Michigan Split Field Coverage Concepts and Pressures vs Alabama

The Michigan Defense led by Jesse Minter is playing in a national championship against Washington. They recently beat Alabama and earned a right to be one of college footballs best football teams.

Michigan is known for their split field and zone coverage concepts. It is a staple of what they do defensively. They led the country in points allowed, only giving up 9.5 points per game.They were also #1 in yards per game, only allowing 244 yards per game. They were top 10 in numerous categories.

But this article will focus on their split field coverage concepts vs Alabama. This is a 2 high safety look in which they played a few concepts.

From their split field concepts in 2023 they will play:

Cover 4 131 snaps (18% usage rate). Cover 2 70 snaps (10% usage rate)

Cover 6(4 to one side 2 to the other) 105 snaps (14% usage rate)

They do play some other zone coverage and it is primarily cover 3.

Cover 3 230 snaps (31% usage rate)

Analysis:

Lets look at some of the concepts they played with each coverage vs Alabama.

Cover 6 (4 to the field 2 to the boundary

They run a 5 man pressure with the concept. Alabama is in 12p with tight wing to the boundary. They send the mike and play 6.

Aa they free release the back. they have no one on the play side LB to the strength. He comes clean.

Here’s a nice pressures to the boundary and they give up the flat. Still 6 with no flat defender.

Again, Alabama runs a 2 man pattern, The Michigan call is great for the situation.