SPONSOR NOTE. I mean the unfortunate thing is that president of US soccer isn't even a paid position right now so a guy like Matt, who is very organized and on top of everything and is clearly a talented manager and would probably listen to me when I told him that he shouldn't hire a muppet to be the coach, couldn't swing it and his current day job at the same time. Because he's got to get you those mortgage quotes lickety-split, you see, and if he's trying to determine who's a soccer muppet and who is a human you will not get them with the speed he is accustomed to.
HomeSure Lending: simple mortgage guidance in the comfort of your own home. Where nobody can see you watching clips of the Landon Donovan goal with big ol' wet tears falling out of your face.
FORMATION NOTES. It was a manball outing, with 31 one-or-zero WR snaps. There were 23 two-WR snaps and 15 three-WR snaps, many of those on obvious passing downs. When not forced into WRs Michigan had an extreme preference for tight ends and fullbacks.
IU kept their safeties increasingly close to the LOS as the day progressed for obvious reasons. They did one weird thing with this gap in the line:
Their front was multiple, as they like to say, bouncing between even, under, over, and even some 3-4 stuff. They also had a few plays with a five-man line when they were trying to slow down Michigan's heavy sets. Here's Indiana in an under front with the FLAG OF DOOM waving:
SUBSTITUTION NOTES. Thin rotation. O'Korn went the whole way at QB. OL was the new usual with Bushell-Beatty playing the whole way at RT. Hill and Poggi split FB snaps; no Mason. TE was mostly Gentry and McKeon, with a healthy number of Wheatley and Bunting snaps. Eubanks didn't play.
RB was mostly Higdon with Evans and Isaac making cameos; Walker got two snaps and one carry. WR was DPJ, Crawford, Perry, and some Ways. DPJ seemed to get more snaps this week.
[After THE JUMP: a unicorn!]
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M29 | 1 | 10 | Offset I | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 even SAM | 7 | Pass | Hitch | Gentry | 9 | |||||||
| Gentry at outside WR and runs a pretty crisp hitch, getting the CB to turn his hips and then stopping. O’Korn hits him with good timing. (CA, 3, protection 2/2, Gentry route +) | |||||||||||||||||||
| M38 | 2 | 1 | I-Form Big | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 even SAM | 8.5 | Run | Power O | Higdon | 2 | |||||||
| McKeon(+0.5) is set to block down on a DE but when he slants inside he passes him off and gets a kickout. Cole(+1) picks up that guy and folds him inside. Gap outside. Onwenu(+0.5) pulls around tight and hits one LB; Poggi(-2) misses the second and Higdon gets met at the LOS. He falls forward. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M40 | 1 | 10 | I-Form Big | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 even SAM | 7.5 | Pass | PA Post | DPJ | Inc | |||||||
| This is a walk-in TD if it’s accurate and a probable chunk play if it’s reasonably short; instead it’s long; DPJ tracks this as well as you can and can’t even get a fingertip on it. (IN, 0, protection 2/2, RPS +2, DPJ vs run focused S) | |||||||||||||||||||
| M40 | 2 | 10 | Shotgun 3-wide | 2 | 1 | 2 | Nickel even | 6 | Run | Pin and pull | Evans | 4 | |||||||
| IU runs a double A twist blitz to the backside; Bredeson(-1) gets beat by the NT’s sudden shift outside and that guy can run to the ball. Kugler(+1) IDs that guy and cuts him off and it looks like Evans can hit a gap for a second but that’s dodgy maybe. Evans(+1) is boxed in for a TFL when he reverses field and manages to get a few. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M44 | 3 | 6 | Shotgun trips | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3-3 stack | 6 | Pass | Slant | Gentry | 6 | |||||||
| Cole(-1) and Bredeson(-1) unprepared for a twist and DE gets through up the gut. O’Korn stands in and fires a slick slant just in front of a defender to Gentry. Both Gentry and Perry were open here. (CA+, 3, protection 0/2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 50 | 1 | 10 | I-Form Big | 2 | 2 | 1 | Base 3-4 | 8.5 | Run | Split zone | Isaac | 8 | |||||||
| IU covers both guards and slants away from this. Kugler(-1) doesn't read the slant away and never gets off the NT; LB shoots the gap behind. Isaac(+2) runs through this tackle and cuts behind, where Poggi(+0.5) got a good kick; Cole(+1) picked up a guy Wheatley(-1) missed on, and Bredeson(+2) gets his guy two yards downfield and sealed. Isaac picks through the second level, bashing a DB to the ground and pickup up a couple YAC. | |||||||||||||||||||
| O43 | 2 | 3 | Ace 4-wide tight | 1 | 3 | 1 | Base 3-4? | 6 | Pass | TE out | Wheatley | 4 | |||||||
| IU trying to check on the snap as M’s formation surprises them. Easy flat read with a LB still getting into position on Wheatley. (CA, 3, protection 1/1, RPS +1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| O39 | 1 | 10 | I-Form Big twin TE | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 even | 8 | Run | Lead zone | Walker | 9 | |||||||
