Michigan Wolverines: Penn State — What Happened and What it Means — Part I
Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines run under the banner prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Posted at 8:30am — 10/14/2014
Michigan Wolverines: Penn State — What Happened and What it Means — Part I
Penn State versus Michigan Game Wrap-up
Nightlife Provides Some Relief — Gardner Gives All
I was not at the Michigan primetime Saturday Night Lights game; instead I wandered down to Athens for a Varsity O reunion. OU, the real Ohio school, was totally unprepared for Bowling Green’s hurry up offense, so unprepared that the defensive linemen could not even get in a stance and become set before BG snapped the ball. OU defended the edge bubble screen several times with one less defender than the offense put on the perimeter. As a result BG was ahead 14-0 before half a hot dog could be consumed. The quarterback play showed a clear difference between mid level and Big Five conferences. But BG’s offensive line is large.
Well, BG won, but the day proved to be a great reminder that autumn Saturdays are very useful to watch kids play a game and be entertained, not to go paranoid, become incensed to hypertension, or produce vitriol and endless umbrage, even assail good people. In short, it was a wonderful day, one that started with a profuse thanking of the Athletic Director for the kindness of an invite to come back to Athens. The Bobcats lost but the magnificent OU band again saved the day for many.
Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; General view of Michigan Wolverines fans cheering during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY SportsThe Michigan Penn State analysis started Wednesday night when Mr. Chris Hill and I had dinner to discuss the game’s basics and analysis. I informed Mr. Hill that I did indeed believe Michigan would win on Saturday. It had nothing to do with any extraneous conditions: mainly that Penn State could not move the ball against a decent defense. The key was to not give Hackenberg easy looks in a pressure free pocket.
Let us next go back to the preview. It was stated that the team that did not score touchdowns, but instead scored filed goals, when given offensive opportunities, would probably lose the game. It ended up that both teams could not produce touchdowns, but Matt Wile hit three mid-range attempts to give Michigan the slim fourth quarter lead. Since his early troubles, Wile has settled down. I still believe his limit to be 52-53 when he has a small tailwind.
Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Justice Hayes (5) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY SportsIt was mentioned that Justice Hayes needed to be dusted off and hit the perimeter. The left side of the line opened enough gap so that Hayes could occasionally hit the hole on the off tackle power play or dip it outside. The opinion here is that Hayes really hits the hole well, with good timing and better quickness than other Michigan backs. His contributions were obviously important at the end of the game, when Michigan flipped the field position enough to make Penn State’s final possession a long field.
Michigan is not a quick team by any means, but quickness and the outside option on read and zone plays clearly gives Penn State trouble, hence the Northwestern blow out. But the Penn State defense is decent, maybe even a little better. Penn State could be content with focusing on quarterback pressure and shutting down the inside series and power off tackle play.
Part II later today.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu
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