Here is what I would do as an offensive game plan...

[Reality Man]

and I believe you will see this on Saturday. Lot's of multiple backfield formations, lots of multiple TE sets and UM will try and use it's depth which is substantial at the TE and rb position to play field position with a good punter...and rely on the defense.

Use Rudock and his ability to scramble and take shots down the field when around the 50 yard line since I believe MSU will be concentrated in the box.

I don't think UM has the passing game to exploit the MSU secondary but they have a lot of guys who they can rotate in and out of the lineup. I am talking about Hill and Poggi and Kerridge and Houma. Just think of all the guys at TE who are capable especially as blockers.

If I was the coach (I am not...thank goodness)...I would try and make this a smash mouth physical game. A rock em sock em affair because I think MSU is better at the athleticism part on the DL and getting a constant barrage of guys rotating in and out is to the UM advantage.

Lots of play action fakes. Also...beware of the Dantonio fake fg/punt. It's a coming.

My .02 cts.



Reality Man

 

[ArrowheadBlue]

I think we find out about the O this weekend and it's been suppressed for several weeks already. If you review the NW game, the offense was wide open in the 1st quarter, then gradually scaled back as the game got out of hand. Ditto BYU. But watching again, you see multiple sets and all sorts of ballhandling magic going on in simple sets (last week's end run in the 4th qt. for example) to give prospective opponents another wrinkle to look at. Speilman predicts the hardest hitting game he'll cover all season and if that's the case UM should win.

 

[Reality Man]

From the Ozone...great paragraph.


Honestly, this team has more tight ends and fullbacks than an AFL reunion. I imagine half the team hanging out at a Kansas City VFW smoking cigarettes and drinking Busch while playing poker and listening to Conway Twitty on the jukebox. They're everywhere, and they're all effective in their own way. Michigan has essentially gone back to the future with these tight ends and fullbacks.

 

[detroitjohn]

From the Ozone...great paragraph.


Honestly, this team has more tight ends and fullbacks than an AFL reunion. I imagine half the team hanging out at a Kansas City VFW smoking cigarettes and drinking Busch while playing poker and listening to Conway Twitty on the jukebox. They're everywhere, and they're all effective in their own way. Michigan has essentially gone back to the future with these tight ends and fullbacks.

That is just great, HA!

 

[Reality Man]

This is the one clear advantage for UM on offense...the number of TE's and fullbacks that Harbaugh could in theory use to try and wear down the MSU defense.

When you are 3 deep at those positions then I expect UM to have 2 TE sets and full house backfields about 10-15 times during the game combined.

The thing about these guys is that there are big. Not fast or necessarily quick but just bruisers...so play to those strengths. I don't care who you are as a defense...but having to block and tackle these guys is going to take a lot of energy and effort.

 

[detroitjohn]

This is the one clear advantage for UM on offense...the number of TE's and fullbacks that Harbaugh could in theory use to try and wear down the MSU defense.

When you are 3 deep at those positions then I expect UM to have 2 TE sets and full house backfields about 10-15 times during the game combined.

The thing about these guys is that there are big. Not fast or necessarily quick but just bruisers...so play to those strengths. I don't care who you are as a defense...but having to block and tackle these guys is going to take a lot of energy and effort.

I cannot even keep track of the TEs, I was trying to remember Khalid Hill's name yesterday, realizing that he, Williams, and Bunting are interchangeable in my mental depth chart. Why any top-notch TE prospect would not rocket UM to the top of their school list is beyond me.

 

[Reality Man]

Clearly Harbaugh loves himself some TE's. Mathis is probably coming to UM.

But you are right.