| Another double A blitz with one of the LBs at the LOS. Second guy comes free and this looks bad for a moment; Onwenu(-1) driven into the backfield and Kugler stuck on a linebacker. Walker(+2) cuts away from the blitzer and high steps out of his tackle attempt. JBB(+1) is kicking a guy on the edge and maintains that block a long time. Hill(+1) made himself useful by hitting the guy who Onwenu was having trouble with. Hill has no chance at redirecting to the LB so it’s gotta be Bredeson(-1) who needs to get over here, but this guy was through the line so fast that I can’t really blame him too much. RPS -1. Walker is shorted a full two yards on this. By the time he steps out he’s got the first down by a yard. Refs -1. | |||||||||||||||||||
| O30 | 2 | 1 | I-Form Big | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 even SAM | 7 | Run | Power O | Higdon | 10 | |||||||
| JBB(+1) and Onwenu(+1) blow out their DT. Kugler(+1) turns his guy upfield, Big gap. Poggi(+0.5) and Bredeson(+1) get kickouts and Higdon(+1) is able to cut behind the big double team for a chunk run. | |||||||||||||||||||
| O20 | 1 | 10 | Offset I Big | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 even SAM | 8 | Pass | Tunnel screen | DPJ | 2 | |||||||
| This looks like a bad throw but it’s either this or getting the ball batted down. It does delay DPJ as he has to leap for it. Wheatley(+0.5) comes out a bit too downfield but does recover to shove the DB past; DB barely trips up DPJ. Bredeson(-2) ran by the playside LB who bit on play action, to go to the safety… and just as he’s getting to the S he looks back at the LB, thinks ohcrap, feints back to that guy, and decides he’s gone. He is gone, but at least he blocked the S. (not charted, 3, screen). DPJ has to feint inside the LB and gets tackled by DL pursuit. | |||||||||||||||||||
| O18 | 2 | 8 | I-Form | 2 | 1 | 2 | Base 3-4 | 8 | Run | Power O | Evans | -4 | |||||||
| Bit frustrating here as IU puts a safety at the LOS and rather implies a slant away from the power. They slant away from it and M gets beat. Gentry(-1) gets beat; JBB(-1) gets beat. Bredeson is pulling and gets cut off by JBB’s guy. I kind of think he should be able to get around this but that’s a good play; this is tough. Bredeson gets spun around by the guy he hits and Evans runs into him. He’s doomed. Evans(-1) makes a bad situation worse by giving up three yards on a fruitless bounce. | |||||||||||||||||||
| O22 | 3 | 12 | Shotgun 3-wide | 1 | 1 | 3 | Nickel under | 6 | Pass | Corner | Perry | Inc | |||||||
| This is open-ish but there’s a zone corner under it so throwing it high is understandable. Good timing, but the ball is too high for Perry… sort of. The ball goes through his hands at a height where it’s tough to tell how much of an opportunity he had to catch it. Tough, but makeable. If this is at Gentry no problem. (MA, 2, protection 2/2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: FG(40), 3-0, 6 min 1st Q. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
| O27 | 1 | 10 | Offset I | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4-3 under | 7 | Pass | Throwaway | N/A | Inc | |||||||
| Pocket is mostly okay; Onwenu does get driven back some but O’Korn just has to reposition a little if he wants to keep surveying after a first read. First read not there, he bugs out of pocket and throws it away. (TA, 0, protection 2/2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| O27 | 2 | 10 | Ace 3-wide | 2 | 1 | 2 | Base 3-4 | 7 | Run | Crack sweep | Higdon | 8 (Pen -10) | |||||||
| Telegraphed crack sweep with Hill motioning out to a wing TE spot. M pulls Cole and lets Bredeson try to deal with the playside end, which is odd. There’s no actual crack here. Playside LB widens out and doesn’t want to get sealed; DPJ(-2) gives him the world’s most obvious bear-hug hold. Playside is flowing hard; Higdon(+2) cuts behind two guys and runs through a tackle to create eight yards out of nothing. RPS -2. | |||||||||||||||||||
| O37 | 2 | 20 | Shotgun trips bunch TE | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4-3 even | 6.5 | Penalty | False start | JBB | -5 | |||||||
| JBB -1. | |||||||||||||||||||
| O42 | 2 | 25 | Shotgun trips bunch TE | 1 | 1 | 3 | Nickel over | 5.5 | Run | Pin and pull | Higdon | 6 | |||||||
| Some disrespect to the passing game here as there’s a safety at 9 yards moving forward on the snap here. Cole(+1) and Gentry(+1) turn in DL; Bredeson(+1) kicks out a force guy; Kugler(+1) cuts a linebacker, and S is able to close this down at five yards. RPS -1. | |||||||||||||||||||
| O36 | 3 | 19 | Shotgun trips bunch TE | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3-3 stack | 6.5 | Run | Inside zone | Higdon | 16 | |||||||
| IU shows blitz with LBs lined up over the Gs and then tries to pass blitz. M runs right at it. Onwenu(+2) clubs a LB at the LOS five yards downfield; Kugler(+1) cuts off a guy trying to stunt. JBB(-1) gets beat inside badly, gets away with a hold (refs +2), and lets go quickly enough to avoid a call and get a -2. Higdon is through the line and gets to the safety and gets cut down just before the first down. Had a little room to put a move on there. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: FG(38), 6-0, 14 min 2nd Q. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
| M20 | 1 | 10 | Ace | 1 | 2 | 2 | Base 3-4 | 7 | Run | Inside zone | Isaac | 13 | |||||||
