Scouting Report Michigan Offense-The Evolution of the Michigan Offense

As we get later in the year, I’ve noticed the many changed in the Michigan football team this year. They have evolved and have been running more motions and concepts but with their wide receivers on the perimeter. They are running less bash motion type concepts and it has improved their passing efficiency. They are 50-50 in the run game this year which is interesting(that’s when their qb 1 is in the game) which was important to Harbaugh going into this year. They are the definition of a balanced offense.

In the passing game, they are really running more nfl type passing concepts as well as motions. They have been more 12 personnel and really excel in the passing game. All 5 of their skill players, especially in 12 personnel, are weapons. They also have some 21 and 11 thrown in their but they are at their best in 12.

Let’s look at some personnel:

QB

JJ Mc Carthy has been lights out and a heisman candidate. He has become a very efficient pocket passer. He has been outstanding and really playing at a high level this year. 2,134 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. He’s also completed 75% of his passes, which is a remarkable number. Lastly, he’s averaging 10.4 yards a completion, 2 yards better than last year. McCarthy has been highly effective on third down, completing 33-of-44 pass attempts (75 percent) for 545 yards with a 209.4 passer rating. In situations of 3rd-and-7-plus yards, McCarthy is 22-of-29 (75.9 percent) for 279 yards with 21 first downs or touchdowns (four). Those are insane #’s

WR

On the outside, it starts with WR Roman Wilson who is dynamic. He leads the team with 36 catches. They move him around quite a bit which makes him even more dangerous. The other WR is Cornelious Johnson who is also having a good year with 24 coaches. Semaj Morgan and Tyler Morris are the 3rd and 4th options.

TE

Both of their tight ends are weapons. They have Colston Loveland who is a great football player and AJ Barner another excellent tight end. They have numerous weapons and can spread the ball around. These 2 really can work the middle of the field and command attention in the passing game.

RB

Blake Corum is averaging 5 yards a carry although Donovan Edwards has struggled. He is only at 3.1 yards per carry. At times they have looked a little average in the run game this year. 2 yards before contact is a big stat as in other years it has been 3 or higher.

The Offense

Below, you can see the stats. They are averaging 40.7 points per game but how they are doing it is interesting.

They have taken a step back in the run game and are not the Michigan of old running the football. Only 4.6 yards per carry and in the middle at rushing yards with 167 yards per game. They were at 238 yard per game in 2022. Thats 71 less yards per game. They also rushed for 5.6 yards per carry last year.

But the passing game tells another story. They are at a 75%(64% in 22) completion percentage and 3rd in college football on 3rd down being efficient 55% of the time(last year 27th at 45%). They are throwing for 257 passing yards a game. Last year they were at 219.

Now the passing game has been on fire with some of their concepts. They have been very efficient with their design.

Top Concepts

Y Cross

They use y cross with Cheetah motion with the speedy Roman Wilson lined up as the #1 wr. This opens up the middle of the field for Wilson vs man free coverage.

Y cross they like to run out of different formations. Again man free and they use a different motion variation. Rutgers brings a 5 man pressure an goes man free. Michigan runs #1 in motion and runs him on the crossing route in space.

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