Michigan Wolverines: Utah — What May Happen — Part II

Sep 13, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader celebrates a touchdown against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Posted at 7:00am — 9/20/2014

Michigan Wolverines: Utah — What May Happen — Part II

Theme one:
Utah shares the wealth, there are over a half dozen receivers and a half dozen runners who will see the ball. It becomes problematical to key on one potential skill player. There are two very capable quarterbacks, both can throw and one runs better than his counterpart.

Theme two:
Speed and stretch is something to watch for in this game. Utah plays up- tempo and the Michigan defense cannot rely solely on Coach Mattison. Players will need to analyze and adjust quickly on the field. Situational packages will not be much of a luxury. Michigan’s linebackers and safeties will get probed and tested until the Utah offense settles on demonstrated weaknesses and attacks them.

Theme three:
As CoachBT mentioned Utah will go horizontal. The Utes use three and four receiver sets. There will be the bubble screen package, including the long pass from a lateral. There will be quick patterns and backs flying out of the backfield. It will be full motion and chaos; the Michigan defense will be put to a real test. It will be tough to get this group off the field in 1-2-3 kick fashion. Then, the corners will be tested deep downfield. Not quite Oregon, but formable.

Theme four:
The offense cannot move along in a sluggish, ho-hum manner and depend on good things later in the game. It may take 30 points or more to win Saturday’s game, the over-under is at about 56 and that seems reasonable. Michigan does not have the luxury of using an entire game to see what works or work on weaknesses, knowing full well the game is won. The let it all hang out and use what should logically work syndrome is in effect.

Theme five:
Michigan, as a team, be your own best advocate and deal with the toxic trash by playing your best game and coaching your best game. No one is going to feel sorry for anyone. Forget the extra week Utah had to prepare. At this time of year a team like Michigan needs to play and hold onto momentum and just play.

Sep 13, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleaders against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsPositive energy, especially at home, equals positive results. The criterion most mentioned in this weekly column for judgment has been improvement; it is premature to assign an early value to this team’s accomplishments. Team 135 needs confidence, and the easiest remedy is the energy garnered from a big win. The easiest avenue is hard play and mental toughness, pure; raw will power. There is sufficient talent and errors of commission (such as assignment busts) or coaching techniques that are not working must be identified and rectified. Above all else, improvement must be shown. That theme is a given.

Theme six:
It is time for Michigan’s players to step up and make big plays, whether it be a crushing blitz or a perfectly lobbed deep ball. Michigan may throw some spread at Utah to use the inside read to advantage. Michigan may finally go over the top. Even so, what will win or lose the game are little victories on routine plays. At Notre Dame, the Irish made several running first downs by small margins. Michigan must win the game of small margins.

For one, I am looking forward to the game, for its meaning to the program and more so the entertainment value. Full speed ahead and dodge the spread offense.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu

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