Wolverine247 Board

my point is that we aren't running the same offensive systems.

Michigan isn't going to line up in the I and run right at you. We'll be in the shotgun 80% of the time and we'll be running zone reads and outside runs for designed runs for the most part.

Our passing game isn't going to be a traditional drop back passing game where the O-lineman are going to have to block while our quarterback makes a 5 step or 7 step drop and goes through 3 or 4 reads. Denard will have 2 (maybe 3) reads on any given pass play and the ball will be gone.

I'm not saying Bama doesn't have an advantage in the trenches (and all over the field), I'm just saying you can't say "oh our o-lineman are way bigger than yours, therefore they will do a better job at what they're doing."

And if you want to talk about "intangible" speed, I'm pretty sure Michigan will have the fastest player on the field touching the ball on every offensive snap.

2, maybe 3 reads and then the ball is gone. He better be accurate, bc we can cover for 2-3 seconds.

And at that point if they're covered, there's the fact that he'll be the fastest guy on the field and can run aspect that I also referred to.

We'll tackle guys everyday in practice that are as fast or within a step. We "get" speed. Frankly, if he holds up for 60 mins it'll be bc he's handing the ball off or getting it off. If he has 15+ carries, he probably won't finish the game.

It's gonna be a great season for you guys &, I think, a good game. Just hope both teams come out healthy.

Alright, well I guess there's no point in playing the game then lol. You guys seem to have all contingencies figured out!

You're throwing out 40 times like it's a race and player weights like they're going to be doing a tug-o-war.

I respect Bama and feel like we'll need an almost perfect game to beat them, but 40 times and player weights are far from the factor that should be discussed as the reason why Alabama is going to win (as it is here). This isn't NCAA Football 12 where a team full of 95+ speed guys is unbeatable.

Why do I think Michigan has a chance to win? Because for as much as Alabama's defense scares me, there offense doesn't frighten me. They possess the ball, look to not make mistakes, and lean on the defense to win. It's not as if, on top of a great defense, they trot out an explosive an unstoppable offense. I'm not worried about coming out and having to play from behind all game, because none of Alabama's games last season were out of reach at the half.

Bama obviously has a phenomenal defense. However, it's also not as if Bama played a gauntlet of prolific offensive teams. Michigan returns two 1000 rushers (one of which touches the ball every single play and also threw for 2000 yards last season). For some perspective, Alabama faced 4 1000 rushers all last season. You're not going to be able to lineup and key on a guy like Micheal Dyer (in the case of Auburn) as the extent of Michigan's running game. Every play, their defense is going to have to account for Denard plus Fitz Toussaint or whoever else is in the backfield.

As far as passing game, Alabama faced 2 quarterbacks who could be considered mobile. Jordan Jefferson and Chris Relf (who were both awful last season). Say what you want about him being a running back in the SEC...that's the factor that makes him hard to defend. You're not going to be able to play traditional pass defense against Denard because of his running ability. It's no secret that Denard doesn't have the best passing arm, but it's his running ability that masks the limitations in his passing. Much like McCarron, Denard isn't called on to win the game with his arm very often (thank god). We just don't want him to lose the game with his arm.

I expect the game to be close going into the 4th quarter, simply because I don't think Alabama's offense is going to come out and put up a ton of points. If Michigan can get one or 2 big plays in the game, I like our chances.

That is why I feel like Michigan will have more than a solid chance to win the game...not because of 40 times and player weights.

This.

Even if we don't win, I hope Drob torches your asses. Remember he's from SEC country.

4.33 at Friday Night Lights. 4.39 at the UA/Scout Combine.

However, SEC fans would have you believe that a 4.33 or a 4.39 is slower once you go to school in the north.

btw...a Michigan fan and an osu fan teaming up in a discussion. 2012 really must be the end of the world lol

I love that sport science lol. Forgot all about it.

I bet all your LB's run 4.3's huh?

4.33 at Friday Night Lights. 4.39 at the UA/Scout Combine.

Those qualify as reliable sources..........he is super fast........will be exciting to watch him in action.

haha never gonna happen bro. However, i do find Denard to be a class act. I guess i just hate him less than a lot of the others lol.