remember when we had one of those and everyone just complained about it non-stop. Gotta love UM fans, damned of you do, damned if you don't. 

Scheme isn't the issue, it's discipline (and talent at certain positions). Iowa plays disciplined, fundamentally sound football within their scheme. UM played like a high school team against OSU, constantly getting out of positition and being undisciplined. Doesn't matter what style you run, if you're doing that crap against a top two offense, with NFL talent at every position, whose entire existence is to beat you, you're going to get lambasted.

Double-D

December 7th, 2019 at 11:38 AM ^

I’ve never been a fan of the “bend don’t break” style of D.  Don Brown’s D has proven to be a force and seems like a great model.

It’s possible the players were coached not to play their man coverage on the same level but clearly there is some situational improvement to be made.  The safety busts this year were brutal and need to go away. 

Listening to that imbecile Dinardo half laughing at us is not fun. 

RockinLoud

December 7th, 2019 at 11:47 AM ^

Agree on safety play. Losing Hawkins I think hurt more than we realize. Brown was forced to simplify things for Dax which put a lot more on Hudson, forcing him to play at safety level much more, where he struggles at times. I think it also hurt Metellus because he was worried about covering for potential missed assignments by other guys and in turn missed his own assignments.

DHughes5218

December 7th, 2019 at 4:03 PM ^

The problem is you can be a little of both. On the 2nd and 19 play, you should be in some form of zone coverage that keeps everything in front of you. That was Urban’s point. The defensive call was mind boggling given the situation. Even a successful play for the offense should have resulted in a 3rd and 10, but instead they burn the man to man and convert with a chunk play.

Mgoeffoff

December 7th, 2019 at 8:01 PM ^

We had all the pieces at one time or another, but never all at once. Matellus, Paye, Dwumfor, Hudson, and Gray are solid. But, solid is not good enough to match up against OSU. If instead we had Peppers, Charlton, Hurst, Bush, and Lewis it would work just fine. We've had the players, but just not enough of them on one team. We always have strengths, but there are always holes that can be exploited against superior teams.

Yo_Blue

December 7th, 2019 at 11:30 AM ^

I think Josh had his "poster" moment(s) in this game.  Every freaking touchdown included him in the frame as the Buckeye crossed the goal line.

Urban on NFL coverage talks about finding the fish who is the weak link in the defense.  He found it last year and Day found it this year in Metellus.

WolverineMan1988

December 7th, 2019 at 11:21 AM ^

Foolish is a good way of putting it. Blitzing 5 on 2nd and 19 and you got 9 guys within 2 yards of the line of scrimmage with a single high safety? Seems to me like this would be an okay call on 3rd and medium.  Either way, the play got blown up because two of our guys were on the same level and didn't give each other room to maneuver around one another.

Sten Carlson

December 7th, 2019 at 12:05 PM ^

The real question, the one that nobody can answer and Meyer neglects to discuss, is what would have happened if they DID NOT collide and leave the crosser blindingly open?  It might have been a great play in the Fields would have had to hesitate and drop is eyes allowing the rush to get to him.  Now it’s 3rd and forever and you can sit back.  

So many “almost” plays from this team.  Almost a sack, almost an INT, almost stopped short.  Michigan needs more ballers who turn those almost plays into made plays.  Scheme and coaching get you into a position to make a play, but it’s on the PLAYERS to then close the loop and execute.  Hudson is a very experienced player, he needs to know his level and adjust or tell the other player to adjust.  All game long I kept shouting at the TV, “someone MAKE A FUCKING PLAY!”  In the past it was Woodson, Desmond, Denard, Tim Biakabatuka, someone making a play when it was needed.  Too often that one play has gone begging of late.  

caup

December 7th, 2019 at 12:35 PM ^

I agree with this.  Hudson colliding with Thomas and ruining an otherwise good defensive call is NOT Don Brown's fucking fault.

I'm sure Hudson is sick to his stomach about his bad day.  He's had so many GREAT days, it's just a shame this was a bad day.  I think he wanted to make plays SO MUCH that he kinda lost his composure.

Bo Harbaugh

December 7th, 2019 at 2:48 PM ^

If and buts is all we've had for 20 years.  Coaching, refs, one play here, one play there.  The "make a play" analysis you cite is what it feels like when watching the games as we shoot ourselves in the foot and drop key passes and everything seems to break OSU's way.  

The problem is, it's no longer about making a play, it's about stringing together all the plays and playing near perfect football.  The margin of error is so much smaller now because of the football factory they are running. 

Everyone cites the talent gap from recruiting, but I think that only gives them 20% of their edge.  I believe the biggest difference is "time on task." They don't play school, and they don't even pretend to. Add up all the hours of development that their players get, all the extra reps, all the extra film sessions across the entire program while our players are walking to and sitting in class on campus. 

Complain all you want about player development, but it's much easier if your players are getting 30% more time in the football facilities...add that up across 3 or 4 years in the program, plus the slight talent edge they have coming in as freshmen, and you see the results of why seemingly can't make the big play when it matters.

 

Sten Carlson

December 7th, 2019 at 11:45 AM ^

How does Oscar Meyer’s wiener taste, 93?  

Oh yeah, FUCK Urban Meyer.  I wish Woodson would just look over and knock is ass out while they’re sitting there on that set.  It’s amazing how everyone just ignores the reason why he’s there and not on the sidelines anymore.  Yes his comments are educated, but he’s a fucking scum bag that should be shunned not lauded and listened to.  “Yeah yeah, sure thing ... now let’s hear from someone who DID NOT knowingly harbour and protect a fucking WIFE BEATER/sexual predator!”