| Isaac(+1) threatens frontside and then cuts back. JBB(+1) got an upfield kick of a DL slanting outside; Bunting(+1) got an extended block on an OLB that prevents anything but a diving ankle tackle near the sticks. Onwenu(+1) and Kugler(+1) shove a DT off the line to provide the gap, and the cutback ruins the LB level. Cole(+1) and Bredeson(+1) also hammer the other DT, perhaps making the LBs panic and rush frontside. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M33 | 1 | 10 | ??? | 1 | 2 | 2 | ??? | ? | Run | ? | Isaac | 3 | |||||||
| TV misses this play so we can see IU’s QB put on a knee brace. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M36 | 2 | 7 | I-Form Big twin TE | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 under | 7.5 | Pass | Throwaway | N/A | Inc | |||||||
| PA. A two man route with Ways on some sort of hitch or comeback. And McKeon releasing on the other side. Playside S is at 8 yards, clearly creeping to the LOS presnap, and indeed bites on PA, but the route's not deep. O’Korn doesn’t think Ways is open. He doesn’t look at McKeon; he scrambles up in the pocket and throws it away. (TA, N/A, protection 2/2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| M36 | 3 | 7 | Shotgun 3-wide | 1 | 1 | 3 | Nickel even | 6 | Pass | Improv | DPJ | 17 | |||||||
| Initial four man rush becomes six as two guys come late. M slides the protection; JBB(-1) does not read the blitzes and come off, instead shuffling into oblivion. McKeon(-1) loses his guy to the inside; Higdon has to come up and hit him; two guys through. O’Korn avoids them, breaking a tackle and floating in a delicate, beautiful ball to DPJ. Okay then. (DO+, 2, protection 0/2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| O47 | 1 | 10 | Ace twin TE | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4-3 under | 8 | Pass | Scramble | O’Korn | 4 + 15 pen | |||||||
| We never get a replay of this but it really really looks like DPJ is running a post against a CB he wins inside against with zero safety help. Both guys are at 8 yards and both guys bite up on PA. I have no idea why he would not throw this. He has all day, never throws, scrambles for a few yards, gets hit by Scales as he slides. Targeting overturned, late hit stands. (TA, N/A, protection 2/2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| O28 | 1 | 10 | Ace | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4-3 over gap | 7 | Run | Inside zone | Higdon | 16 | |||||||
| Bizarre formation that has nobody between a NT and a DE lined up outside of a TE. This creates a huge bubble that IU invites you to attack. Michigan gets the implications of this. Bredeson(+1) finds the NT slanting across his face and shoves him upfield. Kugler(+1) releases direct to second level and gets a block on the MLB. Onwenu(+1) has a hard charging guy that he puts on the ground. Higdon(+1) does an excellent job to take an efficient path through the first level and shallow-cut away from the crashing S to run through his tackle. JBB(+1) also clubbed a guy. RPS +2. | |||||||||||||||||||
| O12 | 1 | 10 | I-Form Big twin TE | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 even SAM | 7 | Run | Iso | Higdon | 12 | |||||||
| Iso weak isn’t going to be much as the playside LB comes up and hits Poggi(+1) about at the LOS, but Cole(+2) mashes his dude off the LOS and Higdon(+2) sees and takes the bounce. Crawford(+1) cracks down and takes out the S; CB does not replace. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: Touchdown, 13-0, 10 min 2nd Q. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
| M27 | 1 | 10 | Ace 3-wide | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4-3 under | 8 | Pass | PA waggle flat | McKeon | 2 | |||||||
| Same action as last week’s successful crack sweeps featuring Wheatley, but M waggles out of it. O’Korn gets pressure, flat is the only thing open, immediate tackle. (CA, 3, protection N/A, RPS -1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| M29 | 2 | 8 | Ace | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4-3 even | 7 | Run | Inside zone | Higdon | 1 | |||||||
| Whole line gets blown by on a slant/CB blitz combo. Kugler(-1) beaten across his face instantly and that guy is in Higdon’s cookies in the backfield. Bredeson(-1) didn’t check to see if he should help. Onwenu(-1) didn’t check to see if he should help JBB(-1), who has the same problem. Bredeson and Onwenu then fail to get second level blocks. This is ugly; RPS -1, as the CB blitz was effective. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M30 | 3 | 7 | I-Form | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4-3 under | 8 | Pass | Fade | McDoom | INT (Pen +15) | |||||||
| Two man route, both fades, O’Korn throws at McDoom covered by Fant. WTF. McDoom gets dominated on the route and the ball is both too short and too far inside; intercepted. Michigan gets bailed out by a horrendous PI call(refs +5) that should send whoever threw that flag back to pee-wee. M pays for it later, though. (IN, 0, protection 1/1, McDoom route -) | |||||||||||||||||||
| M45 | 1 | 10 | Ace trips tight bunch | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4-3 over SAM | 6 | Run | End around | McDoom | 12 -15 pen | |||||||
