Overall:First, these past two games may have been the worst back-to-back offensive performances I have seen in 20 years of watching Michigan football. I could be more negative about them then I have been, but let’s take a look at some positives.
Michigan had a better game plan both offensively and defensively. Miami’s offense was not close to Utah’s which made evaluating any defensive improvement against the Redhawks difficult. Surprisingly, Miami’s defense appeared to be as good as Utah’s, especially Miami’s linebackers, who can flat out play.
Defenses are starting to catch up to the spread offense. Spread offense teams that will battle for national championships in the future (maybe near future) will be those who use portions of the spread and mix in a mature passing game that utilizes the entire field. I don’t see the spread offense having Michigan competing at the Ohio State level unless a varied passing attack becomes part of it. We do not have it now, though Coach Rod has some freshmen and some recruits coming in who can help. I feel that Rodriguez will have to tweak his version of the spread to reach the national championship level at Michigan.
It’s hard to say how much Michigan will progress, but progress is a must as there are several stiff tests coming up—beginning with Notre Dame this week.
Playbooks, Schemes, and the NFL:
I am old school. Doing five things well is better than doing ten things okay. Some of the most successful playbooks are the simplest playbooks. Football is about talent and execution. Schemes, I believe, are more for college recruiters to impress young players and their families with. But schemes won’t work without talent, and the winning programs get the best talent. The talent makes the scheme work, and the wins determine how well a coaching staff does. Rodriguez and his staff will be judged by wins. Carroll and Tressel get kids to the NFL, but that is because their success attracts talent before it gets to the NFL. The track record of NFL draftees helps, but the winning helps attract talent more. If Rodriguez can show that he can win at Michigan, and beat the Ohio States and the USC’s, the recruits will line up to wear the Winged Helmet.
Special teams:
Their play was a huge disappointment against Miami one week after a good showing against Utah. Michigan cannot lose the special teams battle while the offense is struggling, especially against good teams. KC Lopata missed and extra point and a field goal. The return team is not generating any meaningful yardage, and a penalty wiped out a good punt return by Boubacar Cissoko, who was one of the few special teams bright spots against Miami. They continue to cover their own punts and kickoffs well, though. But we cannot continue to lose ten yards of field position per punt. Zoltan hits a punt for 40, the other guy nails one for 50, and we don’t return it.
part 2 of the rundown will cover the offense at noon today
written by CoachBt, MaizeMan and ErocWolverine
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