Here at StateOfTheU we’ve given you plenty of playoff coverage to download prior to the Cotton Bowl. The Miami Hurricanes will face the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 31st at 7:30pm on ESPN. There are anxiety relievers (aka games) on today at 12, 2:00, 3:00, and 3:30 prior to the ‘Canes kicking off this evening.
While we wait for the Cotton Bowl to start let’s do one last film review of the Buckeyes, this time against the Michigan Wolverines.
The Film
We’re going to take a look at the 27-9 OSU win over their
rival the Michigan Wolverines. Michigan holds the all-time advantage over the Buckeyes 62-52-6. OSU won seven in a row from 2004-2010 before a Michigan win in 2011. Ohio State then won eight in a row before Michigan took over the series at the end of the Jim Harbaugh regime. Michigan won four in a row, including two coached by Sherrone Moore (2-1 vs. OSU), before OSU’s win in 2025. This was Ryan Day’s first win over UM as the head football coach.
The Doppler
OSU finished the game 13-of-19 on money downs while holding the other UM to 1-of-10. Matt Patricia’s OSU defense is loaded with talent and has played up to and maybe even beyond expectation this season.
OSU was flagged for 72 yards in penalties while Michigan was flagged once for three whole yards. Both squads threw an interception, and Michigan was 3-of-3 on FG’s while OSU was 2-of-2.
Instead of the typical ‘what did OSU do on O and D’ we’re going to look at this from a Do’s and Don’ts perspective. Ie. don’t settle for field goals against an OSU team that has Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. OSU QB Julian Sayin finished the game averaging 9.0 yards per pass attempt with three TD’s and one INT.
Sayin found six different receivers and four averaged double-digit yards per catch while three different dudes caught a TD pass from the freshman QB.
RB Bo Jackson thumped his way for 5.0 yards per carry while CJ Donaldson and Isaiah West were held to 3.1 and 3.3 yards per carry, respectively. Michigan came up with four TFL’s but did not sack Sayin.
On the flip side- Bryce Underwood was held to 3.5 yards per pass attempt with an interception. While RB Jordan Marshall had himself a day averaging 8.7 yards per carry Michigan couldn’t pick up key 3rd downs without a passing game.
OSU only sacked Underwood one time, and logged only three TFL’s but Underwood also only connected with five receivers while only two went for double-digit yards per catch totals.
What should Miami DO vs. OSU?
1- My first do is DO run counter. Pull those damn OL, especially SiSi Mauigoa, and get numbers at the point of attack.
Above– Michigan gets the run game going with GT counter. The BSG will pull and ‘kick’ the EMOL while the BST will wrap to the 2nd level and block the LB. Mich motions the WR across as a possible slide RPO concept.
Above- GY Counter is a slightly different wrinkle. Mich used their winged TE/FB as the wrapper and the BSG as the kick out guy. The WR this time motioned to the play and looped around to block the CB/S at the 3rd level.
Above– Here you can see the hole a good kick and wrap makes for the RB. Patience allows the play to develop and the RB can put his hand on 42’s back and ride him through the hole.
Above– Here’s the end zone view of GY Counter. Now the RB just has to read #10’s butt. If it’s straight back like it is now it’s a 2-way go. If it’s pointing to the field you cut under it, if it’s pointing to the sideline you cut outside.
2- DO bait Sayin into these throws. Roll safeties, drop overhang guys into the hook-curl, and press Smith with help behind.
Above– Smith vs. any CB 1-on-1 in press man is a win for OSU in their minds. No one can ‘CAP’ Sayin in press (to use R4 terminology). The Safety is in immediate ‘help’ mode but this is just a stupid ball from the QB. He should throw this BACKSIDE where it’s out of bounds or caught, not a potential INT.
Above– As you can see, not only is the check down there (take your check downs) but it’s thrown inside vs. outside. This looks more like a ball to the CB than the WR.
Above– A tough ask for Smith on this throw, if it’s down and outside it’s all him or an INC vs. an INT. Sayin is good for one WTF interception per game against good defenses (Michigan, Indiana).
3- DO keep the pressure on Sayin.
Above– Sayin goes out of bounds on must have 3rd down runs dangerously close to the sticks and here he just flops into the pile instead of pushing and diving over. Keep the pressure on him, he’s not a ‘tough’ guy like Fernando Mendoza, he’s more of a 7-on-7 QB.
