Film Review: Michigan at Wisconsin, 2021

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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 many catch and run opportunities. Wisconsin multiplicity resulted in some offensive confusion with respect to reads
  •  Coverage on the 7-12 yard out/flat remains a concern. Lots of MOD and soft coverage on the edge is too easy, even for the coverages called. Michigan playing mostly safe defense, but feels will need to mix up calls more to take that away.
  • Screens are coming, Michigan hasn't defended them well and Wisconsin left plenty of screen yards on the field
  • Short yardage and short red zone (inside the 5) remain a challenge

Wisconsin Strengths:
  • Mertz had nearly a handful of throws that reminded you of the prospect that was recruited. If he can make those vertical throws, it will open up a lot of the offense
  • I thought the playcalling was mostly solid. This is a limited offensive line, and I believe some of the calculus needs to change, but schematically had some very well timed/designed plays to take advantage of some things Michigan did defensively.
  • The front 7 for Wisconsin is probably the best I've seen so far (Iowa and PSU are close behind). Extremely disciplined, physical, shed blocks, leak very few yards. Can play base fits or be multiple to get key stops. Show offense a lot and make read games challenging as an offense. Safeties are great in run support.
Wisconsin Negatives:
  • The offensive struggles have forced it to be simplified. This has minimized run diversity and protection schemes, and made life a bit easier for defensive fronts to attack. I don't believe this is a team that can lean heavily on run game. Pass game still isn't where it needs to be to lean pass. But a balanced approach hitting the various levels of the defense is needed to find any sort of efficiency.
  • The OL does not dominate anymore. This is hinted at above, but even in the base schemes they allow defenders to get off blocks and don't consistently get dominating movement up front. 
  • I'm not sure this is really a negative, but I do think the defense is vulnerable on the outside on vertical routes. Wisconsin's CBs in general are very aggressive, and safeties aggressive in run support. It leaves CBs on islands quite often, and they tend to bite and then grab on double moves. Strong, well timed double moves can get over the top of this defense.

 


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