Breakdown Sports

I breakdown interesting plays - schematically, technically, and from an execution standpoint - from the 2021 Michigan State at Indiana football game. At the end of the article, I will briefly look ahead to Michigan vs Michigan State. Michigan State I have previously broken down MSU, which you can find here:  LINK The strengths and negatives are largely holding from previous viewings, but a few things stood out. Slade had a great game at DT in this one, and was probably the most disruptive DL for MSU. Both offensively and defensively a few key adjustments really helped MSU. Offensively, a change from strong side split zone to more weak side stretch really helped make the LBs be a little more static and to utilize the slant-heavy DL momentum against them Defensively, a move from their typical Cover 3 and Cover 4 MOD to more man/press on the outside limited some of the screen elements that were very effective in the first half (especially to the boundary). Downside of this was that it res

I breakdown interesting plays - schematically, technically, and from an execution standpoint - from the 2021 Michigan at Nebraska football game. Due to length, it has been broken into two parts. Part 1 here. Breakdown  Continued Nice opening call from option series. Flood, but Michigan ready with coverage. Now, knock down makes it null, but receivers can help QB with route adjustments  pic.twitter.com/ebPXvJS0mR — Space Coyote (@SpaceCoyoteBDS)  October 19, 2021

I breakdown interesting plays - schematically, technically, and from an execution standpoint - from the 2021 Michigan at Nebraska football game. Due to length, it has been broken into two parts. Part 2 here. First, some general thoughts: Michigan Strengths: The run blocking continues to improve, even with the run game diversity continuing to grow. It puts a lot of pressure on defensive fronts.  Michigan found a way to generate a few explosives in the run game, something that has been missing the few weeks before this game. They have been highly efficient, but if they can get explosives too, the ground game really takes off They have found a comfort zone with matchups out of empty. I expect they continue to emphasize that on passing downs The DL really, really showed up. Nebraska's front struggles, but Michigan really dominated the 1 on 1 blocks. Michigan Weaknesses: Too many missed shot plays. You have opportunities to convert TDs and pull away, have to execute those when you get t

I breakdown interesting plays - schematically, technically, and from an execution standpoint - from the 2021 Penn State at Iowa football game. Some general thoughts first: Penn State Positives: I believe in their offense with Clifford on the field. It was a pass first gameplan that understood the teams strengths and weaknesses and felt like it was good enough to generate 30+ points. While I think Iowa was starting to settle in and close to getting off the field in more key situations, PSU does just enough in a variety of ways (screen, intermediate, deep, scramble) to make it very difficult to generate stops Despite the OL, I thought the RBs ran pretty well. The run game as a whole I'll touch on in a second, but RB is not the position of issue. I still really like this DL, even after injuries. Very challenging scheme for DL to go against, made some big plays to knock Iowa off schedule. Again, defensive coverage diversity is a real strength. Makes it very difficult to dial up plays a

I breakdown interesting plays - schematically, technically, and from an execution standpoint - from the 2021 Nebrasa at Michigan State football game. Some general thoughts first: Nebraska Positives Defense has turned a corner. Very disciplined throughout this game, from front to back. Allowed very few explosive plays DL, especially the DTs, are very good. Disruptive, strong, athletic.  LBs understand scheme and what offense is showing. Athletic enough to make plays, but most important is that they play within the defense Offense really starting to show diversity of schemes and sequencing Nebraska Negatives The OL is really problematic. Right side got whooped, but as a whole, the OL struggled. Very hard to scheme success despite an OL Martinez has an ability to make plays outside the frame of the play, but still too consistently doesn't make the play that is schemed up  From a defensive standpoint, they are pretty static. Some late safety rotation and cloud not-withstanding, you kno

I breakdown interesting plays - schematically, technically, and from an execution standpoint - from the 2021 Michigan at Wisconsin football game. Michigan Positives: The OL proved that they could maintain a run threat against one of the best run defenses and maintain their run-based offense (the run-pass ratio adjusted to more pass heavy, but Michigan didn't have to abandon who they are) QB showed ability to hit deep touch throws, along with WRs adjusting to the ball in the air. Helps maintain vertical threat Michigan had several schematic wins against a top flight DC Michigan DL again stepped up, showing more consistency than they have all year, and getting great pass rush off the edge Michigan diagnosed and attacked protection tendencies in their pressure package  Michigan Negatives: The pass game still struggles to show much from a quick/intermediate game. Struggled adjusting on underneath throws to many of the Wisconsin zone looks, and timing wasn't good enough to provide m

I break down interesting plays - schematically, technically, and from an execution standpoint - from the 2021 Auburn at Penn State football game. PSU Positives:  Whole defense is physical, but the DL specifically has a great combination of physicality and athleticism. Defense is multiple in their looks, and while that can create some issues being gap sound, for the most part they are consistent. Left side of the offensive line is good, and can be run behind. Have a few standouts at the skill positions with the ball in their hands QB made plays. OC did a good job simplifying looks and allowing him to gain confidence, but QB was able to make plays outside the scheme in this game PSU Negatives: The right side of the OL can cause some issues for them Focus vs Auburn was on the run, but several windows did appear in the defensive backfield in the passing game First play PSU-Auburn. PSU goes end around under fake jet split zone. Without knowing how D responds to split zone, that can backfire