Bama's run-first corners

On Tuesday, MGoBlog picture paged some of Michigan's more perplexing "read option" plays. The second of the two plays Brian examined highlighted something that I noticed a number of times throughout the game: Alabama was blitzing its boundary corner all game on run plays, leaving Michigan's outside receivers a) one-on-one with safeties and b) wide open approximately 5 yards downfield. Even when they weren't explicitly blitzing, Bama's corners were often in zone coverage and selling out against the run as we'll see below.

In this situation, Michigan is in 2nd and 2 in the first quarter. Michigan is in a three-wide, two-back set. Devin Gardner is isolated on the weakside of the play (top of the screen). In this screen, Alabama only has 10 defenders, meaning their free safety (off the screen) is at least 10-15 yards downfield.

As the ball is snapped, Gardner takes off downfield. You can see the corner over Gardner is staring into the backfield.

Alabama's corner almost completely ignores Garnder, and as the ball is handed off, Gardner is streaking past the corner into wide open space (about which more later).

Gardner: open. Vincent Smith running into a wall of players no back in the NCAA could make it through.

The play ends like this.

Video

Takeaway
This is how Rich Rodriguez's QB Oh Noes worked. As defensive backs stared into the backfield, Michigan's receivers ran by them into open space for long, uncontested touchdowns. The problem here is that those plays (or reads, whatever they were) have been completely removed form the offense.

This play confuses me, though. Just like in the play MGoBlog picture paged...


...Devin Gardner appears to have no intention to block his cornerback. That means one of two things: either Gardner is supposed to run a route here that Denard has been instructed to read, or Garnder just refuses/is unable to block. My guess is the latter. All of Michigan's other receivers on these plays engage their defensive counterparts and more importantly, Denard never looks toward Gardner running downfield. If he did, it would be an easy completion and run after the catch.

The chances of any other team's corners being this aggressive this year is unlikely, but if they do use these plays to gameplan, I hope Borges will take note of how wide open his receivers are.

Hesitant linebackers versus Bama

One of the biggest concerns about Michigan's linebackers coming into this season was their continued indecisiveness in 2011. By not making quick reads, the linebackers allow lead blockers and offensive linemen to make their blocks downfield, opening cutback lanes for running backs. Much like breaking in Schofield at right tackle, this was the wrong game to remedy those linebacker issues.

Early in the game, before Michigan was down by double-digits, Alabama had a rare second-and-long. They lined up in a one-back, two-WR set, with an H-back and tight end on the strongside of the field. Michigan is in it's 4-3 under with Jordan Kovacs rolled into the box on the weakside of the field. (The second view below gives a much better perspective on what happens.)

As the ball is snapped, Will Campbell and Quinton Washington both slant to their right into the strongside of the field. This allows them to cut into the backfield but also gives a free release to the Alabama center. Everyone relevant to the play has started to move except Kenny Demens (highlighted in red).

As you can see, Washington and Campbell have now slanted toward the backside of the play and are being pushed that way by Alabama's guards. The B-gap on the weakside of the field is wide open for Desmond Morgan (#44) to fill (the free-releasing center is responsible for blocking Morgan). The Bama H-back (#31) is headed upfield to block Demens who will be responsible for the cutback lane.

Morgan quickly fills the B gap as the Bama center prepares to seal him to the outside. Washington and Campbell have slanted past the play but have forced the Bama running back (Jalston Fowler) into a tightening B gap. It is Demens' responsibility to fill this hole but as you can see below, the H-back is close to blocking him.

Before Fowler makes it out of the backfield, the H-back has been able to run out of the backfield and across the formation to engage Demens who should be filling the cutback hole. Demens is now being pushed out of the play (red).

Demens has now been pushed to the ground opening a huge hole for Fowler to run through. He'll be tackled 14 yards downfield.

Video

Takeaway

The only thing that gives me pause on this play is the slant by Campbell and Washington, but I think they played this properly and were instructed to slant to the strongside. Both got deep into the backfield and eventually pushed out of the play, but I don't think that was responsible for this result. If they're slanting to the strongside of the play, it's the responsibility of Morgan and Demens to fill the gaps behind them. Morgan does so, but Demens hesitates as the play starts, allowing time for the Alabama H-back to push him beyond his assignment. This kind of thing was happening all game as pulling linemen and lead blockers were able to get to the point of attack a step ahead of Michigan's linebackers, pushing them out of the way.

I'm singling out Demens here only because this play stood out to me, but this happened to Demens, Morgan, and Ross all game. But this continues a trend that we saw last year from Demens. His first step is usually a beat after it should be. In this instance, he needs to know that Campbell and Washington are slanting to the strongside. If Alabama runs into that slant and is able to make yards, good for them, but something spectacular has to happen. But a strongside slant from both DTs will naturally open up lanes on the weakside of the play to be filled by the middle and weakside 'backers. Demens seems unsure of the structure of this defensive playcall and is too hesitant to be effective.

