Let’s break down Cornelius Johnson’s 10 yard reception from Cade McNamara in the 1st quarter versus Rutgers.
The Wolverines line up with four receivers in a diamond formation which overloads the right side of the field.
Pre-snap, the first thing to notice is that RB Blake Corum is in the slot of the diamond and unaccounted for.
Michigan snaps the ball, the front three players of the diamond engage the defenders opening a gap on the defense while Blake Corum retreats for a potential pass.
Michigan QB Cade McNamara passes the ball to wide receiver #6 Cornelius Johnson and on the slant pattern, who makes the 10 yard reception and converts to first down.
But Michigan had multiple options out of this alignment. If the Rutgers safety had cheated up to take away the slant route, McNamara could have stepped up in pocket and ran the ball, taking advantage of the blocking provided by this offensive line.
He also could have passed the ball to Blake Corum who would who has three teammates blocking for him. Another variation would be for Corum to take a lateral from McNamara and throw a pass downfield.
Look for the Wolverines to use this formation later in the season.
Final Score: 20-13, Michigan by 7 over Rutgers SP+ Projection: Michigan by 21.2 (-14.2) CD Projection: Michigan by 29 (-22)
FIVE FACTORS
GAME 4 RECAP vs. Rutgers
For the fan base, this game was a teeth-clenched, white-knuckled grinder. The offense did not look sharp on the ground, or through the air. The defense gave up a lot of yardage, and even the kicker and punter seemed off.
But, for the team and for the coaches, this game should be extremely valuable. There is now ample film to analyze and strengthen the team’s weaknesses during this week of practice. The game planning didn’t start especially bad, but there are also major questions about getting out-maneuvered during the half time adjustment period.
Offensively, the linemen up front have to digest this game to understand how Rutgers was able muck up the middle. Michigan’s 17% success rate in the 3rd quarter was followed by an abysmal 15% success rate in the 4th. Blake Corum wasn’t able to get loose in this game, but finished as the leading rusher with 68 yards on 21 carries (3.2 ypc). Cade McNamara was 9 of 16 passing for 163 yards, but seemed a bit off target again. Before the half, McNamara missed an open receiver in the end zone on 2nd down, and Michigan settled for a short field goal. In retrospect, that may have been a pivotal moment.
On defense, the Wolverines were worn down more than we would have predicted by the Rutgers ground game. The Scarlet Knights rolled up 196 yards rushing (4.7 ypc). Three young linebackers should find this film invaluable. Nikhai Hill-Green, Junior Colson and Kalel Mullings answered the call to duty when an injury kept senior caption Josh Ross sidelined. Rutgers had a specific scheme to slow down Aidan Hutchinson, and challenged the rest of the Wolverines to step up. In the biggest moment of the game, David Ojabo was able to answer the bell, stripping QB Noah Vedral, and Colson recovered the fumble to seal the victory.
I don’t know how valuable film study will be for the two specialists, but they will both get back to work to sharpen their execution also. Kicker Jake Moody was 2 for 3 after narrowly missing a 47-yarder wide right in the 4th quarter. Brad Robbins averaged 40.8 yards per punt, but shanked a 32-yard punt when everyone expected him to pin the Knights deep. Rutgers was able to contain Blake Corum on kick returns, but AJ Henning flashed again in the 3rd quarter punt return for 29 yards. It feels like just a matter of time before Henning hits pay dirt. Onward!
Phil Callihan and Clint Derringer give their predictions for game 4 of the Michigan football season vs Rutgers with clips from head coach Jim Harbaugh.