| Here is how you McDoom. End around. M has McKeon(+1) flow backside and arc block a DE looking for split zone; he gets the job done. Backside LB does not bite on the Evans action and flows out hard. Cole(+0.5) manages to engage him but mostly chases to the back and then the guy trips. Own volition? Tangled feet? Shove? Dunno. McDoom(+1) manages to get around him and then cuts inside another tackler for an extra 3-4 yards. Crawford(-3) gets a dumb PF after the play. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M42 | 1 | 10 | Ace trips tight bunch | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4-3 even | 6.5 | Run | Counter trey | Evans | -5 | |||||||
| Unless Michigan changed what they’re doing here this looks like O’Korn almost pitching the ball on a crack sweep and then remembering the play, which throws off Evans and then they run into each other. Previous counters just run the counter without any QB fake action. This is… not that. So O’Korn(-3) is the issue here, and that’s unfortunate since M blocked their way through the first level at least with Cole(+1) and Bredeson(+1) hammering a DL with Bredeson getting a second level block; Onwenu(+0.5) gets a good kick and Kugler(+1) seals out the NT. M is going to get at least 6 and maybe a chunk without this. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M37 | 2 | 15 | Ace | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4-3 even | 7 | Run | Inside zone | Isaac | 0 | |||||||
| Double A twist blitz. Cole(+1) sees it and picks up a guy headed outside. Bredeson(-1) and Kugler(-1) both mis-ID their guy, so the first twist guy splits both of them and the second guy is free. I got mad at Isaac about this live and that was unfair, dude is snowed under super quick. Onwenu(+1) did handle his slanter with aplomb. RPS –2. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M37 | 3 | 15 | Shotgun trips TE | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5-0 over | 7 | Pass | Flash screen | DPJ | 13 | |||||||
| Decent blocks by Perry(+0.5) and Gentry(+0.5) but mostly a give up and punt from M that IU accommodates. (CA, 3, screen). | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: Punt, 13-0, 5 min 2nd Q. Next drive starts with 1:46 on clock and M is just going for the locker room. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
| M25 | 1 | 10 | I-Form Big H | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 even | 7.5 | Run | Power O | Higdon | 4 | |||||||
| Bit of a goof here on the second level. Cole(+1) and Bredeson(+1) hammer their guy. Cole keeps hammering him; Bredeson pops off on the backside LB. This means MLB is coming around that block. Onwenu(-1) gets to him. Onwenu leans into the block and gets put on the inside of it, LB into Higdon’s flight path. Poggi responds, hitting that LB; that allows a safety to come up and hit after modest gain. Wheatley(+1) pounded a guy on a kickout. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M29 | 2 | 6 | I-Form Big H | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 even SAM | 7 | Run | Power O | Higdon | 3 | |||||||
| Run weak; Bunting(+1) does a good job to ID a DL slanting inside and seal him in, allowing two guys to the outside. Poggi(+1) hits the LB showing from the inside; Onwenu(-2) runs past a safety who is coming down as the force player, and that guy tackles. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: EOH, 13-3. M takes a delay on third down and everyone just decides to go to halftime. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
| M25 | 1 | 10 | I-Form Big twin TE | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 even SAM | 7 | Run | Lead zone | Higdon | -1 | |||||||
| Dorf. JBB(-2) leaves a guy shaded right outside of him and Gentry has zero shot at getting to him. He’s running down the line. On the frontside Bredeson(-2) gets more or less run directly through. For a moment he’s kicked the DT out but that guy just shoves him back and runs upfield, so there’s no gap. Those two guys converge to tackle. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M24 | 2 | 11 | Shotgun 3-wide | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4-3 under | 6.5 | Pass | Hitch | Crawford | 5 | |||||||
| A standard pitch and catch for a decent gain. (CA, 3, protection 1/1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| M29 | 3 | 6 | Shotgun 4-wide tight | 1 | 1 | 3 | Nickel even | 7 | Pass | Flare | Higdon | Inc | |||||||
| Higdon motions out presnap and no one really goes with him. O’Korn decides to go to him since a guy comes off the corner and Michigan is… pulling Gentry across the formation to pick him up? What? I guess this is an ok decision since Higdon might break a tackle, but the ball is yards over his head. (IN, 0, protection 0/2, team -2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: Punt, 13-3, 13 min 3rd Q. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
| M25 | 1 | 10 | Ace twin TE | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3-4 weak | 7 | Run | Split zone | Higdon | 3 | |||||||
| Onwenu(-2) leaves, DL slants inside of JBB, who has no chance. Gentry(+1) is coming backside to pick off the EMLOS guy but changes his mind when he sees the brewing disaster of that block and picks that DE off. That gives Higdon a lane through the line. Unblocked LB is now a problem; he tackles. Higdon scrapes out a few yards. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M28 | 2 | 7 | Goal line | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4-3 even SAM | 8.5 | Run | Crack sweep | Higdon | 10 | |||||||