Shucking Schofield pt. 2

Shucking Schofield pt. 1

Earlier, we saw Michael Schofield unable to hold up a block against Alabama's weakside defensive end on a Thomas Rawls run. The play ended as you might expect (sort of; it technically ended as a holding penalty): Rawls was pushed into the backfield and taken down by Bama's weakside linebacker. On this play, Schofield (right tackle; lineman at the bottom of the screen on this play) just fails to make contact with the defensive end, allowing him a clear path into the backfield.

Michigan is lined up in an I-formation, two-WR set with Vincent Smith and Stephen Hopkins in the backfield. Michigan will run a traditional power-I run to the strongside of the field (top of the screen). Alabama is in its traditional 3-4 defense.

As the ball is snapped, Denard steps away form center and Patrick Omameh (#65) pulls behind him. Schofield is charged with filling the hole that Omameh just vacated and not allowing Alabama's defensive end (#49) to get inside.

You can see Schofield will not accomplish this task.

Schofield (#75) doesn't even make contact with the defensive end until he's two steps behind the line of scrimmage. Denard hasn't even handed the ball off to Vincent Smith yet, who is looking to follow Omameh and Hopkins upfield.

When Smith finally does get the ball, he has to juke immediately because the Alabama WDE is already in his face. You can see the weakside linebacker (#42) flowing downhill as well, but if this were blocked correctly, that linebacker wouldn't be much of a factor until a few yards downfield.

Schofield, who never got square to his man, is now chasing Bama's defensive end who is wrapping up Smith in the backfield. Omameh and Hopkins are both in good position to block downfield and allow Smith to get to the edge of the line for a good gain.

Because Smith is not superhuman, the play ends with Schofield (probably) apologizing to Smith as he picks him up off the ground.

Video

Takeaway
So those are two of the more egregious examples from the game, but they paint an unflattering picture of Schofield's run blocking capabilities. As I mentioned earlier, moving to the tackle position after playing guard last year is a big change, and this was the worst possible matchup to try out a new tackle. But keep an eye on whether or not he can adequately get to defensive ends and hold up blocks on runs to his side of the field. If this team becomes left-handed, that's just one more limitation that the offense has that perceptive defensive coordinators will attack.

Shucking Schofield pt. 1

Editor's note: For those of you new to the blog, this kind of post--schematic breakdowns and film review--is the primary content. There are a number of these posts every week discussing the interesting/awesome/depressing offensive and defensive plays from the previous week.

Also a hat tip to MGoVideo for being my primary source for downloads. And a belated hat tip to reader Tony Sinicropi for directing me to the cheapest place to buy the Adobe suite.

The amount of criticism Vincent Smith received after Saturday's loss seemed misdirected. People complained that he didn't break enough tackles or make yards after contact, but it's hard to do that when you're a 5'7" running back and you're being pulverized by defensive linemen. After watching the first half of the game again--boy, it's hard to watch more than that--one thing stuck out: Michael Schofield (Michigan's new right tackle) was absolutely dominated all game, which was one of the reasons the team had so much trouble running the ball.

It's the first quarter and Michigan comes out in a three-WR shotgun set with Thomas Rawls in the backfield. Michigan will run a counter to Rawls on the play

As the ball is snapped, Taylor Lewan (#77) begins to pull around to the weakside of the formation as Denard steps to the strongside.

A moment later, Denard hands the ball off to Rawls. At this point, Michigan actually has the play set up well: the offensive linemen are holding their blocks, Elliott Mealer has released to the second level to block the middle linebacker, and Lewan is pulling to block the weakside linebacker. If all of these blocks hold up, the first person to touch Rawls should be an Alabama safety.

Things still going as planned. Mealer connects with the middle linebacker and Lewan is in line to block the weakside linebacker but....

...Alabama's weakside defensive end has thrown Schofield (#75) aside. Now, instead of Lewan getting to the second level to block the WILL linebacker, he has to block the weakside defensive end.

Lewan engages the defensive end who is quickly heading upfield. Rawls has to cut the ball back inside where the WILL linebacker is waiting or try to get to the edge still.

Rawls tries getting outside. Despite Lewan tackling the WDE, he's still able to get a hand on Rawls and force him deeper into the backfield where the WILL linebacker can get to him...

....Rawls is toast.

Video

Takeaway
This is one of a number of examples of Schofield struggling in run blocking. His performance against the run is something to watch as the season wears on. While playing primarily on the inside of the offensive line last year, Schofield spent a lot of time doubling defensive tackles with David Molk. In our first view of him on the outside, he allowed defensive ends to rush by him and struggled to uphold blocks one-on-one. Caveats for opposition apply, but this is not a very positive first impression of the team's new right tackle.

You come at the king, you best not miss

#8 Michigan 14 - #2 Alabama 41
Preview

In the second quarter, with Michigan trailing 24-0 and backed up inside their 10-yard line, Kirk Herbstreit was talking about Michigan's non-existant running game. The camera panned up to Al Borges in the coordinator's booth. After relaying the upcoming 3rd down play, Borges shook his head in disbelief and rubbed his face. It was the unmistakeable look of someone who had run out of answers, like working your way through a maze and finding only brick walls.