4- DO run split zone, take your check downs, and DO YOUR JOB.
Above- Split zone has been a great concept for Miami this season when the TE’s are blocking it properly. The TE’s hat must be on the inside to keep the DE away from the cutback lane.
Above- Carson Beck must take his check downs when they’re there. I get nickel and dime’ing OSU won’t win the game, you need big plays, but you have to pick up 1st downs, too.
Above- DO YOUR JOB. The New England Patriots won six Super Bowls by filming your walk through and with one mantra- DO YOUR JOB. When guys stop doing their job and start ‘covering’ for teammates things like this TD happen. The deep 1/4 safety comes down on a short route for LB’s and Tate runs to the opposite seam for a wide open TD catch.
What are my DON’Ts vs. OSU for the ‘Canes?
1- DON’T get addicted to screens, Shannon Dawson.
Above– Look you have to run SOME screens, but Shannon Dawson can’t get addicted to screens like he typically has. Underwood reads the 3over3 to the top and at least knows better than to force that. He flips and seemingly has a wide open RB delay screen but OSU sniffs it out. The OSU defense reacts at unreal levels.
2- DON’T think you can beat Smith 1-on-1.
Above- Michigan looks like they’ve got a win here in cover 3 on 4th and 5. The CB’s coverage (CAP) is taking away a deep throw his alignment (CAP) is taking away the inside slant/glance/fin routes BUT you can’t out personnel Smith (CAP).
Above– It’s 4th and 5 you’d suspect OSU tries to hit Smith on something short for an ‘easy’ 1st down. But that’s too obvious and would throw this into LB’s, S’s and the CB.
Above– And if you’re going to get beat deep just tackle the dude down. This hands on but not a mugging won’t do it. He’s a hoss. Completely tackle him.
3- DON’T rely on a red zone fade on 3rd down.
Above- The red zone fade. It looks promising until you realize it’s only successful ~20% of the time vs. ~50% for other concepts. I’m much more of a fan of attacking the goal post OR some kind of pick/slide concept. The RZ Fade does nothing to the CB’s OODA Loop and requires no communication. They didn’t even slip the back out to that side, they just tried a lob pass. What could’ve been a 10-0 lead turns into just 6-0 and you won’t beat OSU on FG’s.
4- DON’T lose your technique on tracking ball carriers.
Above- Bo Jackson isn’t quite his namesake but he isn’t shabby either. The LB we’re watching needs to track the near hip of the RB. He’s got outside help from the overhang guy and the CB as force players. The more he strings this out the more help he’ll get.
Above– The minute his shoulders are no longer square to the EZ he’s opening himself up for a cutback or worse, what actually happens. Remember he has help outside so turning to run is pointless.
Above– Now we have multiple groups of defenders on a straight line which means you’re occupying the same space. If the original LB we watched (#30) had stayed square and scallup’d vs. turned to run this wouldn’t happen. Jackson sets him up on an inside-out move.
Above– your outside force CB is blocked by Tate, the force guy (7) is chasing some how and 30 blocks himself. This winds up stopped at around the +5YL for OSU.
Random thoughts; not a DO or DON’T
1- Y-Corner. At multiple stops along my now retired coaching career I’ve ran a form of Y-Corner or Snag.
Above- On Snag: The #1 (Z) would run a slant to sit or “STOP” while the #2 would run a bubble or slide (“Arrow”) route. If the #3 (Y) is to that side you run a corner route with him. You can rhythm the corner, and then hitch to read the stop. I typically read that overhang player (SS) if he ran the bubble throw the sit if he sat there you’d throw the bubble.
Above– OSU runs this both with bubble and slide to keep the defense guessing. Here Sayin drills that sit route when the slide is actually what’s open.
2- OSU doesn’t red zone fade, they attack the middle.
Above– OSU plays around with some pre-snap yo-yo motion for the slot which is Brandon Innis. They use the TE as a pick player and roll Innis off of the TE’s slant route.
Above– You can see the RZ fade to Smith is mugged. The S’s for Mich are useless here. And Innis slips under for the TD.
The Wrap
The time is here, y’all. No more ‘what if’ posts the next post is the Film Review to tell us what happened: win or loss. I hope everyone has a safe New Years Eve and a great New Year. Be safe.