| M manages to catch IU off guard for a crack. Gentry(+2) clobbers the playside end. McKeon(+1) passes off one LB and then gets in the way of a second; Poggi(+1) cuts the guy McKeon passed on. Cole(+0.5) kicks the edge guy. Kugler(+0.5) gets around and never really hits anyone but does provide a snow-plow-type service to Higdon(+1) who makes the right cut and burrows behind Kugler for a first down. RPS +1. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M38 | 1 | 10 | Shotgun trips TE | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4-3 even | 7 | Run | Pin and pull | Isaac | 6 | |||||||
| Bunting(+2) controls, drives, and seals the playside end. Cole(+1) gets a seal on a DT who’s not really going full bore. Bredeson(+1) gets a kick; Kugler(-1) gets out and annoys one LB but mostly misses; IU had an extra guy to this side of the field so those guys combine to tackle. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M44 | 2 | 4 | Ace trips tight bunch | 1 | 2 | 2 | Nickel even | 6 | Run | Inside zone | Isaac | 7 | |||||||
| Playside end kicks himself in anticipation of the sweep; also there’s a couple guys way to the field here and not really relevant. Onwenu(+1) doesn’t move his guy but does put him to one side and doesn’t give ground; Bredeson(+1) effectively turns out his guy. JBB(+1) and Kugler(+1) get second level blocks; Isaac(+1) makes a good cut to get through the first level and then almost runs through an aggressive S tackle, but goes down, hogtied by the ankles. Gentry(-1) missed on the other S and that helps hold the gain down. | |||||||||||||||||||
| O49 | 1 | 10 | I-Form Big twin TE | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5-3 over | 8 | Pass | PA Post | Crawford | Inc | |||||||
| IU adds a DL and has everyone within eight yards of the LOS; PA. Michigan gets Gentry wide, wide open for a touchdown if he can catch and run; O’Korn throws at a double covered Crawford. You could definitely get Fant for PI here, as he grabs Crawford’s arm, preventing him from making any attempt on the ball. At least as bad as the Hill PI. Refs -2. (BRX, 0, protection 2/2, RPS +2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| O49 | 2 | 10 | Shotgun twins 2TE | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4-3 over gap | 7 | Run | Pin and pull | Higdon | 4 | |||||||
| This is a disappointing read. IU leaves their huge gap again and M buys it. Cole(-1) pulls and Bredeson(-2) tries to seal an NT inside who’s screaming out to fill the gap he should probably already be in. Bredeson has a tough job but he gets knocked over. Not great. Higdon(+2) gets strung out and faces an avalanche of bodies but manages to turn a one yard TFL into a positive. RPS -1. Bunting(-1) lost his guy and forced Cole to block him as well. | |||||||||||||||||||
| O45 | 3 | 6 | Shotgun empty | 1 | 1 | 3 | Nickel over | 6 | Pass | TE drag | McKeon | Inc | |||||||
| JBB(-1) lets a speed rush get around at nine or so yards. He can push his guy past O’Korn; O’Korn resets in the pocket and then throws a drag to McKeon. This is mesh and man coverage and not a bad read but DPJ (route -) didn’t even slightly bother the S on McKeon and he’s there to tackle. McKeon drops it anyway. (CA, 3, protection ½) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: Punt, 13-0, 8 min 3rd Q. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
| M35 | 1 | 10 | Shotgun trips bunch | 1 | 2 | 2 | Nickel over | 6 | Pass | Flash screen | Crawford | -2 | |||||||
| Gentry(-2) does not come out nearly flat enough to assure a kickout of the CB, and he blows Crawford up. (CA, 3, screen) | |||||||||||||||||||
| M33 | 2 | 12 | Shotgun trips bunch TE | 1 | 1 | 3 | Nickel even | 5.5 | Run | Zone read keep | O’Korn | 4 | |||||||
| Good pull decision with the crash, but unfortunately Gentry locks out his guy in a textbook fashion if this was handoff. That guy can close down the space; O’Korn cuts behind him and the DE recovers to tackle from behind. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M37 | 3 | 8 | Shotgun 3-wide | 1 | 1 | 3 | Nickel even | 6 | Pass | Screen | Higdon | Inc | |||||||
| M has trouble getting out here; O’Korn has to roll away from some pressure but does get the pass off. I can’t tell if this is way behind Higdon or just sort of behind him and catchable. (MA, 2, screen) Had to dodge one safety and this might have been a first down. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: Punt, 13-10, 6 min 3rd Q. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
| M45 | 1 | 10 | Offset I Big H | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 under | 7.5 | Run | Power O | Higdon | 2 | |||||||
| Another telegraphed slant here. McKeon(-1) gets slanted under and his guy makes it to the backfield. I want Onwenu to get around this guy and to the outside at any cost but he goes up the middle, which is not ideal. Higdon follows him and gets little. Bredeson(-1) got shed and his guy hits from the side; Cole(+1) did bury his man. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M47 | 2 | 8 | I-Form Big twin TE | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 even SAM | 7.5 | Run | Crack sweep | Higdon | 0 | |||||||