The problem wasn't Borges' schemes being out flanked. The problem was an offensive line that got pushed into the backfield on every play. It was a quarterback with dysfunctional throwing mechanics unable to hit receivers. It was receivers unable to get separation from their defensive counterparts. Alabama is a great team, but they are not an unbeatable team. There were opportunities to attack them in this game that Michigan simply missed, usually because of performance errors more than schematic inefficiencies.

No one really expected Michigan to win this game; 14-point Vegas spreads are not a mistake. Blogging for the last three seasons, I've been able to explain away most of Michigan's losses: walk-on quarterbacks, untimely turnovers, terrible special teams, unsound schemes. There was always something you could take from the games and say, "If we just did _____ better, we would have won." After watching Alabama dismantle this team, the only feeling I have is frustration: Michigan is just not as good as Alabama. Our team has worse players. The Alabama offensive and defensive lines beat the Michigan offensive and defensive lines. Alabama's linebackers are always in the right spot and safeties fly downhill to blow up option plays in the backfield. AJ McCarron can complete downfield passes.

Blame oversigning and Nick Saban and the SEC for allowing shady recruiting practices. Sure, those are the reasons that Alabama has better players. But regardless of why they're better, Michigan is operating with sub-par talent and will continue to, relative to the national powerhouses, for another few years until their oversigning reserves drain out. So it's frustrating watching your team getting beaten by superior athletes and knowing that it'll be years until you can actually compete with them again.

The game itself played out almost exactly as expected: Alabama pulled away early, Denard struggled to find a rhythm, and the Tide won the game on the ground. Michigan's defensive line held up relatively well. Campbell and Washington took on double teams and didn't get pushed into the secondary, but Michigan's linebackers were outright terrible. Desmond Morgan was pulled after the second (?) Alabama drive in favor of freshman James Ross who also found himself out of position and over-pursuing plays. Kenny Demens is still only able to move in one direction on any given play. And Jake Ryan, who was victimized on a play-action TD pass, was a non-factor as Alabama continuously attacked the middle and weakside of the Michigan defense.

Denard had one of his worst games as a starter but for almost no reason. He was only sacked once and had plenty of time to stand in the pocket and throw, but his mechanics killed his accuracy. Denard stepped into approximately one throw all game, and it ended as a 71-yard touchdown strike to Jeremy Gallon. But on most of his throws, Denard would square his feet and heave the ball downfield. Denard's other major downfall: he was staring down Devin Gardner all game and tried forcing the ball to him rather than taking what the defense offered. While most of his forced throws to Gardner ended in PBUs, one of them ended as a pick-6.

So Michigan lost to a team that's much better than them. Chatter after the game implied that Alabama would have a chance to run the table this year, but there's no way they don't lose at least one or two games. From here, the road only gets easier for Michigan. Playing Air Force and UMass in the next two weeks will be a good primer for the Big Ten season. This team should still challenge for a Big Ten title, but any dreams that they might be one of the nation's elite--given health--have gone out the window.

AP Photo/LM Otero

Bullets

• Despite it being the opening game of the season, I think it's fair to say that Senior Denard is not a robotic, laser-passing Junior Denard. At this point, Denard is what he is. That'll win Michigan a lot of games this year, but against elite defenses, he's still going to struggle.
• No, Denard did not get enough carries. His carries wouldn't have gone anywhere either because the Alabama defensive line was in the backfield immediately.
• Devin Gardner is big and fast but is a horrible route runner. He will mix spectacular plays with missed opportunities because of poor routes.
• Bubble screens! For whatever reason, Al Borges changed his opinion of bubble screens. Michigan threw two in the game and they were two of the more successful plays the team ran.
• People are really excited about Dennis Norfleet because... I'm not really sure why. He looks fast, but this game didn't inspire much. He has potential.
• Elliott Mealer ended up at center for much of the game. I'm not really sure who was playing left guard, but the line seemed coherent. They weren't able to get any push against Alabama's defensive front, but that won't be the case throughout the season.
• Every time Greg Mattison blitzed, Saban had the perfect play to counter-act it. Aside from the first defensive series, not much of what the defense did made a difference.
• Michigan forced a three-and-out on the first possession because Alabama ran to the strongside of the field, which Michigan stopped for one yard. After that, they ran almost exclusively at Desmond Morgan and Kenny Demens up the middle and to the weakside.
• The Countess injury didn't have much of an impact on this game, but it might going forward. Courtney Avery got burned when he slipped on a double move, but otherwise, he was indistinguishable from any other corner.
• Kovacs and Thomas Gordon both got beaten in the running game by poor angles and arm tackles. So did everyone else though.
• The whole defensive line, while lacking playmakers, performed well.

Next Week
Michigan looks to get their season back on track next week against Air Force. The Falcons run wishbone option football, which is a little worrysome given the linebacker play and lack of D-line talent. Expect some long runs from Air Force due to poor angles, but the defense should be able to contain a pedestrian attack. Offensively, Denard and Fitz Toussaint should get the team moving.