Mailbag Question:

Hey,

I am not totally up to speed yet identifying when the spread is being used and when the team lines up in a non-spread formation. It appeared to me that the first half we lined up in the spread most if not all of the time, but in the second half we mixed up formations to include more standard approaches (e.g. I, Pro, etc.). We seem to be more effective using a non-pure spread approach to the Offense. I would appreciate your thoughts.

Bob

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Thanks for the question.

Michigan has used a more traditional formation/standard pro set at times this entire year. It has had mixed success. It definitely had a positive effect at times on Saturday.

What happens is teams spend so much time preparing for the Quarterback read option that when you show an opposing defense a different look and package they have not spent as much time preparing for it surprises them and has a good chance of working

The defenses UM faces are also are using, and have different personal groupings to work against, the spread than they would use against a pure pro style offense. It has always been our opinion that making opponents defend and prepare for a few different looks and packages is a positive thing.

And while we doubt that Coach Rod will use a ton of the pro style offense, we like the fact that he is mixing things up.

written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine