Michigan Football: 3 Reasons Wolverines Beat Penn State
By Josh LaFond
The offense can take advantage of Penn State’s defensive aggression
We mentioned at the outset that new defensive coordinator, Manny Diaz runs a different defense than the previous title holder (turned Virginia Tech head coach), Brent Pry did.
Just how different are they?
Ranking top 40 in total defense, the numbers might not look too different. But the style certainly is.
Diaz runs a much more aggressive assault than Pry, featuring exotic blitzes and a preference for taking the risk, with the potential for a pay-off, rather than protecting the weaknesses of the defense, and it gives an opportunity for Michigan football to take advantage.
Michigan’s offense is built to do just that.
J.J. McCarthy will connect on a deep shot or two. The run game led by Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards is capable of hitting the home run.
And even more so, the offensive play-calling is excellent at misdirection, and gimmick plays that feed off of the reckless abandonment that teams like Penn State have.