| Given the pulls I assume McKeon(-2) busts here. He’s got to crack down on the playside DE. Instead he goes to the LB, who won’t get sealed, and falls off. Cole(+2) just about rescues this by aborting his pull and reaching the DE. This still creates an awkward path. Kugler(-2) mis-IDs and never looks back inside for a guy to block; everyone on the edge has a blocker. Playside S runs by unfettered. Higdon cuts back into McKeon’s guy and the S. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M47 | 3 | 8 | Shotgun twins twin TE | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4-3 even | 7 | Penalty | Delay | N/A | -5 | |||||||
| The argh shovel pass. Evans motions out, fake screen to him, shovel back inside, this goes right to the S. O’Korn(-1) never shows any urgency to get the play off. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M42 | 3 | 13 | Offset I | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4-3 even | 7.5 | Pass | PA TE deep out | Gentry | Inc | |||||||
| Three man route on third and thirteen. O’Korn throws it at Gentry; nearly intercepted. Replay shows S going with Gentry as O’Korn stares him down and he’s got a one on one shot on a bomb he does not take. Also potential interference on the DB. (BRX, 0, protection 2/2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: Punt, 13-10, 2 min 3rd Q. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
| M28 | 1 | 10 | Ace trips tight bunch | 1 | 2 | 2 | Nickel even | 6 | Run | Inside zone | Evans | 2 | |||||||
| Mostly well blocked but Perry(-2) runs right by the force guy and instead of an easy kickout M gets that guy tackling at two yards. Bunting(+1) gets inside and kicks out an end firing upfield. Cole(+1) and Bredeson(+1) blow a DT off the ball. He comes through after Cole leaves but if the force guy is kicked out he’s probably gone and Evans gets to the safety for a productive run. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M30 | 2 | 8 | I-Form Big | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-4 even SAM | 8.5 | Run | Power O | Evans | 4 | |||||||
| Poggi(+2) does a great job to find and thunk a DE who is crashing inside, preserving a lane. Onwenu(+1) moves a slanting DT out of the hole. Bredeson(+1) pulls and JBB releases(+0.5) to find second level blocks. Evans(-1) doesn’t downshift through the hole and runs into his own guy, throwing him off balance and making him easy prey for the S coming down. RPS -1; S is hitting at like three yards here. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M34 | 3 | 4 | Shotgun empty | 1 | 1 | 3 | Nickel under | 6 | Pass | In | Perry | Inc | |||||||
| God, I hate this director. It’s third and four with an empty set buddy, maybe show us the sticks. Instead we get a super blurry pan and no replay. This looks like O’Korn throwing directly into zone coverage and another near-INT. (BRX, 0, protection 2/2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: Punt, 13-10, 14 min 4th Q. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
| M16 | 1 | 10 | I-Form Big | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 even | 7 | Run | Inside zone | Higdon | 8 | |||||||
| Bunting motions like he’s going to crack and M runs away from it. Onwenu(+3) obliterates one DT. He gone. Huge gap. That makes up for Bredeson(-0.5) getting only a piece of his guy and getting beaten to the interior. He almost closes it down, and would have but for the ass kicking Onwenu just handed out. Kugler(+1) gets a downfield block; Higdon(+0.5) gets a solid chunk of YAC. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M24 | 2 | 2 | I-Form Big | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 even SAM | 7 | Run | Split flow counter | Higdon | 5 | |||||||
| Counter version where FB feints to one side and then redirects. This wipes the LB level. JBB(+2) and Onwenu(+1) blow up the playside DE. Bredeson(+1) gets a good kick. Playside LB bites hard and then falls down as he tries to redirect, which I think convinces Hill(-1) that he’s not a threat and he can go to the S. Guy gets back up and manages to tackle. Rats. RPS +1. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M29 | 1 | 10 | I-Form Big twin TE | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5-3 under | 8.5 | Run | Iso | Higdon | 2 | |||||||
| Kugler and Onwenu are trying to combo through the NT with Kugler(+1) getting out to the LB, which they sort of kind of do. Poggi(-2) mis IDs, hitting the same guy Kugler is getting to and letting the playside LB through free. Bredeson(+1) escorted an aggressive DE out of the picture so there was a fair amount of space here and this was probably 5ish if Poggi gets a hit. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M31 | 2 | 8 | I-Form Big | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5-3 under | 8.5 | Run | Split flow counter | Evans | 10 | |||||||
| Again LB level bites hard on the FB action. JBB(+1) and Onwenu(+1) wipe the playside DE with Onwenu getting to a LB. Wheatley(+1) chips a DE and gets to another LB. Bredeson(+0.5) cleans up that DE. Poggi(+1) hits the last LB and Evans is to the S. RPS +2. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M41 | 1 | 10 | I-Form Big | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 even SAM | 7 | Run | Split flow counter | Higdon | 59 | |||||||
| IU TO sees them change approach and it's a disaster. DT inside further so Onwenu(+1) seals him as JBB(+1) goes immediately to MLB and seals him. Poggi(+1) kicks the other LB, who is trying to funnel to help. Bredeson(+1) gets another kick. M has split the two LBs. One of the safeties charges at the LOS at the counter action. The second guy takes a false step and Higdon(+2) is gone with surprisingly excellent long speed. He’s pulling away from these guys easily. RPS +3. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: Touchdown, 20-10, 10 min 4th Q. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
