Michigan 31 Wisconsin (10)....17 - Post Game Thread

[klondike]

The difference in this game will be coaching. No surprise there. I just wish UM had defense coaching like Wisconsin does. They somehow are able to contain running games. No matter RO or power. Plus can put maximum pressure on the QB. I'm afraid we'll see another Michigan game out coached today

[Cody_Russell]

No question, M wins.
Perhaps I now say this with confidence because M moneyline is on my big parlay 🤣, but point being... M wins. Go Blue! Suck it, soon to be 1-3 Badgers! CORUM, HASKINS, DAX HILL.

[Jeff Buchanan]

The difference in this game will be coaching. No surprise there. I just wish UM had defense coaching like Wisconsin does. They somehow are able to contain running games. No matter RO or power. Plus can put maximum pressure on the QB. I'm afraid we'll

Wisconsin's run D is built around great LB play. Their base set is a 3-4 but you'll not know that when they line up. That's the point. Jim Leonard also deploys a "varied" front but the strength of his run stopping is the LBs who aggressively fill the gaps once it becomes clear where the play is going. The DEs are focused on controlling the edge. LB's will pursue the QB or the RB through any gaps they choose to run. That may alternate but watching Wisconsin, it's probably 70/30 LB v. DE or S pressure. Blitzing is rare unless needed and it rarely is but the Ss will blitz alternatively with LBs.

The back end is good not elite. Lots of zone with 2Hi Ss but it's never entirely clear, pre-snap, where their assignments are on a given play. M isn't going to run and we'll be frustrated that Gattisbaugh certainly will try if the numbers are right. That's a read that Cade has to make pre-snap to get the offense into the right play. He's been OK at this. I think Seth counted several RPS + plays based on Cade making a play call at the line. After the snap he's not been great at that. If I recall Seth id'ed something like 5 true ROs. 3 of them were stuffed b/c Cade made the wrong read, one went for 3y and the other, where he carried, went for 9y. Those plays are in the playbook. I hope they practiced them a lot this week. If M has any chance to win this game, those plays have to be on offer to Wisconsin's D and work.

Given Leonard's penchant to use up his LBs to aggressively fill gaps, McNamara should find his TEs open and if the pass is good, some YAK. We saw all kinds of problems with Cade hitting those v. Rutgers but only in the second half. Early he was good. He also through some perfectly placed deep throws.Stuff I'm listening to today tells me the hit he took on the targeting ejection, rattled him. Standing up to routine hits and tackles is one thing. Not developing happy feet after a hit like he took is another. I thought from the early second half he was nervous about the pressure and rushed his throws. If M is to have any chance to win this game, Cade has to be past the effects of that hit and the pass game is going to have to carry the offense in sustaining drives. Gattis can help him out with some easy throws to the flats early and on 1st and 10 and 2nd and 3 (likely run play for M that Leonard will jump on). Must keep Badger D off balance.

My concern is that M won't do any of that or if they do open up the play book and run RPO or PA, Harbaugh will turtle at the first sign that they're not working fearing an injury to McNamara.

[lineygoblue]

Chryst and Wisconsin has always built their team and formed game plans to take advantage of what kind of talent they have. Sometimes they have the massive OL and a power RB that runs the snot out of you. Other times, they have a variable passing attack with mixed in power running.

Jeff convered what they do on defense.

Its better coaching than what Michigan has. This gives Wisconsin the edge today.

If this group of Michigan players were coached by Nick Saban, they would have come thru the most difficult week of practice of the season. And not only would he have kicked the player's butts, he would have scorched the paint off the walls in the coaches room, telling them they better earn their paychecks this week, because otherwise, he's about to fire them. In other words, he'd have Michigan ready to play. Wisconsin would be in trouble.

But .. we have Harbaugh. And Gattis.

yippee.

[WM Wolverine]

Wisconsin I wouldn't want to give short fields, giving their offense too much help.

[WM Wolverine]

Speaking of Henning, M needs to spread the field horizontally. Read options, reverses, screens, etc. They aren't going to win this game running between the tackles.

[JRB]

There's the end-around to Henning, for not much. Still got to call it, though.

[JRB]

Finally, a chance at a big play, and Edwards can't hold it. Damn...

[JRB]

Michigan is 2/3 on fourth-and-short so far. Good call.

[WM Wolverine]

Flea flicker, easy TD to Johnson.

[JRB]

7-0, as Cornelius Johnson makes the safeties pay on a flea-flicker. Didn't see that one coming.

[froot loops]

That might be the dagger in this game.

[JRB]

Wisconsin possessions: Three. Wisconsin three-and-outs: Three. No complaints about the defense so far.

[JRB]

Nice to see Wilson involved in the game plan a little bit more. I'd like to see more of Henning, though.

[JRB]

Not sure I would go for this. With the lead and with Wisconsin's offense dead in the water, I might punt this one.