SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – When Michigan’s offense takes the field against the TCU defense for the first time on Saturday, any of the attendees could be excused for wondering what they’re looking at.
Neither unit is like any other opponent either team has faced this season. Whoever can adapt best — or play to their strengths — will have the upper hand in the college football playoff game in the Fiesta Bowl.
TCU’s base defense is a 3-3-5: three linemen, three linebackers and five defensive backs. As Michigan co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss explained on Tuesday, college football conferences have evolved into their own unique leagues. In TCU’s conference, the Big 12, overshoot is prevalent.
“The (TCU) defense evolved to stop Big 12 air raid offenses, with three safeties and a lot more running threes and a bunch of stuff that we never really see,” Weiss said.
It’s a “huge challenge” trying to prepare, he said, given that it won’t be easy for Michigan to replicate in practice.
“But,” Weiss noted, “they deal with the same problem.”
The TCU defense isn’t used to seeing three tight ends on the field at once, for example.
Horned frogs are built to defend the pass. The Wolverines want to run, run and run some more – then beat you with the pass.
“They want to pound the rock, set the first inning,” TCU linebacker Johnny Hodges said. “If they establish the run, it’s going to be a long game for us. Racing leads to everything – playing action, all that.”
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Hodges and several of his defensive teammates pointed to Michigan’s offensive line, which was recently named the best in the nation for a second consecutive season. What emerges from their cinematic study is that Michigan’s line is long and athletic, works well together, and capitalizes on a defense’s mistakes.
Hodges also praised Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy for his continued improvement over the season. “His ability to scramble and throw on the run is what scares me,” Hodges said.
Michigan’s offense has been excellent in its first campaign this season, something TCU defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie noted when reviewing the film. He was watching video of every Michigan play from the three-yard line and closer this season. The video showed the game number for that particular game — in other words, whether it was Michigan’s fifth offensive snap or its 50th.
What surprised Gillespie were some of these numbers playing: 5, 9, 7, 12, etc.
Michigan had moved the ball down the field very quickly. TCU can’t take a few series to settle down, Gillespie said. “If you don’t, you look up and you’ve lost 14 points. … We must resist the initial assault.
That’s not to say Michigan will automatically turn on the scoreboard on Saturday. Michigan co-offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore explained that the 3-3-5 can certainly limit the running game. “A lot of these teams (in the Big 12) want to throw the ball first,” he said. “They just scattered you to do it.”
He said of TCU’s defense, “They’re trying to give you the illusion that you can run the ball and all of a sudden there’s eight guys at or near the line of scrimmage.”
Still, the game numbers are going Michigan’s way. The TCU defense ranks 57th in the nation in points per game allowed, 74th in yards and 65th in rushing yards. Gillespie stressed the importance of the third defense, but his unit is only 41st in that category.
The Wolverines have already had over three weeks to prepare. They studied, implemented, refined. With a few more days until kickoff, is Michigan where it needs to be?
Moore smiles. “We are well placed. »
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