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Snapshots: Pin and pull, but why no reads?

As with many of these snapshot plays, I’m limited with my time – and these take a while – so I apologize for not going into more depth. To discuss this post, head on over to touchthebanner.blogspot.com.

In the second quarter with the Wolverines down 7-0 to Rutgers, Michigan had a 2nd-and-1 play with Blake Corum in the backfield in 11 personnel (1 running back, 1 tight end).

Pre-snap, the setup looks like this:

That’s Corum to the right of the QB, and it sets up perfectly (at least in my mind) for power read. One unblocked playside defender is the field safety at 10 yards, and if the receivers block, Corum has to make a guy miss in the open field. The other unblocked playside defender is the end, because the call would put him in conflict, forcing him to either chase Corum or keep an eye on the 6’5″, 243 lb. QB with the 4.62 forty.

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Michigan vs. Rutgers Awards

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Cade McNamara. I wasn’t quite ready after the Wisconsin game, but now I’m ready. Quarterback Cade McNamara should be the starter going forward. He went 27/36 for 260 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, and he also ran in 1 touchdown. This happened after starter Joe Milton was 5/12 for 89 yards.

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Michigan 48, Rutgers 42 (3 OT)

For discussion, head on over to touchthebanner.blogspot.com while the comment section patiently waits to get fixed.

Winning feels good. I don’t really care that it was Rutgers. I don’t really care that it took three overtimes. I don’t really care that I had to stay up until midnight to watch the finish. I went to bed feeling . . . maybe not happy, but relieved.

Remember, remember, the 23rd of September . . . On September 23, 2017, quarterback Wilton Speight’s back got broken on a dirty hit by Purdue. In stepped backup John O’Korn, who completed 69.2% of his passes for 270 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception for an offense that had been disappointing up to that point. He was the savior! The following week he threw 3 interceptions against Michigan State and would finish with 2 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on the year. The Purdue game was Fool’s Gold. So I have that in the back of my mind going into the next section.

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All-Time Single-Game Passing Touchdown Leaders

Jake Rudock threw for 6 touchdown passes in 2015, and no other Michigan quarterback was even within one of that record until Shea Patterson’s game against Indiana.

Hit the jump for the list.

Preview: Michigan at Rutgers

To discuss this post or share your own prediction about how the game will go, please head on over to touchthebanner.blogspot.com while I work out the issue with comments not working here.

RUSH OFFENSE vs. RUTGERS RUSH DEFENSE
Michigan is now #106 in rush offense (117 yards/game) and #55 in yards per carry (4.59). As bad/mediocre as that sounds, it’s worse than that, because Michigan ran all over Minnesota in the opener and has done nothing since. No word has trickled out about whether Michigan’s starting offensive tackles will return this weekend from injury, but I expect very little unless at least right tackle Jalen Mayfield returns. Last week Michigan gave leading rusher Hassan Haskins (7.8 yards/carry) just one touch, so I have no idea what’s going on with the running back rotation. Rutgers is #70 in rushing defense (175 yards allowed/game) but #46 in yards allowed per carry (4.0). They’re led in tackles by senior linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi (6’1″, 234 lbs.) with 50, while senior Tyshon Fogg (6’1″, 232) is second with 39. Fatukasi (6.5) and defensive tackle Julius Turner (6’0″, 265) lead the team with 6.5 and 4.5 tackles for loss, respectively. Turner is undersized, but I like his quickness. Former Michigan defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour (6’1″, 296) has notched 14 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss so far this year.
Advantage: Rutgers

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