| M26 | 1 | 10 | I-Form Big | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-4 even SAM | 8 | Run | Duo | Higdon | 1 | |||||||
| Hill flares out to take a kickout guy to the run strength and M zones inside; double with Bredeson(-0.5) and Kugler(-0.5) doesn’t go anywhere and then that guy falls, creating an ugly pile. Hill(-1) caught off guard when his guy does not go for force and dives inside; Higdon tries to cut out and Hill guy whacks him. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M27 | 2 | 9 | Offset I Big H | 2 | 2 | 1 | Base 3-4 | 8 | Run | Power O | Isaac | 2 | |||||||
| Onwenu(+1) turns in and seals a DT. Bredeson(-2) still runs into his back. Onwenu isn’t giving much ground; this is on the puller getting way too close. M can still get this done with JBB(+1) getting a big kick; Gentry and Hill go after guys that they probably shouldn’t; I’m assuming this is IU doing something M didn’t expect. Gentry could definitely kick the playside LB; he goes fro the MLB. Hill goes for the guy Gentry could have kicked. He tackles because Gentry has no angle to him. RPS -2. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M29 | 3 | 7 | Shotgun empty TE | 1 | 1 | 3 | Exotic | 6 | Pass | Tunnel screen | DPJ | 2 | |||||||
| Tunnel against full out press coverage is about impossible and the CB on DPJ makes a tackle. (CA, 3, screen, RPS -2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: Punt, 20-10, 6 min 4th Q. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
| M34 | 1 | 10 | Diamond TE | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-3 over | 7 | Run | Power O | Higdon | -2 | |||||||
| Big formation with two FBs, one of them McKeon. M runs power; Higdon(-2) simply falls over. This wasn’t going to go well otherwise. All three pullers go for the same dang dude. McKeon(-1) needs to kick as he’s the last guy; Onwenu(-1) needs to get around Hill’s sealing edge block and find someone. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M32 | 2 | 12 | Goal line | 2 | 3 | 0 | Goal line | 9 | Penalty | False start | Wheatley | -5 | |||||||
| Wheatley -1. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M27 | 2 | 17 | Ace | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4-3 over gap | 7 | Run | Inside zone | Higdon | 7 | |||||||
| Pretty much identical to earlier IZ against this front w/ more aggressive S. Onwenu(+1) kicks out slanting guy; Bredeson(+1) finds LB; Higdon(+1) sees and hits the cut. S at 7 yards hacks Higdon down. | |||||||||||||||||||
| M34 | 3 | 10 | Shotgun trips TE | 1 | 1 | 3 | Nickel over | 6 | Run | Pin and pull | Evans | -7 | |||||||
| M blows a pin and pull. Kugler(-3) makes this call, imagine, and he pulls despite having an NT shaded just behind him. He needs to block down. He does not. NT goes right to Evans with Onwenu hopelessly escorting him. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: Punt, 20-10, 4 min 4th Q. M gets ball back with 3:25, up 3, no Indiana TOs. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
| M48 | 1 | 10 | I-Form Big | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4-4 even SAM | 9 | Run | Power O | Higdon | 2 | |||||||
| Playside LB firing at this and splits Bredeson(-0.5) and Hill(-0.5); S are coming down and this isn’t much more otherwise. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 50 | 2 | 8 | I-Form Big H | 2 | 2 | 1 | Goal line | 10 | Run | Power O | Higdon | 2 | |||||||
| Again M does not block the force guy at all. I don’t know how much this matters since all 11 guys are within five yards of the LOS. But M has no plan to block the overhang CB. Poggi runs by him, Onwenu runs by him. RPS -2. | |||||||||||||||||||
| O48 | 3 | 6 | I-Form Big H | 2 | 2 | 1 | Goal line | 10 | Run | Power O | Higdon | 4 | |||||||
| Bunting(-1) gets slanted inside and his guy dives into Bredeson’s legs, he’s gone, two for one. I’m irritated that Bredeson(-1) stops for this guy before he even gets hit, sort of? Go. If you stop it’s screwed anyway. Go. Get around this trash and find a guy. Stripped of a lead blocker Higdon gets hit by an unblocked LB. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: Punt, 20-17, 1 min 4th Q. Next drive is OT. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ln | Dn | Ds | O Form | RB | TE | WR | D Form | Box | Type | Play | Player | Yards | |||||||
| O25 | 1 | 10 | I-Form Big | 2 | 2 | 1 | Base 3-4 | 8 | Run | Split flow counter | Higdon | 25 | |||||||
| Higdon(+4) does this himself. Kugler(-2) goes the wrong way on the snap and the NT gets through scot free. He hammers Poggi. Higdon also has a LB blitzing that Onwenu is kicking out. That guy is also in the backfield. Higdon cuts behind this mess after banging into Poggi. First missed tackle is one of those lucky "I hit my own guy and bounced" things; second is flat nasty and breaks the force guy’s ankles; TD. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Drive Notes: Touchdown, 27-20, EO1OT. M D holds and that’s it. | |||||||||||||||||||
*fffrzzzzz* hello *fffrzzzzz*
Why do you sound like you're calling from a bomb shelter in Fallout?
