GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — Eastern Michigan at Michigan — What Might Happen — Preview
Posted at 6:00am — 9/15/2011
GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — Eastern Michigan at Michigan — What Might Happen — Preview
Good for all the former Wolverines that are working away at making Eastern Michigan relevant within the NCAA football landscape. Head Coach, Ron English, and assistant Mike Hart, will once again walk the Big House turf.
Eastern made news by going 2-0 for the first time in over 20 years. Granted the opposition was Howard and Alabama State, but success always starts somewhere.
Eastern can run from the I or other sets, but whatever the formation the key to any Eastern success is the running game. Eastern’s line over-matched the first two opponents and the numbers look very impressive with over 300 yards per game being achieved.
The two featured backs are Dominique Sherrer and Javonti Greene and as one can imagine the film from the first two games looked pretty good. The bet here is that both of these backs are at least average if not better.
Eastern’s quarterback, Alex Gillett also has some good scramble sense and can hurt a team that ignores the possibility of a quarterback running. He is a three-year starter and is a good overall athlete. Alex Gillett has enough overall skill level to be effective. The passing game has not so far clicked to the point where it could be considered a big weapon. The offensive line appears from the brief looks one can find to be more adept at run blocking than pass blocking.
Eastern’s defense appears to run more or a 4-3 scheme than anything else and even though the numbers are pretty good, the unknown now faces the Eagles: how will the defense fare against a top 40 or so team?
So, in a game like this, the will happen becomes less predictable since Michigan will likely plan around not only what will work against Eastern, but also what the Michigan offense needs to improve upon. When will the substitutes take the field? And how will guys down the roster line hold up?
Still, it makes sense that Eastern will start with the running game, that Eastern will roll the quarterback, that Eastern will pick spots for planned quarterback draws, and send plenty of blitzes Michigan’s way. It makes sense for Eastern to load the box and try to force Denard to pocket pass, or at the very least contain rollouts.
It makes sense for Michigan to work on the Power I running game, a part of the offense that is woefully weak and unsettled. It makes sense for Michigan to pick the right situation to spring Denard on big plays. But with the box loaded Denard or Devon may have to ring up all facets of the passing game from screens to vertical routes.
Eastern has had penalty problems and Michigan, by self-admission, made tons of mistakes against Notre Dame. Both teams will be looking for correction.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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