Thought the plan was good, just a bit too conservative in the second half

Posted on September 14, 2026 at 12:35:53 PM by jon

Coaches were clearly shocked by Underwood's performance against WMU and drastically adjusted. I think he played well enough in the first half to dial their expectations up a notch, let Bryce throw a few more shots downfield. But instead the lead and the defense's play made them get more conservative, which isn't crazy -- it worked -- but made it really hard to score.

I see a lot of room for improving both the run game -- we were so close to breaking a lot of running plays -- and the pass game. I'm excited to see it play out. We may flop around, but it's also possible to imagine a really terrific offense by the time we roll into Columbus.

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Thread:

Ball-knowers and medium ball-knowers are less down on the O gameplan than I expected… - By Craig September 14, 2026 at 12:10:05 PM
- I listened to Mack Brown talk about Vince Young. He said he asked him what were his 5 favorite runs and his 5 favorites passes. - By xcheck September 14, 2026 at 12:59:49 PM
- I think in the context of coming off a brutal opener against WMU and facing an elite defense that pressures the hell out of a QB it was fine - By DoctorD September 14, 2026 at 12:45:56 PM
- Thought the plan was good, just a bit too conservative in the second half - By jon September 14, 2026 at 12:35:53 PM
- I don't know that the Iowa game is going to be the one where we want to take risks with throws over the middle. - By GritsGoBlue September 14, 2026 at 12:13:19 PM
  - Right I see this as 2019 Michigan-Iowa 2.0 - By y2wolv September 14, 2026 at 12:16:24 PM
    - I prefer the 2021 game* - By Rich September 14, 2026 at 12:22:11 PM
  - And against a team like Oregon? Also run all the time to keep the ball away..... - By Rich September 14, 2026 at 12:15:46 PM
    - Obviously, a plan that is optimal against Iowa is not going to be one that is also optimal against Oregon. - By GritsGoBlue September 14, 2026 at 01:50:17 PM
    - If Oregon gets dumptrucked at USC, they could mail it in and be a tire fire when Michigan gets there in November - By y2wolv September 14, 2026 at 12:17:52 PM
- I didn't like the gameplan. I don't know how you defend zero offensive points in a half and only 4 passes thrown. But I think I hate the offense more than the game plan* - By Rich September 14, 2026 at 12:12:36 PM
  - If we throw a bunch we would have turned it over and lost* - By hambone September 14, 2026 at 12:54:06 PM
  - Contin, and I recognize that even if the offense starts working, I will probably still hate it - By Rich September 14, 2026 at 12:13:31 PM
    - an offense where you don’t trust the quarterback will always look boring and predictable. * - By plug September 14, 2026 at 12:22:34 PM
      - Right. And we may not see that change, if they really want to work the run blocking against UTEP, and… - By Craig September 14, 2026 at 12:27:33 PM
        
        Why would you work on the run game vs UTEP and not the pass game as well? * - By Rich September 14, 2026 at 12:30:03 PM
        
        Because that’s what needs the reps more? Isn’t that how coaches often approach these games… - By Craig September 14, 2026 at 12:35:27 PM
        
        Seems like they both do to me* - By Rich September 14, 2026 at 12:38:36 PM
        
        Sure. I really have no idea what we’ll emphasize this week. Hopefully pretty-much everything we do works against UTEP, or else I might be worried… - By Craig September 14, 2026 at 12:52:15 PM
      - Except the only time we moved the ball was when BU threw downfield* - By Rich September 14, 2026 at 12:26:35 PM
    - I'm surprised to see you so adamant on so few data points, at a time where high rate of change can be expected from players, coaches and scheme. ** - By Mark September 14, 2026 at 12:17:19 PM
      - GBmqc had a good grading write-up on the O. (Is it $$ content? I’m not sure.) - By Craig September 14, 2026 at 12:21:17 PM
        
        Something isn't adding up with Harding and the OL. Otherwise you'd have to conclude we really miss El Hadi and Crippen* - By Rich September 14, 2026 at 12:27:38 PM
        
        Or it is only 2 games in, and these changes take some time to mesh.* - By cjb September 14, 2026 at 12:34:19 PM
        
        They inherited a strong ground game. Tearing it up was not smart if that is what they did* - By Rich September 14, 2026 at 12:39:12 PM
        
        do you want coaches coaching something they aren't familiar with? - By DoctorD September 14, 2026 at 12:47:13 PM
        
        No but you coach to your talent. And things like RBs in 3 point stances are not necessary* - By Rich September 14, 2026 at 01:07:37 PM
        
        but the run scheme is by definition going to be different* - By DoctorD September 14, 2026 at 01:10:39 PM
      - If the scheme changes I will possibly be happy. It's more a preference thing to me. RN this offense is as if Harbaugh played Trente Jones over Loveland, and a 4th string blocking only H back/TE instead of Barner or a 3rd receiver* - By Rich September 14, 2026 at 12:20:12 PM
    - Understood. To be fair, it’s much easier to love an offense when it is working. Harbaugh's offenses were rarely a joy to watch… - By Craig September 14, 2026 at 12:16:17 PM

The Victors

Thought the plan was good, just a bit too conservative in the second half