*zzzrff* we will emerge in a thousand years when Michigan's QB situation is resolved goodbye *zzzrff*
Get out of that bunker right now, young man.
Fine. Why am I young now?
I don't know! Moving on! Ask me things!
Any hope I shouldn't go back in the bunker after going over things in detail?
I mean... maybe a little. Michigan's plan in this game was to get pass protection by leaving a lot of guys in, which simultaneously hacked down O'Korn's options to one or two. They ran a huge number of two-man routes, a few of which were almost one-man routes until a guy released late. Here Ways checks up just past the sticks and may have a safety between him and O'Korn, and at that point what is O'Korn supposed to do?
That, basically.
O'Korn mixed in a few competent short passes, including the opening play, a doofy little out to Wheatley on second and four, and the like. The physical ability to be a decent quarterback is there. Also this is going to happen a couple times a game:
So he's got that going for him. If you close your eyes and hope really hard it is possible to see O'Korn hit some deep shots, as long as they aren't at McDoom, and keep it together enough to move the ball against PSU as Michigan grinds out a low-scoring win.
I can feel the mother of all buts coming.
But when it's third and seven in the first half and you are running two sideline fades and nothing else that says somethin' about something.
It would be difficult to overstate how little faith it seemed like Michigan had in O'Korn by this point midway through the second quarter. And... I mean, he's got two near-identical options. One of them is against Rashard Fant. The other is against a backup. And you pick Fant? So you can throw to McDoom? I dunno, man.
Michigan would get bailed out by a terrible call on that INT, and two plays later O'Korn would run into Evans on a counter; I'm pretty sure that's on him because he almost pitched the ball on the crack sweep and was then very upset with himself afterwards.
From then on it was grim.
JOHN O'KORN
| Good | Neutral | Bad | Ovr | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game | DO | CA | SCR | PR | MA | BA | TA | IN | BR | DSR | PFF | |||
| Indiana 2016 | 6(1) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3* | 2 | 46% | -2.5 | ||||
| Florida | 1 | 1 | 1* | 50% | - | |||||||||
| Purdue | 6++ | 14(2)+++ | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 75% | - | |||||
| MSU | 3 | 16(4) | 2 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4*(1) | 6* | 60% | - | ||||
| Indiana | 1+ | 9(3)+ | 2(1) | 3 | 3 | 3*** | 44% | - | ||||||
The rest of O'Korn's attempts were about half screens. Those that weren't: a five Yard hitch to Crawford, the Gentry misread everyone was up in arms about, a near INT at Gentry, another near-INT at Perry, and a two yard drag McKeon dropped. Two of those are okay decisions, and three are events with an X in them. After Michigan went up 20-10 they faced third and seven with six minutes and change left. Michigan ran a tunnel screen against flat-out press coverage, which is hard to do when that CB is 100% sure you're not doing anything even vaguely risky.
One of the more frustrating things about this game was O'Korn setting up for max-pro deep shots several times and turning them down. Poor damn DPJ could have had a touchdown but was overthrown on one of the two they did throw:
I'd go back to that; I think Michigan did.
Michigan seemed to have a few other opportunities to hit deep strikes that I can't be entirely sure of because this director was no Rick Who Works For Fox. Downfield replays were rare and the camera was super tight, so I'm only guessing at some of these things. This one looks like a pretty good guess, though:
Two safeties at eight yards and they are moving upfield on that play action; WR gets inside of the CB as he leaves the screen. That's a post, right? So... how do you not throw that? This happened last week, where heavy bites on play action seemingly opened up deep shots that O'Korn didn't take.
Here a corner blitz gets DPJ one on one with a safety. Those guys roll off the screen; I can't be sure that DPJ is actually open here, but surely this is what you want when you dial this play up?
That could be a route minus from DPJ and the right decision. But... probably not.
I really wish we'd gotten more insight into goings-on downfield to clear this stuff up. It's clear that the wide receiver corps is a problem. How much of one I don't know. It does make O'Korn look worse. That dump to McKeon that he dropped looked like a dumb bad pass, but it's really just mesh on which DPJ doesn't do anything to disrupt the guy in man coverage on the TE:
#9 WR to bottom of screen
Mesh versus man is a good play and this is a good decision if DPJ just gets his rub right. He doesn't and he O'Korn looks like a dork through no fault of his own.
But that was rare. Michigan's extreme turtling in this game should be evidence enough of the coaching staff's opinion of their QB play.
Okay but there was something that didn't make me want to buy mashed potatoes in a box?
Yes, the ground game.
