GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — Sugar Bowl Preview — When Virginia Tech has the Ball

Posted at 6:00am — 1/2/2012

GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — Sugar Bowl Preview — When Virginia Tech has the Ball

Game Overview

Virginia Tech, under Coach Beamer, has stayed true to the combined tenets of its long time philosophy: namely, a strong, aggressive defense, superior special teams, and success at running the football. This year’s Hokie team has had one basic flaw; the special teams have been just slightly better than average. We have looked at a ton of Virginia Tech Hokie film, just as if we were game prepping for the Hokies. The results are very impressive and there are Michigan coaches that certainly hold the Hokies in as high regard as the GBMWolverine staff.

This is a very athletic Virginia Tech team; probably the quickest, most athletic team Michigan has played this year. Evaluating the Hokies was a bit tough. In our opinion, Virginia Tech’s schedule was not top flight and this made getting an accurate read a bit tougher. We also used some clinic notes to help clarify some of the schemes Virginia Tech incorporates.

When the Hokies have the ball:

We disagree with the popular underlying assumption that if a defense stops David Wilson it has succeeded in stopping the Hokies. Not that Wilson is not talented, he is, very much so, and has a great little burst and outstanding vision. Wilson sees and hits the cutback as well as any running back UM has gone against this year. Wilson also has the speed to bounce a cutback when things break down.

Alternately, we believe that the key to stopping Virginia Tech is to slow down quarterback Logan Thomas. Thomas is a true dual threat and in both loses to Clemson Logan gained a total of 60 yards rushing and threw for less than normal. When Logan breaks contain on boots and rolls the Virginia Tech offense is very difficult to stop. Michigan’s defense has to (read as a strong must) hold the edge and keep Logan between the hashes. This means the edge defenders as well as the offensive line will play a key role in the game’s outcome. Michigan’s injuries at the defensive end position may unfortunately come into play.

Virginia tech will snap from under center and in the gun offense. In the gun, watch for the read option (where Wilson bounces), the straight option, and the boot and waggle. Under center, Virginia Tech uses the sprint draw, the bootleg, and iso blast as the primary offensive choices.

Virginia Tech receivers are very good after the catch and the UM secondary tackling will be tested. Again, keeping the Hokie offense between the hashes is a must. We were really impressed with the Hokie offensive line, a big and veteran group, that gave up only 15 sacks and is proficient at both zone and blast blocking schemes. This is an outcome Michigan seeks for the future.

A final summary: this is a real test for Michigan football, maybe more so for the coaches. The Tech coordinators, and coaching in general, are top flight and Coach Borges, especially, will be tested to hold his own in the chess match that will be a play-to-play battle. Do not construe this as a negative comment directed at Coach Borges as any offensive coordinator would find the situation challenging.

Every team group must play well for Michigan to win, but most critical may be the offensive line and edge defenders. Tackling at a high level is a must as the receivers, Wilson, and Thomas can pile up big yards after a missed tackle.

Discount the fact that Virginia Tech did not show well against Clemson. Clemson is a very talented team with great team speed. Clemson beat Virginia Tech at the edge and broke contain. Michigan does not have as much overall speed at the skilled positions as Clemson, excepting of course Denard Robinson. Virginia Tech has had over a month to prepare and will be ready, the same goes for Michigan. With the best-laid plans of coaches, turnovers and the ability to run and prevent the run may become the key factors in a game where ball control is the intended agenda.

Later today we will have the second part of this article “When Michigan has the Ball” of our Coach’s Corner Sugar Bowl Preview continues.

Please comment on our GBMWolverine Message Board about this article and read what others comment.

You can contact us at our e-mail address: GBMWolverine

Written by GBMWolverine Staff

Go Blue — Wear Maize!