Tag: snapshots

Snapshots: Dylan McCaffrey vs. Notre Dame/Maryland

Please consider supporting the blog through Amazon purchases (LINK):

This is another post evaluating Dylan McCaffrey and whether or not he should win the starting job in 2020. You can find the first post here (LINK).

As a reminder, I awarded grades on the following scale:

• +1: Good play that not everyone can make
• 0: Average play that an average player can make
• -1: Poor play

PLAY 1 (LINK): This is a slant (or snag) RPO where McCaffrey is reading the backside inside linebacker. When the linebacker comes up to support the run, McCaffrey pulls the ball from the running back’s belly, resets his feet, and throws to the slot receiver (Giles Jackson). It’s the right read, albeit for a moderate gain, and the play is made more difficult because right guard Stephen Spanellis whiffs on his block. McCaffrey throws the ball accurately despite being hit by a defensive tackle.
McCaffrey grade: +1

Hit the jump for the rest of his performance against Notre Dame and then Maryland.

Snapshots: Haskins Wild

One issue I have mentioned multiple times in my game recaps and such is the “Wildcat” or “single wing” that has appeared this year with Zach Charbonnet and then Hassan Haskins getting direct snaps behind center. Michigan has used it almost exclusively as a short yardage or goal line changeup. It frustrates me because there’s no imagination or creativity involved in Michigan’s versions. At least when Jabrill Peppers was lined up in the “wildcat,” the coaching staff used motions to mess with the defense, even if it always resulted in Peppers keeping the ball.

Hit the jump for more.

Snapshots: Inside inside zone

I barely have time to write my regular posts during the week, so here’s a quickie post about inside zone and some of the struggles Michigan is having.

First, here’s a bird’s eye view of Zach Charbonnet running inside zone:

First play after the pick
3×1 formation
5 (!!!) man box
Run play is the right call
We *need* more movement.
Iowa's DL wins this battle.

Unacceptable, quite honestly. And it contributes to our pass game struggles because there's no run threat. pic.twitter.com/HoeHKAh61f

— Due# (@JDue51) October 6, 2019

Next, here’s a look at senior Tru Wilson running split zone:

Now we got something cookin.

Tru with a gain of 11. Line did work. pic.twitter.com/8nKH7I9qLP

— Due# (@JDue51) October 6, 2019

Hit the jump for more.

Snapshots: Passing Game Confusion

NOTE: I whipped up this post on a break at work, so if the writing seems a little hurried in nature, then…it is.

THE SITUATION
On Michigan’s first possession of the game after a Wisconsin touchdown drive, the Wolverines have the ball at the 25-yard line after a touchback. It’s 1st-and-10 with the ball in the right middle.

Snapshots: Inside Zone RPO

I have a wee bit of time and an inkling to do an X’s and O’s post, which I rarely find the time to do. So let’s enjoy it while we can.

The hot thing in college football the past few years has been the RPO (a.k.a. Run-Pass Option), a different take on the old double or triple options that have been run for years. RPOs aren’t new to football, but they did disappear from the mainstream for a little while, and the new-ish emphasis on passing the ball has opened things up for offenses. The RPO discussion really ramped up during the Philadelphia Eagles’ run to the Super Bowl championship in the 2017-2018 season, because the Eagles run a fair number of them.

Hit the jump for more on Shea Patterson and RPOs.

read more