Michigan Football: 3 Keys to smash the Bearcats
Pound the rock
When Michigan has the ball, it needs to take care of the simple things first. Run the ball up the middle early, especially with Ty Isaac. Get Chris Evans out in space. Let both Evans and Karan Higdon run it up the middle and bounce it outside after Isaac has made a couple guys feel the way Chauncey Gardner felt after being run over by Isaac with about 9:24 left in the 3rd quarter of the Florida game.
First, make them fear for their safety, then make them give up on their dreams. Then Higdon and Evans can use their skills to run all over them. It’s called – “Win with character, win with cruelty”.
Michigan football got 214 yards rushing in the Florida game. I think UM should be able to get at least 350 against these guys. I’m not a big stat guy, I look more for heart and attitude, but … if Michigan is getting about 100 yards on the ground per quarter and moving the football with regularity – I think those goals can be reached.
Once we establish that ground game, while mixing in some short, safe passes – then our QB can carefully try his luck with the vertical game. The Wolverines have good receivers and a good passing game coordinator. A good vertical passing game would add a lot. But … the QB just is not ready to be counted on for that yet IMHO. More on that later.