7B
TheMichiganDaily, www.michigandaily.com
Much
of
the
conversation
around
this
game
centers
around the other side of the
ball, that’s the natural tendency
when a triple-option side comes
to town. But it’s hard to see
the Wolverines’ offense being
bothered much by the group it’s
facing. Army’s best defense this
week might be its offense — and
whether it can control enough
clock to keep Shea Patterson and
co. off the field.
They will have tricks up
their sleeves
One of Army’s biggest plays
of the game last week came on
some trickeration — a reverse to
wide receiver Christian Hayes
for 35 yards on third and nine.
This is a pretty simple counter
off a normal speed option look,
and yet, the Rice defender over-
pursues, leaving the back end
wide open.
If they had it in the bag for
Rice, there’s surely more where
that came from this weekend.
Lock it in.
Don’t let things stay close
late
The real weapon of the triple
option
comes
through
the
repetition. When it works, the
excess of possession not only
allows for infinite counters off
the standard looks — as seen in
some of the trickeration — but
also an immeasurable impact on
the opposing team’s stamina and
wherewithal. It’s like a boxer
that jabs and jabs and jabs, goes
11 rounds and wins by decision.
The opponent leaves helpless.
The
worst
thing
the
Wolverines could do this week is
let Army hang around until the
fourth quarter. That could spell
doom for a depleted defense.
Last week, the two deadlocked
at 7-7 in the fourth quarter, the
Black Knights turned in a vintage
18-play, 96-yard drive that took
up 9:21. This is the kind of push
they were getting on that drive.
It
ended
in
this
17-yard
touchdown pass, and that was
that.
Frankly,
if
Michigan
has
its ‘A’ game, this shouldn’t be
much of a game. But if it falls
short of that, letting Army
poke, prod and hang around,
there’s a nightmare scenario
which features a similar ending.
There’s
a
reason
Michigan’s
staff has been preparing for this
unique challenge for several
months. Saturday, we’ll find out
how ready they are.
ALEXANDRIA POMPEI/Daily
The Michigan defense must stay ready for trick plays, as Army’s extensive use of the triple-option can easily set up a defense to expect the same thing every time, clearing the lane for trickeration.
FootballSaturday, September 7, 2019